Custodian Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

Updated on

January 12, 2026

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9

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Instawork Editorial

Custodian Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

Custodian Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

Learn how we can meet your staffing needs

Custodians keep facilities safe, clean, and welcoming, protecting health and extending the life of floors, fixtures, and equipment. Interviews can be challenging because they must uncover reliability, safety habits, and hands-on skill across different facility types and shifts. This guide provides practical Custodian interview questions, sample answers, and evaluation tips for candidates and employers.

Table of Contents

General and Motivation Questions
Experience and Tools Questions
Safety, Compliance, and Hazard Response Questions
Prioritization and Time Management Questions
Working Around People and Customer Service Questions
Security, Access, and Integrity Questions
School Custodian Questions
Startup/Office Scenario Questions
Inventory, Waste, and Events Questions
What Great Answers Sound Like (For Candidates)
Practical Assessment Ideas for Employers
FAQs

Top Interview Questions

What interests you about working as a custodian at our facility?
Describe your experience with floor care equipment and different floor types.
How do you handle and store cleaning chemicals safely?
How do you prioritize tasks when multiple requests come in at once?
What steps do you take to prevent cross-contamination between areas?
How do you minimize disruption when cleaning around staff, students, or the public?
How do you manage keys and access to restricted areas?
Tell me about a time you handled a challenging spill or hazard. What did you do?
How do you track supplies and avoid running out of essentials?
If you joined us, what would your first 30 days look like to make an immediate impact?

General and Motivation Questions

What interests you about working as a custodian at our facility?

Sample Answer: I enjoy keeping spaces safe and presentable, and your facility’s high traffic makes consistent standards essential. The role matches my strengths in reliability, detail, and teamwork, and I’m excited about contributing to a clean, welcoming environment for everyone who uses the space.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Clear motivation tied to the facility type, schedule, and standards
Examples of reliability and pride in work quality
Awareness of how cleanliness impacts health, safety, and user experience

How do you handle stress or repetitive tasks during long shifts?

Sample Answer: I follow a checklist and break work into manageable blocks, which keeps me focused and consistent. Short stretch breaks and rotating tasks help prevent fatigue while maintaining quality and pace.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Concrete habits: checklists, pacing, rotation, or timed intervals
Commitment to quality despite repetition or time pressure
Healthy coping strategies that remain professional and safe

Experience and Tools Questions

Describe your experience with floor care equipment and different floor types.

Sample Answer: I’ve used auto-scrubbers, burnishers, and buffers on VCT, terrazzo, rubber, and sealed concrete, adjusting pads, speed, and chemicals to manufacturer specs. I schedule strip-and-wax, scrub-and-recoat, and daily maintenance based on traffic and finish condition.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Specific machines, pads, chemicals, and floor types
Maintenance cycles and inspection routines
Safety steps like signage, cord management, and PPE

What cleaning products and tools are you most familiar with?

Sample Answer: I’m comfortable with microfiber systems, HEPA vacuums, carpet extractors, and EPA-registered disinfectants, following label directions and dwell times. I organize carts by task zone and color-code cloths and mop heads to prevent cross-use.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Tool names with appropriate uses and limitations
Correct chemical use, dilution, and dwell-time awareness
Organization methods that support efficiency and hygiene

Safety, Compliance, and Hazard Response Questions

How do you handle and store cleaning chemicals safely?

Sample Answer: I review Safety Data Sheets, wear required PPE, and use proper dilution systems while never mixing incompatible chemicals. All containers are labeled, stored ventilated, and secured, with SDS access available to the team at all times.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Reference to SDS, PPE, labeling, and secure storage
Explicit mention of avoiding dangerous mixes (e.g., bleach with ammonia)
Procedures for spills, exposure, and emergency reporting

What steps do you take to prevent cross-contamination between areas?

Sample Answer: I use color-coded cloths and mop heads, separate restrooms from food or office areas, and follow correct dwell times for disinfectants. Tools are cleaned and stored between zones, and I work from clean to dirty areas to avoid recontaminating surfaces.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Color-coding and zone separation
Clean-to-dirty workflow and correct chemical dwell times
Tool decontamination and storage practices

Tell me about a time you handled a challenging spill or hazard. What did you do?

Sample Answer: A large spill near an outlet required blocking off the area, cutting power, and using absorbent materials designed for that liquid. After safe cleanup and disposal, I documented the incident and followed up to prevent recurrence.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Immediate safety actions: signage, isolation, PPE, power considerations
Use of appropriate materials and correct disposal
Documentation and preventive follow-up

Prioritization and Time Management Questions

How do you prioritize tasks when multiple requests come in at once?

Sample Answer: I triage by safety and health impact first—spills and restrooms, then high-traffic touchpoints, followed by routine tasks. I communicate expected timelines and adjust the schedule, documenting changes so nothing is missed.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Clear triage logic: safety/health, impact, then routine
Communication with stakeholders about timing
Documentation or checklists to track deferrals

How do you balance speed and quality when schedules are tight?

Sample Answer: I focus on critical areas first and use efficient tools like microfiber and autoscrubbers, while maintaining standards like dwell times. If timing conflicts with quality, I escalate early to reset expectations rather than cut corners.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Prioritization of critical tasks and areas
Efficiency methods that don’t compromise safety
Proactive communication when scope or time must change

Working Around People and Customer Service Questions

How do you minimize disruption when cleaning around staff, students, or the public?

Sample Answer: I schedule noisy work for off-peak times, use signage, and give courteous heads-up before closing restrooms or entries. I keep pathways open and adjust my route to avoid interrupting meetings, classes, or customer lines.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Planning around peak times and events
Clear signage and polite communication
Flexible routing that maintains accessibility

How would you handle a complaint about cleanliness or an odor?

Sample Answer: I listen without interrupting, thank them, and resolve the issue promptly—then investigate root cause, like ventilation or product choice. I follow up to confirm the issue is resolved and note any preventive changes needed.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Professional, empathetic communication
Swift resolution plus root-cause analysis
Follow-up and process improvements

Security, Access, and Integrity Questions

How do you manage keys and access to restricted areas?

Sample Answer: I follow key control policies, sign keys in/out, and never share them. Doors are re-secured after tasks, and I report lost keys or access issues immediately per protocol.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Knowledge of key logs, badge policies, and chain of custody
Re-securing spaces and confidentiality awareness
Immediate reporting of exceptions or losses

What would you do if asked to do something outside your job scope?

Sample Answer: I help when it’s safe and appropriate, and if specialized skills are needed, I escalate to the right team. I document the request and communicate timelines or limitations to keep expectations clear.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Safety-first decision-making
Willingness to assist while respecting policy and skill limits
Clear escalation and documentation

School Custodian Questions

What makes you a strong school custodian?

Sample Answer: I’m attentive to student safety, quick to address spills or hazards, and keep restrooms and classrooms consistently sanitary. I communicate with teachers and follow school protocols, including radio use and emergency procedures.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Student safety and hazard vigilance
Consistent sanitation in high-use spaces
Team communication through school systems and protocols

How do you interact with students and staff while staying on task?

Sample Answer: I’m friendly and respectful but keep a professional pace, offering quick help when needed without falling behind. If a request affects priorities, I coordinate with the office to align on timing.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Professional, approachable communication
Boundary setting to maintain schedule
Coordination with administrators on priorities

Startup/Office Scenario Questions

If you joined us, what would your first 30 days look like to make an immediate impact?

Sample Answer: I’d audit routes, supply par levels, and traffic patterns; fix quick wins like signage and restocking gaps; and set up a simple task-tracking system. By week four, I’d present a plan for route optimization, preventative floor care, and supply budgeting.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Discovery: audits, data collection, and stakeholder input
Quick wins with measurable outcomes
A short plan for ongoing improvements and documentation

What system do you prefer for documenting tasks, inspections, and reporting issues?

Sample Answer: I’m comfortable with CMMS or shared task apps for checklists, photos, and timestamps. Standardizing notes and categories speeds handoffs and helps spot trends for preventive work.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Familiarity with digital or paper systems and consistent use
Evidence value: visibility, accountability, and trend analysis
Photo/document attachments for clarity

Inventory, Waste, and Events Questions

How do you track supplies and avoid running out of essentials?

Sample Answer: I maintain par levels by area, review weekly usage, and reorder with lead times in mind. I keep substitutes on hand and communicate early if deliveries slip to adjust routes or product choices.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Par levels, reorder points, and lead-time awareness
Substitution plans and product standardization
Communication when shortages may affect service

What’s your experience with recycling, composting, and waste programs?

Sample Answer: I set up labeled stations, train staff on what belongs where, and schedule pickups to prevent overflow. I track contamination issues and adjust signage or bin placement to improve compliance.

What a Strong Answer Includes

Knowledge of local guidelines and stream separation
Signage, placement, and education tactics
Monitoring and continuous improvement

What Great Answers Sound Like

For both candidates and employers: strong responses are specific, safe, and results-focused.

Specifics: names of equipment and chemicals, correct methods (dilution, dwell time), and examples with measurable outcomes
Safety-first: PPE, SDS access, signage, cord control, biohazard protocols, and never mixing incompatible chemicals
Professionalism: clear communication, documentation habits, integrity with keys/access, and respectful conduct around people

Practical Assessment Ideas for Employers

Floor care demo: identify floor type, choose pads/chemicals, set signage, and explain steps before a short machine pass
Chemical safety quick check: interpret two SDS excerpts and select proper PPE and storage
Route and triage exercise: prioritize a list with a restroom issue, spill, and routine tasks; explain timing and communication

FAQs

What qualities matter most in custodians?

Reliability, safety awareness, attention to detail, communication, and respect for confidentiality. Technical familiarity with your facility’s equipment and surfaces is essential.

How can we assess real skill quickly?

Use a brief hands-on demo (floor care or spill response) plus a chemical safety check. Review a sample checklist the candidate uses to manage routes and quality.

How should we tailor interviews to our facility?

Match questions to floor types, traffic patterns, and shift needs (nights/weekends). Add scenarios for biohazards in schools or confidentiality in offices/healthcare.

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you today?

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