In the age of the gig economy, many are moving away from traditional jobs and demanding more flexibility. It’s no surprise that cleaning jobs are becoming more and more attractive.
Cleaning is a quick and low-cost way to become your own boss.
You have the ability to set your own schedule and the knowledge that your work is (literally) in your hands, instead of having to answer to someone else.
Gone are the days where you had to post an ad in the local paper or trading post. These days, you can secure a cleaning job almost instantaneously.
6 easy ways to find cleaning jobs
Get your first cleaning job from a friend or acquaintance, then have them review you online. That way you’ll have something to show when you take these steps:
- Join a cleaning agency.
- Sign up to business directories.
- List your services on freelance sites.
- Get job alerts from job sites.
- Contact facility management companies.
- Networking.
Before we share our 6 tips, I’d like to outline what’s involved in work as an office or home cleaner.
Duties of a cleaner
Photo: The Honest Company on Unsplash
Whether you’re interested in office cleaning jobs, homes or hospital cleaning jobs, the typical tasks for a professional cleaner include:
- Vacuuming and mopping
- Emptying waste paper bins
- Disinfecting and deodorising kitchens, bathrooms and toilets
- Dusting, cleaning and polishing furniture
- Cleaning windows and other glass surfaces
You could be asked to stock and maintain cleaning supplies and do small cleaning duties throughout the day, such as dusting and emptying garbage bins.
Depending on the setting, cleaners may also have some duties that overlap with housekeeping or nanny/babysitting duties.
Now for our tips on finding where to find cleaning jobs.
1. Join a cleaning agency
One of the best ways for you to find cleaning jobs is to get listed with cleaning agencies such as Absolute Domestics. Absolute Domestics is a “recruitment and referral agency that matches trustworthy and reliable cleaners to individuals, families or busy homes needing help with the household chores.”
Helpling is another option worth considering. It’s an online marketplace that connects customers with cleaners and cleaning agencies.
2. Sign up to business directories
Reputable business and trade directories such as Hipages can provide you with cleaning jobs when you list your profile with them.
How it works is a customer will post a job and Hipages matches and invites businesses to quote on the job as described.
To increase your chances of landing cleaning jobs, you need to make your profile look attractive by adding pictures of your cleaning jobs, information on what makes your business unique and your credentials.
What’s great about HiPages is that you can take payments and communicate with customers seamlessly through the platform.
3. List your services on freelance sites
You can also access over 500 cleaning jobs through freelancer sites like Airtasker. Setting up your profile is free and you have the flexibility to choose:
- What you do
- When you do it
- How much you are paid
Payment is guaranteed because Airtasker receives it before you start work. So you can be sure it’s there when you’re done working.
There are new cleaning jobs posted every day; set up alerts so you won’t miss out.
Airtasker features all sorts of cleaning jobs — from domestic to office and end-of-lease cleaning.
Similar to Hipages, you can also add your before and after pictures to your profile, making it simpler for customers to pick you for the job.
4. Get job alerts from job sites
Popular job sites such as Indeed.com and Seek.com.au have thousands of jobs listed every day in a variety of industries.
There is a big section on cleaning jobs, so it’s a great idea to sign up for job alerts. That way, you can be the first to know when a cleaning job comes through in your city.
These job sites can get flooded with lots of applications, so make sure your resume and job application is written in a way that sets you apart and includes references.
5. Contact facility management companies
Facility management companies manage one or more properties or buildings, including the cleaning services for those facilities.
Commercial premises such as offices and hospitals are always in need of cleaners.
Research any company you’re thinking of working for to see what they are like as an employer. You can search for company reviews and ratings through sites like Glassdoor.
Facility management companies such as Spotless are always looking for cleaners all around Australia. Spotless operates 900 cleaning contracts, providing a full range of cleaning services for:
- Blue-chip companies
- Retail outlets
- Industrial facilities
- Commercial premises
You can check out their open vacancies here.
Other facility management companies in Australia include Facilities First, CBRE and Savills. They are constantly in need of cleaners.
6. Networking
Don’t underestimate the importance of networking. When you are working for yourself, you need to view it as a business and you will need to brand yourself.
You’ve probably heard of the phrase that it’s all about who you know, not what you know.
There are also many networking groups you may be able to join in your area. Check out your local Chamber of Commerce to get started. There are also many local Facebook groups to join where people are always looking for cleaners.
How to beat the competition
Due to the low cost of getting started in this field, it can be hard to land a cleaning job. Like any business, this can be overcome by effectively branding yourself and stressing important selling points that customers are looking for. For example your:
- Excellent attention to detail
- Speed and efficiency
- Affordable price points
- Trustworthiness, with a police background check completed
- Convenience such as supplying your own cleaning equipment
If you want to take it a step further, you can create a Facebook business profile, so potential customers can find you and read reviews. You can even create your very own website to promote your cleaning services. Use search engine optimisation tactics to make sure your website comes up when people search “house cleaners near me.”
In the website, you should display your before and after pictures, along with a picture of yourself and a list your credentials (i.e. others you’re currently working for).
Make sure you highlight what makes you different from other cleaners and add in a contact form. You’ll also want to feature positive reviews from current customers, as this is very persuasive to those shopping around for a cleaner.
This could be the perfect job
Cleaning jobs offer so much flexibility. It’s a resilient industry and there’s never been a better time to be your own boss and in charge of your schedule.
Because cleaning jobs require little in the way of experience or cost, there is a lot of competition. If you are running your own cleaning business, all the responsibility is on you to find clients and make enough money.
To help you find cleaning jobs, we recommend looking into cleaning agencies, business directories, freelancer sites and facilities management companies. And never underestimate the value of networking. Tell everyone what your plans are and what you’re doing and chances are, they may need you or know of someone who else who does.
All the best in your job search!
