Building a strong janitor cover letter is a great way to compliment your resume during the job search. The key is to add a personal touch to your document by conveying pride in your work and demonstrating your commitment to safety, cleanliness, and quality standards. Our guide provides examples and expert advice to help translate your custodial experience into an eye-catching cover letter.
Janitor Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Janitor Cover Letter
Writing a great janitor cover letter can be a challenging task, as many of your job duties might not seem like achievements at first glance. That said, it’s possible to transform your daily responsibilities into accomplishments by using the right language. The key is to emphasize how you’ve positively impacted completion times, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency using specific examples from your career. Below, we’ll provide additional tips to guide you through each section of your janitor cover letter:
1. Contact information and salutation
In the header of your janitor cover letter, list your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn URL. Be sure to address the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.” Avoid salutations such as “To Whom It May Concern,” as this language is more direct and personal.
2. Introduction
Lead your janitor cover letter with a strong opening paragraph to convey your interest in the role and grab the hiring manager’s attention. Highlight your years of custodial experience and emphasize the pride you take in your work. Build your introduction around an eye-catching achievement that captures the size and scope of the cleaning projects you’ve completed in the past. This illustrates how your custodial background would be an asset to their company.
Example
As you can see from my attached resume, I’m an HVAC-certified janitor with eight years of experience offering custodial services to hotel facilities, including grounds cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. My ability to execute large-scale cleaning projects quickly and efficiently would be an asset to your establishment in the janitor position.
3. Body paragraphs
Build out the body paragraphs of your janitor cover letter with your most relevant qualifications and career accomplishments. Start by mentioning something specific about the company you’re applying to and how you can provide valuable contributions to their team. Feature achievements that emphasize the positive impact you’ve had on previous organizations. In the example below, the candidate focuses on highlighting your team management background, which is very important for executing large-scale cleaning projects:
Example
Ryan Janitorial Services’ reputation as a leading provider of commercial cleaning services attracts me to apply for this position. Throughout my career, I’ve provided quality janitorial solutions to offices, retail stores, and hotels of various sizes. My leadership capabilities and safety knowledge will allow me to excel in this role based on my professional achievements:
- Developed cleaning strategies, implemented new workflows for internal teams, identified opportunities to enhance efficiency, and reduced supply costs by over 15%
- Coordinated with the operations manager and led teams of up to six cleaning professionals, including delivering training on safety protocols and equipment maintenance
- Ensured compliance with health and safety standards, sanitized surfaces, water coolers, and bathrooms, removed garbage and recyclables, and maintained hygienic environments
4. Janitor skills and qualifications
Although it’s best to avoid providing a comprehensive list of your professional skills, consider integrating key terms from the job description into your paragraphs. Your janitor cover letter lets you show potential employers how you’ve applied your unique skills in a professional setting. Below is a list of key skills to keep in mind when writing your janitor cover letter:
| Key Skills and Qualifications | |
|---|---|
| Chemical safety | Cleaning services |
| Client relations | Commercial cleaning |
| Communication | Customer service |
| Equipment maintenance | Heavy cleaning |
| House cleaning | Housekeeping |
| Inventory management | Personal protective equipment (PPE) |
| Professional cleaning services | Project management |
| Residential cleaning | Safety regulations |
| Sanitation | |
5. Closing section
Close out your janitor cover letter on a strong note with a call to action that encourages the hiring manager to schedule you for an interview. Emphasize how your experience in professional cleaning services could be an asset to their organization. Be sure to thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration in the last sentence.
Example
I hope to speak with you further regarding how my custodial experience within the hotel industry can help ensure a great experience for your guests. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Anthony Gentile
Janitor Cover Letter Tips
1. Showcase your professional achievements
To make a strong impression on the reader, quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, you might highlight the square footage of the facilities you’ve maintained or the number of rooms you clean daily. This establishes a sense of scope for your responsibilities. If you can’t add numbers, focus on other aspects of your career, such as implementing new cleaning procedures or receiving commendations for exceptional cleanliness.
2. Feature your communication and leadership skills
As a janitor, it’s important to emphasize your ability to interface effectively with both customers and team members in fast-paced environments. In the example below, the candidate highlights their experience building positive relationships with teachers and students. Showing they already have a background in delivering custodial services in schools also helps to strengthen their application for this particular opportunity:
Your school’s reputation for its diverse and inclusive community is what draws me to apply for this opportunity. In my previous role at Bay View Elementary, I communicated effectively with teachers, school personnel, and students. I can make valuable contributions to your organization based on my previous achievements:
3. Showcase your knowledge of safety regulations
Safety is a key aspect of any janitorial position. Incorrect usage of chemicals and cleaning solutions can cause extremely hazardous results and employers want to see your experience executing projects both safely and efficiently. In the example below, the applicant highlights their knowledge of both safety protocols and HVAC, which may help them stand out during the hiring process:
- Delivered custodial services for a 550-room hotel and performed deep cleaning and sanitation of rooms, lounges, restaurants, and gift shop areas in compliance with safety standards
- Repaired hotel HVAC systems and maintained and repaired hotel plumbing and electrical systems
- Trained five new janitors successfully in cleaning, sanitation, and safety procedures
Janitor Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Anthony Gentile
Janitor | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | New York, NY 12345 | LinkedIn
January 1, 2024
Hideo Araki
Hiring Manager
Hilton Hotel
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Araki:
As you can see from my attached resume, I’m an HVAC-certified janitor with eight years of experience providing custodial services to hotel facilities, including grounds cleaning, maintenance, and repairs. My ability to execute large-scale cleaning projects safely and efficiently would be an asset to your establishment in the janitor position.
Hilton Hotel is highly regarded for its dedication to quality, safety, and cleanliness, which strongly aligns with my professional background as a custodian. My expertise in both HVAC and safety regulations could help your team continue to grow this reputation based on my previous successes:
- Delivered custodial services for a 550-room hotel and performed deep cleaning and sanitation of rooms, lounges, restaurants, and gift shop areas in compliance with safety standards
- Repaired hotel HVAC systems and maintained and repaired hotel plumbing and electrical systems
- Trained five new janitors successfully in cleaning, sanitation, and safety procedures
I hope to speak with you further regarding how my custodial experience within the hotel industry can help ensure a great experience for your guests. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
Anthony Gentile
Janitor Cover Letter FAQs
Why should I include a janitor cover letter?-
In truth, most companies won’t require a cover letter for custodial positions the vast majority of the time. That said, submitting one allows you to stand out from other applicants. This enables you to use a more personal approach to telling your story and can help convey your genuine enthusiasm for the opportunity.
How long should my cover letter be?-
It’s best to keep your cover letter short and straightforward, limited to 400 words or less. Hiring managers have limited bandwidth to review every application in-depth, so it’s important not to overwhelm them with excessive information. Keep your document focused on your most impressive achievements and skill sets, and avoid simply detailing your job responsibilities.
How should I submit my cover letter?-
This depends entirely on the company’s hiring process. Sometimes, you can include your cover letter in the body of an email or as an attachment with a template when you send your resume. In other scenarios, you may be required to copy and paste your cover letter into a text box on the company’s job portal. In either situation, ensure your content is properly formatted before sending it out.
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