Finding the right cleaning job requires a tailored application, and generic cover letters are unlikely to secure the specific role you want. At CVapp.ie, we’re here to prevent you from using stale, boring and uninspiring CVs and cover letters. As a trusted global provider of job search advice and support, we specialise in helping professionals create impressive documents that highlight their skills and experience effectively and efficiently. We have over 180 profession-specific writing guides and sample cover letters to enhance your application, and in this guide, we’ll focus on the following:
- We’ll explain the purpose of a cover letter
- We’ll discuss the best format for a cleaning job cover letter
- We’ll provide too writing tips to optimise the impact of each cover letter section: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
- We’ll highlight the psychological factors you can use to win over recruiters and hiring managers
- And, we’ll help you avoid making common cover letter mistakes
Let’s begin with the first section:
Why you need a cover letter
Cleaning work isn’t always glamorous, but it can serve as an excellent entry point into the working world or a means to earn extra money. Nowadays, there is a widespread need for deep cleaning. Despite the pandemic's impact on several industries, there has been an increased demand for commercial cleaning services, especially those that offer safety and disinfection solutions. Anyone wanting to take advantage of these brightjob prospects needs the kind of cover letter that stands out from the crowd. That’s where we come in!
What is a cover letter?
In a nutshell, a cover letter is a one-page document that introduces who you are as a professional. Ultimately, it explains why you’re a great candidate for the job you’re applying for.
But isn’t that what your CV does? Why write a cover letter for a cleaning job when you’ve already spent a lot of time and effort detailing your work experience in your CV? While it may seem to be repetitive, we assure you that a well-formatted cover letter is essential to boosting your job prospects. Your cover letter should do the following:
- Expand upon the information in your CV
- Express your personality using a professional, but friendly, tone
- Help form a personal connection with the hiring manager.
Your cover letter can tip the scales in your favour if it’s well-written and offers insights into your work style and achievements. Imagine a hiring manager is trying to choose between two candidates to offer an interview. Their experience levels are similar, but one has written a cover letter with an anecdote that highlights her work ethic and understanding of the particular position, while the other has simply restated the information within his CV. Who do you think has a better chance of advancing to the interview? We certainly know the answer. A customised cover letter can make all the difference!
Best format for a cleaning job cover letter
In cleaning jobs, you will find that you develop an order to your work that leads to efficiency. The best format for a cover letter is no different! With a cover letter, your goal is to engage and impress your prospective employer in an efficient manner.
Our cover letter examples will follow the same basic structure:
- Cover letter header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
- Conclusion and signature
Below you will find a cleaning job cover letter sample to help you get started:
Dear Mr. Brennan,
What's better than a fresh, clean home? Why, lots of fresh, clean homes, polished to perfection, of course!
My name is Clodagh Kerry, and I am writing to apply for the advertised cleaner position at Forever Fresh Cleaners Galway. With nearly 10 years of experience as a cleaner, I am confident in my abilities to add value to the Forever Fresh Cleaners team, and uphold your commitment to maintaining a pristine and sanitary environment. Throughout my years in the cleaning industry, I have developed an extensive set of skills that allow me to excel in various cleaning tasks. From basic maintenance and deep cleaning to specialised procedures in different settings, I am well-versed in providing top-quality services. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which has honed my ability to adapt to different cleaning needs and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues alike.
One aspect of my cleaning expertise that I believe sets me apart is my meticulous attention to detail. I take pride in ensuring that every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned, leaving no trace of dirt or dust behind. Whether it is sanitising surfaces, dusting delicate items, or organising cluttered spaces, I approach each task with precision and dedication. I understand the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
In addition to my technical skills, I am also highly reliable and organised. Punctuality and consistency are essential to me, as I believe they contribute to fostering a trustworthy work environment. Being a team player, I appreciate collaboration and am eager to contribute to a positive and supportive workplace culture at Forever Fresh Cleaners.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to Forever Fresh Cleaners Galway. I am confident that my dedication, attention to detail, and professionalism would make me a valuable asset to your team. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my qualifications align with your company's needs in an interview, and I truly hope to hear from you soon!
Yours sincerely,
Clodagh Kerry
Cover letter header
When it comes to submitting your cover letter, remember to include your name, contact information, the recipient's details, and the date. Even though times have changed and you'll likely be attaching the cover letter to an email, don't be tempted to omit the header. Remember that your application materials may be printed out and passed around, increasing the chance of pieces being separated. If any part of your application gets lost, having your name and contact information on it makes it easier for hiring managers to put it back together. Otherwise, it may end up in the trash, and your file will be missing the cover letter!
If you're sending an email, there's no need to include physical addresses, so you can utilise that space to enhance the content of your message. In case you're mailing a letter, the header should adhere to the same guidelines.
Remember that you want the hiring manager to be able to pick up the phone and plug in your number quickly. That means you should display your phone number and email clearly. You may even consider using colour so your header stands out more. Take a look at our cover letter samples to give you inspiration.
Goal of the cover letter header: Distinguish yourself from other cleaning job candidates by displaying your name and contact information in a prominent and visually attractive manner.
Cover letter greeting
Also known as a salutation, your greeting is the “Dear [NAME],” part of your cleaning job cover letter — an important start. People like to be addressed by name; it offers an instant connection, and connecting is one of the main goals of your cover letter. One area to take extra care is with gender. If you are not sure whether the recruiter is male or female, default to using their full name. For example: “Dear Lee Kavanaugh.”
Here are five ways to find out to whom you should address your cover letter:
- Look on the company’s website
- Make a phone call to the company (and ask for the correct spelling of the person’s name)
- Search online on LinkedIn or an industry website
- Read the job listing to see if contact information is included
- Research who you would be reporting to and use that person’s name.
Goal of the cover letter greeting: Establish a connection with the employer in a manner that’s professional but personable and direct.
Cover letter introduction
You can think of your cover letter introduction as your hook. This is where you grab the hiring manager’s attention with an interesting line or two. You can choose to craft a statement of your biggest achievement, a relevant bit of information, or an anecdote that tells why you are a quality candidate. The main idea is to keep them reading!
Remember that this is a job application, so keep it professional; but a little personality can go a long way, too!
Goal of the cover letter introduction: Intrigue the reader enough to learn more about your cleaning job qualifications and professional strengths.
Here’s the introduction from our customisable cleaning job cover letter sample:
Dear Mr. Brennan,
What's better than a fresh, clean home? Why, lots of fresh, clean homes, polished to perfection, of course!
Cover letter body paragraphs
In the body of your cover letter, which is the main part of your document, you need to explain two important things: why you want the cleaning job, and what skills you have that make you a great fit for the position.
Be sure to customise your cover letter!
Cleaners work in a wide variety of environments and in a range of different circumstances. If you are applying to work alone cleaning office buildings after hours, you will want to highlight your ability to get the job done unsupervised and your trustworthiness. If, however, you will be part of a cleaning crew that works closely together day after day, you need to be a team player who can get along with different personalities.
Furthermore, cleaning jobs at school buildings are very different from cleaning jobs at hotels and house cleaning differs from commercial cleaning. Make sure your anecdotes, achievements, and the skills you mention match the job for which you are applying.
You have two or three paragraphs to convince the hiring manager that you not only can do the work, but that you understand the challenges of a job that can be physically demanding. The STAR method can help you if you need a clear structure for your body paragraphs. First, describe a situation and the task necessary to cope with it. Then, tell what action you took and the results you achieved. CAR simplifies this model into “Context, Action, Result.”
If you have direct experience with cleaning, make sure you detail it. The commercial cleaning industry offers many services, so be specific about your experience. If you have worked at a company that specialises in deep cleaning or the use of eco-friendly products, say so. Your knowledge adds value to your candidacy.
Goal of the cover letter body paragraphs: Suggest how this employer would benefit from your cleaning expertise and experience.
Our cleaning job cover letter sample illustrates what you might include in the body paragraphs of your cover letter:
My name is Clodagh Kerry, and I am writing to apply for the advertised cleaner position at Forever Fresh Cleaners Galway. With nearly 10 years of experience as a cleaner, I am confident in my abilities to add value to the Forever Fresh Cleaners team, and uphold your commitment to maintaining a pristine and sanitary environment. Throughout my years in the cleaning industry, I have developed an extensive set of skills that allow me to excel in various cleaning tasks. From basic maintenance and deep cleaning to specialised procedures in different settings, I am well-versed in providing top-quality services. I have worked with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which has honed my ability to adapt to different cleaning needs and communicate effectively with clients and colleagues alike.
One aspect of my cleaning expertise that I believe sets me apart is my meticulous attention to detail. I take pride in ensuring that every nook and cranny is thoroughly cleaned, leaving no trace of dirt or dust behind. Whether it is sanitising surfaces, dusting delicate items, or organising cluttered spaces, I approach each task with precision and dedication. I understand the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness.
In addition to my technical skills, I am also highly reliable and organised. Punctuality and consistency are essential to me, as I believe they contribute to fostering a trustworthy work environment. Being a team player, I appreciate collaboration and am eager to contribute to a positive and supportive workplace culture at Forever Fresh Cleaners.
How to end your cover letter
You’ve clearly explained why you are the best candidate for the cleaning job, now you have to wrap it up! In your conclusion, you must show that you are eager for next steps by including a call to action. Your goal, of course, is to get an interview, so let the hiring manager know that. Remind them how excited you are about the position and let them know you would love to hear from them. Repeat your contact information if space allows.
Finally, add your signature with a closing salutation such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards.”
Goal of the cover letter closing: End on a positive note with a call to action that puts some onus on the employer to follow up.
I am excited about the opportunity to bring my skills and experience to Forever Fresh Cleaners Galway. I am confident that my dedication, attention to detail, and professionalism would make me a valuable asset to your team. I look forward to the possibility of discussing how my qualifications align with your company's needs in an interview, and I truly hope to hear from you soon!
Yours sincerely,
Clodagh Kerry
Crafting a cleaning job cover letter with no experience
So you have never had a cleaning job before, or maybe you have never had any job before. How do you write a cover letter? Don’t stress! You have job skills that are transferable from your previous experience in school or in other positions.
Here are the skills you should focus on if you have no experience:
- Ability to work independently
- Time management
- Physical fitness
- Good at following directions
- Punctuality and reliability
- Trustworthiness
- Attention to detail
Think of ways to illustrate these personality traits and skills through your academic or life achievements. Hiring managers for entry-level jobs are looking for employees who are willing to learn and who will show up on time and have a good attitude.
We recommend you check out our guides and cover letter examples, and choose ones that may give you more guidance on writing your cleaning job cover letter.
Writing psychology: how to write a cover letter when you’re not a writer
Consider asking friends or colleagues how they would describe you and incorporate those strong words in your cover letter. If you know a strong writer, consider having them proofread your document! You can also search for synonyms online to avoid repeating the same words too many times.
Use a blend of emotional appeal and hard facts to impress hiring managers. Feel free to explain why you want the job. You don’t want to tug on their heartstrings, however. Making people feel guilty or exhibiting desperation is not the best approach. Instead, focus on your value to the hiring manager.
Put yourself in the shoes of the person reading your cover letter. One of your cleaning crews is short a staff member. You need to find a replacement quickly. You’re looking for someone who is eager to work at a cleaning job, who can get along with others on the crew, and who understands the physical demands.
Write a cover letter sample that shows that you fulfill those requirements and then adapt it to each job.
Your achievements may not be directly related to a cleaning job, but should show off a job skill that is transferable to a cleaning job.
Read the cover letter example text to give you an idea of an approach you can take: When I was the manager of a casual dining restaurant, I noticed we were using more lettuce than other sites. I reviewed our procedures and decided we could chop heads of lettuce more frequently since chopped lettuce goes bad faster. I was able to achieve a 20% savings by altering this process.
Basic mistakes in a cleaning job cover letter (and how to avoid them!)
Here are some mistakes that will signal to hiring managers that you are not the right person for the job:
- You make typos and grammatical errors. You need to be attentive to details and these will show that you are not.
- Your cover letter contains formatting mistakes. Errors here make you look sloppy and sloppy is the opposite of what a hiring manager is looking for in a cleaner.
- You use a different style for your CV and cover letter. Keep it consistent. A common visual style not only looks neater, but will help prevent your materials from getting separated as they are passed from hand to hand. With CVapp.ie, you can choose a cover letter sample and know that we have a corresponding resume style.
- You don’t customise your letter for each job. Hiring managers want to know that you are not mass-emailing for every job out there!
- You talk about why you need the job instead of what you can do for the company. Remember that hiring managers have a problem they need solved; they are not trying to solve your problems.
One way to avoid these mistakes is to have someone else read your cover letter example and give you feedback. Getting another set of eyes on your cleaning job cover letter could be the difference between earning the interview or having a hiring manager hit the delete button.
Alternatively, find a cover letter builder that has a spell-check function.
Key takeaways
- Your cover letter offers you the opportunity to demonstrate that you will be a valuable worker, even if you have not had a cleaning job – or any other job – before.
- Start out with a personal touch by addressing the hiring manager by name if possible.
- Use both an emotional appeal and factual information to further your connection to the hiring manager.
- Match the design of your cover letter to your CV for consistency and make sure you proofread!
- Take advantage of professional CV and cover letter tools and advice to help you avoid some of these pitfalls and get the tone just right.
Now you’re ready to create your professional cleaning job cover letter and land that job. CVapp.ie makes the process easy with an expertly designed cover letter builder tool and cover letter templates to help you craft the perfect cover letter in just minutes!
