It is not difficult to work as a janitor, and a certain level of education is usually not required. Though it is often unnecessary in, a high school diploma or equivalent will make you a more attractive job candidate. You should expect to work long hours and do a lot of physical labor in the majority of cases. Prepare to spend the majority of the day on your feet and to deal with messy situations that you will be responsible for cleaning.
You can apply for a job as a janitor in one of two ways: through a cleaning service or by applying individually to various businesses or other locations that require custodial services. If you work for a cleaning service, you’ll most likely be assigned to a variety of buildings and businesses rather than just one. If you apply on your own, you will most likely be hired as a janitor for a single building or business, though this is not a guarantee. Look for job postings in your local newspaper and on message boards online for janitorial positions.
Colleges, universities, large corporations, warehouses, factories, hotels, and tourist attractions such as theme parks and movie theaters are all excellent places to look for work. Many of these businesses will hire cleaning services, though there are likely to be a few that would prefer to have an on-site janitor. High schools and elementary schools may also have openings for janitors, though if you want to work in a school, you should expect to be subjected to a background check. Schools may also require you to obtain fingerprint clearance, which will be kept on file at all times by the school.
Developing skills that are useful to a business is a good way to make yourself more appealing as a janitor candidate. An employer is more likely to hire you for a janitor position if you know how to repair furnaces or work on plumbing and electrical appliances, for example. Additional skills may also aid your advancement within the system, allowing you to obtain jobs with greater responsibility and pay. Some janitors advance to the position of custodial manager, which entails overseeing a team of janitors.