A Day in the Life of a Household Employee: Chicago Housekeeper
In this series we reach out to a Chicago Housekeeper that has made a career of working in private households.
Whether they are nannies, housekeepers, private chefs, house managers, estate managers, or chief of staff, the candidates featured in this series have demonstrated professionalism and expertise in their craft, making a positive impression with our team at MHM.
The goal of the “Day in the Life of a Household Employee” blog series is to give anonymous candidates a chance to share their experience in order to provide awareness & education for anyone curious about beginning or expanding their career in the field of private domestic service.
What is the job title that you feel best describes your role?
“Housekeeper or Executive Housekeeper”
How long have you been in this industry?
“10 years”
What led you to this path?
"I have always been very passionate about cleanliness. It feels like an accomplishment since there is a beginning, a process, and an outcome. Doing what I love to do and fulfilling my financial needs was an obvious choice for me."
What is typical work day like for you?
"I wake up around 6 am and get ready to work. My commute to work takes about half an hour. I start my work day by flash cleaning the entire house, making sure the house looks clean and tidy for any guests. Then I move to the kitchen and ensure that it is clean before the clients eat their breakfast. While they are eating their breakfast, I quickly tidy their bedrooms and make sure that there are clean towels for them to use for showering. Once they leave for work, I start deep cleaning each room and also do an inventory check. Inventory usually includes groceries, cleaning supplies, and everything else. A couple of hours before my shift ends, I start food preparations for dinner. The last thing I do before I leave is walk through the entire house to make sure everything looks clean, organized, and fully stocked so my clients relax and enjoy the rest of their nights without worry."
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this career?
"I would like to advise that this is not just a cleaning job it is something that you should be passionate and serious about. You have to shoulder the families' trust because there are a lot of responsibilities. "
Is there something you wish more people knew about your industry or specific role?
"I wish people to understand that this is not just a cleaning job. In addition to cleaning, you have to be very organized and meticulous yourself. Attention to detail is the most important. There are a lot of responsibilities and trust that go along with my job. "
What is the most rewarding part of the job?
"A sense of accomplishment because there is a clear beginning, a process, and a result after cleaning. Also gaining the trust of your clients makes me feel most rewarded."
What is the most challenging part of the job?
"The first few weeks are always challenging because everybody is different in what they want and how they want their house to look. Figuring out exactly how your clients like to organize their things is usually the most challenging part of my job."
Anything else you would like to share?
"You have to be kind, loving, and considerate because you are around your clients in their homes, a place where they come to relax and unwind after a long day of work.”
You’ve got enough on your plate in your day-to-day life — let us make your life easier by handling your unique household staffing needs.
If you are a family looking to hire a household employee or other home service, register with My Household Managed.
If you are a professional nanny, house manager, or other household employee looking for a job, apply at My Household Managed.