Choose from a wide range of NEWCV resume templates and customize your NEWCV design with a single click.
A janitor resume must be optimized for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to get seen by employers. ATS software scans resumes for specific keywords, job titles, and formatting before a recruiter ever reviews it. To pass, your resume must match the job description, use relevant janitorial keywords naturally, and follow a clean, simple format. If your resume lacks the right keywords or uses complex formatting, it will likely be filtered out—even if you're qualified.
ATS systems are designed to identify resumes that closely match the job posting. For janitor and custodial roles, they focus on three core areas:
The system scans for exact terms like:
Janitor
Custodian
Sanitation
Facility cleaning
OSHA safety
If your resume doesn’t include these terms, it may never reach a human.
ATS prioritizes resumes with titles that match the job posting. For example:
“Janitor”
“Custodian”
“Custodial Technician”
“Building Maintenance Worker”
ATS cannot properly read:
Tables
Graphics
Icons
Text boxes
A simple layout ensures your content is parsed correctly.
Using the right mix of keywords is the single most important factor in passing ATS.
These should appear throughout your resume:
Janitorial services
Custodial work
Sanitation
Disinfection
Facility cleaning
Waste management
Floor care
Building upkeep
OSHA safety
Facility maintenance
These increase your chances of ranking higher:
Commercial janitor
Office janitor
Building custodian
Custodial technician
Environmental services (EVS)
Hospital janitor
School custodian
Maintenance janitor
These help the system understand your capabilities:
Surface cleaning and sanitization
Infection control procedures
Chemical handling and dilution
PPE usage and safety compliance
Cross-contamination prevention
Carpet cleaning and extraction
Restroom sanitation
Inventory management
Most candidates forget this—ATS heavily favors resumes that include tools and equipment.
Include:
Industrial vacuum cleaners
Floor scrubbers and buffers
Wet/dry vacuums
Carpet extractors
Pressure washers
Steam cleaners
Disinfectants and cleaning chemicals
Electrostatic sprayers
Microfiber systems
PPE (gloves, masks, safety gear)
This signals hands-on experience and increases relevance.
Use these in your experience section to align with job descriptions:
Cleaned
Sanitized
Disinfected
Maintained
Inspected
Operated
Restocked
Managed
Organized
Completed
Avoid vague wording—ATS favors direct, action-driven language.
To pass ATS, formatting is just as important as keywords.
Summary
Skills
Work Experience
Certifications
Use reverse chronological order
Keep it 1–2 pages
Use standard fonts (Arial, Calibri)
Save as .docx or simple PDF
Use clear section headings
Columns
Graphics or icons
Fancy templates
Headers/footers with critical info
Look for repeated terms in the posting and include them exactly.
If the job says “Custodian,” use that title in your resume headline.
Distribute keywords in:
Summary
Skills
Experience
Use different forms:
Janitor / Custodian
Sanitation / Disinfection
Cleaning / Facility maintenance
Include relevant credentials like:
OSHA training
HazCom certification
Infection control training
Weak Example:
Responsible for cleaning buildings and maintaining areas.
Good Example:
Performed daily janitorial services including sanitation, disinfection, and facility cleaning across 50,000 sq. ft., ensuring OSHA safety compliance.
Why it works:
Includes keywords
Adds measurable detail
Matches ATS language
Tailor your resume depending on the job type.
Use:
Office cleaning
Facility maintenance
Janitorial services
Use:
Infection control
Biohazard cleaning
Environmental services (EVS)
Use:
Classroom cleaning
Restroom sanitation
Building security checks
Event setup
Use:
Chemical safety
Equipment cleaning
Hazardous cleaning
This alignment significantly improves ATS ranking.
Instead of duties, show impact:
Cleaned 30+ rooms daily
Reduced cleaning time by 20%
Maintained 98% inspection scores
Include keywords multiple times—but avoid stuffing.
Janitorial service / services
Cleaning / cleanings
If the employer uses “facility services,” use that exact phrase.
If your resume lacks terms like “sanitation” or “custodial,” it may be filtered out.
ATS cannot read complex layouts.
Generic descriptions don’t match ATS queries.
Tools are a major ranking factor.
Creative titles confuse ATS systems.
Exact keyword matching
Simple formatting
Measurable achievements
Industry-specific language
Keyword stuffing
Overly designed resumes
Generic descriptions
Missing tools or certifications
From a hiring perspective, ATS is just the first filter. Once your resume passes:
Recruiters scan for keyword alignment quickly
Clear, specific experience stands out
Measurable impact builds credibility
A resume that passes ATS but lacks clarity will still be rejected. You need both.
Use ATS-optimised Resume and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our Resume builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your Resume faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact Resume rules employers look for.
Create Resume
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact Resume rules employers look for.
Create Resume
Upload Resume
Import from Linkedin