Top 12 Houseman Skills to Put on Your Resume

In a crowded hospitality job market, a Houseman who shows the right mix of technical know-how, reliability, and guest-first polish can jump the stack. These twelve skills form a strong spine for your resume, sharp enough to catch attention and practical enough to stand up during the first week on the job.

Houseman Skills

1. Housekeeping
2. Maintenance
3. Plumbing
4. Electrical
5. Carpentry
6. Landscaping
7. HVAC
8. Painting
9. Sanitation
10. Laundry
11. Pest Control
12. Safety Compliance

1. Housekeeping

Housekeeping for a Houseman means keeping guest areas, back-of-house corridors, and public spaces clean, orderly, stocked, and ready—rooms turned, linens replenished, lobbies gleaming, and equipment stowed for quick deployment.

Why It's Important

Clean spaces drive guest satisfaction, ratings, and repeat bookings. Tidy, safe, well-supplied areas also help staff move faster and prevent accidents. It’s the groundwork everything else stands on.

How to Improve Housekeeping Skills

Speed with precision wins.

1. Work from a checklist so nothing gets missed and turnover stays consistent across shifts.
2. Stage carts smartly: group by task order (top-down cleaning, then reset and restock) to cut backtracking.
3. Detail the edges: corners, vents, under furniture, lamp bases, remote controls, and handles—small spots guests notice.
4. Use color-coded cloths to avoid cross-contamination between bathrooms, bedrooms, and public areas.
5. Close the loop fast: report defects, low supplies, and guest requests immediately through your property’s system or radio.

How to Display Housekeeping Skills on Your Resume

2. Maintenance

Maintenance covers routine checks, minor repairs, and general upkeep that keep facilities safe, functional, and guest-ready.

Why It's Important

Small fixes now prevent costly breakdowns later. Reliable systems mean fewer complaints, less downtime, and a property that feels cared for.

How to Improve Maintenance Skills

Structure beats chaos.

1. Create a preventive calendar for inspections, lubrication, filter changes, battery replacements, and safety tests.
2. Log everything: date, task, parts used, and next due—paper or digital, but consistent.
3. Standardize spares for high-wear items (bulbs, filters, belts, batteries) and store them clearly labeled.
4. Triage requests by impact on safety and guest experience, then by cost and time.
5. Sharpen fundamentals: measuring, fastening, sealing, caulking, and safe tool handling.
6. Work safe every time: lockout/tagout when needed, PPE on, follow posted procedures.

How to Display Maintenance Skills on Your Resume

3. Plumbing

Plumbing involves the installation, care, and quick repair of water supply and waste systems—fixtures, valves, drains, and piping.

Why It's Important

Water issues escalate fast. Good plumbing keeps rooms rentable, prevents damage, and protects hygiene standards.

How to Improve Plumbing Skills

Stay ahead of leaks and clogs.

1. Monitor water pressure and keep it in a safe range (around 40–60 psi) to reduce stress on lines and fixtures.
2. Clear traps and drains routinely; install strainers where hair or debris collects.
3. Fix drips quickly: washers, cartridges, or supply lines—small parts, big savings.
4. Insulate exposed pipes in cold zones and know your freeze-response steps.
5. Use the right sealants (thread tape, pipe dope, silicone) for the material and application.
6. Know when to escalate if issues involve main lines, gas water heaters, or code-sensitive work.

How to Display Plumbing Skills on Your Resume

4. Electrical

Electrical work for a Houseman centers on basic troubleshooting and safe handling of fixtures, outlets, breakers, and lighting.

Why It's Important

Guests expect everything to spark to life—lights, chargers, climate control. Safety and uptime go hand in hand.

How to Improve Electrical Skills

Think safety, then function.

1. Test before touch with a non-contact voltage tester and kill power at the panel for any repair.
2. Use GFCI and AFCI protection in wet areas and living spaces where required.
3. Match load to circuit: avoid overloaded breakers and label panels clearly.
4. Standardize lamps and drivers for easy bulb swaps and consistent color temperature across spaces.
5. Maintain detectors (smoke and CO): test monthly, replace batteries on schedule, replace units at end of life.
6. Document fixes and parts used so repeat issues can be traced.

How to Display Electrical Skills on Your Resume

5. Carpentry

Carpentry covers building, repairing, and tuning up wood fixtures and furnishings—doors, trim, frames, shelving, and more.

Why It's Important

Tight doors, solid rails, clean trim lines—guests feel the quality even if they can’t name it. Good carpentry also eliminates recurring maintenance headaches.

How to Improve Carpentry Skills

Measure twice; move once.

1. Master the basics: square, level, plumb; accurate marking; clean cuts; proper fastening.
2. Choose the right fastener and anchor for the material and load.
3. Sand and finish well for durability and a professional look; match sheens across touch-ups.
4. Repair doors by adjusting hinges, planing edges, and aligning strikes before replacing hardware.
5. Keep blades and bits sharp to improve accuracy and reduce tear-out.
6. Work clean: protect guest areas, control dust, and leave no trace behind.

How to Display Carpentry Skills on Your Resume

6. Landscaping

Landscaping shapes and maintains outdoor spaces—lawns, beds, paths, lighting—so the property looks inviting and well-kept.

Why It's Important

Curb appeal sets the tone before a guest reaches the lobby. Smart landscaping also improves safety, drainage, and wayfinding.

How to Improve Landscaping Skills

Design for care, not just looks.

1. Plant for the climate and light conditions; choose hardy, low-maintenance species where turnover is high.
2. Mulch and edge beds to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and sharpen lines.
3. Set a watering plan based on season, soil, and plant needs; check irrigation for leaks or misaligned heads.
4. Prune with purpose: improve sightlines, remove hazards, promote healthy growth.
5. Mind drainage so runoff moves away from structures and walkways stay dry.
6. Add lighting to highlight paths and reduce trip risks at night.

How to Display Landscaping Skills on Your Resume

7. HVAC

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—systems that control temperature, airflow, and indoor air quality.

Why It's Important

Comfort sells. Quiet, reliable climate control reduces complaints, protects finishes, and keeps energy costs in check.

How to Improve HVAC Skills

Keep it breathing easy.

1. Change filters regularly (often monthly in high-use periods) and stock common sizes.
2. Seal and insulate ducts in unconditioned spaces to prevent losses.
3. Check thermostats: calibrate, program schedules, and place them away from heat sources or drafts.
4. Clean coils and condensate lines to improve efficiency and prevent leaks.
5. Listen and log: unusual noises, short cycling, or temperature swings signal issues early.
6. Evaluate aging units for replacement when repairs stack up and efficiency drops.

How to Display HVAC Skills on Your Resume

8. Painting

Painting refreshes, protects, and unifies surfaces—walls, ceilings, trim, doors—so spaces feel crisp and cared for.

Why It's Important

Fresh paint hides wear, seals surfaces, and elevates the guest experience without major renovation.

How to Improve Painting Skills

Prep is half the job. Sometimes more.

1. Clean and repair first: fill holes, sand smooth, degloss where needed, and remove dust.
2. Prime when appropriate (stains, repairs, color changes) to improve adhesion and coverage.
3. Use quality tools: the right roller nap and a sharp angled brush make the finish.
4. Cut in carefully and roll in sections, keeping a wet edge to avoid lap marks.
5. Match sheens and colors using labeled touch-up kits for each room type or area.
6. Protect surroundings with drop cloths, tape, and tidy cleanup.

How to Display Painting Skills on Your Resume

9. Sanitation

Sanitation means cleaning, disinfecting, waste handling, and ventilation practices that keep environments healthy and compliant.

Why It's Important

Good sanitation stops illness in its tracks, protects staff and guests, and supports inspection readiness.

How to Improve Sanitation Skills

Consistency beats occasional deep cleans.

1. Set cleaning frequencies by area risk level and traffic, then stick to the schedule.
2. Target high-touch points—handles, switches, remotes, elevator buttons—with approved disinfectants.
3. Separate tools by zone to prevent cross-contamination; label and store accordingly.
4. Handle waste correctly: line bins, close bags fully, and remove on time.
5. Ventilate during and after cleaning; replace or wash exhaust filters as scheduled.
6. Train and refresh on chemical dilutions, contact times, and PPE use.

How to Display Sanitation Skills on Your Resume

10. Laundry

Laundry includes washing, drying, finishing, and storing linens and garments so they’re spotless, fresh, and room-ready.

Why It's Important

Crisp sheets and clean uniforms broadcast quality. Efficient laundry also cuts costs and extends textile life.

How to Improve Laundry Skills

Small tweaks, big results.

1. Sort smart by color, fabric, and soil level; use appropriate cycles and temperatures.
2. Measure chemicals precisely and adjust for water hardness and load size.
3. Pre-treat stains promptly with the correct method for oils, proteins, tannins, and dyes.
4. Don’t overload machines; allow proper agitation and rinse.
5. Maintain equipment: clean lint screens, run washer clean cycles, inspect hoses and vents.
6. Finish fast: remove promptly, fold or hang to prevent wrinkles, and rotate stock FIFO.

How to Display Laundry Skills on Your Resume

11. Pest Control

Pest control means preventing, identifying, and addressing infestations—rodents, insects, and other unwelcome guests—indoors and out.

Why It's Important

Pests damage property, threaten health, and can tank guest confidence. Prevention costs far less than remediation.

How to Improve Pest Control Skills

Block, starve, and spot early.

1. Seal entry points around doors, windows, pipes, and vents; repair screens and sweeps.
2. Remove attractants: store food tightly, fix leaks, clean spills, and manage trash daily.
3. Maintain landscape clearances so vegetation doesn’t touch structures; control standing water.
4. Monitor with traps and glue boards in discreet spots; record findings to track trends.
5. Use targeted treatments and baits safely, following labels and property policies.
6. Escalate promptly for recurring or large infestations to licensed professionals.

How to Display Pest Control Skills on Your Resume

12. Safety Compliance

Safety compliance is the daily practice of following health, safety, and environmental rules to protect people and property.

Why It's Important

It prevents injuries, reduces liability, and keeps operations smooth—even when the unexpected hits.

How to Improve Safety Compliance Skills

Make safety visible and habitual.

1. Train regularly on equipment, chemicals, emergency procedures, and incident reporting.
2. Audit spaces with checklists; remove hazards and document corrections.
3. Wear proper PPE for the task and keep gear in good condition.
4. Standardize procedures for lifts, ladders, lockout/tagout, sharps, and spills.
5. Post clear signage and keep exits, panels, and extinguishers unobstructed.
6. Encourage reporting without blame; treat near-misses like gold for prevention.

How to Display Safety Compliance Skills on Your Resume