Cleaner, personal assistant
"In this work, you must adapt to changing environments and people, as there are many types of homes and people are different. Cleaning also requires reasonable physical fitness. In addition, you must take initiative and take responsibility for your own work."
- The name shall not be published at the request of the interviewee.
- Cleaner and personal assistant in Mehiläinen's home services.
- Has completed a vocational qualification in social welfare and health care in Luksia.
- Five years of work experience in the field.
Briefly explain what you do for a living.
I work as a house cleaner, i.e. I clean homes for private customers. I also work as a personal assistant on a gig basis, i.e. help customers with everyday matters, such as outdoor activities, hobbies and shopping.
How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?
I worked in the healthcare sector for a long time, but the work was mentally demanding, so I decided to return to cleaning work, which I already had experience of.
Describe your typical working day or week.
I usually clean 2-3 apartments during the day. I vacuum and wipe the floors, as well as clean the toilet and kitchen surfaces. In addition, if necessary, I do the laundry and clean other places according to the customer's wishes. With the elderly, I always try to talk and ask how they are doing during cleaning.
What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?
I work in customers’ homes and work for about six hours a day.
What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?
In this work, you must adapt to changing environments and people, as there are many types of homes and people are different. Cleaning also requires reasonable physical fitness. In addition, you must take initiative and take responsibility for your own work.
What is the best thing about your profession?
The best part of my profession is the independence and people’s gratitude for getting their home tidy.
What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?
In my opinion, pay and the appreciation of society for the work of a cleaner could be better. Sometimes I receive feedback on the tidiness level of an apartment, for example, from the family members of older people. In that case, I have to remind them that cleaning has only been ordered once a week or every two weeks, which naturally affects the tidiness of the home.
What would you tell a person considering the profession of a cleaner or personal assistant?
I can recommend this job, as it can make other people happy.
How do you see the future of your profession?
There is plenty of work available, as people will also need cleaning and assistance services in the future. In the future, machines can be used more and more in cleaning, but not everything can be automated.