Before you decide to strike out on your own as a self-employed housekeeper, get some experience as an employee. Gaining experience this way allows you to build your knowledge of housekeeping tasks, hone your skills and learn how to accomplish assignments as quickly as possible. The faster and more effectively you do your job, the more your clients may be willing to pay for your services. Gaining experience as an employee also allows you to build up references that might help you get clients.