Do you need a CV?
Not always. Many care employers ask you to fill in a short application form instead. Others ask for a CV, or let you choose.
It still helps to have one ready. Writing it gives you the words you need for forms, cover letters and interviews.
What to put on your CV
Keep it to one or two pages. Use these headings, in this order:
- Your name and contact details: phone number, email address and the town you live in. You don't need your full address.
- Personal statement: three or four lines about who you are and why you want to work in care.
- Skills: four to six skills, each with a short example.
- Work experience: your jobs, newest first. Paid or unpaid.
- Caring and volunteering: care for family or friends, volunteering, community work.
- Education and training: school, college, courses and certificates (for example, first aid or food hygiene).
- Languages: list any you speak. They can help you support people from different communities.
- References: you can write “Available on request”.
You don't need a photo, your date of birth, or whether you're married.
Your personal statement
This is the short paragraph at the top. Say who you are, what you've done that's relevant, and what job you want. Write it in your own words.
I am a friendly and reliable person looking for my first job as a [care assistant] in [town]. For [two years] I have helped care for my [grandmother] at home, which taught me to be patient and to notice when someone needs help. In my job at [shop name] I talk to customers every day and stay calm when things get busy. I am keen to learn and happy to complete the Care Certificate and any training.
Life experience counts
Care employers look at who you are, not just the jobs you've had. Things you've done outside work can show the skills they want. Put them on your CV.
| What you've done | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Caring for a parent, partner, child or neighbour | Patience, helping with everyday tasks, noticing when someone isn't well, keeping their dignity |
| Bringing up children | Keeping to routines, keeping people safe, staying calm when things go wrong |
| Shop, call centre or customer service work | Talking to all kinds of people, listening, staying polite when someone is upset |
| Hospitality, cleaning or warehouse work | Working shifts, teamwork, hygiene, being reliable and on time |
| Volunteering, faith or community groups | Wanting to help others, commitment, working with people from different backgrounds |
| School, college or sports teams | Teamwork, learning new things, turning up when others rely on you |
Show your skills, don't just list them
Care employers look for people who are kind, patient, reliable, good at listening, happy to work in a team and keen to learn. Anyone can write “good listener”. Give a short, real example instead.
Good communication skills.
Good listener: I visit an older neighbour every week. I noticed she had stopped eating well and gently told her daughter, who arranged help.
A simple layout you can copy
[Your name]
[Phone number] · [Email address] · [Town]
Personal statement
[3 or 4 lines about you and the job you want]
Skills
- [Skill]: [short real example]
- [Skill]: [short real example]
Work experience
[Job title], [Employer], [Month Year] to [Month Year]
- [What you did, starting with an action word]
Caring and volunteering
[What you did], [Year] to [Year]
Education and training
[School, college or course], [Year]
Languages
[Language]: [fluent / good / basic]
References
Available on request.
Use a clear font such as Arial at size 11 or 12, bold headings and bullet points. Plain is best. Save it as a PDF or Word file with your name in the file name, for example Sam-Ahmed-CV.pdf.
Gaps and career changes
Gaps are normal. Be honest and keep it short. One line is enough, for example “2021 to 2023: full-time carer for my mum” or “2022: raising my family”.
Changing career? Lead with your personal statement and skills, then your work history. Show what carries over from your last job, such as dealing with people, working shifts or staying calm under pressure.
If English is not your first language, short, simple sentences are fine. Ask a friend to read your CV, or use a spelling checker.
Before you send it
- Your phone number and email are correct, and your email address sounds professional.
- You've changed the job title to match the advert.
- Every skill has a short, real example.
- You've included caring, volunteering and other life experience.
- It's no longer than two pages.
- Someone else has read it for spelling mistakes.
Next, read how to write a cover letter and how to prepare for your interview. When you get the job, share your news with #workinsocialcare.