How to create a care worker CV (With skills and example)

Updated 27 July 2023

If you want to get a job as a care worker, knowing how to write a CV showcasing your skills and experience is essential. Your CV is crucial for highlighting your qualities and job history and differentiating you from other candidates. Learning what relevant information to summarise and how to present and format your CV may improve your chances of getting a job interview. In this article, we explain the roles of a care worker, how to create a care worker CV and include an example and template to help guide you.

What is a care worker CV?

A care worker CV is a document you send when applying for a job as a care worker. An effective CV clearly displays your relevant professional and personal abilities. It's helpful for recruiters to see a summary of your skills at a glance, so it's best to create a concise, reader-friendly CV.

How to create a CV for a careworker

It's worthwhile taking your time to create an appealing CV that helps show potential employers that you're a strong candidate for the position. An effective CV is essential and easy to tailor to apply for different jobs or add skills as you develop your career. Follow the steps below to create your CV:

1. Include your contact details first

Clearly list your name, address, email and contact details at the top of your CV. Only include social media sites if you use them professionally. Ensure that the layout and formatting are clear so employers might easily contact you.

2. Write a personal statement:

A personal statement is a short outline of your skills and experience as a care worker. It's a great opportunity to introduce and highlight relevant skills and create an excellent first impression. Consider using keywords from the job description to give your statement credibility.

Example: A compassionate and dedicated care assistant with five years of experience in elderly care, working with residents in a nursing home. I am a keen learner with up-to-date training in lifting and handling patients, and I find care work highly rewarding.

3. Outline your work history:

Detail your work history in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. Outline details of relevant experience in care work. If you're new to the sector, mention voluntary work or roles showing expertise in caring for others. Show how your work experience has developed skills that relate to the position. If you mentioned communication as one of your skills, include a relevant example that validates the claim.

Examples:

coordinated communicative activities for residents like quiz evenings, poetry discussion groups and memory journaling sessions
frequently discussed patient wellbeing with health professionals in the team and helped draw up care plans
regularly updated relatives on the resident's progress

4. Add your skills section

Evaluate your skills and select the ones that best align with the position. Clearly format your skills by using bullet points or headings. Ensure that the hiring manager understands that your skills match the prerequisite skills for the job.

5. Describe your education

Starting with your most recent course of study, list your academic qualifications. Include any qualifications or certificates related to care work. Certifications like personal care, safeguarding or food preparation show commitment to the profession.

Skills to include in a care worker's CV

There are various types of care worker jobs across different settings. Some jobs might require specific skills, but certain core skills are indispensable. Essential skills include:

Personal care

It's worth including any experience or certifications in personal care. This is an essential aspect of the job. Mentioning any personal care you've administered in a former job or to a relative illustrates that you're aware of the importance of this skill.

Medical care or first aid

Experience in administering medication and helping patients follow instructions are valuable skills. First aid qualifications might give you an advantage over other candidates. Experience attending to wounds or changing dressings on your CV is worth mentioning.

End-of-life care

Any experience in palliative end-of-life care is essential. Patients in residential care homes are often nearing the end of their lives. Any experience supporting patients and their families during this distressing time is valuable.

Patience

This is possibly one of the most important skills for care assistants. The job involves working with people who move slowly and often repeat themselves. Patients are sometimes frustrated and upset, and it's the carer worker's role to help them stay calm.

Friendliness and approachability

Patients often depend on carers for friendship and interaction, and pleasant care workers can make a real difference in patients' lives. Patients who have lost mobility and independence tend to feel anxious, and a friendly face might positively impact them. Making an effort to smile and show interest is essential. Confidentiality is also invaluable, as patients and their families often depend on you and expect to speak to you in confidence.

Empathy

Natural compassion and the ability to see things from a patient's perspective are essential attributes. It helps the care worker to understand patients and leads to a better working relationship. It's also vital for the patient to feel that someone understands their feelings.

Care worker CV template

Here is a template you can follow to write an effective CV for a care worker:

[First name] [last name]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications achieved as a professional].

Experience
[Job title] | [Employment dates]

[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]

[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education
[Degree and major], [name of school or university]

Certifications
[Certification name], [Host organisation] - [Year completed or expiration date]

Upload your CV to Indeed

Let employers find you by creating an Indeed CV

CV example

Here's an example you can review to help you understand how to format your CV for a care worker role:

Amy Johnson
01670 44444 | a.johnson@email.com | Twickenham

Professional Summary
A patient care assistant with two years of experience working in a private nursing home. Friendly, hardworking and committed to patient wellbeing and safety. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and adept at organising activities.

Experience
Care assistant | September 2020–Current
Mountjoy Home | Surrey

provide personal care to patients by supporting hygiene needs and guiding and reminding residents to perform daily living tasks independently.
work within the team to support patients and help develop care plans, suggest ideas and give input to help draw up care plans to best meet residents' needs
serve meals, help residents to their tables in the dining room, offer them a choice of meals, helping them select meals and serving food and drinks
assist patients with self-care needs, support patients in making decisions to help themselves and help organise appointments with hairdressers, podiatrists or other specialists
accompany patients on day trips, take residents on short walks and outings

Care assistant | July 2020-September 2020
Applewick Residential Home | Surrey

assist with laundry and organising residents' wardrobe storage to facilitate their decision-making and independence
help to organise entertainment, host quiz afternoons and help at music evenings to provide amusement and distraction for residents
accompany single residents to nearby shops to purchase items and promote exercise, independence and confidence

Education
NVQ Health and Social care Level 3, Donardside College

Skills
Communication | Alertness | Safety | Excellent multi-tasking skills | Patient care

Certifications
First Aid Certification, The Health Training Institute - 2020
Certificate in patient handling and lifting, The Health Training Institute - 2019

Disclaimer: The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.