Goodcare
How Can I Improve My CV?
Your CV is your chance to showcase who you are, what you can do, and why you’d be a great addition to a care team.
Whether you’re applying for your first job in care, returning to work, or looking for a complete career change, a strong CV can help employers see your potential and take the next step with confidence.
The good news? You don’t need previous care experience to create a great CV. Many care employers recruit for values, personality and transferable skills.
You May Already Have the Skills Care Employers Are Looking For
Many people don’t realise how many valuable skills they’ve gained through everyday life, education, volunteering or previous jobs.
If you’ve worked in any of the following, you already have experience that could be relevant to care:
- Retail
- Hospitality
- Customer Service
- Education
- Administration
- Volunteering
- Parenting or caring for family members
Care employers often look for people who are:
- Compassionate
- Good communicators
- Team players
- Reliable
- Positive and adaptable
- Problem solvers
What Should I Include In My CV?
A simple CV should contain:
Personal Details
- Full name
- Telephone number
- Email address
- Town or area you live in
You do not need to include your full address, date of birth or a photograph.
Personal Profile
A short introduction about yourself, your strengths and what you’re looking for.
Example
Friendly and compassionate individual with excellent communication skills and a passion for helping others. Experienced in supporting people from diverse backgrounds and committed to making a
positive difference. Looking to begin a rewarding career in adult social care.
Employment History
List your jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent role.
Include:
- Job title
- Employer
- Dates worked
- Main responsibilities and achievements
Education & Qualifications
Include:
- School, college or university qualifications
- Relevant training courses
- Professional qualifications
Skills
Highlight skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for.
Volunteering & Additional Experience
Have you:
- Volunteered?
- Cared for a family member?
- Helped run community activities?
- Supported a local group?
These experiences can all demonstrate valuable transferable skills.
The Skills Care Employers Value Most
Caring Skills
- Compassion
- Empathy
- Patience
- Respect
Workplace Skills
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Reliability
- Time Management
Personal Strengths
- Adaptability
- Resilience
- Problem Solving
- Organisation
Remember: be prepared to talk about these skills during an interview and provide examples where possible.
Applying Online? Top Tips
- Save your CV as a Word document (.docx) where possible
- Use clear section headings
- Keep formatting simple and professional
- Check spelling and grammar carefully
- Tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for
- Use keywords from the job description where relevant
What Makes You Unique?
A CV isn’t just about qualifications.
Think about experiences that help employers understand who you are:
- Volunteering
- Community involvement
- Sports teams
- Fundraising activities
- Caring responsibilities
- Clubs or societies
These can help demonstrate commitment, teamwork, leadership and communication skills.
Top Tips for a Great CV
Write a Strong Personal Profile
Tell employers who you are, what matters to you and what you’re looking for.
Put Your Most Recent Experience First
Employers want to see your latest experience and achievements.
Keep Things Relevant
Include information that helps demonstrate your suitability for the role.
Keep It Concise
Aim for no more than two pages.
Check Before You Send
Spelling mistakes and incorrect contact details can prevent employers from contacting you.
CV Checklist
Before you apply, make sure:
- My contact details are correct
- My most recent role is listed first
- I have included my key skills
- There are no spelling mistakes
- My CV is easy to read
- It is no longer than two pages
- I have saved the latest version