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Skills
Even if you do not have experience working in care, an employer will look to see if you have transferrable skills. Your CV is the key place to note any skills you do have. The employer will use this information to decide whether to take you to the next stage of the application process.
During the interview process your interviewer is likely to ask you about the skills you have listed so be ready to openly discuss them.
Sometimes it can be difficult to self-evaluate. Ask your friends, family, or previous colleagues what they think your strengths and skills are if you are unsure what to write.
Key Skills |
| Adaptable |
| Proactive |
| Conflict Resolution |
| Organisation |
| Interpersonal Skills |
| Confident |
| Reliable |
| Innovative |
| Responsible |
| Compassionate |
| Caring |
Top Tips
- Write a strong CV profile: Open your CV explaining what you are looking for and in what sector. Describe your values and what is important to you in your next job. Explain your main skills and what you want to achieve
- Employment History: Ensure this section is written in reverse chronological order. This means starting with your most recent job first and highlights your most recent achievements
- Include your education and qualifications: If this is on your CV then employers will not need to ask for it later. A job in care does not require specific qualifications but an employer will need this information for pre-employment checks. You could have gained skills or experience through study that are relevant to the job you are applying for
- Hobbies and Interests: These are not a requirement on a CV unless they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Only add hobbies and interests if they are relevant and help you to stand out from other jobseekers
- Keep it short and concise: Your CV should not exceed 2 pages and if you have a short work or volunteer history, should not be more than 1 page
- Limit personal details: Do not put details that could put you at risk of fraud. All you need is your name, town you are based, telephone number and email address. Do not include your national insurance number, date of birth or full address!
- Don’t use generic language and sentences: Your CV is your opportunity to stand out. There are phrases that employers see in every CV and are not needed such as ‘I work well in a team or on my own’
- Proofread your CV: Before using your CV to apply for a job, make sure you have checked for spelling and grammar errors thoroughly. You could ask someone else to proofread for you to make sure no errors are missed
- Write in 1st person: Do not write in third person, it looks like someone else has written your CV for you. Use pronouns including I, me, and me
- Title each section: As in the example above, clearly separate each section and use titles. If there have been a lot of applicants for one job an employer may be skim reading initially for key experience and skills, so make it easier for them to pinpoint them in your CV
- Adapt your CV: If you are applying for different types of jobs then adapt what is included on your CV. For example, some skills required for a Chef are different to those of a Care Assistant, so your CV profile would have a different focus
- Saving the file: Save the CV for the job title you are applying for, as well as your name. This tells the employer that you are dedicated to their job. E.g., ‘John Smith Care Assistant CV’
Your CV
Now you are ready to write your own CV. Don’t forget to use the CV template above to help you stay on track!
Next Step
Visit www.hertsgoodcare.com to find out more about working in care, or to search and apply for jobs with your new CV.