Caregiver Resume Writing Tips and Sample
As a caregiver, your job is both a rewarding and important — not to mention in demand. Due to the aging population, the demand for caregivers has continued to skyrocket, with no end in sight. These promising job prospects won’t eliminate the competition in the job market, however.
A strong caregiver resume can help you stand out from the other applicants. Below are some tips on how to draft a resume that can help land your dream job and a sample to give you a clear idea of what to create.
3 Writing Tips for Caregiver Resumes
1. Write an Engaging Resume Objective
Located below your contact information, your resume objective is like an appetizer before the main course. Just like how appetizers give you an idea of the restaurant’s food quality, summaries set the tone for the rest of your resume. It’s your first impression, so make the most of it!
Resume objectives and summaries are short and sweet. Normally, they’re no more than four sentences long. Succinctly describe your best qualities so that your future employer is curious to read more.
Although most of your quantifiable caregiver resume skills belong in the body of the resume, you can use your objective to highlight a figure that’s important to you. Your years of experience or number of times you’ve won nursing awards are great examples.
Be strategic about the adjectives you choose. This is a great opportunity to emphasize soft skills upon which you’ll elaborate on in your caregiver cover letter. Some examples include:
2. Pay Attention to Detail
To be an impactful caregiver, you must be detail-oriented. Your resume is the first time your employer will see your ability to do so. Paying attention to the little things when you describe your caregiver duties and responsibilities helps build a positive first impression. You’ve only got one chance, so make it count.
Make sure your grammar and punctuation are correct. Quantify when you can. Your patient load or number of times you’ve completed important tasks are helpful examples of how to do this. Use an active voice to make your tone more engaging.
In addition, taking aesthetics into account can go a long way. For example, be mindful of spacing. Find a happy medium in which your resume doesn’t appear too crammed or spaced out. If you’re ever in doubt, a second set of eyes can help.
3. Prioritize the Most Relevant Information
Let’s be honest. Your future employer is mostly interested in the aspects of your work history that relate to their needs. Your time in other industries may be irrelevant unless you can tie it to the job opening you’re trying to fill.
If you have past experience as a caregiver, start with the most recent job. If there were breaks in which you worked in another field, you can omit them in favor of more caregiving experience. You can always explain the gap in your cover letter.
Caregiver Resume Example
You don’t have to build your resume from scratch. Searching for a caregiver resume template can be a great source of inspiration, and expedite the time it takes to complete it. Take a look at our example below to get an idea of what your prospective employer expects from you.
Natividad Juarez
Peach, Texas firstlast@email.com 555-555-5555
Certified caregiver with three years of experience who is passionate about helping the elderly maintain their desired quality of life. Eager to build upon current skills, provide compassionate care, and make a positive difference.
Key Qualifications
- Clear and prompt communicator
- Attentive to patient needs and changing health status
- Specialize in home and long-term residential care
Education
Luigi College, Dallas, TX, 20XX
Professional Experience
Super Mario’s Home, Certified Caregiver, June 20XX–present
- Responsible for assisting 35 patients with daily living activities such as bathing, feeding, toileting, and grooming.
- Transferred patients with and without the use of equipment.
- Helped residents remain oriented to person, place, and time.
- Communicated changes in mental status to registered nurse.
Bowser Home Care, Certified Caregiver, 20XX–20XX
- Responsible for assisting a single patient with daily living activities from Monday–Friday.
- Collaborated with patient and her daughter in regards to changes in patient’s care based on fluctuating health and mental status.
- Attended bi-weekly meetings with manager to discuss any feedback from the family and my attitudes towards the assignment.
Skills
Conversational Spanish
Licenses and Certifications
- National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC)
- Basic Life Support (BLS)
Caregiver Salary
The average caregiver salary in the U.S. is $33,380 per year. Depending on your education, certifications, years of experience, and location, your exact salary may vary. The states with the highest concentration of employed care aides include:
Make Time to Write Your Caregiver Resume Today
There’s no time like the present to begin taking steps towards your next career goal. Once you’ve written a winning resume, search for caregiver jobs with IntelyCare.