Regardless of the resume format you select based on your experience level, the following sections will be featured on all the caregiver resumes that you write.
Resume header with contact information
Your caregiver resume header section should include your name, phone number, address, and email address. You may also add the link to your LinkedIn profile. In short, all your contact information should be available so a hiring manager or recruiters can easily reach you for an interview.
Resume summary or objective
On your caregiver resume, you’ll select to feature either a professional resume summary or a resume objective as the first section hiring managers will read.
The resume summary showcases a combination of relevant caregiver technical skills and soft, or intangible, skills. Your resume summary should be 2-3 short sentences that highlight your most important successes. This is your hook to get the hiring manager to continue reading, so you really want to polish this section to perfection.
Example:
Dedicated and compassionate caregiver with nine years of experience in memory care facility housing 115+ residents. Recognized as “Caregiver of the Year” in 2023, by offering compassionate and diligent care with dignity and respect and communicating with families, nursing staff and physicians regarding the well-being of memory care residents.
The resume objective is also a brief summary of your skills and qualifications, but job candidates that lack professional work accomplishments will instead state your career goals. This is a good option for entry level caregiver job seekers or those with less than two years of experience.
Example:
Current nursing student seeking a position as a personal caregiver where I can contribute my knowledge and skills while demonstrating my passion for helping others by providing quality care. A quick learner looking to contribute to a caregiver team while gaining hands-on experience in a facility setting.
Caregiver resume skills
Your caregiver resume skills section should showcase relevant soft skills and hard skills. You should tailor them to the position you’re applying for. The skills you mention may vary depending on your care setting, such as a nursing home or a home care setting. But, almost all caregivers should showcase the following skills:
Hard Skills
- Patient care expertise such as feeding, dressing and meal preparation
- Essential health monitoring, such as heart rate, blood pressure and glucose level monitoring
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- Outstanding personal hygiene care
- Physical stamina
Soft Skills
- Effective communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Patient companionship
- Reliability and flexibility
- Attention to detail and cleanliness
Work history
Your resume’s work history should expand on the qualifications stated in your resume summary, giving details on the most important achievements for each job you’ve had. For each position you’ve held, including the facility name, dates of employment and your job title. For each job, from good writing tips, add a few bullet points listing your achievements. Use active verbs and statistics to back up your claims. For instance, “Improved patient satisfaction scores by 20% within six months,” is more effective than “Took care of patient satisfaction.”
Example:
Caregiver | Countryside Living Senior Home | Orlando, FL | 2019 – Present
- Assisted 10 patients daily by providing dignified personal care.
- Monitored residents every four hours during day or evening shifts.
- Provided mobility to elderly patients whether assisting with canes, walkers or wheelchairs.
- Reported medical and mental changes to nurses and staff physicians.
- Communicated to residents and their family members regarding care plans.
- Performed light housekeeping duties and prepared meals.
Education
Your caregiver resume education section should include any relevant education, certifications or licenses you’ve received. For a caregiver, the minimum requirement is a high school diploma, but to advance in your caregiver career, you will need at least a two-year college degree in nursing.
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Adelphi University, Garden City, NY | September 2020 – May 2024
Pro tip:For more resume-writing tips from the ResumeHelp career experts, read our
How to Make a Resume article.