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Social Work Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Social Work Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Social Work Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Jessica Boak (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Durham, NC 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Certified master social worker focused on helping children and adolescents. Use active listening to fully understand each person’s needs and suggest appropriate community resources. Committed to providing support for those struggling with domestic violence and substance abuse issues.

• Active listening methods
• Case management
• Client needs assessment
• Client relations and communications
• Crisis intervention
• Reporting and documentation
• Team collaboration

Professional Experience

School Social Worker, Durham School District, Durham, NC | January 2021 to present

• Counsel students with personal or psychological issues affecting their behavior or academic performance
• Provide treatments and resources to ensure students have every opportunity to succeed
• Communicate with parents, educators, and administrators about ways to address each student’s challenges
• Draft and maintain detailed reports on students’ progress
• Offer support and guidance to students with disabilities, past trauma, or potential behavioral issues

Social Work Intern, Teen Parent Support, Chapel Hill, NC | September 2020 to December 2020

• Assessed needs of and connected teen parents to relevant community resources
• Facilitated group therapy sessions for new teen parents
• Maintained detailed records of all client treatment
• Co-developed viable case management and treatment plans

Waitress, Bucky’s Bar & Grill, San Francisco, CA | February 2019 to February 2020

• Gained and demonstrated strong skills in customer relations, conflict resolution, and team collaboration

Master of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC

• Bachelor of Psychology, Tennessee State University, Nashville, TN

Certified Master Social Worker, State of North Carolina | 2018

Anika Patel (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Cleveland, OH 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting clients and patients in hospital and home-care settings. Demonstrated success advocating for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Draw on strong listening skills to determine each client’s needs and recommend helpful resources. Master’s degree in social work. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

• Client confidentiality
• Complex problem-solving
• Patient and client relations

Medical Social Worker, Northern Medical Center, Cleveland, OH | April 2016 to present

• Work closely with patients, family members, health care team, and community organizations to set a realistic discharge plan
• Coordinate smooth transfers to rehabilitation centers and skilled nursing facilities
• Build and maintain positive relationships with health care providers and government regulators
• Ensure utmost client health data accuracy and confidentiality

Social Worker, Alpha Assisted Living, Dayton, OH | June 2012 to March 2016

• Performed psychosocial assessment of new residents to determine the level of services needed and collaborated with other staff to set a personalized care plan
• Provided one-on-one counseling to help residents adjust to their new living situation
• Educated residents and family members about their rights and advocated to ensure their needs were met
• Advised administrators and other staff on the impact of social issues on resident care

Master of Social Work, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH

Bachelor of Sociology, University of Michigan, Detroit

• Licensed Social Worker, State of Ohio | 2018

Fluency in Spanish

Jose Santos (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Pittsburgh, PA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Clinical social worker with over 13 years of experience focused on substance abuse, mental health, and domestic violence issues. Efficient and organized managing multiple priorities in a high-pressure environment. Doctorate in clinical social work from the University of Pennsylvania.

• Community outreach development
• Conflict management and resolution
• Cross-functional coordination
• Individual and group therapy

Clinical Social Worker, Beta Services, Pittsburgh, PA | February 2012 to present

• Manage a patient caseload of newly arrived adult and adolescent refugees
• Develop and adapt measurable treatment plans as needed
• Connect clients to appropriate community services, protective services, and resource agencies
• Hold both individual and group therapy sessions
• Adapt to the cultural and linguistic needs of each individual

Clinical Social Worker, Omega Guidance Services, Philadelphia, PA | July 2009 to January 2012

• Helped families set adolescent care plans integrating resources for education, mental health, and substance abuse treatment
• Facilitated group therapy sessions for teens struggling with substance abuse
• Built positive relationships with educators, family members, social services, and community partners to coordinate care across all sectors of the adolescent’s life
• Evaluated clients for signs or risk of abuse, neglect, or self-harm
• Compiled documentation for court hearings and presented findings in court

Doctorate in Clinical Social Work, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

Master of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh, PA

Bachelor of Psychology, Tennessee State University, Nashville

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Pennsylvania

Write a great social work resume by focusing on how you help people from various backgrounds address and overcome life challenges. Also, include your skills in collaborating with health care providers and government staff. The tips and examples below will help you capture these capabilities on your resume and get you interviews for your next social work job.

1. Write a brief summary of your social work qualifications

Your resume profile should catch hiring managers’ attention by giving the top reasons you excel at social work.

What is your approach to helping clients navigate life transitions or obstacles, and why is that method successful? For instance, maybe you’re highly adaptable and can speak to the concerns of people from diverse backgrounds. Or perhaps you’ve been commended for building partnerships with new volunteers and community resources. Also, feel free to mention specific skills , such as efficiency or active listening, that you utilize with your practice’s clients. By putting these strengths at the top of your resume, you can compel hiring managers to read further.

“Being a social worker is not just a job; it’s a calling to make a difference in the lives of others, one person at a time,” says expert recruiter Ernestine Council.

Mid-Career Profile Example

Social worker with over 10 years of experience supporting clients and patients in hospital and home-care settings. Demonstrated success advocating for people from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Draw on strong listening skills to determine each client’s needs and recommend helpful resources. Master’s Degree in Social Work. Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish.

Senior-Level Profile Example

2. outline your social work experience in a compelling list.

With the experience section, you can show you’re qualified for social work by giving examples of your success in helping people address life challenges. Under each relevant job in your recent work history , brainstorm and write down the strategies and resources you used to support clients. Also, describe the other parties you worked with to provide that support, such as family members, rehabilitation centers, or government agencies. Finally, note the types of life challenges or transitions you helped address and emphasize any you’re interested in focusing on in your next position.

Mid-Career Experience Example

Senior-level experience example, 3. outline your education and social work-related certifications.

Use the education and licenses sections to show hiring managers your engagement in social work has a strong knowledge base. Give details on your bachelor’s degree, along with any Council on Social Work Education ( CSWE )-accredited master’s degrees you’ve earned or are working toward . If your state requires a license , specify that as well so hiring managers know you’re fully credentialed to work with their organization’s clients.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and license details. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
• License Name or Title, Awarding State or Organization | [Year]

4. Make a list of your social work-related skills and proficiencies

Add a “key skills” section to show the various methods or tools you use to engage with client groups or individuals. These might range from general soft skills like conflict resolution to hard technical skills like Microsoft Excel. Make sure each one you include overlaps with the skillset of your target social work job. Below are some common social work skills and keywords to consider for your resume :

How To Pick the Best Social Work Resume Template

As with most vocations, social workers should use a resume template that’s clear and straightforward. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Select a clear resume font , and avoid any template with an overly colorful or elaborate design.

Frequently Asked Questions: Social Work Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for social work resumes -.

For social workers, the best resume verbs will relate to the hands-on support of groups and individuals – for example, “advised,” “educated,” “listened,” or “motivated.” However, you may use various others to describe your duties and contributions in this field. The following list can help you find the right mix of action verbs for your social work resume:

How do you align your social work resume with a job posting? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts the number of social worker jobs will increase by about 9% between 2021 and 2031. This growth rate is faster than the average for all U.S. vocations.

You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application. For example, if the agency seeks someone with a strong collaborative streak, you can mention that aspect of your experience in your profile and key skills sections. Or say the organization has many non-English speaking patients or clients. You may want to highlight your foreign language skills in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity in your job search.

What is the best social work resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience. It’s also simplest to modify based on your job goals.

With the combination format, you highlight the most relevant skills and expertise in your experience or work history section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should include a profile summary and key skills section, but you may also include an awards or career highlights section.

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To increase your chances of an interview, write and submit a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our social work cover letter guide to learn how to do it. For other related examples, see our case manager cover letter guide.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Ernestine Council

Expert Recruiter

Ernestine Council is an accomplished chief recruiting executive with over 20 years of experience leading talent acquisition strategies and building high-performing teams across diverse industries. Council has a proven track record of attracting and retaining top talent through innovative recruitment practices and fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Passionate about building engaged workforces, optimizing processes, and driving recruiting excellence.

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9 Social Worker Resume Examples That Worked in 2024

Social Worker Resume

• Social Worker Resumes by Experience
• Social Worker Resumes by Role
• Writing Your Social Worker Resume

Social workers protect vulnerable populations, support families, and help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives, all within different settings.

Since social workers support numerous communities, work in various environments, and develop different scopes based on their licensure, creating your social worker resume to target the right job for your career goals can be challenging. (It’s also why  social worker job descriptions  tend to be rather vague.)

We’ve analyzed hundreds of social worker resume samples from all populations, environments, settings, and licenses to  attract the attention of a hiring manager or recruiter so you can get more interviews in 2024 . We created nine resume samples to help you  build an eye-catching resume  and  check your resume  using AI-powered tips. 

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Make sure to mention the facility settings where you’ve worked, whether it’s a hospital, school, rehabilitation center, group home, or community facility, so hiring managers see your expertise.
• Social workers typically have high volumes of cases to manage, so you should highlight the number of cases you managed per day/week/month.
• If your case management included court documentation and appearance, be sure to discuss this in your social worker resume. 

Social Work Student Resume

• As a social worker, you’ll interact with people from all walks of life. List any experiences that exposed you to diverse backgrounds on your social work student resume to show that you’re prepared to work with complex clients.

Social Work Intern Resume

• An advanced degree in social work and volunteer involvement prove that you chose this career mindfully.

Entry-Level Social Worker Resume

• In your  resume skills section , include skills like “verbal communication,” “case assessment,” “and counseling” to reassure employers of your abilities.
• If you’ve participated in any internships, include those over other positions. The goal is always to include the most relevant experience if at all possible.
• Don’t discount any administrative or supportive tasks; hiring managers understand (and want to see) that everyone starts somewhere.  

Associate Social Worker Resume

• Consider including work-related projects, activities, or  hobbies on your resume  to demonstrate your abilities.
• Start strong with a  resume objective  that immediately shows the reader who you are as a professional.
• If you choose to use an objective, always tailor it to the specific role and  job description .

School Social Worker Resume

or downloand as PDF

• In your work experience bullets, mention your areas of expertise ( for example, ADHD, grief counseling, teenage pregnancy) to create a targeted  school social worker resume  that will gain a recruiter’s interest.
• Within the experience of your school social worker resume, be sure to focus on the programs you implemented or supported. This will support the statements made in your resume objective.

Clinical Social Worker Resume

• Be sure to discuss how your responsibilities and leadership abilities resulted in  positive changes  at your workplace.
• If you have a license designation, put it after your name in your contact header so recruiters can immediately see your expertise. 
• Your  resume summary  should list also the settings where you’ve worked or the clinical settings you want to target for your next clinical social worker role. 

Nursing Home Social Worker Resume

• Include the patient types you worked with, such as end-of-life/hospice or memory care patients, and mention how you demonstrated collaboration and communication in your work experience since those are vital skills for nursing home social workers.
• Highlight your experience educating patients and their families, as well as any community initiatives you implemented, to improve the nursing programs you supported.  
• Be sure to  check your resume  to ensure there aren’t any grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors so you can put your best foot forward. 

Medical Social Worker II Resume

• Only include three to four positions in your work experience, and focus on your expertise from the most recent ten years of jobs and training.
• If you can, keep your bullet points solely about achievements or responsibilities that benefited the company.
• It should be just two or three sentences long to keep it brief. Include the name of the company to which you’re applying, and finish strong with a closing sentence tying directly to the role you’re targeting.

Related resume guides

• Social work cover letter
• Medical Receptionist

Tailor Your Social Worker Resume to Match the Needs of Your Clients

No one knows the demands of your job as well as you do. Working with people who often really need your help is no easy feat, which is why the list of job responsibilities in your field might seem endless. How do you pick the ones that your future employer cares about the most?

The answer is simple: follow the job description! Here are some of the most sought-after job responsibilities you’ll find when searching for a new social worker job.

• Cooperate with the care manager during the care planning process, including setting goals, establishing interventions and milestones, and monitoring client success
• Assess the members enrolled in various care programs on a regular basis and provide detailed reports
• Facilitate monthly support groups and outreach programs
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss cases with providers, primary care physicians, pharmacists, and care management staff
• Design and implement new tools, groups, programs, and services
• Respond to phone and email requests from families interested in being enrolled in programs

Adding skills to your social worker resume

Reverse-chronological format, functional format, and combination/hybrid format

There are several acceptable ways to present your professional experience like a narrative. Hiring managers accept the following  resume formats :

• The reverse-chronological format lists your employment experience, achievements, and education, beginning with the most recent.
• The functional format emphasizes your skills instead of your work experience. You place the most relevant achievements or skills near the top to highlight your abilities for the position you’re pursuing.
• A hybrid format blends the reverse-chronological and functional approaches. If you’ve changed industries or have ample parallel experience, you should present the most recent relative aspect toward the top of your resume.

Within the social work industry, recruiters respond best to the reverse-chronological format because it highlights the evolution of your career through progressive acquisition of skills and professional development.

Contact info and header

Your social worker resume explains your qualifications and credentials for the job you’re seeking, but if recruiters don’t know how to contact you, nothing you write will matter. As a result, you need to write and format your contact header effectively. This section should include:

• Title of the position you’re applying for (taken directly from the job description)
• Your city and state

Notice the customized header that lists the job posting title below the name.

ATS and readability

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are computer programs that filter out low-quality, irrelevant, and unreadable resumes. However, they’re not infallible. Sometimes they toss out relevant resumes based on a lack of keywords. Adhering to a few simple conventions, which our  AI resume builder  helps with, will ensure you pass the inevitable ATS filter. 

Beat the ATS with a few simple tips.

• Fonts and font sizes: ATS systems need to be able to scan your resume easily, so keep fonts simple and sizes consistent.
• Header: Adding headers makes your resume easier for the ATS to read.
• Save your resume in multiple formats and confirm that each version looks correct.
• Names: Your name must appear prominently with the associated contact info to make it beyond the ATS.
• Skills: the ATS scans for keywords, so you need to carefully read the job description to include the right terminology.
• Logical Order: A reverse-chronological order is the easiest for the ATS to scan; other formats may be misread.
• Length: Typically, the ATS will toss any resume that’s longer than one page.

How to write your social worker resume

Social workers require licensure, soft skills, and clinical abilities to perform their jobs effectively. Presenting that breadth of experience in an easy-to-read and tight  resume format  can be challenging.

Luckily, you’re familiar with tricky situations. So, assess your experience and determine your desired job competencies to help you write an effective resume.

Consider the following aspects of your social worker resume:

• A resume objective or summary

Work experience

Crafting your bullet points.

• Quantifying your impact with numbers and statistics
• Top social worker skills

Education, licenses, and specialized training

• Adding projects, interests, or hobbies
• Customizing your resume each job
• Eliminating errors

When to include a resume objective or summary in your social worker resume

Resume objectives  and  resume summaries  are optional, but they can be an eye-catching aspect of your social worker resume. If used effectively, they can be a deal-breaker that grants you an interview.

They should sell your value to the company within two to three sentences. This is the first section of the resume, so it must be compelling and informative to justify its inclusion.

• Above all, your objective should convey how your skills and abilities align with your prospective employer’s mission.
• “I hope to obtain a position to grow and utilize my education. I want to leverage my skills to help clients.”
• This objective is generalized, which isn’t helpful to any employer.
• Instead, tailor your objective to each job to which you apply.
• It should highlight your abilities and show off your specializations to prove you can make the next step in your career.
• “My current and former positions have enabled me to grow as a clinician and widen my knowledge base. I have progressive experience that qualifies me to supervise.”
• This summary is bland and provides no insight into the applicant’s experience or details about their qualifications.
• “LCSW-R with 10+ years of experience working with homeless populations, seeking opportunity with Seek and Save. I designed a job skills program to help clients develop interview skills. It helped 1,200 individuals obtain entry-level employment.”
• This summary highlights the applicant’s licensure and depth of experience, while noting a quantifiable achievement and mentioning the targeted employer by name.

Employers will notice you’ve taken the time to mention their company by name, as seen here.

You should be comprehensive, but use space wisely. Generally speaking, focus on recent jobs relative to the work you’re seeking: limit your positions to the last two to four jobs you’ve held. This provides enough space to give substantive details about your accomplishments.

Each bullet point in your social worker resume tells the story of your experience and qualifications. To make sure your bullet points are effective and easy-to-read,  choose active verbs  that are specific to social work,  use a consistent tense , and  use sentence fragments  without ending punctuation. 

Examples of bullet points include:

• This uses a generic verb and provides no detailed insight into the client population.
• There is no information to describe the scope or extent of this achievement.
• This fails to highlight particular clinical skills or describe the client population.
• This specifies exactly what the applicant did and the community they served.
• This highlights specific skills applicable to social work and quantifies their volume.
• This highlights a soft skill with an active verb and specifies the nature of the work.

Quantify your impact with numbers and statistics

Recruiters value statistics because they’re tangible proof of your performance and accomplishments. However, quantifying results in social work is difficult, and it doesn’t always reflect the humanistic nature of the practice. So, include metrics and statistics when you can, but don’t stress about including them in every bullet point. A good rule of thumb is to have 60 percent of your bullet points include metrics.

• Saw 25 clients weekly for CBT and check-ins
• Designed and implemented a revised onboarding system for new client intake with file integration in 6 weeks
•   Completed and submitted necessary documentation tracking for patient reimbursement at a 100% conversion rate

Top social worker skills to mention

Social work positions require very specific skill sets, like particular diagnoses, treatment methods, and clinical theories. Review the job description carefully to see what skills they need for the position and thus, what you should include on your resume. Use these terms throughout your social worker resume (when they’re applicable) to catch the eye of any recruiter.

Top social work skills in 2024 include:

• Soft skills: Empathy, active listening, collaboration, critical thinking
• Clinical positions: CBT, evidence-based practice, intake, assessment, treatment planning, discharge
• Management/Oversight positions: Program development, community organizing, budgeting, compliance, supervision

Here’s a solid list of additional soft skills you might include:

Listing your education reverse-chronologically is the best way for recruiters to see your most recent level of experience. Depending on your highest level of education, the section will descend from Ph.D. to MSW to BSW.

Be sure to list any licensures, continuing education certifications, or specialized training, either in the education section or in a separate licenses/certifications section.

If you still need licensure, there are an array of licenses available to those entering the social work field. While license requirements vary by state, most require a bachelo’rs degree. Candidates can earn certifications as a licensed social worker (LSW), a licensed independent social worker (LISW), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) in most states.

Each level requires more education and training, with the LSW being the least demanding and LICSWs being the most stringent and intensive.

Notice the easy-to-read reverse-chronological style highlighting an evolving education.

Should you add projects, interests, or hobbies?

You should omit these optional sections unless you are a recent graduate or applying for an entry-level position. These sections provide color to your resume, but they’re generally considered excessive for higher-level positions. Highlighting and quantifying your professional accomplishments is far more important to recruiters.

If you choose to include  hobbies on your resume , they should exhibit your suitability for the position. Social workers should also consider including relevant volunteer experience. If you’re applying for a school social work position, describing volunteer experience with a children’s literacy program would be more suitable than listing your participation in a food pantry.

Customize your resume to each job

Generic social worker resumes sent out for multiple jobs isn’t the way to go. Job postings are highly detailed and reflect the values and mission of their respective companies. As a result, you should tailor your resume directly to the open position.

Read job postings carefully to parse out the active verbs and terminology the recruiter will expect to see. You should  check your social worker resume  to ensure it mirrors their language and speaks directly to the company you wish to join.

Eliminate errors

Typos and grammatical errors can grab attention  as much as an excellent objective statement or well-crafted bullet points. Always double-check your resume for grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors.

Ask relatives, friends, or classmates to review your social worker resume for misspellings, awkward phrasing, and punctuation errors. 

Go land your next job!re

A resume that addresses your potential employer’s desired skills is your best chance to land an interview for your new social work position. While using a resume maker , be sure to:

• Strive for a logical and readable format that appeals to both recruiters and ATS
• Communicate your skills and achievements by highlighting how they directly relate to your desired position
• Quantify your performance whenever possible to show measurable achievements
• Customize your resume for each position to assure employers you are passionate about their business

When you’re ready to submit your resume to potential employers, it’s time to start learning how to write a resignation letter to plan a smooth exit from your current role and launch into your dream job.

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• Social Work

Social Work resume examples & templates

Social workers are accustomed to providing services for others, but when you begin your job hunt, you might need a helping hand to develop a social work resume that powerfully shows off your empathy and abilities. 

The umbrella “social work” covers a host of specialties. No matter where your expertise lies, demand for all social workers is on the rise. That’s excellent news for you. As you pursue your next career goal, you need to consider how to catch the eye of hiring managers and get that coveted interview. 

Resume.io offers a full range of resources for any job seeker, as we provide writing guides and resume examples for 300+ professions, backed up by an easy-to-use resume builder.

This guide, along with the corresponding social work resume example, will cover the following topics:

• What do social workers do?
• How to write a social worker resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a social worker resume
• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

A 2021 paper reported that 36% of master of social work graduates enter jobs focused on behavioral health. The most common job settings with a high behavioral health service provision included outpatient healthcare services and other private, not-for-profit, tax exempt, or charitable organizations.

What does a social worker do?

“Social workers advocate on behalf of underrepresented populations and serve as a resource and guide to help individuals as they navigate through difficult situations,” defines the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University .

This work may occur in a number of different settings and with different populations. Social workers also may specialize in an area of difficulty such as substance treatment.

Top 10 social work jobs

• Substance abuse and recovery treatment
• Mental health counselor
• Marriage and family counselor
• Medical social worker
• School social worker
• Foster care social worker
• Child and family therapist
• Corporate social responsibility
• Policy analyst
• Human resources coordinator/specialist

Source: USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

If you’re looking for the top paying job, specialize in medical social work. Salaries range from 58,968 to $71,346, according to Salary.com . 

Social workers see people in distress or who are coping with life’s rough patches. They may specialize in issues of aging, child welfare, developmental disabilities, health care, community advocacy, justice and corrections, international/immigrant issues, mental health and clinical work, substance abuse and treatment, policy and public planning, occupational and employee assistance programs, research, schools or public welfare. Simply put, social workers work in all areas that affect human mental health.

How to write a social work resume

The first thing you need to know to write an intriguing social work resume is what it comprises.  Here are the sections your CV should include:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

This list is flexible, in that not only will your contents be unique, but you may reorganize the order or add a section such as awards and accolades if you have the space in your 1-2 page document.

Your resume needs consistent tone, style and a message. That depends on the target of your job application, so do your research up front. Learn what you can about the agency or business so that every line of your resume addresses their needs. If you can, find out who the hiring manager and/or your prospective boss are to see if you can make a connection to that person that they may latch onto and ask about in your interview.

A thoughtful social work resume:

• Keeps your future employer’s needs in mind and communicates directly to that agency
• Makes a winning first impression with a clean, professional design and template that represents your style visually
• Is optimized with keywords and phrases that will help you overcome the Applicant Tracking System (ATS) hurdle.

Beating the ATS

ATS software scans and ranks resumes according to algorithms based on keywords. Before a human being ever has a chance of seeing the resume you worked so hard on, the ATS is judging whether your document contains the right information to get a second look.

You know how to listen to your clients and analyze how best to help them. You can use those skills to help yourself overcome the ATS hurdle. Reread the job description and highlight the needs the employer lists. Take careful note of the skills and attributes within. Try to use the exact words or phrases (if they are applicable) in your resume to cue the ATS that you have what your prospective agency is looking for. 

Choosing the best resume format for social work

No matter your career, employers and recruiters hands-down prefer the reverse chronological order social work resume. Unless you have a compelling reason not to use this format, this is the way to go. This will mostly affect your employment history section which should start with your most recent position and work backwards through the past 10 years of experience (or however much you have.)

If you are new to the workforce, are changing careers or are a seasoned social work professional, you may consider one of the resume formats we suggest as chronological alternatives or hybrids.

Unless you are a scientist or work in a highly technical field, the functional resume format should not be your first choice. It offers a means to emphasize niche or highly complex skills by expanding the skills section and reducing the employment history section in exchange. 

Positions for social workers are expected to grow by 13% from 2019-2029, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . That’s well higher than the average career growth.

Resume summary example: a personal note

Social workers make deep connections with clients and the community, so the summary section holds great importance in your social work resume. The summary is also called a profile and you should consider it a combination of both.

In these 3-5 sentences, you want to pat yourself on the back (with a bit of humility, of course) for your career highlights, but also illuminate your prospective employer on your social work philosophy and interpersonal style.

For a slightly different take, try our case manager resume example. If you want to see a more focused guide, look at our drug and alcohol counselor resume sample, our juvenile counselor resume sample or our healthcare social worker resume sample.

It is here that you want to pat yourself on the back (with a bit of humility, of course) for your career highlights, but also illuminate your prospective employer on your social work philosophy and interpersonal style.

For more specific social work resume examples, check out our case manager resume example or our social worker. We also offer more specialized resume samples such as the geriatric social worker resume example, the healthcare worker resume example or the drug and alcohol counselor resume example.

You can find a resume example for your summary section below.

Dedicated Social Worker with over 10 years of experience in providing needed support to at-risk children. Adept in conflict resolution, safe physical management, and counseling methods. Experienced in managing assigned caseloads in an efficient manner, while utilizing exceptional time management skills to successfully advocate for clients and train colleagues.

Employment history sample: your case history

As we noted above, the employment history section of your social work resume should be presented in reverse chronological order. Then, use terse bullet-pointed items with strong verbs to emphasize your career highlights.

Think about your achievements and write using the CAR format: 

• Name the challenge you faced
• Describe the action you took
• Demonstrate your results

As a social worker, you may choose to tell of a specific client, but don’t shy away from accomplishments that can be quantified, such as the number of cases you successfully handled or the amount of services you were able to acquire for your clients.

Below you will find an adaptable employment history resume example.

Social Worker, Radnor Township School District, Philadelphia September 2014 - Present

• Provided small group and classroom support to students, while monitoring progress to determine efficiency of programs.
• Assisted in identifying available and necessary community resources for students.
• Participated in interventions, administrative reviews, and due process proceedings as needed.
• Completed and organized paperwork for at-risk and special education students.
• Aided students in applying for beneficial government and community resources available to them.
• Led and coordinated mental health assessment training resulting in 25% increase in carer and client satisfaction.

Social Worker, Springfield School District, Philadelphia September 2010 - February 2014

• Provided on-site crisis response and intervention services to students, families, and staff.
• Conducted functional behavior assessments for students displaying significant behavioral problems.
• Coordinated ongoing tasks of team members and maintained compliance with special education requirements.
• Implemented school-wide student management policies within classrooms.
• Assisted in development of first district-wide mental health service rollout, executing deliverables ahead of schedule.

CV skills example: you’re more than a listener

Social work requires much more than just listening skills, and this needs to be communicated in your CV. You must be aware of treatment techniques in your area of expertise, but you may also find yourself with mounds of documentation and paperwork.

Your skills section distills your very best and most desirable attributes into an easy-to-read list. Make sure you focus on those skills that your prospective employer specifically listed in the job ad you are responding to.

Skills every social worker needs

USC says this list comprises skills social workers can’t do without. Consider adding a few to your skills section:

• Boundary setting
• Active listening
• Social perceptiveness
• Self-awareness
• Organization
• Coordination
• Cooperation

Below you will find an adaptable skills resume example.

• NASW Code of Ethics
• Mental Health Assessments
• Certified Mental Health Counselor
• Crisis Intervention
• Strong Organizational Skills
• Time Management Skills
• Knowledge of Social Welfare Policy

Social work resume education example

Your education is a key component of your qualifications as a social worker. At minimum, you need a bachelor of social work, but many positions require an MSW or master of social work. Clinical social workers must have a master’s degree and two years of post-graduate work. Play up your education on your social work resume, especially if you are just starting out. In that case, you may want to switch this section with your employment history.

If you have completed any training seminars or certifications that enhance your skills, include those as well. You do not need to list your high school if you have earned more than a bachelor’s degree.

Below you will find an education resume example as a formatting guide.

Master of Social Work, Smith College, Northampton August 2008 - May 2010

Bachelor of Sociology, SUNY Albany, Albany August 2004 - May 2008

Resume layout and design: a professional look

Although you know you cannot judge a person by their initial presentation, you also know that first impressions do count. That’s why you need to make your social work resume look as amazing as it sounds.

What do you want your prospective employer to think when they get your resume into their hands? “Wow, this person is organized, professional and knows how to make a presentation!” Of course you do!

Here are some helpful hints to get you there:

• Keep your margins at one inch and use an easy-to-read font sized at 11-12 points to make sure your well-crafted words are legible.
• Make sure your contact information stands out without getting overly fussy.
• Vary your line lengths to give an uncluttered appearance.
• A splash of a subdued color is just enough, if you feel you need color at all.

Consider using one of our resume templates to save you the tedious task of formatting for perfection.

Key takeaways for a social work resume

• The demand for social workers is on the rise, so take advantage of the opportunities out there now.
• As a skilled listener, you should be able to discern what your prospective employer needs and speak to that need in your social work resume.
• Review and personalize your resume for every employer.
• Take advantage of the online resume builder to limit your formatting frustration and speed up your job hunt!

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

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• Social worker resume examples

Social worker Resume examples

8 Social worker resume examples found

All examples are written by certified resume experts, and free for personal use. Copy any of the Social worker resume examples to your own resume, or use one of our free downloadable Word templates. We recommend using these Social worker resume examples as inspiration only, while creating your own resume.

Learn more about: how to write a perfect resume

Social worker

Advocated with the parental figure, different specialist organizations, doctors, and purchasers to guarantee administrations are ceaseless and documented correspondence utilizing PC-based applications.

• Helped families to use local area assets to address their necessities.
• Conducted home visits connected with client needs.
• Counseled clients and their families to work with accomplishing administration plan objectives.
• Performed requirements and exhaustive appraisals.
• Created successful care and treatment plans for two clients.
• Developed methodology for introducing new nurturing schooling.
• Provided mediation, and strong advising on a case-to-case basis.
• Managed and filed all the records of clients in a proper filing system.

Supervised and supported clients with the monetary investigation and business checks to decide qualifications for benefits and accessible choices handling each case separately.

• Collaborated with state organizations and facilitators to foster plans for each case.
• Prepared, revealed, and provided details regarding proceeding with changes in client cases.
• Educated clients on the accessible projects, prerequisites to proceed with help, and choices for change.
• Provided advice to pre-birth and post-pregnancy moms on nurturing liabilities and their wellbeing.
• Managed the information on the administration data framework.
• Extended liaison with bosses and the division of HR on information investigation and privacy.

Conducted psychosocial assessments and created treatment & behavior improvement plans through energizing and thought-provoking sessions with clients and their families adopting the approved policies and guidelines.

• Established strong and ongoing relations with clients.
• Analyzed special needs and provided adequate solutions for them.
• Monitored progress of each client to attain the planned objectives and goals.
• Managed records and documented each session in an electronic record system.
• Followed up with caseworkers and teams maintained effective correspondence.
• Ensured accurate identification of a problem and responded with an achievable plan.
• Participated in educational sessions for professional development.

Assisted the senior social worker in conducting in-home case management for seriously-ill clients, assessing their condition, and partnering with recommended healthcare professionals in providing the best possible care. 

• Assisted families in coming to terms with the conditions of their loved ones through therapeutic counseling and emotional support.
• Ensured patients’ well-being by educating families and caregivers about medical/palliative care, and routinely following up to ensure compliance.
• Lauded for effectively handling conflicting caseloads of up to 20 patients per day, by implementing strategic case management initiatives.

Led a team of 7 social workers in planning and implementing rehabilitation programs for all referred students. Assessed each case and ensured the provision of guidance and counseling services, psychosocial care, and tailored programs for schools’ student welfare initiatives. 

• Accelerated referred students’ behavior change through individual and group counseling sessions.
• Extended services from school to homes, ensuring each referred student did not relapse.
• Leveraged 20 years of experience in effectively managing serious crises involving drugs, assault, or verbal abuse among student populations.

Concluded the assessment and evaluation of all patients meeting high-risk measures and collaborated with different filed experts regarding patient consideration.

• Completed pre-affirmation screening preceding nursing home position per past necessities.
• Conducted sessions for those preparing for wellbeing framework representatives and facilitators.
• Composed and refreshed strategy and methods for the social administration’s division.
• Communicated with doctors regarding patient objectives and release arranging.
• Supervised preparation of quality estimations and activities for administrations.
• Served as an expert social worker in various programs to begin clinical focus on underprivileged.
• Coordinated senior medical coverage data program and backed transport volunteer advocates.
• Worked with support groups to diminish obstructions that hinder learning.

Managed a caseload of 20 teenagers housed in a group home, conducting monthly visits and implementing welfare programs aimed at improving their behavior, socialization skills, and self-esteem. Monitored their well-being to ensure compliance with the child services regulations.

• Ensured accurate presentations in court by maintaining accurate case records and drafting comprehensive reports for each child’s progress.
• Aided the teenagers with transitioning to the new way of life through individual and group counseling sessions, and exhibiting a motherly attitude during visits.

Organized a custom-made arrangement considering objectives, requirements, and assets and improved results by using support from various offices in care arranging.

• Designed release inquiries into social history to execute a proactive methodology.
• Facilitated family care plan gatherings for a survey of care/treatment plans.
• Co-worked with family complaints with the executives and organization.
• Conducted monthly chamber gatherings for remedial measures of various situations.
• Referred clients to other clinical social laborers and local social workers.
• Supervised BSW staff in offering types of assistance inside a nursing office.
• Conducted mental evaluations for the improvement of fitting mediations.
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15+ Social Work Resume Templates in Publisher | Illustrator | InDesign | Word | Apple Pages | PSD

Social work, despite the lack of attention it deserves, is a noble profession of helping individuals, families, and communities to improve their well-being. It does so by developing individual skills inside a community to resolve problems.

Free High School Social Worker Resume

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Simple Free Social Worker Student Resume Template

Free Basic Professional Social Worker Resume Template

1. Diversity of Social Work Contexts

• entry-level social work,
• school social work,
• an internship
• student social worker or
• professional social worker,

Free Social Work Resume for Recent Graduate Template

Free Editable Social Work Assistant Resume Template

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Social Worker Resume for Child Protection Template

Free Social Work Consultant Resume Template

Free Senior Manager Social Work Resume Template

Free Human Service Social Work Resume Template

2. Writing a Targeted Social Work Resume

3. for whom are our resume templates.

• for recent graduates,
• social work assistant,
• a social worker for child protection,
• social work consultant, and
• senior manager.

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Resume with work experience template, family social worker resume, forensic social worker resume, school social worker resume, elementary school social worker resume, high school social worker resume, delinquency prevention social worker resume, clinical social worker resume, child social worker resume.

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5 Social Worker CV Examples - Here's What Works In 2024

Ready to become a social worker this article helps you craft your cv to shine in the pile. by using real-life samples and easy-to-fill templates, we'll make your qualifications speak loud and clear. don't guess what to put on your cv. learn what hiring managers like me look for and appreciate in social worker applicants. knowledge is power, so let's get started..

As a hiring manager, I see many roles, but being a Social Worker is truly unique. Rooted in compassion, tenacity, and a keen problem-solving spirit, the role demands to blend empathy with pragmatism. This potent mix of attributes must shine through when one pens down a CV. You aren't just listing credentials, you're shaping a narrative revealing your ability to mentor, guide, and positively influence lives. The standard career path for a social worker involves starting from the ground as caseworkers or mental health assistants. Over time, with added experience and perhaps a degree or two, they climb the ladder to become clinical social workers or administrators. The landscape of this profession has been rapidly changing, thanks to advancements in technology and the fresh challenges posed by the digital era. We anticipate more virtual counselling jobs surfacing in 2024, and specialized roles targeting cyberbullying and online mental health issues. Now, some confusion often arises around CVs and resumes in the field of social work. In truth, the difference is merely in name, influenced by geographical conventions. In the UK, Europe, and Australia, they lean towards the term 'CV', but you should treat it like a standard resume. Yes, you may stumble upon the suggestion that a CV is a longer, more detailed document, but that applies primarily to roles in academia or research. As a social worker, keep your CV crisp, concise, and within 1-2 pages. In this article, as a career coach, I'll strive to shine a light on effective CV templates for aspiring social workers in 2024, key skills to emphasize, and the finer nuances of crafting a CV that sets you apart.

Social Worker CV Templates

Jump to a template:

• Child and Family Social Worker
• Social Work Teacher
• Mental Health Social Worker
• Clinical Social Worker

Jump to a resource:

• Keywords for Social Worker CVs
• Action Verbs to Use
• Related Other CVs
• Similar Careers to a Social Worker
• Social Worker Resume Examples

Template 1 of 5: Child and Family Social Worker CV Example

Being a Child and Family Social Worker is a rewarding but challenging profession. You essentially become the lifeline for children and their families during struggles. Your CV should convey your innate ability to empathize, problem-solve, and adapt. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates who can demonstrate resilience and critical thinking skills. Given the emotional weight of the job, hiring managers also appreciate seeing evidence of self-care and stress management strategies. Moreover, the field is growing in its reliance on tech-based solutions for case management. Hence, any tech proficiency, such as familiarity with digital case management systems, is a definite plus on your CV.

Tips to help you write your Child and Family Social Worker CV in 2024

   show evidence of your resilience.

In your work history section, share instances where you navigated high-stress situations effectively. This will demonstrate your resilience and emotional stability, critical qualities in this field.

   Display your tech proficiency

As the field becomes more tech-reliant, it's beneficial to show your ability to adapt to this shift. In your skills section, include any software or digital tools you’re comfortable with, especially those relevant to case management.

Skills you can include on your Child and Family Social Worker CV

Template 2 of 5: social work teacher cv example.

As a Social Work Teacher, you're teaching students about the profession of social work. This role is different because it requires both substantial real-world experience and the ability to effectively impart knowledge. It’s crucial to mention your experience from the field, as well as your education when crafting your CV. It's also worth noting the current trend of inter-disciplinary learning in teaching social work. Subsequently, you must demonstrate your ability to engage with diverse subjects that intersect with social work, such as psychology, sociology, law, and other relevant disciplines. The CV needs to show the breadth of your knowledge and your ability to facilitate learning across these areas.

Tips to help you write your Social Work Teacher CV in 2024

   include specific relevant certifications.

Since this is a teaching role, it's important to include any teaching-related certifications you've obtained. This might be something like a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). It assures potential employers of your teaching competency.

   Detail specific modules or courses taught

If you've taught social work previously, make sure you detail the specific modules or courses that you've handled. This gives prospective employers an idea of your areas of expertise and your experience in teaching these areas.

Skills you can include on your Social Work Teacher CV

Template 3 of 5: mental health social worker cv example.

As a Mental Health Social Worker, your line of work is both challenging and rewarding. You engage with clients dealing with mental health issues, developing personalised treatment strategies for them. When crafting your CV, remember it's a key tool in illustrating your commitment to this field. You’re not like accounting or sales professionals who deal with numbers and targets. You deal with people's lives. It’s crucial to convey this human aspect of your work, as well as demonstrating your ability to stay up-to-date with evolving trends in mental health practices. Over the past few years, there's been an increasing emphasis on early intervention and community-based support in this field. It's important to showcase any experience or skills you have in these areas. At the same time, remember recruiters will be looking for evidence of your resilience and emotional strength, as these are core to a Mental Health Social Worker’s role.

Tips to help you write your Mental Health Social Worker CV in 2024

   showcase knowledge in early detection and intervention.

There's a growing trend towards early detection and intervention in mental health. You should include any training, qualifications, or practical experience you have in this area on your CV. Demonstrate how you’ve made a difference using these skills to support clients.

   Highlight your ability to work in community-based support

Your CV should reflect any work you've done within community-based mental health support. Discuss the various cases you've handled, the strategies you've employed, and the outcomes of those interventions. Be sure to maintain client confidentiality when describing your past work.

Skills you can include on your Mental Health Social Worker CV

Template 4 of 5: clinical social worker cv example.

As a Clinical Social Worker, you're no stranger to complex demands and unique responsibilities. From carrying out therapeutic interventions to working with healthcare professionals, it's all in a day's work. But, when it comes to your CV, it's not just about listing these duties. It's about communicating your blend of empathy and professionalism, and demonstrating how you've made an impact in your roles. Recent trends show candidates are increasingly showing off their cross-sector experience, as employers value the versatile skills you've gained. So, when shaping your CV, remember: you're not just a case manager, you're a crisis controller, a negotiator, a consultant.

Tips to help you write your Clinical Social Worker CV in 2024

   demonstrate your understanding of the sector.

Your CV should reflect a deep understanding of the social care sector. Make sure to include specific examples of how you navigated through complex cases, showing your knowledge of various protocols and legislations in your field.

   Show off your interdisciplinary collaboration skills

As a Clinical Social Worker, you're often the link between various professionals. Illustrate this by providing examples where you've successfully collaborated with healthcare providers, families, or community resources to deliver the best possible care outcomes.

Skills you can include on your Clinical Social Worker CV

Template 5 of 5: clinical social worker cv example.

As a clinical social worker, you are the cornerstone of the mental health field. You help alleviate distress and facilitate change by providing direct counseling, therapy, and support to people navigating life's challenging situations, especially in the healthcare sector. Now, when it comes to your CV, bear in mind it's not just about your qualifications and experience. It's your first opportunity to demonstrate your empathy, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact on people's lives. Recently, we've seen a significant trend in hiring managers looking for candidates with teletherapy experience due to the rise of remote healthcare services. So, be sure to highlight any relevant experience in this area.

   Include a section on teletherapy experience

If you have gained experience in teletherapy or remote counseling, it's critical to emphasize this on your CV. Include any specific platforms you've used, types of clients you've served remotely, and outcomes of your remote counseling.

   Discuss your caseload management skills

As a clinical social worker, you will likely manage several cases simultaneously, so it's beneficial to depict your caseload management skills on your CV. Show how you've efficiently juggled multiple cases, while ensuring each client received the care they needed.

Skills For Social Worker Resumes

As a social worker, your life revolves around helping others. This key part of your role needs to shine bright on your CV. Effective communication and empathy are talents employers search for. To jump the hurdle of automated filters, make sure you include these skills in your CV’s skills section or in your work experience. For example, you can say, "Used strong communication and empathy to aid families during difficult times." Your CV should sound like you. Don't shy away from showcasing your skills. Parse the job description for important skills, and plug them into your CV. If the job posting lauds strong problem-solving skills, mirror this in your CV like so: "Deployed problem-solving skills to develop beneficial service plans." Software skills matter too. Let's say you often use "MS Office" in your work; slip it into your CV. For example, "Used MS Office to accurately record case details." In a nutshell, let your CV speak your language. Let it tell your story of aiding change.

• Community Outreach
• Social Services
• Case Management
• Family Therapy
• Social Work
• Discharge Planning
• Motivational Interviewing
• Psychotherapy
• Program Development
• Mental Health Counseling
• Behavioral Health
• Interventions
• Mental Health
• Group Therapy
• Crisis Intervention
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dual Diagnosis
• Psychosocial

Skills Word Cloud For Social Worker CVs

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Social Worker job descriptions and CVs. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

How to use these skills?

Action verbs for social worker resumes.

Being a social worker is often about showing care, speaking up, and paving the way to change. This can be reflected in a CV by using action verbs that shake hands with the heart of this role. You don't just 'do' things, you 'advocate', 'negotiate', 'mediate', or 'guide'. This offers a clear picture of your work style and impact. Consider, for example, a line that reads "Provided support to families facing hardships". While this isn't bad, it can be boosted with the right action verb. Try something like "Empowered struggling families with needed resources". Here, 'empowered' changes the image from simply offering help to being a source of strength. Or another example, "Talked with communities about needed services" could become "Bridged gap between local communities and social services". The verb 'bridged' paints a vibrant picture of connection and change. That's what can make your social worker CV stand out.

• Coordinated
• Implemented
• Facilitated
• Interviewed
• Rehabilitated,Provided
• Communicated

For more related action verbs, visit Healthcare Action Verbs .

For a full list of effective CV action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs .

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• Blending hard & soft skills...

Blending hard & soft skills on your CV effectively

8 min read · Updated on May 15, 2024

Master this CV-writing technique to land the role

Needless to say, your CV needs to sell you to the hiring manager. The hard and soft skills you include – and how you include them ‒ can make the difference between progressing to the next stage or landing in the reject pile. But what are these skills anyway – and how should you present these hard and soft skills on your CV? Let's take a look.

Hard skills vs soft skills

Hard skills , or “technical skills,” are specific to a particular job and relate to the knowledge or ability required to do that job. They don't usually transfer well from one sector to another and are generally acquired through learning and experience. 

Why include hard skills on your CV: They let recruiters see whether you're able to perform the role they're recruiting for. Hard skills examples include:

Coding 

Fluency in another language 

SEO marketing 

Accounting 

Data analysis

Technical writing 

Project Management 

Video production 

Graphic design

Soft skills , or “transferable skills,” are those that can apply to numerous different jobs in any sector because they aren't specific to any particular role. Soft skills are linked to personal or character traits that can be transferred into any position. 

Why include soft skills on your CV: They let recruiters understand how you would fit into the role and into the company culture . Soft skills examples include:

Communication 

Problem solving

Time management 

Interpersonal skills 

Critical thinking

Emotional intelligence

Adaptability

Active listening 

Reliability

Should I include both hard and soft skills on my CV?

Yes. It's unlikely that you'll get a job based on either your hard or soft skills alone, so it's vital that your CV strikes the right balance. Whilst you'll need to include both, the weight you give to each will depend on your career level and the requirements of your job.

For example, a recent graduate will probably lean heavily on soft skills, until they develop more industry-specific hard skills that they can emphasise. A senior executive will have a wealth of hard skills to lean on, so soft skills will be less prominent on their CV as they will be assumed to have them. 

Moreover, a software developer will need to emphasise their hard skills, such as DevOps and automation, to prove that they have the technical know-how to do the job. A call-centre worker, on the other hand, will need to emphasise their soft skills, such as their communication and interpersonal skills. They can be trained in the product knowledge they need, so their CV will necessarily have a greater emphasis on soft skills. 

How to include hard and soft skills on a CV

First up, don't use a “Hard Skills” or “Soft Skills” label or heading on your CV. Recruiters can distinguish which is which, so you'll only need to include them throughout your CV. The following sections are prime places for showing off hard and soft skills on your CV: 

Profile section 

As your elevator pitch, the profile paragraph should contain the most critical skills to sell you into the role you're applying for. In most cases, this will mean focusing on hard skills that are prerequisites for progressing to the next recruitment stage. 

Expert tip: Look at the job advert in depth to get a good idea of what to include here. 

Key Skills section 

This is the obvious place to add skills to your CV, but don't go overboard. A long hard and soft skills list with no context isn't an exciting read, so limit yourself to no more than 12 skills here. You'll want to weigh this in favour of hard skills, although a few soft skills from the job advert won't be out of place. 

Expert tip 1: For hard skills, cross-reference your hard skills list with a few adverts for roles that interest you (and even your current job description), to make sure that you've included everything relevant. 

Expert tip 2: Ensure that your soft skills align with the level of the role you're aiming for. Whilst simply demonstrating the ability to communicate professionally and articulately may be enough at entry level, a senior executive will need to show higher-level interpersonal skills, such as “stakeholder engagement,” “negotiation,” and “influencing,” instead of just “communication.”

Professional Experience section 

The Professional Experience section is the place to give context to the skills you want to showcase. Use bullet points not only to list your skills, but show the impact they've had on the business and the value you've been able to add. 

Expert tip 1: Put hard skills into context so employers can understand how you apply the skills practically. For example, to showcase your “training” skills, say "Delivered training in crisis management to audiences of up to 20." 

Expert tip 2: Try to present your soft skills as an achievement. For example, to demonstrate your “teamwork” skills, say "Increased customer satisfaction levels by sharing knowledge of new products with the team," or "Improved team morale and communication by organising informal team lunches." 

Education section 

In most cases, the Education section isn't the place to be showing off your skills. However, if you're looking for an entry-level role and have no previous professional experience, you may want to expand this section to include skills gained whilst studying. Soft skills such as time management and teamwork can be gained in academic contexts, as well as in a professional environment, so use this section if needed to cover skills you can't fit elsewhere. 

Professional Development section 

The Professional Development section is ideal for displaying your hard skills. If you've completed a course or gained a certificate in a topic relevant to your target role, make sure you list it here. It doesn't need to be an official, accredited course – even online or in-house learning counts. 

Hobbies and Interests section 

This section isn't obligatory on your CV, but it can be worth including if you've gained skills outside of work that don't fit within your professional experience. This can be particularly useful for career changers, returners, and recent graduates. 

Hard and soft skills on a CV examples 

Now that you understand how to incorporate hard and soft skills on your CV, all that remains is for us to provide some examples that you can use as inspiration. Below, you can see the hard skills underlined and the soft skills in italics .

In the Profile section:

A capable and reliable A-level student with a proven aptitude for teamwork. Willing to listen, share ideas and follow instructions. Combines initiative with a drive to find the most efficient way of completing a task . Gets on well with others and is quick to learn new skills and processes.

In the Professional Experience section:

Assisted with coaching junior club members aged from 9-15

Represented the Computer Science course as a Subject Ambassador, communicating clearly with prospective students and parents about the course 

Software developer CV

In the profile section: .

A knowledgeable Senior Software Developer, with sound technical expertise in analysis, design and development for Windows, mobile and web platforms. Collaborates with clients to meet their needs, explaining complex technical concepts in an easily understandable manner and avoiding jargon. Confident in developing software and algorithms that drive innovation, increase efficiency and solve challenges. 

Managed software development projects through their full lifecycle, including documenting customer requirements, producing specifications and costings, and deploying software

Leading, supporting and delegating to a team of 5 on- and off-shore staff to ensure deadlines were met

Senior executive CV

A commercially and financially astute Operations Director, with an extensive background in maintaining compliance and governance standards. Confident controlling multi-million-pound budgets and prioritising conflicting demands to consistently achieve statutory deadlines. Combines sound judgement with the ability to identify and mitigate risk. 

In the Professional Experience section: 

Led fundraising to secure £7 million by significantly improving the relationship with an independent fundraising charity 

Saved £50,000 annually by procuring a digital solution and actively listening to resolve problems flagged by colleagues

Highlight the right mix of hard and soft skills

To summarise, hard skills are specialised whereas soft skills are transferable between roles. If you want to create the strongest possible application, make sure you showcase both on your CV.

Don't forget that, as well as emphasising your hard and soft skills on your CV, you should also aim to strengthen your application with a well-written  cover letter or personal statement.  As these documents are generally more flexible than a CV, you can employ the STAR format (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give credible, high-impact examples of your skills. With a CV and supporting documents that make both your hard and soft skills stand out, you'll be giving yourself the best possible chance of securing your next role. 

Is your CV doing justice to your skills? TopCV has a free CV review service that will give you objective feedback. Submit your CV here .

This article was originally written by Jen David and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.

Recommended reading: 

The best skills to put in your CV (with examples)

What are social skills and why do they matter in the workplace? With examples!

6 powerful remote worker skills you need to land the job

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