Community development worker CV example

How to write a CV for a community development worker

Stuck for ideas? Don’t worry – the following sections explain how to write a CV for a community development worker. We’ll run through what information to include and how to present it in the best possible light. Plus, we’ll answer some of your most common CV writing questions towards the end. What more could you want? It’s time to explore:

• How to add contact details to your community development worker CV
• Start your community development worker CV with a personal statement
• Adding experience section to your community development worker CV
• Top skills for your community development worker CV
• Outlining education on a community development worker CV

How to add contact details to your community development worker CV

If you’ve sent out dozens of CVs but haven’t had any luck, you might have forgotten to add your most current contact details at the top of the page. It’s easily done in the excitement of applying to your dream position. Double-check you’ve noted the information somewhere near the header, preferably in a slightly larger or bolder font. Include:

• Full name – first name and surname
• Location – including county and postcode
• Phone number – the best one to reach you on
• Email address – keep it work appropriate

Example of contact section for a community development worker CV

Start your community development worker CV with a personal statement

Community support work is rewarding and engaging, so highly competitive. How do you stand out against the other applicants? By putting together a persuasive personal statement summarising your most valuable achievements, skills, and qualifications. While it might sound easy, you only have three to four sentences to get your point across. We advise using the below formula to cover the core information.

Sentence one introduces who you are, including years of experience and career focus. Sentence two is your showstopper – explain what you can achieve through a dazzling fact or figure. Finally, sentences three and four underline your unique skills and areas of expertise. Perhaps you have a Psychology or Social Sciences degree. Maybe you speak another language.

What do we mean by fact or figure? This is a piece of concrete evidence that proves why you’re the best person for the job. You might have “raised over £5,000 through a social media fundraiser” or “won three awards”. Whatever the accomplishment, be as specific as possible to wow the employer.

What else do you need to know?

• Write in the third person to sound more polished
• Stick to the word count – between 50 and 100 words is ideal
• Use keywords – you can find these hard and soft skills in the job post
• Avoid jokes and jargon – present yourself as a professional
• Don’t tell the hiring manager what you want – save career ambitions for the cover letter or interview

Example of personal statement for a community development worker CV

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Create my CV

Adding experience section to your community development worker CV

The work history section provides a fascinating insight into your professional life, which is why employers spend the most time here. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your strengths and achievements – plus anything else that cements your credentials, such as promotions or awards. Our top advice? Spotlight your highest accomplishments for maximum impact.

When writing about work experience, start with your current or most recent role and note up to six responsibilities for each. Add more detail for relevant positions that reflect the job advertisement. Run through:

• Job title
• Employment start and end dates
• Company name
• Company location
• List of duties
• Workplace achievements

Like the personal statement, it’s a good idea to substantiate your claims with statistics. Otherwise, the hiring manager doesn’t have any hard evidence to make a decision. Let’s say you “oversaw a pilot public transportation programme” – can you expand on this? Perhaps the initiative “decreased noise pollution by 43%” or “saved residents 20 minutes of commuting time”. Remember, specificity is the secret to success!

Your ultimate goal is to encourage the employer to learn more, so your CV must be engaging. One way you can achieve this is by avoiding repetition. For example, if you’ve discussed “raising public awareness” underneath one role, talk about “preparing reports” in another. This will show the reader the scope of your capabilities. Additionally, don’t waste space on obvious tasks like “answering emails” – everyone can do this, so it doesn’t add anything to your application.

Positive adjectives and action verbs can also uplift the tone. You might be “creative”, “innovative”, and “patient”. Action verbs are excellent alternatives to “responsible for”. Some of our favourites for community development workers include “delivered”, “shaped”, and “advocated”.

Example of work experience for a community development worker CV

Top skills for your community development worker CV

Having the right CV skills reassures key decision-makers you possess the fundamental qualities to succeed. On top of this, ATS scanning software relies on neatly packaged keywords and phrases to get your CV past the algorithm. We suggest noting around 12 skills in total, split equally between hard skills and soft skills.

What’s the difference? Hard skills are technical and learnt on the job or via education. Examples include “counselling young people”, “setting up fundraisers”, and “creating financial budgets”. In contrast, soft skills are personality-based and transferable, therefore much harder to learn – think “creative”, “motivated”, and “organised”.

You need both to impress the employer. It doesn’t matter how qualified you are if you have a negative attitude. Similarly, friendliness doesn’t compensate for a lack of practical knowledge. The best applicants support their arsenal of job-specific tools with the right character.

Confused? Check out the following lists for inspiration:

Outlining education on a community development worker CV

Education provides the foundation for experience, giving you a competitive edge when you’re up against equally talented candidates. You can discuss school, college, or university courses, professional qualifications, and memberships to governing bodies. Basically, anything that confirms you have the knowledge to get the job done!

There are a few things to keep in mind when completing this section. Firstly, don’t draw attention to bad grades or incomplete courses – you won’t impress the hiring manager. While you should never lie, you’re not obligated to offer this information unless asked. Secondly, you only have limited space, so there’s no need to run through older qualifications in bucket loads of detail. For instance, you can skip over GCSEs if you’ve completed more relevant university degrees.

How do you become a community development worker? Most people enter this career through a university or college course. Popular subjects include Community Development, Psychology, and Social Sciences. Alternatively, you can complete on-the-job training via volunteering or apprenticeship placements. Check out your local authority’s website for the latest opportunities.

When listing your education, here’s what to include:

• Name of school, college, university, or other awarding body
• Study start and end dates
• Subject title
• Qualification level – e.g. A level or undergraduate degree
• Qualification result

Example of education for a community development worker CV