Check your social worker CV against the job advert
Social work adverts look for registration, the right kind of casework, and evidence that you can assess, plan and record well under pressure. Here's how to show it.
Start with your advert
Every social worker advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What social worker adverts usually ask for
Registration and qualification
Why they askSocial workers must be registered with the regulator for the country they work in: Social Work England, the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), Social Care Wales or the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC).
How to show itPut your registration, your social work degree and the year near the top. If you're newly qualified, say you're looking for an ASYE (in England).
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Registered with [regulator], [registration year]. [BA / MA] Social Work, [university], [year].
Statutory casework in the right area
Why they askChildren's and adults' teams look for different experience. Adverts often ask for statutory work such as child protection or safeguarding adults.
How to show itName the team, the type of work and the caseload in general terms.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Held a caseload of [number] in a [children in need / child protection / adults] team, including [type of statutory work].
Assessments and plans
Why they askGood assessment and analysis is the core of the job.
How to show itDescribe the assessments you've completed and how they led to plans.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Completed [type] assessments and wrote plans with families and [partner agencies].
Court work and report writing
Why they askMany roles involve court reports or formal reviews.
How to show itSay what reports you've written, honestly reflecting your involvement.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Wrote [type of] reports for [court / reviews / panels].
Multi-agency working and recording
Why they askYou'll work with health, schools, police and others, and record everything on a case management system.
How to show itName the partners and the recording system.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Worked with [schools, health visitors, police] on [type of plans]; recorded casework in [case management system].
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost social worker applications
- Being vague about the team and type of casework.
- Including identifying details about cases. Keep every example anonymous.
- Newly qualified: not describing placements in enough detail.
Questions
How do I write a social work CV as a newly qualified social worker?
Lead with your registration and degree, then describe each placement: the setting, the kind of work and what you were responsible for.