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You provide support for others in their time of need, but when it comes to crafting your resume, there’s no harm in asking others for help.
Your resume is a chance to underline the key qualities that make you a standout candidate and emphasize the specialized skills you bring to community support roles.
If building a resume seems daunting, don’t worry. Our guide is here to assist you.
This guide includes:
- A community support worker resume example.
- Simple steps to make your resume stand out.
- Tips for a professional-looking resume design and format.
- Guidance on crafting a complementary cover letter.
- Career advancement tips for community support workers.
Are you in the middle of making a resume? If you need immediate help, consider our AI Resume Builder. It’s user-friendly and includes templates specifically designed for social services professions, ensuring your resume and application truly stand out in the community support field.
Community support worker resume examples
Here’s why this resume works:
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Begins with a resume objective
At the start of your career, clearly stating your objectives is the right approach. This resume effectively begins with an objective statement, showcasing the applicant’s dedication to applying their skills and experiences in community support roles.
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Includes two skills sections
Having two skills sections allows you to emphasize relevant skills, such as crisis patient care and emotional intelligence, bringing your most pertinent strengths to the forefront.
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Striking formatting
This resume maintains a clean and professional look with consistent formatting while also adding a bit of creative flair. The use of lines and dash of color help it stand out from the pack.
Here’s why this resume works:
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Demonstrates a clear career trajectory
This resume outlines the applicant’s advancement from an entry-level case manager role to a more senior community support manager, showing impressive progress and increased responsibilities over time.
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Utilizes data effectively
This resume substantiates the applicant’s achievements by incorporating specific metrics, such as the percent increase in client satisfaction, adding credibility to their career highlights.
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Highlights key certifications
Featuring relevant accomplishments such as Certified Community Support Worker (CCSW) and a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) certification, this resume emphasizes the applicant’s commitment to ongoing professional development.
Browse other popular samples
How to format a community support worker resume
Starting with the basics, choosing the right format for your community support worker resume is as crucial as effectively communicating with clients. Here’s a brief guide to selecting the best resume format to showcase your experience:
- Someone new to the field should use a functional resume: This format emphasizes your skills and potential rather than a detailed work history. It’s ideal for highlighting abilities like empathy, crisis intervention and community engagement without much prior job experience.
- Someone with a clear progression in community services should use a chronological resume: This format lists your jobs in order, highlighting your development and expertise in the field. It’s great for those with a solid track record in roles such as outreach coordinator and program manager.
- Someone with a mix of diverse experiences and skills should use a combination resume: This hybrid format allows you to showcase your key skills upfront — like effective communication and program planning — followed by a detailed employment history.
For more insights, you might want to check out our resume-formatting guide. Next, let’s consider how to design your resume.
Picking a resume template
When selecting a resume template, the right design can ensure your qualifications stand out. Think of it as creating an approachable yet professional profile for your role.
For community support workers, it’s advisable to choose a clean and straightforward template that allows some room to express your personal style. Whether you opt for a basic design that reflects your organizational skills or something slightly more creative that shows your innovative side, the key is maintaining professionalism.
Choosing a suitable template sets the stage for a successful application, much like preparing for a significant community project.
How to write a community support worker resume in 5 simple steps
Trying to make a resume guaranteed to capture the hiring manager’s attention? We’ll show you how to do it, step by step.
Step 1
Optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS)
When preparing your resume, consider the role ATS plays in filtering resumes. These systems scan resumes for keywords that match the job requirements, which you can typically find detailed in the job posting.
As a community support worker, you want to make an ATS-friendly resume that includes all of the relevant keywords, such as crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy and community outreach.
Think of these keywords as the core components of your professional toolkit — they are essential for your resume to be noticed by recruiters. Integrate these keywords thoughtfully throughout your resume to demonstrate a deep understanding of the community support role.
For those with a background in social work, mental health or related fields, emphasizing these keywords will help outline your qualifications and show how they transfer to a community support worker role.
Step 2
Open with a summary
Start your resume with a strong resume introduction that grabs attention. Depending on your experience, you can begin with either a professional summary or a resume objective.
For those with experience, a professional summary is probably your best bet. This section at the top of your resume should outline your key qualifications, experiences and achievements, showcasing why you’re right for the role.
If you’re new to community support work or transitioning from a different sector, an objective statement can outline your career goals and demonstrate how they match the demands of a community support worker role.
Here’s how you could frame these:
Professional summary example:
Experienced community support worker skilled in client advocacy, crisis response and community outreach. Recognized for delivering substantial support to community programs and enhancing client well-being. Ready to bring experience and knowledge to new challenges and further improve community engagement and support.
Resume objective example:
New community support worker with a solid background in social services, passionate about empowering communities. Eager to apply skills in a supportive role, enhancing community initiatives and fostering effective solutions for community challenges. Committed to developing abilities and contributing positively to team success and client outcomes.
Step 3
Highlight your community support skills
Skills are critical when you’re supporting a community. Putting the right skills on your resume shows you can handle the specific tasks and challenges faced in community support work.
For community support workers, a blend of hard skills and interpersonal skills is vital. Skills like crisis intervention, case management and community outreach are as important as effective communication, empathy and conflict resolution.
When transitioning from another sector, emphasize transferable skills such as critical thinking, attention to detail and effective communication. These skills demonstrate your ability to manage complex community needs while ensuring effective support and care.
Example of a balanced skill set for a community support worker:
- Crisis intervention
- Case management
- Community program coordination
- Strong communication with clients and community groups
- Proficient in conflict resolution and mediation
- Resilient in challenging situations
Skills section example for a community support worker resume:
- Experienced in crisis intervention and rapid response.
- Skilled in developing and leading community outreach programs.
- Effective communicator across diverse groups.
- Able to manage and resolve conflicts in high-stress environments.
Don’t leave out your technical skills. These are crucial in community support work for managing data, documenting case notes and using various software programs to track and support community projects effectively.
Step 4
Detail your work experience
Your work history is the most important building block of your resume, giving you the pieces to construct your most salient case.
Because hiring managers often review resumes quickly, you should present your experience in clear, concise bullet points, starting with your most recent job and moving backward.
Example of a work experience section for a community support worker resume:
Community Support Worker, City Social Services
City, State
January 2020 – Present
- Facilitate over 50 individual and group support sessions monthly, enhancing client coping strategies and community engagement.
- Assess client needs and progress, tailoring support plans to reduce the risk of crisis situations effectively.
- Uphold high standards of data confidentiality, achieving compliance with all relevant privacy regulations.
- Develop communication strategies that strengthen client relationships, increasing engagement and satisfaction.
- Mentor new staff, promoting a team environment dedicated to compassionate and effective client support.
Use action verbs such as “facilitate,” “assess” and “develop” at the start of each bullet point to highlight your active involvement and the positive impact of your work.
Step 5
Showcase your education
In community support work, your education section underscores your qualifications and professional readiness.
While practical experience is invaluable, formally listing your education and relevant certifications adds to your professional credibility and shows your dedication to professional development.
How to present your education:
Education:
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
State University, City, State
Graduation: May 2022
Certifications:
- Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM)
- Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certification (CPI)
Optional sections for a community support worker resume
Volunteer experiences
This is particularly relevant for community support workers, as volunteer work can showcase your commitment to helping others outside of professional obligations. It can also demonstrate practical experience in various settings, from shelters to community centers.
How to present your volunteer work:
Volunteer, City Homeless Shelter
City, State — January 2019 – Present
- Organize monthly meal programs and provide overnight support, aiding over 200 individuals per month. Facilitate group activities and workshops aimed at developing job readiness skills among shelter residents.
Professional memberships
Listing memberships in professional organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) or similar groups demonstrates your commitment to staying connected with the industry and abreast of current best practices.
How to list your memberships:
Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Since January 2020
Regular attendee of NASW chapter meetings and annual conferences, contributing to policy discussions and community outreach planning.
Languages
Proficiency in multiple languages can be a significant asset in community support roles, especially in diverse communities. This section can show your ability to communicate effectively with a broader client base.
How to list your languages:
- English: Native proficiency
- Spanish: Fluent
- Arabic: Intermediate
Honors and awards
Any awards you’ve received for your work in community service or related fields are great wins to include. This might cover honors for leadership in community projects, employee of the month or recognition for specific contributions to a program or initiative.
How to present your awards:
Community Leader Award
City Council of Social Work, City, State — March 2021
- Awarded for exceptional leadership in organizing the annual “Walk for Homeless” event that raised $50,000 for local homeless shelters.
Add a cover letter
Including a cover letter with your resume when applying for a community support worker position can greatly improve your chances of getting a callback.
Cover letters are a great forum for explaining your qualifications and showing your passion for the role.
To ensure your cover letter has the strongest impact, start by looking over examples of cover letters for community support roles. Notice how these examples highlight the candidate’s skills in community engagement and client support.
Then, consider using a cover letter builder to help create compelling content for social service positions. These tools can help you focus on your expertise in community support and personalize your application effectively.
To wrap up, let’s summarize what you learned about resumes.
Key takeaways: Community support worker resume
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Read the job description
Ensure your resume includes keywords and phrases matching the job posting of the community support worker. This helps align your resume with the specific needs of employers, improving your chances of passing ATS screening.
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Pick the best format based on your experience
If you’re new to community support, a functional layout is beneficial as it allows you to focus on the relevant skills you offer. If you’re experienced, the chronological layout is best.
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Choose a design
Your resume should be as clear and organized as a well-run community event. Opt for a clean, structured design that makes your qualifications easy to read and effectively highlights your professional details.
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Represent a range of skills
Include a combination of direct service skills, like case management and crisis intervention, along with soft skills, such as strong communication and empathy.
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Highlight the qualities that set you apart
Detail specific achievements that showcase your impact on the community, like leading successful outreach programs or implementing new services that improve client welfare.
FAQs from job seekers
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Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
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