Depending on the type of format you choose, the structure of your CV may look different to other candidates. You can choose from three different types of
CV formats: chronological, functional and combination. Chronological CVs focus on work history, while functional CVs are the best option for candidates wanting to show off professional skills. Combination CVs combine both functional and chronological elements to create a CV that features strong skills and work history sections.
Whatever option you choose, your case manager CV will contain standard sections that show off your experience, skills, education and more.
Header
The header section of your CV contains your primary contact details, including your name, phone number and email address. You can also include links to networking or portfolio sites that could provide further details on your professional skills and career.
Make sure this information is accurate with no mistakes, as these details will likely be the ones the hiring manager or recruiter uses to update you on the progress of your application or follow up with you on the contents of your CV.
Professional summary or objective
The professional summary or
career objective is a few sentences that summarize the content of your case manager CV.
What to put in a CV summary? Your summary is a short paragraph (not longer than three sentences) detailing your career background, including your major achievements and top skills. Here, you can also include references to previous related jobs in social work, nursing or mental health advocacy. Whatever makes you unique and shows your capabilities as a certified case manager should be included here.
Alternatively, you can opt for a CV objective. This is slightly different because it details your career goals and ambitions. This is good if you want to show that your career aims align with your potential employer.
Skills
The skills section of your CV may be one of the dominant sections depending on your previous experience and the types of professional skills you have gathered. Regardless of the type of CV you choose, a strong CV includes a good combination of both hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills refer to industry-specific skills the hiring manager expects of their applicants.
Soft skills refer to personal traits and interpersonal skills that support the CV.
If you’re stuck for ideas or not sure what case management skills to include, consider including some of these skills for a CV to describe the skills gained through case manager certification, experience or other careers.
- Problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal)
- Knowledge of behavioural health
- Understanding of crisis intervention
- Experience in community outreach programmes
- Mentoring
- Understanding of the foster care system
- Knowledge of catering to different disabilities
- Case file organization
- Understanding of specialist care related to substance abuse issues
- Technical skills, specifically using Microsoft Office
- Decision-making
- Health care structures
- Medical records keeping
- High-quality customer care
- Contacts for referrals to healthcare providers, foster care systems, community resources and social services
- Discharge planning
- Home health care
- Time management
Work experience
Work experience might be the longest section of your CV depending on the CV format you choose. This may also depend on how many jobs you have previously had. A work experience section is typically a record of your tasks while working as a successful case manager. For each previous job, feature your primary tasks and key accomplishments.
For this section, work in reverse chronological order. This means you start from the most recent employment experience and work backward. This ensures that you provide the hiring manager with the most up-to-date information about your skills and capabilities.
Education
Case managers usually require a bachelor’s degree in their specialty to secure a case manager job, such as in health care or nursing, social care, child care or community services. This means that this section should contain details about your degree title, and the university in which you gained your qualification.
Providing the correct academic support for your CV can help your job search and increase your chances of producing the perfect CV.