Dog Groomer CV Guide

What to include in a Dog Groomer CV

If you are updating an old CV or looking at how to write one for the first time, it is crucial to know what to include to maximise your chances of success. The exact information within your CV will be specific to you and your academic and professional background. However, you will need a framework to help you focus on the areas prospective employers will be interested in.

Your CV should have main sections, such as your contact information, professional summary, education, work experience, key skills, achievements and references. In each section, you want to include your most relevant credentials and align them with the dog groomer job you are applying for.

Knowing where to start when writing a CV and deciding what to include can be daunting. Breaking down your CV into sections can make the task less overwhelming and more manageable. Let us now look at these sections and the information you can include.

Contact information

Your contact information should be at the top of your CV. Here, you should provide accurate details so prospective employers know who you are and how best to contact you.

When including your contact information, add the following:

• First and last name. Do not worry about adding titles or middle names.
• Current or previous job title, e.g. “Dog Groomer” (optional).
• Location, i.e. your town, city, or county. Avoid adding your home address, as it can create privacy risks.
• A professional-looking email address. Avoid using one with nicknames or something too casual.
• An up-to-date phone number where employers can easily reach you.
• Links to an online portfolio showcasing your work (like before-and-after photos of dog grooming) or a personal website (optional).
• Social media pages, only if relevant and professional.

Avoid adding your date of birth, a photo, national insurance number and other personal information, such as marital status, gender, nationality or religion. This information is irrelevant and can lead to bias, discrimination and security risks.

Professional summary

The next section of your CV, after your contact information, is typically your professional summary (i.e. personal statement, executive summary or professional profile). It is a concise overview of your skills, experience, achievements and career goals relevant to the dog groomer job you are applying for.

A well-crafted professional summary is important because it is one of the first things employers will see when reading your CV and can encourage or discourage them from continuing reading. Make it strong and engaging to grab their attention and give them a snapshot of your suitability for the role.

Your professional summary should provide a quick overview of who you are and what you could contribute to the dog groomer position. It should be concise, tailored to each application, and ideally, no longer than five lines. Here are some examples of what to include to capture the attention of readers:

• Job title – begin with your current or desired job title.
• Years of experience – mention your experience as a dog groomer.
• Key skills – highlight your most relevant skills and strengths, including your expertise in grooming techniques (e.g. bathing, clipping, styling, etc.), handling various breeds and ensuring pet comfort and safety.
• Notable achievements – add significant accomplishments or experiences that make you stand out, including certifications (e.g. animal care or grooming) and positive client feedback.
• Career goals – briefly state your career objectives and what you aim to achieve in the role.
• Passion – demonstrate your love for dogs and dedication to providing high-quality grooming and care.

Here is an example of a professional summary for a dog groomer:

“Experienced dog groomer with over 5 years of expertise in grooming and styling dogs of various breeds, ensuring their comfort and safety throughout the process. Skilled in handling nervous pets and delivering exceptional customer service to build lasting client relationships. Certified in canine grooming techniques and committed to enhancing pets’ well-being while maintaining high grooming standards.”

Education

Your CV should have an education section where you detail relevant qualifications and training you have undertaken to demonstrate your expertise. It is vital, as it gives prospective employers the confidence that you have the knowledge and skills needed for the role.

If you are new to the field and have little direct experience, place this section underneath your professional summary. Alternatively, if you have already worked as a dog groomer, you may want to put your work experience first. It depends on your background and preference. The education section of your CV should include qualifications, training and courses relevant to the dog groomer position and be in reverse chronological order, i.e. most recent. Here are some examples of what to cover in this section:

• Have a header titled “Education”.
• Start with your most recent education.
• List any specialised courses or obtained certifications related to dog grooming, e.g.
  • Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming.
  • Professional Pet Grooming Certificate.
  • Handling, animal care, first aid or specific grooming courses and skills.
• Mention the qualification, institution, completion date (or present if still studying) and grades (where applicable).
• Include any coursework that is particularly relevant to dog grooming.
• Highlight practical training, apprenticeships, internships or hands-on experience with dogs (where relevant).
• Highlight additional, complementary skills, e.g. business management for running a salon and customer service for interacting with pet owners.

Prioritise education relevant to dog grooming rather than general qualifications, such as GCSEs, unless the job posting details them.

Here is an example of how to structure your education:

City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming.

Pet Grooming Academy, London.

Completed: June 2022.

• Learned advanced grooming techniques, breed-specific styling, and hygiene standards.
• Trained in handling various dog breeds, including nervous or reactive dogs.

Work experience/employment history

The following section, which you can add after your professional summary or education, is your work experience (employment history). Here, you will showcase your professional background, highlighting your previous roles and responsibilities, the skills you have developed, and the impact you have made in previous jobs.

Adding relevant and tailored work experience to your CV is crucial because it demonstrates your ability to perform the role, shows your career progression and helps potential employers assess your suitability for their team. As dog grooming requires specific competence, they will want to see evidence of your capabilities in handling various dog breeds and experience in various dog grooming techniques, safety, hygiene and customer service.

When adding your work experience to your CV, include it in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and make sure it is relevant or demonstrates transferable skills. You can add relevant paid work experience or voluntary positions, and here are some pointers on what to include:

• Job title: Clearly state your job title, e.g. “Dog Groomer”.
• Employer/organisation name: Name of the employer or organisation you worked for or add self-employed if you have had a dog grooming business.
• Location: Town, city or county.
• Dates of employment: Specify employment start and end dates (month/year). If you are currently employed, indicate that by stating “Present”.
• Job description: Briefly summarise your role and responsibilities, and try to focus on what you accomplished. Highlight any specific duties and skills relevant to dog grooming. Aim for three to five bullet points, and use action verbs to describe your tasks. Here are some examples:
  • Provided professional grooming services for 15–20 dogs weekly, ensuring breed-specific styling and pet comfort.
  • Built strong relationships with pet owners, advising on coat care and maintenance.
  • Achieved high customer satisfaction, with a 95% repeat client rate.
• You can add achievements and skills to your work experience section or have separate sections, which we will look at next.

Key skills and achievements

Key skills are the abilities or expertise that allow someone to perform tasks effectively, developed through experience, education or practice. Adding skills directly relevant to the dog groomer job you are applying for helps employers quickly identify your qualifications and suitability. It assures them that you have the necessary knowledge and experience to match their requirements, which can increase your chances of being selected for an interview.

There are two main categories of skills, hard and soft, which are valuable and often complement each other. Include a mix of both in your CV to show employers you are the best fit.

• Hard skills – are specific, teachable abilities that can be measured and defined and are often acquired through education, training programs or on-the-job experience. Some examples of hard skills for a dog groomer may include:
  • Proficiency in grooming techniques (e.g. scissoring, clipping and breed-specific cuts).
  • Use of grooming tools and equipment.
  • Dog handling and care expertise.
  • Knowledge of hygiene and safety standards.
• Soft skills – interpersonal and social skills that are more subjective and harder to quantify but are equally important. Some examples of soft skills for a dog groomer may include:
  • Excellent communication and customer service.
  • Time management to handle multiple appointments efficiently.
  • Patience and empathy, especially for handling anxious dogs.
  • Problem-solving skills for unexpected situations, like calming distressed dogs.

It is important to note that some organisations use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan for specific keywords in candidates’ CVs. Therefore, including these in your CV can help your application pass through the ATS filter.

You can also incorporate achievements into your skills section if they directly demonstrate your mastery of a particular skill. For example, you could list a skill and pair it with a brief achievement that proves your expertise. We will look at how to focus on your achievements later.

Other information

We have covered some of the main sections to include in your CV. However, there may be others and additional information you want to add to help it stand out to potential employers. Here are some examples you may want to consider:

• Volunteer work – include any relevant volunteering you have undertaken to demonstrate your commitment to animal care and welfare, e.g. at animal shelters, dog rescue centres, or even caring for other people’s dogs in your community.
• Hobbies and interests – showcase your personality by mentioning relevant hobbies like dog health and well-being, pet photography or participation in dog shows, as it makes your CV more relatable and engaging.
• Professional development – include any certifications, training programs, workshops, seminars or conferences you have attended that are relevant to dog grooming. Even online courses and reading about the subject can help.
• Professional associations – include any memberships in relevant professional associations, such as the British Dog Groomers Association (BDGA) or the Kennel Club.
• Testimonials – where relevant, you could provide positive feedback or testimonials from clients, colleagues or employers that showcase your effectiveness and expertise.
• Languages – if you can communicate in multiple languages, mention this (especially if relevant to client interactions).

While adding more sections can showcase your dedication to the dog grooming profession, try not to add too many, as it can make your CV look cluttered. Only include additional sections if they add value and help grab employers’ attention.

References

References on a CV are individuals (referees) who can vouch for your skills, experience, and character, such as a former employer, supervisor, colleague or even a client. They provide a way for potential employers to verify your information and gain insights into your work ethic and reliability. References are crucial because they add credibility to your application and make you stand out as a trustworthy candidate.

The reference section is typically the last in your CV, and you have two options regarding content. First, look at the job description to see if it asks for specific reference details at this stage. If it does not, you can add a short statement, “References available upon request”. If the job posting asks for details, you will need to provide the following information:

• Name of the referee, e.g. Joe Jones.
• Their position at the time, e.g. Manager.
• Organisation name, e.g. Pet Spa.
• Email, e.g. [email protected].
• Phone, e.g. 01234 567890.
• Relationship to you, e.g. supervisor, mentor, manager, etc.

Before you add your references to your CV, you should ask their permission first and ensure their information is current to enable prospective employers to contact them easily.

Tailoring your references to highlight your skills with dogs and client service will strengthen your application.