Dementia Specialist CV Guide

What to include in a Dementia Specialist CV

What you include in your CV will depend on your academic and professional background. However, it is vital to remember that the purpose of a CV is to provide a snapshot of your skills, experience and qualifications to potential employers so they can assess your suitability. Think of it as your personal marketing tool; it should be tailored for each job application, emphasising your most relevant credentials to the dementia specialist role.

Every CV will differ in some way, whether in design, structure, size and content. The common elements are the main sections, such as contact information, professional summary, education, work experience, key skills, achievements and references. These are the ones that prospective employers are most interested in, as they help them identify whether you meet their requirements. Let us now look at these sections in further detail.

Contact information

The contact information section in a CV is where you provide essential details that allow potential employers to reach you. Its importance lies in making it easy for them to get in touch. Even the strongest CV is ineffective if an employer struggles to contact you. Clear, up-to-date and professional contact details ensure you do not miss opportunities.

In the contact information section of your CV, you should include:

• Your full name – ensure it is clear and professional. Do not worry about adding your middle name(s); your first name and surname will suffice.
• Location – town, city or county is usually sufficient. Your home address is not a good idea, as it can be a privacy risk.
• Phone number – a reliable number where employers can easily reach you. If you have a voicemail, ensure it sounds professional.
• Email address – use a professional email (avoid nicknames or unprofessional handles).
• LinkedIn profile – if relevant, provide a link to your LinkedIn to showcase your professional background.
• Portfolio or personal website – if applicable, include links to your work.

Avoid adding personal social media pages, photos or personal details, such as your age, date of birth, nationality, gender, religion, marital status or national insurance number. Ensure it is clear and professional to make a strong first impression.

Professional summary

The next section on a CV, typically added after your contact information at the top, is a professional summary, which is also known as a personal statement, executive summary, professional statement or career profile.

A professional summary is a concise introductory statement at the top of your CV that encapsulates your career background, key skills, achievements and professional aspirations. It serves as your elevator pitch in written form, quickly telling recruiters who you are and what you bring to the table.

A well-written professional summary is crucial because it is your chance to make a compelling first impression and quickly communicate your value to a potential employer, as it is typically the first section they will read. It serves as the “hook” of your CV, drawing attention to your unique qualifications, skills, experience and achievements.

Your summary should be between 3-5 lines. Include your most relevant credentials, emphasising your expertise, compassion and experience. You should also tailor it to the job to pique interest from the get-go, increasing the likelihood of employers reviewing your CV in more detail. Here are some pointers on what you can include:

• Your title and expertise – highlight your role, e.g. as a dementia specialist, and your years of experience in the field. Start the sentence with a strong action verb to make it more compelling, e.g. “Dedicated”, “Compassionate”, Empathetic”, “Passionate”, “Certified”, etc.
• Qualifications – if mentioned in the job posting, provide details of your most relevant qualifications, such as degrees, certifications or specialised training in dementia care.
• Key skills – mention specific skills you possess, such as patient care, cognitive assessments, person-centred support or care planning.
• Specialised knowledge – showcase understanding of dementia-related conditions, therapies or interventions.
• Achievements – include significant accomplishments, like improving care outcomes, leading support programs or earning certifications.
• Compassionate approach – emphasise your dedication to empathetic and dignified care.
• Professional goals – if space allows, briefly state your commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families.

Here is an example of a professional summary for a dementia specialist:

“Compassionate Dementia Specialist with a degree in Psychology and advanced training in Alzheimer’s care and 5+ years of experience in providing person-centred care to individuals. Skilled in developing care plans, conducting cognitive assessments and collaborating with families to ensure optimal support. Passionate about improving quality of life through evidence-based interventions and a dignified approach to care.”

You could also briefly demonstrate your understanding of person-centred dementia care principles, relevant legislation/guidance and the challenges faced by individuals with dementia and their families.

Education

The next section of your CV can be your education or work experience. It depends on your background and preference. If you already have experience as a dementia specialist, you may want to put your work experience section first. Alternatively, if you have recently qualified and have limited experience, your education may be better to focus on initially.

The education section of a CV is where you provide a clear overview of your academic background, qualifications and any formal training you have completed. It is important to add relevant and accurate details, as it demonstrates to prospective employers that you meet the educational requirements for the role.

Your education should be added in reverse chronological order (most recent first) and tailored to the role you are applying for. Here are some pointers on what to include:

• Degree or diploma title – add higher level qualifications, e.g. nursing, social work, psychology, occupational therapy, or advanced dementia studies.
• Certifications – mention certifications complementing your degree, such as dementia care training, safeguarding or Alzheimer’s disease management.
• Additional qualifications – add any postgraduate studies, specialised training or vocational qualifications relevant to dementia care.
• Institution name – include the university, college, school or training provider where you studied.
• Years attended – include start and end dates or simply the graduation or completion year.
• Relevant coursework – highlight modules or subjects directly related to dementia care or cognitive health, such as neuropsychology, elderly care or mental health interventions.

Work experience/employment history

As mentioned, your work experience can go before or after your education. In this section, you should outline your past employment history and professional roles to demonstrate your skills, practical knowledge and industry-specific experience. A solid work experience section reassures potential employers that you have a background that aligns with the role they are hiring for and can handle the job requirements.

You should include relevant previous positions where you provided patient care, led support programs or contributed to improving dementia care strategies. You should also tailor the information to the job and add your roles in reverse chronological order. In this section, you will typically include the following:

• Job title and employer name – clearly state your role, e.g. “Dementia Care Specialist”, and the organisation you worked for.
• Dates of employment – include when you worked there. Give the months and years (e.g. June 2020–Present).
• Key responsibilities – in 3-5 bullet points, highlight duties relevant to dementia care. You can add achievements here instead of just listing what you did, which involves emphasising measurable accomplishments or impacts. You could also mention any experience with specific dementia-related interventions, therapies or technologies if relevant to your background.

Keep older, less relevant jobs or experiences brief, especially if they do not add much value.

Here is an example of how you can add your work experience:

Work Experience

Dementia Care Specialist. Birmingham Care Services. June 2020–Present.

• Dementia Care Specialist. Birmingham Care Services. June 2020–Present.
• Designed and implemented person-centred care plans for 30+ residents, improving quality of life and reducing behavioural symptoms.
• Conducted cognitive assessments and monitored residents’ progress to adjust interventions accordingly.
• Facilitated dementia education workshops for staff and families, enhancing understanding and support systems.
• Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to deliver holistic care, improving overall satisfaction by 20%.

Key skills and achievements

Your CV should contain information about your key skills and achievements, which you can include in the work experience section, in a separate one or have them in two different ones.

Key skills are the abilities and competencies that enable you to perform tasks effectively and excel in various areas of your professional life. They are a crucial addition to your CV, reflecting your expertise and highlighting what you can bring to the organisation. They help you stand out to employers and demonstrate your suitability for the dementia specialist role.

There are two main types of skills, hard and soft:

• Hard skills (technical abilities) – are measurable, job-specific skills that require training, certification or practice. Some examples of hard skills for a dementia specialist include medical knowledge, medication management, first aid and CPR, documentation skills, IT skills and dementia care techniques.
• Soft skills (personal traits) – are interpersonal and behavioural traits that influence how you interact with others and handle tasks. They are trickier to measure but equally vital. Some examples of soft skills for a dementia specialist include empathy, active listening, communication, patience, adaptability, resilience, conflict resolution and teamwork.

Customise your skills to align with the specific role you are applying for and include hard and soft skills. Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description where they mention skills to increase the chances of passing Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) if an organisation uses them. If you include skills in the work experience section, showcase how you used them in previous roles.

You can combine your key skills with achievements by showing how your abilities led to tangible results and showcase your impact in previous roles. They go beyond job duties to highlight your contributions and successes, often with measurable results. We will look at how to focus on your achievements later.

Other information

You can add extra sections if you have unique experiences, interests, attributes or qualifications that might not fit into the standard categories or have specific credentials that you want to stand out. Here are some examples of additional ones that you could add:

• Certifications – you may want to keep your education section for formal qualifications and have a separate one for specific training. You could include:
  • Specific certifications in Alzheimer’s care, memory care programs, or dementia-specific therapy techniques.
  • Attendance to workshops, seminars, conferences or even online training in related areas, such as elder care, end-of-life care or communication with individuals experiencing cognitive decline.
• Volunteer experience – you could have an extra section for any work in dementia care outside of formal employment, such as volunteering at care homes, hospices or supporting dementia charities. If you have contributed to dementia-related community causes, such as participating in fundraising events or awareness campaigns, highlight them.
• Publications or presentations – if you have written articles, spoken at events or conducted research on dementia care, include them, as this demonstrates leadership and expertise.
• Professional memberships – perhaps have a section listing memberships in organisations like Dementia UK, the Dementia Action Alliance, the Alzheimer’s Society or relevant healthcare networks.
• Languages – if you can communicate in multiple languages, include it, as it can be incredibly beneficial for working with diverse patients and families. You can also include whether you are culturally competent and can adapt care approaches to meet cultural needs.
• Hobbies related to caregiving – mention interests that complement your role, like music, arts or crafts, which can be engaging activities for individuals with dementia. You could also include instances where you have cared for others with the disease, such as family members or friends.

Any additional sections should add value to your CV and increase your chances of standing out from other candidates. Be mindful not to add too many sections to your CV, as it can make it look cluttered.

References

The final section in a CV tends to be the reference section. It is where you will list individuals (referees) who can vouch for your skills, experience and character. These are typically former employers, supervisors, mentors or colleagues who can provide insights into your professional capabilities. Choose references who can specifically speak to your experience in dementia care.

Having professional and positive references provides prospective employers with external confirmation of your qualifications, work ethic and expertise in dementia care. It gives them confidence in your competence to meet the requirements of the role and boosts your credibility. Recruitment is expensive, so they want to hire the best person.

So, what should you include in the reference section? The first thing to do is look at the job description to see if they ask for specific referee details at this stage. If not, you can add “References available upon request” under the section heading. It can be useful if you have limited space on your CV.

If you are required to include referee’s details on your CV, here are some pointers on what to include:

• Full name – write the referee’s full name clearly.
• Job title and organisation – mention their professional title and the company or organisation where they worked/work.
• Relationship to you – briefly explain your professional relationship with the reference (e.g. “Supervisor during my role at X Care Home”).
• Contact information – include their phone number and email address.

Always ask permission and confirm with your references that they are comfortable being listed and prepared to provide feedback. You can also give them details of the job you are applying for so they can tailor their reference accordingly.