It can feel like a daunting task to write a CV, but if you know where to write your information, and what to write, it can become much easier to start. A CV should consist of a personal statement, a list of your skills and work experience, your education and qualifications.
1. Start with a personal statement and talk about why you’re suitable for the job.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Include a section for key skills and qualifications relevant to the role.
4. You can also include additional information such as hobbies or references, but they’re not as important.
Use our tips for some general guidance on how to write a CV as we look at the specific things you need to write a Groundskeeper CV.
It’s important to make your application stand out over other candidates, so show confidence in your skills and only mention information that is relevant to the job you’re applying for.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Groundskeeper
Your personal statement is the first thing an employer will read, and it will need to stand out. Keep your statement to around 100-150 words and briefly explain why you’re interested in the position and what skills you can bring to the job.
You will be able to write in more detail in other parts of your CV, so don’t add any unnecessary or long-winded information.
Groundskeeper Personal Statement Example
“I have been interested in gardening and agriculture for many years, studying Geography at higher education and working on my personal garden which I have kept well maintained. I have recently left my Building Maintenance job to pursue Groundskeeping as it was the most rewarding part of my job.
I am adept at using many different tools and pieces of machinery such as mowers and strimmers, and I performed regular maintenance of them. I have a good understanding of plant species due to my interest in gardening, and I pay close attention to their condition and how they grow.
In my previous position, I worked well with staff and residents alike and often received praise for my problem-solving skills. I believe my capabilities will suit your company well and I am enthusiastic to learn more from this job.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Groundskeeper CV
Once you’ve written your personal statement you can talk about your skills, work experience, education and qualifications in more detail. Mention your most relevant work experience and omit anything that hasn’t offered you the skills you need for this application.
Which Jobs to Include
The ideal candidate will have experience with groundskeeping; however, it is useful to mention any job that offered practical maintenance skills, especially with garden machinery, or jobs where teamwork and communications were important.
These jobs can include building maintenance, sports coaching, or landscaping. Any job that offers relevant skills is worth mentioning in this section of your CV.
Groundskeeper CV Work Experience Example
Use bullet points to separate your job description and the skills the job has given you. Work backwards from your most recent relevant employment:
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Groundskeeper at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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With extensive use and knowledge of garden maintenance machinery and tools, I am able to perform routine maintenance and find alternatives when a tool or machine is inaccessible.
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I worked well with my peers and on occasion I was tasked with distributing work to other Groundskeepers when my supervisor was absent.
Use the above structure when writing about your work experience and skills.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Groundskeeper CV
An employer needs to know what kind of skills you will bring to the job, the more relevant, the better. Some employers might also ask for specific qualifications which you’ll need to write about if you have them.
Important Skills for a Groundskeeper
Your existing skills are important, and some employers may expect previous experience in the field of work you’re applying for, and others might be willing to train a less experienced candidate.
If you have experience with equipment such as mowers, strimmers and other machinery, or any grounds maintenance, talk about that. Other more general skills will include problem-solving, communication, physical fitness and being detail oriented.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Groundskeeper
Though not always required, an employer might ask for a qualification in horticulture or landscaping, this can include an NVQ, certificate or a diploma. It is also common to need GCSEs in Maths, English and sometimes Science.
An apprenticeship will also grant the qualifications that the job may need as well as experience.
Additional Content to Boost Your Groundskeeper CV
Once you have written about your education and work experience you might want to boost your CV by talking about hobbies and interests that have developed some relevant skills. Use this time to also add any references.
Hobbies & Interests
The hobbies and interests that you write about should also give you skills such as problem-solving, time management, physical skills or detail-oriented skills. This might include team or solo sports, arts and crafts, an interest in gardening, or even volunteer work.
Try not to add excessive amounts of information to this section as the main thing an employer will be interested in is your technical skills.
References
It is good to include references so that an employer can speak to a supervisor or manager that you have previously worked with. The person you use as a reference should be able to talk about your work achievements and potential in a positive manner.
When you include references, make sure you have their permission to do so and double-check that their information is correct.
How to Make a Groundskeeper CV Stand Out
To make your CV stand out, structure your CV so that it is easy to read and understand. Use titles to cover each section and use bullet points where necessary.
You should be confident in your skills and abilities and only write about skills that will benefit the job. Do not overwhelm your personal statement with information, keep it brief and to the point and expand on the important information in the specific sections of your CV.
Add any notable achievements from your work experience and personal life, this can include going above and beyond in your duties, great performance reviews and volunteer work.
Mistakes to Avoid
Padding your CV with unnecessary information will be detrimental to your application, so make sure you focus on information that is useful for the job you’re applying for.
Double check your writing, and make sure there are no spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. Ask someone else to read your CV for you, they can tell you if it’s easy to read and understand.
Groundskeeper CV Example
We also provide a free CV template for anyone trying to write a new CV. This template will help you with structure and give you guidance on where to write certain topics. Take away the stress of starting your CV with our downloadable template.
