Domestic worker CV: Example and template you can copy

If you’re writing a domestic worker CV, keep it simple, clear, and practical: list your main household duties, your work location and availability (live-in or live-out), any long service with one family, and contactable references. Below is a complete copy-and-paste CV example you can edit, plus tips for presenting your experience professionally in South Africa.

What to include in a domestic worker CV (South Africa)

A strong CV for domestic work is less about fancy wording and more about trust, reliability, and clear scope of work. Include these sections:

• Personal details: name, area/suburb, cellphone number, email (if you have one).
• Position wanted: domestic worker / housekeeper / nanny & housekeeper (choose what fits).
• Availability: live-in vs live-out, days you can work, start date, willingness to travel.
• Key skills: cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking support, childcare support, errands, basic pet care.
• Work experience: household(s), dates, suburb/area, duties, and a short achievement or responsibility list.
• References: 2–3 contactable references (name, relationship, phone, area).
• Education & training: highest grade, any short courses (first aid, childcare, hygiene).

To create and store your CV online so you can update it anytime, you can create a free CV and then choose a CV design that looks neat and easy to read.

Domestic worker CV example (copy-and-edit)

Copy the template below into a document and replace the details with your own. Keep it to 1–2 pages. If you have a lot of years, focus on your most recent roles and summarise older work.

[YOUR FULL NAME]

Domestic Worker / Housekeeper

Location: [Suburb/Area, City]  |  Phone: [0XX XXX XXXX]  |  Email: [you@email.com] (optional)

ID/Work status: [SA ID / Valid work permit] (optional)  |  Languages: [e.g., isiZulu, English, Sesotho]

Profile

Reliable, honest and hardworking domestic worker with [X] years experience in private homes. Strong housekeeping skills including deep cleaning, laundry and ironing, and supporting family routines. Trusted with keys and alarm procedures, and comfortable working independently. Available for [live-in/live-out] work from [date]. Contactable references available.

Availability

• Work type: [Live-in / Live-out / Either]
• Days: [Full-time Mon–Fri / Part-time / Weekends]
• Preferred areas: [e.g., Randburg, Rosebank, Sandton, Midrand]
• Start date: [Immediate / DD Month YYYY]
• Transport: [Taxi/bus/train/own transport] (optional)

Key skills

• House cleaning: daily cleaning, deep cleaning, bathrooms, kitchens, floors and windows
• Laundry and ironing: sorting, stain treatment, handwashing delicates, folding and packing
• Home organisation: cupboards, linen, pantry basics
• Cooking support: meal prep, lunchboxes, basic family meals (optional)
• Childcare support: school run assistance, supervision, homework routine (if applicable)
• Errands: shopping lists, pharmacy runs, receiving deliveries
• Trust & safety: key-holder experience, alarm/lock-up routines, respectful confidentiality

Work experience

Domestic Worker (Live-out) Private Family – [Suburb/Area, City] [Month YYYY] – Present

• Full housekeeping for a [size of home] home: daily cleaning, weekly deep clean schedule and guest-room preparation.
• Laundry and ironing for [number] family members, including school uniforms and bedding.
• Supported family routine with meal prep and keeping kitchen hygienic and organised.
• Managed cleaning products and informed employer when supplies were low.
• Trusted responsibility: key-holder, opening for service providers and receiving deliveries when employer was away.

Housekeeper / Nanny Support (Live-in) Private Family – [Suburb/Area, City] [Month YYYY] – [Month YYYY]

• Live-in housekeeping and childcare support for a family with [number] children aged [ages].
• Prepared children for school (breakfast, uniforms), kept play areas tidy, and supervised after-school routine when required.
• Deep cleaned bathrooms and kitchen, including fridge/oven cleaning on a monthly schedule.
• Washed, ironed and packed clothes; maintained linen cupboard and guest bedding.
• Worked with employer preferences: followed cleaning checklists and special-care instructions for surfaces and fabrics.

Domestic Worker (Long service – same employer) Private Family – [Suburb/Area, City] [Year] – [Year]

• Provided stable long-term service for one household for [X] years, supporting the family through changes such as moving house and children growing up.
• Handled full housekeeping duties, laundry/ironing, and occasional cooking support.
• Reason for leaving: [Employer relocated / Children grown and no longer needed full-time help / Contract ended].

Education

• Highest grade: Grade [X], [School Name] – [City] ([Year])

Training (optional)

• [First Aid basics / Childcare course / Hygiene & cleaning course] – [Provider] ([Year])

References (contactable)

• [Reference 1 Name] – Employer, [Suburb/Area]  |  Tel: [0XX XXX XXXX]
• [Reference 2 Name] – Employer, [Suburb/Area]  |  Tel: [0XX XXX XXXX]
• [Reference 3 Name] – Employer/House manager (optional), [Suburb/Area]  |  Tel: [0XX XXX XXXX]

If you’d like to keep your references private until an interview, you can write “References available on request” on the CV, then share numbers when you’re comfortable. If you’re unsure how references should look, see our guide: References on a CV: Who to List and How (South Africa).

How to show long service with one family (without looking like you have ‘only one job’)

Long service is usually a big advantage for domestic work because it shows reliability and trust. To present it strongly:

• Use the words “Long service” in the job title line (as shown in the example).
• Add context in one bullet: “Supported family through moving house” or “Stayed with family as children grew.”
• Include a clear reason for leaving (relocation, contract ended, reduced hours). Keep it factual.
• Show growth: mention added responsibilities over time (key-holder, extra laundry, caring for pets, managing supplies).

Live-in vs live-out: how to write availability clearly

Many employers decide quickly based on availability. Put it near the top so it’s easy to see. Examples you can copy:

• Live-in: “Available for live-in position. Can start Monday–Friday and assist some weekends by arrangement.”
• Live-out: “Live-out only. Available Mon–Fri, 07:30–16:30. Prefers areas: [list].”
• Either: “Open to live-in or live-out depending on location and duties.”

If you have constraints (e.g., you can’t work Saturdays, or you need to be home by a certain time), it’s better to be honest early than accept a job that won’t work long-term.

Domestic worker duties: what to list (and what to leave out)

Your duties section should match what employers typically ask for and what you can do confidently. Include:

• Daily cleaning (rooms, floors, dusting)
• Bathrooms and kitchen hygiene
• Laundry and ironing (including uniforms and bedding)
• Deep cleaning schedule (weekly/monthly tasks)
• Meal prep or cooking support (only if you do it)
• Childcare support (only if you have experience)
• Errands and shopping lists (if you do it)

Leave out duties you don’t do, like “childcare” if you’ve never been responsible for children. It’s better to have a smaller, honest list than to promise what you can’t deliver.

How to write references for domestic work (so employers trust them)

References are often the most important part of a domestic worker CV. Make them easy to check:

• Use real names and real phone numbers that are reachable during business hours.
• Say who the person is (Employer / House manager).
• Add the area/suburb (helps confirm it’s a private household reference).
• Tell your references you are job hunting so they expect calls.

If you’re building your CV online, you can update your CV profile anytime when reference details change, without rewriting your whole document.

Housekeeper CV South Africa: do you need a separate CV?

Not necessarily. A housekeeper CV South Africa format is very similar to a domestic worker CV. The main difference is the wording and emphasis:

• Housekeeper: focus on cleaning standards, routines, and organisation.
• Domestic worker: can include a wider mix (cleaning + laundry + errands + childcare support).

If you are applying for both types of jobs, keep one CV and adjust the “Position wanted” line and 2–3 bullet points to match the advert.

Common mistakes to avoid

• No availability stated: employers need to know live-in/live-out and days/hours quickly.
• Too much personal information: avoid adding marital status, religion, or full home address. Your suburb/area is enough.
• Unclear dates: use Month + Year where possible (e.g., Jan 2021 – Mar 2024).
• No duties listed: “Domestic worker” alone doesn’t show what you did.
• Unreadable formatting: keep headings, short bullet points, and consistent spacing.

Download, update and send your CV

Once you’ve copied your details into a clean template, keep your CV updated and ready to send. On CV Hub you can create a free CV, choose a CV design, and quickly make edits by updating your CV profile. If you need help using the site, you can read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.

If you’re not sure about sending your CV via WhatsApp or email, this guide can help: How to Email Your CV (Subject Line, File Name and Template).

Quick checklist before you apply

• Your name and phone number are correct and easy to see at the top
• You wrote live-in or live-out clearly
• Your duties match the job you’re applying for
• You included 2–3 contactable references (or “available on request”)
• Your CV is neat, with bullet points (not big paragraphs)

For a faster application process, keep your CV saved as: Name Surname - Domestic Worker CV.pdf. If you already have a profile, log in to CV Hub and update it before you apply.