Domestic worker CV: Example and template you can copy

A good domestic worker CV is simple and clear. It shows your household duties, where you can work, whether you want live-in or live-out work, any long service with one family, and references the employer can phone. Below is a full CV example you can copy, plus practical tips for South African job seekers.

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

Employers hiring for their home are not looking for fancy words. They want to know three things: Can I trust this person? Will they be reliable? Can they do the work I need?

Your CV answers those questions when it includes these sections:

• Personal details: your name, suburb or area, cell number, and email (if you have one).
• Position wanted: domestic worker, housekeeper, or nanny and housekeeper. Choose what fits the job.
• Availability: live-in or live-out, the days you can work, your start date, and which areas you can travel to.
• Key skills: cleaning, laundry, ironing, cooking support, childcare support, errands, basic pet care.
• Work experience: each household you worked for, the dates, the suburb, and what you did there.
• References: 2–3 people who can confirm your work (name, who they are to you, phone number, area).
• Education and training: your highest grade and any short courses (first aid, childcare, hygiene).

You can create a free CV on CV Hub and keep it saved online, so you can update it any time. Then choose a CV design that looks neat and is easy to read on paper or a phone.

Domestic worker CV example (copy-and-edit)

Copy the example below and replace everything in square brackets with your own details. Delete any line that does not apply to you.

Keep it to 1–2 pages. If you have worked for many years, give the most detail for your recent jobs and keep older jobs short.

Want to keep your references' numbers private until the interview? Write "References available on request" instead, and share the numbers when you are comfortable.

For more help, see our guide: References on a CV: who to list and how (South Africa). If you need help with the profile paragraph at the top, read how to write a personal profile on a CV.

No formal domestic work experience yet?

Many people start domestic work without a previous employer. You can still write a strong CV by showing what you have done at home or in your community.

• Looked after your family home: cleaning, cooking, washing and ironing for the household.
• Cared for younger siblings or relatives: getting them ready for school, cooking for them, supervising homework.
• Helped neighbours, church or community: cleaning, cooking for events, babysitting.
• Short piece jobs: once-off cleaning or ironing for people in your area.

Be honest that this was family or informal work. Someone you helped, like a neighbour or church leader, can be a reference. Here is a profile you can adapt:

For more ideas, see our guide to writing a CV with no experience.

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

Long service is usually a big advantage in domestic work. An employer reading "8 years with one family" thinks: this person is trusted and does not leave easily.

To make it stand out:

1. Write "Long service" in the job title line, as in the example above.
2. Add context in one bullet, for example "Supported the family through moving house" or "Stayed with the family as the children grew up."
3. Give a clear reason for leaving, such as relocation, contract ended or reduced hours. Keep it short and factual. Do not complain about the old employer.
4. Show growth: mention responsibilities you were given over time, like becoming key-holder, caring for pets or managing supplies.

Here is how a long-service job can look when you show growth:

If you had a break between jobs (for example to care for family), see how to explain a gap in your CV.

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

Live-in means you sleep at the employer's home, usually in your own room. Live-out means you travel home at the end of each working day.

Many employers decide in seconds based on this, so put your availability near the top of your CV. Choose the option that fits you:

If you have limits, for example you cannot work Saturdays or must be home by a certain time, say so early. It is better to be honest now than to accept a job that will not work for you long-term.

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

List the duties employers usually ask for, but only the ones you can do confidently:

• Daily cleaning (rooms, floors, dusting)
• Bathroom and kitchen hygiene
• Laundry and ironing (including uniforms and bedding)
• Deep cleaning on a schedule (weekly or monthly tasks like ovens, fridges, windows)
• Meal prep or cooking support (only if you do it)
• Childcare support (only if you have experience)
• Errands and shopping (if you do it)

Be specific. One-word duties do not tell the employer much.

• Weak: "Cleaning, washing, ironing."
• Strong: "Daily cleaning of a 3-bedroom home, plus washing and ironing for a family of four, including school uniforms."

The strong version shows the size of the job, so the employer can picture you in their home.

Applying for cleaning jobs in offices or companies too? See our cleaner CV sample.

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

References are often the most important part of a domestic worker CV. Many employers will phone your old employer before they even invite you to meet. Make that call easy:

• Use real names and real phone numbers that are answered during the day.
• Say who the person is to you, for example Employer or House manager.
• Add the suburb or area. This helps show it is a real private household reference.
• Tell your references you are looking for work, so they expect the call.

A short message like this is enough:

If you build your CV online, you can update your CV profile whenever a reference's details change, without retyping your whole CV.

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

Usually not. A housekeeper CV South Africa format is very similar to a domestic worker CV. The main difference is what you put first:

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

If you apply for both, keep one CV. Before each application, change the "Position wanted" line and adjust 2–3 bullet points to match the advert. Our guide on how to tailor your CV to a job description shows how.

Common mistakes to avoid

• No availability stated: employers need to see live-in or live-out, and your days and hours, straight away.
• Too much personal information: leave out marital status, religion and your full home address. Your suburb or area is enough.
• Unclear dates: use month and year where possible (for example Jan 2021 – Mar 2024), not just "3 years".
• No duties listed: "Domestic worker" on its own does not show what you did.
• Hard-to-read layout: use clear headings, short bullet points and the same spacing throughout.
• Old or wrong cell number: double-check it. If the employer cannot reach you, they move to the next person.

For more general errors, see our list of common CV mistakes.

Download, update and send your CV

Once your details are in a clean template, keep your CV updated and ready to send at short notice.

On CV Hub you can:

1. Create a free CV.
2. Choose a CV design that is neat and easy to read.
3. Make quick changes any time by updating your CV profile.

If you need help using the site, read the CV Hub FAQ or contact CV Hub.

Many domestic jobs are shared on WhatsApp or by email. Always send your CV as a PDF so it looks the same on every phone. If you are unsure how to send it, this guide helps: How to email your CV (subject line, file name and template).

Quick checklist before you apply

• Your name and cell number are correct and easy to see at the top
• You wrote live-in or live-out clearly
• Your duties match the job you are applying for
• You included 2–3 contactable references (or "available on request") and told them to expect calls
• Your dates use month and year
• Your CV is neat, with bullet points, not big paragraphs

Save your CV with a clear file name, for example: Name Surname - Domestic Worker CV.pdf. This makes it easy for an employer to find on their phone.

If you already have a profile, log in to CV Hub and update it before you apply.