Pet Sitter Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a pet sitter, you'll need experience in administering pet medications and providing TLC consistently. If you want to stand out with your pet sitter applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional pet sitter resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the tools you need to craft a pet sitter resume that positions you strongly against other candidates. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Continue reading to find the best pet sitter resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in a dog sitter resume
Although the content of a pet sitter resume may differ according to your experience and seniority, the main sections will remain the same. If you're lacking relevant work experience, you might choose to add sections that showcase your skill set earlier than in a traditional resume layout. These sections might include projects, education, hobbies and interests, skills and other optional sections.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header
A pet sitter resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Only include professional, name-based email addresses in your resume header. If you have an old email address that uses nicknames, puns, references to your personal interests or anything else that could appear unprofessional, set up a new email just for your job applications. Finally, always double-check your contact details are correct and up-to-date before sending your resume.
Aaliyah Howard
aaliyah.howard@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
852 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
linkedin․com/in/aaliyah–howard123
Resume Summary
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for pet sitter roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for pet sitter roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for pet sitter jobs below.
Good example:
Experienced and dedicated Pet Sitter with a background as a Professional Pet Care Specialist. Proven ability to provide exceptional care for a variety of pets, ensuring their health, safety, and well-being. Skilled in administering medications, managing special dietary needs, and offering enriching activities to promote physical and mental stimulation. Strong communication skills with pet owners to provide updates and address any concerns. Reliable, compassionate, and attentive to detail, committed to delivering high-quality pet care services
Bad example:
Pet sitter with some experience in looking after animals. Worked in roles where I took care of pets and made sure they were okay. Have dealt with different kinds of pets and tried to keep them healthy. Focused on communicating with pet owners and providing care when needed
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to pet sitter positions. Consider adding CPR certified, reliable and punctual or any other necessary skills for the job. Additionally, read the job description to make sure your skills match those required for pet sitter positions. You could also include some unique skills that help you stand out as a candidate.
Showcasing hard skills on your pet sitter resume
In your hard skills list, include any specific abilities related to the role you're applying for. These could be technical skills or industry knowledge that showcases your expertise in your chosen profession. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key pet sitter duties and responsibilities. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
The best resume hard skills sections focus on specific technical skills necessary for the job, showcasing skills that you have particular expertise in. There are some examples of valuable hard skills for a pet sitter resume below.
- Animal first aid
- Medication administration
- CPR certified
Showcasing your best soft skills
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective pet sitter resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Reliable and punctual
- Strong communication skills
- Animal care knowledge
Education
In this section list any educational qualifications or degrees that are relevant to pet sitter roles.
While a degree isn't usually a requirement for a pet sitter position, it's still recommended to list your highest or most relevant qualifications. If you have a recognized qualification, such as NAPPS Certification, list these here. Any educational achievements that show animal first aid or time management can be useful for this section.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Animal Science, 2017 - 2020
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Certifications and Training
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional pet sitter certifications, licenses or qualifications. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for pet sitter roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a dog sitter resume:
- CPPS, 2022
- PSI-CPPS, 2022
- NAPPS Certification, 2022
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a pet sitter. For each entry, list the job title, the name of the employer, its location and the dates you worked there. Add each job in reverse-chronological order, starting with your current or most recent role.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to pet sitter jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Professional Pet Care Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Paws & Whiskers Pet Care, Pittsburgh
- Successfully managed a portfolio of over 50 clients, ensuring exceptional care and personalized attention for each pet
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive pet care training program, resulting in a 30% increase in client satisfaction ratings
- Certified in advanced pet first aid and CPR, providing critical emergency care and enhancing overall pet safety standards
Bad example:
Professional Pet Care Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Paws & Whiskers Pet Care, Pittsburgh
- Managed client relationships and provided quality pet care services
- Created and delivered training programs for improved pet care
- Enhanced pet safety through specialized skills and knowledge
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Jobseeker Tip:
Emphasize hands-on experience and relevant skills, such as customer service, teamwork, or problem-solving, to showcase your readiness for the role. (1) Use bullet points to organize your resume and keep it easy to read, especially for hiring managers scanning for key qualifications. (2)
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a dog sitter resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Volunteer Work
This section can be valuable for a dog sitter resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. Add any voluntary roles, including your position, the name of the organization, the dates of your voluntary work and a brief explanation of your responsibilities and achievements.
References
Standard pet sitter resumes don't tend to include references, but you might find them requested occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your pet sitter resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Care
- Monitor
- Walk
- Feed
- Clean
- Administer
- Play
- Groom
- Train
- Communicate
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Example of a pet sitter resume
The pet sitter resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
852 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield, IL
•
aaliyah.howard@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/aaliyah–howard123
Dedicated Pet Sitter with extensive experience as a Professional Pet Care Specialist, skilled in providing high-quality care for a variety of pets. Proficient in administering medications, managing special dietary needs, and ensuring a safe and engaging environment. Strong communication skills with pet owners and a proven track record of reliability and trustworthiness. Committed to the well-being and happiness of all animals in my care.
Professional Pet Care Specialist
2020
-2022
Pawsitive Pet Solutions (North Las Vegas)
- Successfully managed the care and well-being of over 50 pets, including dogs, cats, birds, and exotic animals
- Developed and implemented customized care plans, increasing client satisfaction rates by 30% within six months
- Trained and supervised a team of 10 junior pet care assistants, enhancing operational efficiency and service quality
Animal first aid
Medication administration
CPR certified
Reliable and punctual
Strong communication skills
Animal care knowledge
CPPS
PSI-CPPS
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a dog sitter resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Keep your pet sitter resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
- Mention your key educational achievements, such as degrees and professional qualifications, along with grades such as your GPA, if they're high.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your pet sitter career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
- Don't include irrelevant work experience in your resume because it takes up valuable space and is unlikely to improve your chances of success.
- Don't include any personal details, such as a photo, your age or marital status. These can create unwanted bias in the recruitment process.
- Don't use unnecessary jargon to try and impress the reader. It may have the opposite effect.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When you're writing your pet sitter resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a dog sitter resume
Now that you know how to write a professional pet sitter resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the pet sitter role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
For help creating an eye-catching cover letter that impresses recruiters and hiring managers, use Jobseeker's professional cover letter templates.
As an experienced pet sitter, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. You may wish to include a longer-than-average work experience section in your pet sitter resume, to emphasize your career experience to date and showcase relevant achievements in work. Add any optional sections that reinforce your image as a knowledgeable, respected professional in your field. This might include awards and other recognition, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for pet sitter jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
Here's an example of a strong resume headline:
- Junior Pet Care Specialist
- Experienced and Caring Pet Sitter
- Experienced and Compassionate Pet Caregiver
The top resume format for your applications will vary according to a couple of factors. First, how much professional experience you have. Second, what type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key points for your pet sitter resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Jobseeker's expert-designed cover letter generator can help your applications make a strong first impression on hiring managers. Find detailed cover letter examples to complement your resume and get your application noticed.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
