May we count your visit with Google Analytics? It uses cookies and sends visit data to Google. You can change this any time under Cookie choices. Privacy

CVTemplates.co
Build a CV

CV after caring for a relative example

A CV after time out to care for someone gives the break one honest, dated line and moves straight on to what you can do. You do not have to say who you cared for or why.

Add the course or volunteering you kept up, then let your work history carry the CV. This example is a bookkeeper returning after two years of caring for a family member.

Modern design1 page
CV after caring for a relative example: fictional example, page 1. Full text is available below.
Read the example as text
Angela Tierney
Bookkeeper

Profile

Bookkeeper with ten years in accounts at a builders’ merchant, running the purchase ledger, supplier reconciliations and the weekly payment run in Sage 200. Took a career break from 2024 to 2026 to care for a family member; that caring role has now ended. Completed the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping and learned Xero during the break. Looking for a full-time bookkeeper or accounts assistant post.

Employment

Career break to care for a family member Preston · May 2024–August 2026

Completed the AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping by online study.

Volunteer one morning a week at Haverley Carers Centre since 2025: keep the petty cash book and prepare the Gift Aid claims.

Accounts Assistant, Purchase Ledger Ribbleton Building Supplies, Preston · 2017–April 2024

Processed about 600 supplier invoices a month in Sage 200, matching each to its order and delivery note.

Reconciled the 40 largest supplier statements every month and settled the differences with suppliers and branches.

Prepared the weekly payment run for the finance manager to approve.

Posted the bank transactions daily and reconciled the two bank accounts every week.

Helped prepare the quarterly VAT return and the year-end schedules for the auditors.

Accounts Clerk Ribbleton Building Supplies, Preston · 2014–2017

Entered sales invoices and credit notes and chased small overdue accounts by phone.

Qualifications

AAT Level 2 Certificate in Bookkeeping (2025)

Online course in Xero bookkeeping (2026)

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business (2012)

GCSEs including English 6 and Maths 6 (2010)

Additional information

Available to start straight away, full time.

Fictional example for a bookkeeper returning to work after caring for a relative. Every person and employer in it is invented. Replace every detail with your own.

What employers look for, and where this CV shows it

The job asks you toWhere this CV shows it
Process purchasing and sales invoicesAbout 600 supplier invoices a month; sales invoices and credit notes
Make sure bank statements match income and payment recordsDaily bank postings; two accounts reconciled every week
Prepare VAT returnsHelped prepare the quarterly VAT return
Check that accounts are accurate and up to date40 supplier statements reconciled every month
Help to prepare annual accountsYear-end schedules for the auditors
Use computerised accounting systemsSage 200 at work; Xero learned during the break

The left column follows the National Careers Service job profile for a bookkeeper, the job this CV applies for.

Average pay: £24,000 a year for a starter and £35,000 for an experienced bookkeeper, working 37 to 40 hours a week (National Careers Service, checked 17 October 2026).

Facts checked against National Careers Service: Bookkeeper on , GOV.UK: Flexible working on , GOV.UK: Unpaid carer’s leave on , legislation.gov.uk: The Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024, regulation 1 on and nidirect: Time off for dependants (compassionate leave) on .

Skills to list for this job

The skills the National Careers Service lists for a bookkeeper, in CV wording. Put down only the ones you can show, each with where you used it.

  • Thorough, with close attention to detail
  • Maths
  • Administration
  • Customer service
  • Working well with others
  • Using initiative
  • Flexible and open to change
  • Clear spoken communication
  • Confident with computers and everyday software
Choose them in the editor

From the National Careers Service profile, checked 17 October 2026.

Inside this example
  • Profile: 67 words here
  • Employment: 146 words here
  • Qualifications: 28 words here
  • Skills: 28 words here
  • Additional information: 7 words here

How to write yours

01

Give the break a dated line

“Career break to care for a family member” with its months keeps your dates honest. You do not have to say who or why.

02

Say where things stand now

If the caring has ended, one line in the profile says so. If it has not, say which hours or days you can work.

03

Show what you kept up

A course or volunteering during the break, with its year, shows your skills are current.

04

Let your work history carry it

The break comes first in date order, but keep it short so the job below it, with its numbers, does the work.

Questions about a CV after caring

Should I list a course I did during my break?

You could take a college course while looking for work, such as bookkeeping, accounting or computerised accounting for business (National Careers Service). List one you took during your break with its year, as this CV does.

What if I have not used their accounts software?

Familiarity with bookkeeping software can be helpful, but employers will give you training in the systems they use if they take you on (National Careers Service). Name the systems you know, and do not let a new one stop you applying.

Is a temporary or part-time job a good way back?

You could start as an admin assistant on a part-time or temporary contract in an accounts or payroll department, then take a qualification to become a bookkeeper (National Careers Service). A temporary contract also gives a long break a recent job.

Can I ask for flexible hours if I still care for someone?

All employees have the legal right to request flexible working, such as different hours, days or start and finish times, from their first day in a job, and employers must deal with requests in a reasonable manner; the rules are different in Northern Ireland (GOV.UK: Flexible working, checked 17 October 2026). You do not need to put this on your CV.

Can I take time off for caring in a new job?

In England, Scotland and Wales, employees are entitled to up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave every 12 months to give or arrange care for a dependant, from their first day of work for their employer, and do not need to give evidence of the dependant’s care needs (GOV.UK: Unpaid carer’s leave, checked 17 October 2026; the Carer’s Leave Regulations 2024 do not extend to Northern Ireland). In Northern Ireland, employees have the right to unpaid time off to deal with an emergency involving a dependant, including making longer-term care arrangements (nidirect: Time off for dependants, checked 17 October 2026).

Modern and one page: the side column holds your skills and software, so the main column runs from the break straight into ten years of ledger work. For an online form, switch to Plain.

Guides for this CV

Explaining a gap in your CV Volunteering as experience Education and qualifications How to write a cover letter

More examples

Teaching assistant CV exampleTeaching assistant CV with no experienceCare assistant CV exampleCare assistant CV with no experienceCV for a 16-year-oldCV for a 16-year-old in ScotlandStudent CV exampleHealthcare assistant CV exampleNursery assistant CV exampleTeacher CV exampleSales assistant CV exampleCustomer service CV exampleAdmin assistant CV exampleReceptionist CV exampleNurse CV exampleWarehouse operative CV exampleCleaner CV exampleChef CV exampleDelivery driver CV exampleSecurity officer CV exampleWaiter CV exampleRetail manager CV exampleAssistant accountant CV exampleElectrician CV exampleHairdresser CV exampleData analyst CV examplePersonal assistant CV examplePlumber CV exampleSocial worker CV exampleDental nurse CV examplePersonal trainer CV exampleMarketing executive CV exampleMechanical engineer CV exampleBarista CV exampleLegal CV example for a paralegalArchitect CV exampleProject manager CV exampleBartender CV exampleInternship CV exampleAccountant CV exampleBusiness analyst CV exampleCabin crew CV examplePharmacist CV exampleNanny CV exampleHR officer CV exampleHGV driver CV exampleKitchen porter CV exampleCivil engineer CV exampleApprentice CV exampleActor CV exampleArtist CV exampleDoctor CV examplePhD CV exampleSoftware developer CV exampleAccount manager CV exampleJournalist CV exampleModel CV exampleMusician CV exampleMechanic CV exampleProduct manager CV exampleCyber security CV exampleData scientist CV exampleGraphic designer CV exampleWeb developer CV examplePolice officer CV exampleQuantity surveyor CV exampleParamedic CV exampleSupport worker CV exampleReturning to work CV exampleCV after redundancy exampleArmed forces leaver CV exampleCV for an older worker exampleSelf-employed to employed CV exampleSocial media manager CV exampleBiomedical scientist CV exampleMedical student CV exampleLaw student CV exampleSolicitor CV examplePhotographer CV exampleDentist CV exampleTranslator CV examplePilot CV exampleCarpenter CV exampleVet CV exampleConstruction labourer CV examplePsychologist CV exampleHousekeeper CV exampleIT support CV exampleSales manager CV exampleElectrical engineer CV exampleEstate agent CV exampleMarketing manager CV exampleInterior designer CV exampleUX designer CV examplePhysiotherapist CV exampleEvents manager CV exampleBeauty therapist CV exampleCounsellor CV exampleManagement consultant CV exampleResearch scientist CV examplePharmacy assistant CV exampleWriter CV exampleRestaurant manager CV exampleLaboratory technician CV examplePostdoc CV exampleLecturer CV exampleBusiness development manager CV exampleFinance officer CV exampleOffice manager CV exampleIllustrator CV exampleOperations manager CV exampleTeam leader CV exampleFootball CV exampleHR manager CV exampleFinance manager CV exampleChronological CV templateCareer-change CV templateModern CV templateAll CV examples