If you are pursuing a rewarding career as a Groundskeeper, creating a high-impact CV is one of the most powerful steps you can take to secure interviews and open the door to long-term progression. Groundskeepers play a vital role in maintaining beautiful, safe and functional outdoor spaces—from parks and estates to sports grounds, golf courses, heritage sites and commercial landscapes. The job typically involves lawn care, planting, pruning, hedge trimming, irrigation, equipment maintenance, seasonal grounds preparation, pest control, waste removal and ensuring all outdoor areas are kept to a high professional standard. Salaries in the UK generally range from £19,000 to £26,000 for entry-level roles, rising to £28,000–£32,000+ for experienced Groundskeepers, Senior Grounds Technicians, or those working in large estates, sports facilities or universities. Although the role may appear practical and hands-on, organisations look carefully for reliability, horticultural skill, equipment proficiency, health and safety awareness, and a genuine passion for outdoor work—all elements that your CV must communicate clearly and compellingly.
To help you stand out in a competitive field, I will guide you through creating an interview-winning Groundskeeper CV template example, supported by the very best CV writing strategies used across the UK job market. After 25 years as a UK career coach, I have seen how a well-crafted CV not only captures attention but also sets the tone for the entire hiring process. Employers want Groundskeepers who are dependable, proactive and capable of maintaining immaculate outdoor environments—so let’s make sure your CV reflects that with confidence and clarity.
Writing an Effective Groundskeeper CV
When crafting a CV for a Groundskeeper position, you want to combine strong practical experience with the right blend of horticultural knowledge, safety awareness and grounds maintenance expertise. Employers look for individuals who can work independently, manage seasonal tasks and deliver consistently high-quality outdoor upkeep. Including relevant skills, keywords and tangible achievements helps your CV perform well in applicant tracking systems (ATS), improving your visibility and ranking in online applications.
Start by thinking about the grounds you have worked on: public parks, private estates, hotels, sports pitches, golf courses or educational facilities. Each provides different responsibilities and achievements you can showcase. Use your CV as the place to demonstrate how you have problem-solved, improved grounds standards, saved costs, implemented new planting schemes, or enhanced customer and visitor satisfaction. Every positive change you’ve contributed to should be highlighted because these accomplishments help employers imagine your impact on their organisation.
Groundskeeper Personal Profile Example
A strong personal profile sets the tone for the rest of your Groundskeeper CV. Aim for 3–4 lines that highlight your experience, strengths and genuine passion for outdoor maintenance.
Example:
Dedicated and hardworking Groundskeeper with extensive experience maintaining high-quality outdoor environments across estates, parks and sports facilities. Skilled in lawn care, planting, pruning, machinery operation and delivering year-round grounds maintenance to exceptional standards. Brings a proactive, reliable approach with strong knowledge of horticulture, health and safety procedures and seasonal landscaping tasks. Committed to ensuring public and private outdoor spaces remain safe, attractive and well presented at all times.
Work Experience Section
Your work experience should convey your hands-on skillset and your ability to take ownership of outdoor spaces. Use bullet points to make responsibilities easy to read and to showcase achievements clearly. A standard format includes job title, employer, location and dates, followed by detailed responsibilities and quantifiable results.
Example Groundskeeper Work Experience Entry
Groundskeeper
Greenvale Estates, Kent
June 2020 – Present
Maintained 80-acre private estate including lawns, gardens, woodlands and pathways to exceptional horticultural standards.
Operated a range of professional groundskeeping machinery including ride-on mowers, hedge trimmers, blowers and irrigation equipment.
Developed and implemented a new seasonal planting plan improving visual appeal and biodiversity across the estate.
Conducted regular pruning, weeding, mulching and pest control measures to ensure plant health and sustainability.
Carried out pitch maintenance for tennis courts and sports fields, ensuring safe and level surfaces for daily use.
Led safety inspections of grounds equipment and implemented improved risk assessment processes.
When possible, quantify the scale of your responsibilities, such as acreage maintained, number of sports pitches serviced, or reduction in maintenance time achieved. These details bring clarity and credibility to your CV.
Key Skills to Highlight on a Groundskeeper CV
Employers pay close attention to core skills relevant to grounds care and horticultural maintenance. Be sure to include a variety of both practical and transferable skills.
Examples include:
Groundskeeping and landscaping
Lawn care, mowing, edging and turf management
Planting, pruning, weeding and seasonal plant care
Tree and hedge maintenance
Operation of groundskeeping machinery
Irrigation and watering systems management
Pest and disease control
Health and safety compliance
Use of hand tools and power tools
Maintenance of sports pitches and outdoor facilities
Waste removal and recycling
Time management and task prioritisation
Outdoor working in all weather
Teamwork and independent working
Customer service and communication
These keywords help your CV rank highly in ATS systems and search engines, improving your visibility.
Education and Training
Your education section can include formal qualifications as well as relevant practical training. Many Groundskeepers benefit from completing horticultural courses, machinery training, or health and safety certifications.
Common qualifications include:
Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture
City & Guilds Land-Based Services Awards
PA1/PA6 Pesticide Application Certification
First Aid Training
Health and Safety Training
Grounds Maintenance Machinery Training
Sports Turf Maintenance Certifications
Even if you are self-taught or have received on-the-job training, include it to demonstrate ongoing professional development.
Groundskeeper CV Template Example
Here is a simple structure you can use:
Name
Address
Phone
Email
LinkedIn (optional)
Personal Profile
Write a powerful 3–4 line summary showcasing your experience, skills and commitment to grounds maintenance.
Key Skills
Include 8–12 relevant skills such as turf care, landscaping, pruning, machinery use and health and safety.
Work Experience
Groundskeeper – Employer – Dates
List responsibilities and achievements with detail and measurable impact.
Education and Training
Include your formal education plus any relevant horticultural or safety certifications.
Additional Information
Driving licence
Machinery licences
DBS check
Volunteer experience
Languages
This clear structure makes your CV easy for employers to skim while still capturing depth and detail.
General Tips for Crafting an Interview-Winning Groundskeeper CV
Be concise and relevant
Avoid unnecessary detail, and ensure every section enhances your credibility as a Groundskeeper.
Tailor your CV to each job
Review the job description and reflect their terminology and priorities throughout your CV.
Highlight achievements, not just tasks
Employers value results, such as improving grounds quality or reducing maintenance time.
Use strong action verbs
Words such as maintained, operated, implemented, repaired and developed make your CV sound confident and professional.
Keep it to two pages
For most Groundskeeper roles, a well-structured two-page CV is ideal.
Use UK English
Ensure spelling and grammar reflect a professional UK standard.
Advice for Graduates and Entry-Level Groundskeepers
Graduates or those entering grounds maintenance for the first time often worry about limited experience. But employers are highly receptive to passion, enthusiasm and willingness to learn. Focus on:
Any horticultural coursework or training
Volunteer work at local parks, gardens or community projects
Transferable skills such as teamwork, reliability and problem-solving
Part-time roles in landscaping or outdoor work
Your genuine interest in horticulture and groundskeeping
Even without years of experience, a well-presented CV that conveys commitment and capability can still secure interviews.
Advice for Middle and Senior Groundskeeping Professionals
For more experienced applicants, employers will expect to see leadership, planning and operational responsibility. If you are applying for Senior Groundskeeper, Grounds Manager or Estate Grounds Supervisor roles, focus on:
Team leadership and staff training
Budget management and cost-saving initiatives
Large-scale grounds planning and implementation
Advanced machinery handling or technical skills
Project delivery and landscape improvement schemes
Health and safety management and compliance
Work scheduling and resource allocation
Demonstrating the scale of your responsibilities is vital at this level.
The Do’s and Don’ts of a Groundskeeper CV
Do’s
Do tailor each CV to the vacancy
Do use clear headings and professional structure
Do include relevant keywords and industry terminology
Do focus on achievements as well as responsibilities
Do keep your CV visually clean and easy to read
Do ensure grammar, punctuation and UK spelling is correct
Do make sure your contact details are up to date
Do add certifications and machinery experience
Don’ts
Don’t use long paragraphs with no spacing
Don’t include irrelevant work history
Don’t exaggerate qualifications or responsibilities
Don’t use casual or informal language
Don’t include photos, unless specifically requested
Don’t rely solely on duties—highlight impact too
Don’t submit your CV without proofreading
Final Thoughts
Crafting an interview-winning Groundskeeper CV requires careful thought, clarity and a well-structured approach, but the effort always pays off. A strong CV not only enhances your job prospects but also showcases your dedication to maintaining beautiful outdoor environments. Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced senior Groundskeeper, a polished CV can transform your career trajectory and attract the opportunities you truly deserve.
As someone who has coached UK professionals for over 25 years, I know how powerful a finely tuned CV and LinkedIn profile can be in helping you stand out from the competition. If you would like expert one-to-one support in strengthening your Groundskeeper CV, elevating your personal brand and increasing your interview success, I would be delighted to help you.
Book your personal CV and LinkedIn review appointment today at the link below:
https://www.cvlondon.net/book-an-appointment/
