Meet the construction hiring manager. His name is Jim. He's all that stands between you and a high-paying construction job. He's also not calling you.
Why would he avoid you like an OSHA inspection? You've got experience. Credentials. When you're working, your bosses always love you.
The trouble might be your construction resume. You see, most resumes are about as different as one darkened roadside from another. Luckily, you came to the right place for a construction resume makeover.
Here's a sampleresume for a construction worker made with our online resume builder.
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:
[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.
Looking for other, construction-related jobs too? Check out one of our dedicated guides:
- Construction Superintendent Resume
- Construction Manager Resume
- Construction Project Manager Resume
- Landscape Architecture Resume
- Heavy Equipment Operator Resume
- Contractor Resume
- Electrician Resume
- Walmart Resume
- HVAC Resume
- Landscaping Resume
- Machine Operator Resume
- Maintenance Resume
- Maintenance Technician Resume
- Mechanic Resume
- Painter Resume
- Warehouse Resume
- Carpenter Resume
- Forklift Operator Resume
- General Labor Resume
- Handyman Resume
- Material Handler Resume
- Welder Resume
- Architect Resume
- Stocker Resume
- Resume Examples for All Jobs
1
What's the Best Format for a Construction Resume?
Want to know the quickest way to get rejected?
Pick the wrong format for your construction worker resume.
The wrong resume format will bury your best qualities like a backhoe.
Get your resume noticed instead.
Pick a construction resume format that shows your best qualities fast. The reverse-chronological format is your best friend.
It shows your last job first, with bullet points that catch the eye.
Use clear, legible fonts, big headings, and white space in between to make your words pop out.
Finally, save that general construction worker resume as a PDF.
There's nothing wrong with construction resume templates for Microsoft Word. That said, PDFs don't scramble in transit like MS word resumes do. Just check the job offer first to make sure PDFs aren't banned.
Now let's dig into how to write a resume for a construction job.
Want to make sure your resume will hook every recruiter and get you that interview? Get our free checklist and learn what makes a job-winning resume: 46 Things You Need To Do Before You Send Your Resume.
Pro Tip: Use a spelling and grammar checker. An error-filled construction worker resume sends the wrong message about your talents.
Want to see other professional construction resume formats? See our guide: "3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]"
2
How to Write a Construction Resume Objecitve or Resume Summary
Try this:
Count to six.
That's how much time the average construction manager spends looking at each resume.
Does that shock you?
But you can stretch that time out.
How?
By writing a good construction worker resume summary or resume objective.
A good resume summary shows you're perfect to the job by citing your experience. Use it if you've got a lot.
A construction resume objective shows your goal and passion. It works best for entry level construction laborers.
If you do it right, you'll stick out like a gold coin in a mound of dirt.
Look at the difference in these two senior construction resume summary examples:
Resume Summary: Two Construction Resume Examples
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Dedicated construction superintendent with 7+ years construction experience. Seeking to improve efficiency and profitability for Toll Brothers construction. Delivered 98% on-time completion of jobs at Jandreau Bros. Cut safety incidents by 90% per year by implementing a BBS Safety Program. Delivered fast, defect-free work. |
| wrong |
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Construction worker with 1 year experience as superintendent and more as a laborer. Skilled in scheduling and safety compliance. Also skilled in leadership and communication. |
That second construction superintendent resume sample blends into the rest like feathered spackle on a sheetrock wall.
The first example makes the manager say, "Wow."
But what if you don't have experience?
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building aprofessional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
How to Write an Entry Level Construction Resume Objective
An entry-level construction resume can look like a job site before breaking ground.
You can fix it with a resume objective.
A resume objective is basically a construction resume job goal.
It doesn't have to show experience. But it's a lot better if you add some. Find it in past non-construction jobs, or do a little temp work.
Construction Resume Objective: Two Entry Level Samples
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Hard-working construction worker, seeking to deliver fast, high quality work for Jandreau Construction. Have worked as Skid Steer operator, parking lot construction laborer, and temp construction helper for various construction firms. Commended five times by management for strong work ethic. |
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Physically fit laborer seeking construction job. No direct construction job experience yet but I'm hoping to train on the job. |
That first general construction resume objective stands out like the Three Gorges Dam.
But wait.
Where did all that experience come from? Isn't this an entry-level resume for a construction worker?
It came from construction duties in non-construction jobs and a few days of temp work.
Pro Tip: Put your 1-2 most impressive accomplishments in your construction worker resume objective or resume summary. They're the lure that gets the manager to read the rest.
For even more help, use the free construction resume template at the top of this post. Also, see our guides: How To Write A Resume Summary: 21 Best Examples You Will See AND +20 Resume Objective Examples - Use Them on Your Resume (Tips)
3
How to Describe Your Construction Experience
Remember our construction hiring manager, Jim?
For entry-level jobs, he doesn't care about experience in a construction resume.
But what if you're applying for a higher paid position? Or writing a construction manager resume?
Even if you're entry-level, showing your experience can be the thing that gets you hired.
Experience is a VIP ticket.
If you don't show it right, it's sayonara.
Look at these two professional construction manager resume samples.
Experience: Construction Manager Resume Examples
Writing a senior construction manager resume? Need construction project manager resume examples? See this project manager resume template and guide.
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Construction Superintendent Jandreau Brothers Construction 2016 - 2017
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Construction Superintendent Jandreau Brothers Construction 2016 - 2017
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I can't stress this enough.
If you show a generic construction background, you'll get generic treatment.
If you show specific experience, you'll draw the eye like a safety barrier.
That first senior construction resume example doesn't just say, "I did XYZ."
It offers concrete proof that's reinforced with steel.
But what if you don't have experience?
How to Write an Entry-Level Construction Resume
You don't need experience to work construction.
But if you've got it, you can get a better job.
The real trick? Everyone has experience.
First: look at your past non-construction jobs. Ask, "What do construction workers do? And when have I performed those duties?"
Then use those as your bullet points.
Next: Do a couple days of temp work or volunteering. Search temp construction jobs online or ask around with friends or family.
Check out the two entry level construction resume examples below:
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Construction Experience 2016 - 2017
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Construction Experience: No construction experience yet, but I'm eager to do on-the-job training. Other Experience
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Here's the key point:
Both residential construction resume samples above come from the same person. Neither has a construction background.
Pro Tip: Don't put every piece of experience in your construction laborer resume. Just use the best achievements that fill one page. Remember, it's a commercial, not a Kevin Costner film.
Keep the hiring manager on task with free construction resume action words. Use the ones in our guide: "+80 Examples of Resume Action Words for Every Profession"
4
Is Your Education Section Asleep on the Job? It Might Be
"Construction workers don't need education."
That's like saying a Bragg crane has so much power, it doesn't need a hook.
Any section in your construction worker resume can be the hook that gets you hired.
Start with:
- School Name and Location.
- Years in School.
- Degree.
Then add details that fit the construction job description.
Education: Two Construction Manager Resume Examples
Let's say you're writing a general construction manager resume.
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BA, Guttman Community College 2007 - 2010
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Guttman Community College 2007 - 2010
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That first example gets the hiring manager to say, "This guy can get 'er done."
Writing an entry-level construction helper resume? Use high school bullet points to get the job.
Pick "wins" like sports teams, classes, or clubs that show construction qualities like work ethic or physical fitness.
This works even on a welder resume.
Pro Tip: Make your bullet points match the job offer in some way. The good ones above show leadership, physical fitness, and a strong work ethic.
To make your construction worker resume blaze like a jobsite light tower, see this guide: ""
5
How to Put Skills on a Resume for Construction
Let's peek in again on our construction hiring manager, Jim.
He's drinking a black coffee as big as a jackhammer and about as powerful.
He's also digging through 300+ professional construction worker resumes.
He wants you to have every skill in the industry, right?
Skid Steer driving, CDL, drywall hanging, well drilling, and all the various construction job titles.
Not really, no.
In fact, he only wants the skills that fit the job.
That makes your life a whole lot easier.
Read his job description carefully. Highlight all the skills in it. Then put them in your resume if you possess them
Last, prove you've got the skills in your construction laborer resume bullet points.
Here's a construction carpenter resume sample to show you what I mean:
Skills: Construction Resume Sample
Picture a construction worker job description seeking skills in speed, quality, flooring, framing, and drywall.
Add those to your resume skills list. Then prove them:
- Performed construction duties and responsibilities in a fast paced construction firm, including painting, flooring, framing, cabinetry, and drywall.
- Maintained safe work status with zero accidents for five years.
- Worked to company specs 99.9% free of all defects.
- Performed work to schedule with 98% on-time status.
See that? That resume is anchored to the job offer like a 40-ton bridge piling.
Notice how we added "safety" too, even though it isn't in the offer. That's because safety is important in a resume for construction jobs, even if the posting didn't mention it.
List of Construction Resume Skills
Let's get you hired.
Here's a list of skills for a construction laborer resumes.
You'll need to find more in construction job offers online.
Also, look into your own past to find others.
30 Essential Construction Worker Skillsfor a Resume
- Physically Fit
- Communication
- OSHA Compliance
- Flooring
- Interpersonal Skills
- MS Office
- Framing
- Time Management
- Scheduling Software
- Concrete Work
- Organization
- MS Project
- Cabinetry
- Prioritization
- CPR/First Aid
- Cleaning
- Self-Confidence
- Drywall
- Skid Steer Operation
- Speed
- Carpentry
- Forklift Operation
- Attention to Detail
- Flooring Installation
- Developing Estimates
- Problem Solving
- Record Keeping
- Managing Worksites
- Painting
- Driver's License
Follow the steps above, and you'll tear into the job like the Big Dig under Boston.
Pro Tip: There are a thousand construction skills. Luckily, you only need to list the ones the hiring manager wants on a resume for construction.
Want to build up your skills section? See the construction resume sample up top for inspiration. Also, see our guide: "+30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)"
6
How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume
Remember the hiring manager, Jim?
If you want him to ignore you, make your construction resume like all the others.
Want to get hired?
Be different. Do it with well-crafted "other" sections on your resume.
There's a trick to this.
Whatever "extras" you put on your construction laborer resume, make sure they show you've got the horsepower to do the job.
"Other" Sections: Construction Resume Sample
Licensing
- CDL License.
- Basic First Aid & CPR.
Courses
- ClickSafety 10-Hour OSHA Construction Safety Class.
Additional Activities
- Regular construction laborer volunteer, Habitat for Humanity.
- Local part-time youth pastor.
- Remodeled home kitchen with own tools.
- Diagnosed neighbor's reverse-stack HVAC issue. Fixed the problem with enhanced insulation to stop air flow from attic.
See how those construction resume bullet points prove you're a good pick?
They show safety, teamwork, construction experience, communication, work ethic, and problem-solving skills.
Pro Tip: If you don't have a CDL, it's not a bad idea to get one. It only takes a few hours. Plus, it can get you a construction job in a nice, air-conditioned cab.
Need more help to make the best construction laborer resume you can? See our guide: ""
7
Here's the Most Common Myth About Cover Letters
"Cover letters are a terrible idea."
Wrong.
Bad construction cover letters are a terrible idea.
But 40% of hiring managers consider cover letters mandatory.
Write a good one for your general construction resume and you're halfway to hired.
Here's how:
What's the most important thing to any hiring manager?
Himself.
So, make the cover letter about him.
First, use his name.
Second, mention a fact or two you like about the company. Look online to find those facts.
Third, say how you can help. Look in the job offer to find the company's biggest need. Then cite a big accomplishment that shows how you can fill it.
Fourth, close with a call to action. You can just say, "I'd love to talk with you."
Pro Tip: Don't forget to follow up after a couple days. A well-timed thank you email can get your construction company resume a second read in the nick of time.
Need a sample cover letter? Want to write the best construction cover letter you can? See this guide: "How To Write A Cover Letter [Complete Guide With Examples]"
8
How to Add Contact Info to Labor Resumes
You're making a big mistake with contact info.
Of course you know your construction resume needs:
- Full Name
- Updated Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
Like this:
William Martinez, billfmartinez@gmail.com - 646-600-2505
But you should also add a LinkedIn profile, Twitter handle, or other relevant social hangouts.
Why?
There's an important step after the manager reads your construction resume, and before he calls you.
That step lets the construction manager get to know you without picking up the phone.
Don't have a LinkedIn profile? Make one with our handy guide.
Pro Tip: Do some demo on your online presence. Don't let that New Orleans pic from five years ago take a wrecking ball to your chances. See our guide.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.Here's what it may look like:
Create my cover letter now
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Want more tips to build a professional construction resume? See our guide: "How to Make a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide (+30 Examples)"
Key Takeaway
Even with construction resume templates (or sample construction manager resumes), building your own is hard. Here's how to make a resume for a construction worker:
- Read the job offer carefully. Highlight all the skills and requirements. Then put them in your construction resume bullet points.
- Prove your construction skills in your education and experience sections. This works in a construction worker resume or a construction management resume.
- Differentiate yourself like a mansion in a housing project. Add "other" sections to your construction manager resume.
Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for a construction worker? Not sure how to describe your skills or achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! We'll answer as soon as possible!
