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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Create Your Construction
Resume in 5 Easy Steps

  • Step 1: Add Contact Info

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  • Step 2: Include Work Experience Details

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  • Step 3: Provide Education Details

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  • Step 4: Select Your Skills

    Heading Resume Slide

  • Step 5: Fill in Your Background

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Get Expert Writing Recommendations for Your Construction Resume

LiveCareer’s Resume Builder takes the guesswork out of resume writing by providing text suggestions to help you succinctly sum up and show off your construction skills and experience. Our certified resume writers crafted these category-specific job duties to simplify the process. You can use them as-is or customize them to match your own skills, training and experience in the construction field.

Here are examples of suggested text our Resume Builder might suggest when helping you write a construction resume:

  • Installed and repaired woodwork, millwork and cabinetry under supervision of master carpenter.
  • Trained and oversaw 15 individuals in roofing system installations.
  • Operated fork trucks and tower cranes to meet challenging daily demands.
  • Recorded measurements and devised plans to match installation specifications with 100 percent accuracy.
  • Completed accurate material and labor estimates for jobs with $1M+ budgets.
  • Kept sites compliant with OSHA, federal, state and local regulations to prevent unnecessary delays.

8 Dos and Don’ts for Writing a Construction Resume

  • Do choose the resume format that best fits your skills and work history. If you have several years of job site experience interpreting supervisors’ orders, analyzing blueprints and completing custom-built residential designs, a chronological resume that showcases all of your experience is likely the right choice.
  • If, on the other hand, you’re at an earlier point in your construction career, a functional resume may be the better option. This format lets you highlight specific skills you have developed thus far in your construction career, such as operating a dragline excavator or interpreting the specifications of construction drawings.
  • Do find the right construction resume example for the job. The example you choose should reflect the environment of the workplace to which you’re applying. For instance, if you are submitting a resume for a job that involves custom-building contracts and homeowner consultations, a more artistic example can evoke your experience as a creative collaborator. If you are applying for a position with a more traditional and established firm, such as a roofing company or tile installation business, a more conservative resume example may be the smarter choice.
  • Do get specific. Instead of writing that you have “operated heavy equipment,” explain that you have “more than a decade of experience operating bulldozers, graders and trenchers.” Instead of writing that you have “installed interior finishes,” include that you have “installed wall protection, doors, TV brackets, cubicle curtain tracks and toilet accessories.” Construction is detailed work. Breaking your skills and experience down to the nitty-gritty demonstrates exactly how well you fit the desired position.
  • Do mention any certification and special training. If you hold a certified construction manager (CCM) credential or certification from the LEED Green Association, for example, put it on your resume.
  • Don’t forget to mention if you’re licensed and bonded. This may seem like a no-brainer, but you should always confirm that you are following federal and state laws governing skilled laborers, contractors and other construction professionals.
  • Don’t use the same resume for every job. Resumes are not one-size-fits-all, especially in the construction industry where there’s a diversity of specializations. Tailor your resume to each individual job you are applying for. Think of it this way: If you’re applying for a carpentry apprenticeship but your resume is full of plumbing details for the plumber apprenticeship you are also applying for, it may reflect poorly on your attention to detail and your level of interest in the position.
  • Don’t forget to include an engaging summary. The average employer looks at a resume for less than 10 seconds. The best way to make a great first impression is to begin your construction resume with a professional summary that contains specific details about your skills and experience. For example, instead of writing that you are an “experienced roofer with an excellent safety track record,” write that you are a “safety-oriented roofer with 22 years of experience installing roofing materials for both residential and commercial buildings in the Greater Chicago area.”
  • Don’t skimp on the tool talk. Including your technical skills is vital to a strong construction resume. Don’t merely note that you have effectively used a variety of fasteners; explain that you have experience with screws, nails, pneumatic nailing systems, concrete anchors, framing connectors and powder-actuated fasteners.

Consider These Skills for Your Construction Resume

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) are one of the biggest obstacles a job seeker faces when searching for employment in the construction industry. Employers at larger companies use ATS to screen out candidates by scanning resumes for expected keywords and skills. To advance your resume past ATS and into the hands of an actual human being, it is imperative that your document includes the construction-specific keywords that the employer expects.

How do you know what those keywords are? First, read the job posting carefully. Employers are often direct about the particular construction skills they need. Second, enlist the help of LiveCareer. Our Resume Builder will suggest the right mix of skills to add to your resume to help scoot it past an ATS. This suggested text could include proficiencies such as the following:

  • Bid estimation.
  • Carpentry techniques.
  • Low-slope roofing systems.
  • Materials handling.
  • Drywalling.
  • New construction and renovation.
  • Trencher, backhoe and digger operation.
  • Hazardous chemical handling.
  • Construction drawing interpretation.
  • Hand- and power-tool operation.
  • Blueprints and schematics.
  • Subcontractor oversight.

Construction Resumes for Every Professional Level

Entry-Level
Carpenter Apprentice Resume Example Build my Resume

Carpenter’s Apprentice

Entry-level applicants in the construction industry may benefit from using a functional resume format like the one above. Its emphasis sits squarely on professional skills and qualifications. Work history appears too, but its placement in the sidebar gives it less weight than if it were at the top of the document. This resume format devotes the most real estate to the job seeker’s wide variety of skills and qualifications, which will likely make him an attractive potential hire.

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Mid-Career
Construction Project Administrator Resume Sample Build my Resume

Project Administrator

For mid-career construction professionals, the combination resume format is often the perfect fit. It strikes the right chord between the experience-focused chronological resume and the skill-centric functional format.

As evidenced in the resume above, a combination resume is generally split 50/50 between skills and experience, giving employers a balanced look at the applicant. Here, her wide range of management skills gets emphasis, as does her track record in project administration. Hiring managers can chart, for example, how she moved from projects coordinating 25-person teams to projects with twice as many people.

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Executive-Level
Experienced Construction Foremen Resume Example Build my Resume

Construction Foreman

Experienced job seekers looking for a senior- or executive-level job in the construction industry can showcase their work history by using a chronological resume format like the one pictured above. Much of the document focuses on the candidate’s extensive experience in construction. While it includes his skills and education, the emphasis in this format is where he has worked, what he has done, and how he has progressed from a journeyman carpenter to a construction foreman. Even the resume’s opening Professional Summary statement nods to his 20-plus years in the industry.

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More Construction Resume Samples

Find resume examples for your desired construction career. Get access to expert writing recommendations, do’s and don’ts and everything you need to write a perfect resume.

6g certified pipe welderadvanced riggerappliance installerapprentice masonapprentice plastererarea construction managerasbestos abatement workerasbestos supervisorasphalt laborerasphalt pavingbackhoe operatorbid coordinatorblaster painterblock masonblueprint readingbobcat operatorboilermakerboilermaker helperboilermaker journeymanbrick specialistbricklayerbucket operatorbuilder sales representativebuilding surveyorcabinet installercabinet makercarpenter foremancarpenter foreman objectivecarpenter helpercarpenter laborercarpenter's helpercarpet installercement finishercement masoncement truck drivercertified flaggercherry pickercherry picker operatorchief construction officerchief estimatorcivil carpentercivil foremancivil superintendentcombo pipe weldercommercial construction project managercommercial paintercommercial plumbercommercial rooferconcrete carpenterconcrete finisherconcrete foremanconcrete laborerconcrete superintendentconstruction bookkeeperconstruction business ownerconstruction carpenterconstruction clean upconstruction cleanerconstruction company ownerconstruction controllerconstruction coordinatorconstruction crew leaderconstruction equipment operatorconstruction executiveconstruction flaggerconstruction foremanconstruction general managerconstruction helperconstruction internconstruction management internconstruction manager iiconstruction materials testing technicianconstruction mechanical engineerconstruction office managerconstruction operations managerconstruction ownerconstruction painterconstruction plannerconstruction project coordinatorconstruction project managerconstruction project manager & marketing managerconstruction quality control managerconstruction remodelingconstruction safety engineerconstruction safety managerconstruction senior project managerconstruction site clerkconstruction site safety technicianconstruction site supervisorconstruction superintendentconstruction wiremanconstruction wireman trainee wiremancountertop installercrane riggercrane techniciancustom home builderdemolitiondemolition laborerdemolition supervisordemolition workerdirector of constructiondirt equipment operaterdrillerdriller helperdrillersdrywalldrywall finisherdrywall foremandrywall stockerdrywall superintendentdrywall taperduct installerelevator mechanic helperelevator technicianelite sports buildersentry level carpenterentry level constructionentry level hvac technicianestimating managerestimator project managerexterior plastererfence installerfield foremanfield superintendentfireprooferfireproofingflaggerflooringformanfoundation repair laborerframerframingframing carpenterfreelance carpentergarage door techniciangeneral contractor assistantgeneral foremangeneral laborer traffic control laborergeneral superintendentglaziergranite installergutter installerhardwood floor installerheavy equipment maintenance managerheavy equipment managerhelper coordinatorhod carrierhoist operatorholderhome builderhome improvementhome improvement skillshome remodelerhome remodelinghome renovationhome renovatorhydrovac swamperindustrial insulatorinstallation coordinatorinstallation technicianinsulation installerinsulatorinsulator helperinsulator mechaniciron worker riggerironworkerironworker apprenticeironworker foremanironworker general foreman ironworkerironworker helperJob ForemanJourneyman CarpenterJourneyman ConstructionJourneyman EngineerJourneyman GlazierJourneyman Inside WiremanJourneyman InsulatorJourneyman IronworkerJourneyman LinemanJourneyman PainterJourneyman PipefitterJourneyman PlumberJourneyman WelderJourneyman WiremanLabor ForemanLandscape ForemanLawn CareLawn MaintenanceLighting TechnicianLinemanLumber Graderlumber yard workerMap TechnicianMasonMasonry LaborerMaster CarpenterMechanical Estimatormobile crane operatormotor grader operatormulti skilled technicianosp project managerpainter laborerpainters helperpainting contractorpainting project managerpainting supervisorparty chiefpipe fabricatorpipe foremanpipe insulatorpipe layerpipe layer laborerpipefitter foremanpipefitter helperpiping foremanplasterplumber helperplumbers apprenticeplumbing apprenticeplumbing associateplumbing foremanplumbing managerplumbing project managerplumbing supervisorplumbing technicianpool builderpool constructionpost construction cleaningpreconstruction managerprofessional carpenterpunch out technicianquantity surveyorquarry operatorreinforcing ironworkerremodelremodel team associateremodelerremodelingrenovation specialistrenovatorresidential construction project managerresidential general contractorresidential roofing project managerresidential wiremanrestoration technicianriggerrigger foremanrigger helperrigger supervisorriggingrigging foremanrigging supervisorrmcrock truck driverrodbusterroof mechanicrooferroofersroofingroofing apprenticeroofing consultantroofing contractorroofing foremanroofing laborerroofing salesmanroofing supervisorrope access technicianscaffold builder helperscaffold builder lead carpenterscaffold foremanscaffold helperscaffoldingscaffolding supervisorshovel operatorshutdown welderskilled carpentersr. project manager construction managerstone masonsubcontract managersurvey party chiefsurveyorsurveyor assistanttile helpertile settertower agenttower climbertower crane operatortower foremantower techniciantradesmantrim carpenterunion carpenterv p of pre constructionvice president of constructionwaterproofingwell drillerwell tenderwindow and door installerwiremanwiring technicianyard foremanblue collar workerjack of all tradesodd jobs

Resume Success Stories

Statistics and Facts About Construction Jobs

Median Annual Pay

Construction Manager$93,370
Construction Equipment Operator$46,990
Carpenter$46,590
Electrician$55,190
Plumber$53,910
0 20K 40K 60K 80K 100K

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Projected Job Growth from 2018–2028

Construction Manager10%
Construction Equipment Operator10%
Carpenter8%
Electrician10%
Plumber14%
0 5% 10% 15% 20%

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Typical Job Titles

  • Boilermaker
  • Carpenter
  • Electrician
  • Glazier
  • Ironworker
  • Masonry Worker
  • Painter
  • Plumber
  • Pipefitter
  • Roofer
  • Solar Photovoltaic Installer
  • Tile Setter

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Level of On-the-Job Training Typically Required

  • Construction Manager: Moderate
  • Construction Equipment Operator: Moderate
  • Carpenter: Apprenticeship
  • Electrician: Apprenticeship
  • Plumber: Apprenticeship

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Median Age by Gender

Construction Manager

Men45.8
Women43.3
0 30 60

Construction Equipment Operator

Men44
Women45.3
0 30 60

Carpenter

Men40.2
Women39.0
0 30 60

Electrician

Men40.9
Women40.1
0 30 60

Plumber

Men40.7
Women38.9
0 30 60

Source: DataUSA

Gender Diversity

Construction Manager

Female 10.1%

Male 89.9%

Construction Equipment Operator

Female 2.2%

Male 97.8%

Carpenter

Female 2.5%

Male 97.5%

Electrician

Female 2.3%

Male 97.7%

Plumber

Female 1.3%

Male 98.7%

Source: DataUSA

Average Salary Disparity by Gender

  • 9 Layers

    Construction Manager:

    Men make 22% more than women

  • 9 Layers 1

    Construction Equipment Operator:

    Men make 24% more than women

  • 9 Layers 2

    Carpenter:

    Men make 33% more than women

  • 9 Layers 3

    Electrician:

    Men make 8% more than women

  • 9 Layers 4

    Plumber:

    Men make 3% more than women

Highest Construction Wages by Location in 2017

  • Upper East Side, New York, NY
  • North Beach and Chinatown, San Francisco, CA
  • Central Milwaukee, WI

Most Commonly Held Construction Industry Occupations in 2017

  • 6 Layers

    Construction Laborer

    Over 1.4 million people in workforce

  • 8 Layers

    Construction Manager

    Over 600,000 people in workforce

  • 2 Layers 2

    First-line Supervisor

    Over 600,000 people in workforce

  • 9 Layers 5 1

    Carpenter

    Over 800,000 people in workforce

  • 8 Layers 1 1

    Electrician

    Over 500,000 people in workforce

Least Commonly Held Construction Industry Occupations in 2017

  • Public relations and fundraising: Fewer than 400 people
  • Miscellaneous legal support workers: Fewer than 400 people
  • Miscellaneous extraction workers, such as roof bolters: Approximately 350 people
  • First-line supervisors of landscaping, lawn service and groundskeeping workers: Approximately 325 people
  • Sailors, marine oilers and ship engineers: Approximately 250 people

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