Do’s and don’ts for construction resumes

In the United States, more than 7 million people work in the construction industry. With demand for homes, commercial properties, and renovations on the rise, jobs are always available.
Working in construction can be demanding. But it can also be a financially rewarding career with opportunities for career progression. If you want to work in construction, the first step is your resume.
Below, we will tell you what a construction job is and what skills hiring managers are looking for.
To help you get your application right, we've put together the dos and don'ts for construction resume writing. We'll even give you two resume samples and a customizable template!
What is a construction job?
During new construction projects and renovations, each member of a team of workers has a role to play. For example, there are construction laborers, project managers, subcontractors, carpenters, electricians, and plumbers.
These construction professionals all need to work together to complete the project. They need to meet deadlines, stick to budgets, follow building codes, and ensure the workplace is safe.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for construction laborers is set to rise by 5%. These jobs are usually entry-level, with training given on the construction site.
Other positions may require an apprenticeship or bachelor's degree.
Construction projects range in size from homes to giant city skyscrapers. Other construction jobs may include industrial buildings, hospitals, tunnels, bridges, railways, and schools.
What skills are employers looking for?
If you want to work in the construction industry, you'll need good time management and problem-solving skills.
The role may include heavy lifting and long hours on your feet, so you'll need to be physically fit. It's an industry that relies on teamwork, so you'll need good communication skills.
Depending on the type of job you're applying for, you may need additional skills and education. For example, if you're applying for a senior position, you may require management and construction skills.
You may also need experience in other areas such as carpentry, drywall, and excavation.
The job description may ask for specific licenses and the ability to use heavy equipment.
What are the dos and don'ts for your construction resume?
Before you submit your application to the recruiter, check out these writing tips.
DO keep it short
When you write your resume, you should use the chronological resume format. Sort your work history in order, with your most recent position first.
One of the most important rules to remember is to keep it short. Your resume should fit neatly on one page.
If you're having trouble fitting everything in, try to keep it as relevant as possible.
When it comes to your work history, only go back a maximum of ten years.
And before you start, sort your resume into sections such as contact details, resume summary, work history, skills, and education.
DON’T include irrelevant experience
You may have been working for the last 20 years, with a long list of jobs in different fields.
It can be tempting to list your entire work history, but a cluttered resume can be off-putting to hiring managers.
Read the job description carefully to understand what they're looking for. With this information, you can be selective about what you share and what experience you choose to focus on.
For example, a summer job you had working in a movie theater won't be as important as previous construction experience.
DO check for mistakes
Give a good first impression with a resume that's error-free. You'll show the recruiter that you have great attention to detail, and they won't be distracted by mistakes.
You should check your spelling and grammar. Make sure to read your resume and cover letter out loud to check for awkward phrasing. If you want a second opinion, ask a friend to take a look.
Your resume also needs to be accurate. Any work history, education, dates, and skills should be factually correct.
DON'T fill the space with hobbies
You should keep your resume professional and avoid talking about your hobbies.
Construction recruiters want to know whether you can use power tools. They don't care what you did on the weekend.
You should also keep your personal life private. Don't mention your relationship, age, religion, or political views in your resume.
If you make it to the interview stage, the employer may ask you about your extra-curricular activities. Until then, stick to the basics.
DO list your skills
Your resume should have a brief skills section. What you include here will depend on your individual circumstances.
If you have construction experience, you may have practical skills such as concreting, tiling, or roofing.
If you're applying for an entry-level position, you'll want to add a few soft skills. For example, you may be a supportive team member or have excellent communication skills and above-average physical fitness.
Once again, you should look at the job description and the key criteria. Do any items on their list match your skillset?
DON’T forget to update your contact details
If you're reinvigorating an old resume, make sure you update your contact details. Are your phone number and email address correct?
You don't need to include your street address on your construction resume, but you may want to include your general location.
For example:
Matthew Lane New York (NY) Phone Email
Remember, your email address should be professional. Humor, slang, and explicit language can be a turn-off for employers.
Construction resume examples
Let's look at two construction resume examples to give you an idea of how you can write yours.
1. General construction worker resume sample
Ryan Bennett
New York NY
(342) 232-3456
[email protected]
Summary of Experience
A hard-working construction professional with six years of on-the-job work experience. Can confidently drive a forklift and backhoe and operate site machinery. An efficient worker who is skilled in digging trenches, cement mixing and laying, bricklaying, and the assembly of temporary structures.
Work Experience
Construction Link
Construction worker
2016 – Current
- Operated a forklift
- Helped with site preparation
- Completed cement mixing certificate
- Supported team members with insulation
- Transported supplies between worksites
- Assisted with roof installation
The Big Store
Construction laborer
2015 – 2016
- Dug trenches
- Unloaded construction materials
- Assembled temporary fencing
- Supported skilled tradespeople
- Transported goods between sites
Skills
- Concreting
- Transportation
- Physically fit
- Motivated
- High attention to detail
Education and Licenses
High school diploma (2015)
Concrete technologist certificate (2019)
Truck license (2018)
2. Construction manager resume sample
Greg Tilley
Construction manager
New York NY
(123) 454-3434
[email protected]
Summary of Experience
A proficient construction manager with strong leadership skills. Over ten years experience in construction, with the past five spent in a management role. A certified construction manager with experience supervising both domestic and commercial building projects.
Work Experience
Construction Link
Construction manager
2016–Current
- Communicated with subcontractors and suppliers
- Supervised domestic and industrial projects
- Managed budgets
- Ensured the safety and wellbeing of site workers
- Was responsible for meeting quality regulations
- Advised on materials
- Created deadlines and managed schedules
The Building Brothers
Construction worker
2011–2016
- Transported materials with a forklift
- Prepared site for construction
- Installed roofing
- Assisted skilled workers
- Received mentoring from the site manager
Education and Licenses
Bachelor of Construction Management (New York College, 2016)
Construction manager certification (2020)
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) training (2018)
Skills
- Leadership
- Good communication
- Budgeting
- Concreting
- Roofing
- Tiling
Construction resume template
Now you know what a construction resume should look like, it's time to write your own. Here's a template you can customize for any construction job:
(First Name) (Last name)
(Location)
(Phone number)
(Email address)
Summary of Experience
(A resume summary, up to fifty words)
Work Experience
(Company name)
(Job title)
(From) - (To)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
(Company name)
(Job title)
(From) - (To)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
- (Relevant responsibility)
Skills
(Relevant skill)
(Relevant skill)
(Relevant skill)
Education and Licenses
(Course or license name) (Year completed)
(Course or license name) (Year completed)
Want to simplify the resume-building process? Check out the FREE Jobcase resume builder!
Where to look for construction jobs
Ready to get to work? Browse Jobcase for a number of exciting construction related jobs:
Working in the construction industry
If you're interested in working in the construction industry, there are a range of jobs available.
This resume guide told you about construction jobs and what skills you may need to be successful.
We also gave you our dos and don'ts for construction resumes. We told you to keep it short, check for mistakes, and list your skills. For the don'ts, we told you not to include irrelevant experience, fill the space with your hobbies, or forget to update your contact details.
And to help you write your own resume, we showed you two resume examples, including a general resume and a construction manager resume. Then, we gave you a template so that you can prepare your application.
Want more jobs in your local area? Browse Jobcase!