A job in the construction industry can be a very secure and lucrative position. Whether you’re looking for work as a laborer, crane operator, or civil engineer, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of the growth in this industry. Whenever you see a population area that’s growing, you can be guaranteed that there’s a boost in the number of construction resumes circulating around the area.What it’s Like to Work in the Construction Field
When you work in the construction field, you’re at the forefront of innovation and growth in an area. Your day starts with examining the project drawings to determine what needs to be done for the day, and then it’s off to the job site itself. While a crane operator and laborer might have completely different daily tasks, both professions still reap the benefits of working outdoors and getting involved in physical labor on a regular basis.
Benefits of Working in the Construction Field
A job in the construction industry includes competitive pay, benefits, and on-the-job training. In most cases, the employers pay for your certifications and any kind of licensing you may need. Best of all, you get to work outdoors and point to a tangible project that you successfully brought to life (i.e. a new housing development or children’s park).
Why You Need A Resume
Your construction resume can be an instant ticket to anywhere companies need professionals with your skills. If you want to improve your chances of getting a construction job quickly, then it’s important to include a comprehensive list of the equipment you can operate and the certifications that you hold. When you give the hiring manager an updated and complete construction resume, then it’s easier for that manager to help you advance your career.
Construction Resume Questions
1. What’s the best length for a construction resume?
The exact length of a resume will depend on the specific construction resume sample you look at. In most cases, jobseekers with fewer than 10 years of experience only need one page, while individuals with more than a decade can use two pages. Ultimately, your resume needs to be however long is necessary to write your professional summary, skills section, work history, and education section.
2. What’s the best way to show you work well in a team on a construction resume?
You want to do more than simply list “Teamwork” in your document’s skills section. In the work history section, talk about specific professional experiences when you worked as part of a team to achieve a goal. Use quantitative details in this section to talk about how the team made a specific impact. Get a sense of what this entails by reading the construction resume sample. For example, you would not want to merely state how your team completed a project before a deadline. Say something more along the lines of, “Oversaw a team of 25 workers to complete construction on a three-story building within two months.”
More details will help greatly if the employer uses an Applicant Tracking System, ATS. This is a tool that scans documents for certain keywords and phrases.
3. What’s the best way to list certifications on your construction resume?
A common component of a construction resume sample is information about the degree the applicant holds. However, most construction jobs also require a person to hold certifications in various tasks. If you only have one certification, then you can put it in the education section. However, if you have at least three, then you can get away with putting them all in their own section to emphasize them more. When you need to add extra sections, use our resume builder for step-by-step instructions.
4. What skills are best to list on a construction resume?
You need a variety of skills on your resume, similarly to our construction resume sample. You will need to show you can work with a number of different tools, including, but not limited to, power saws, personnel lifts, levels, asphalt finishers, caulking guns, and much more. Active listening, social perceptiveness, and coordination skills are also good to mention. You also want to emphasize your physical prowess by touching on how much you can lift and whether you can stand for hours at a time. Individuals seeking more senior positions should include management and leadership skills.
5. What goes in the header of a construction resume?
The header of your resume should follow the same basic format as any construction resume sample. Include your name and pertinent contact information, which includes your phone number and email address. It is also a good idea to include your physical address, or at least the city you live in if you are not comfortable giving away that information. Know that adding an actual address helps the hiring manager know what kind of commute you will have.
Construction Resume Templates
- Audio Visual Technicians
- Carpet , Tile and Floor
How to write a Construction Resume
- List your accomplishments – On a piece of scratch paper, write down all of your amazing accomplishments and career highlights.
- Look at Construction resume samples for reference – Browse through our resume samples to find one that can guide you as you make your own.
- Design a header to place at the top of your Construction resume – Craft a header with aesthetics and practicality in mind. Include the following: your name, phone number, email address, and personal website (if applicable).
- Craft a strong summary statement – Make a brief statement that covers the most important elements of your professional self. Cover your achievements and areas of expertise. Check the job description to make sure it aligns with your statement.
- Include your skills in a qualifications or areas of expertise section – Next, make a list of your professional abilities for your Construction resume. Ensure that each talent is applicable to the job description.
- Outline your work history on your resume – List the jobs you’ve had in reverse chronological order. Write the dates you worked, the position you held, and the name of the company.
- Take a deep dive into your Construction work history – Go back to the list you created in step one. Using this, make a short list of your responsibilities and successes at each job. Relate it to the needs expressed in the job description.
- Tack on your education section – Think of the highest degree or diploma you received. Write the name of the degree or diploma you obtained, where you got it, and the year you graduated (or will graduate).