Construction Superintendent Resume| Construct and Build the Perfect Resume

According to the Bureau of Labour studies, the employment rate of construction superintendents is projected to grow at a rate of 5% from 2022 to 2032, and about 38,700 new openings are projected for each year. So, it should be expected that there will be multiple candidates vying for the same construction superintendent job description and title as you. To secure a job as a construction superintendent, your resume needs to successfully showcase your background, skills, experience and qualifications.In this guide, we will delve into understanding the roles and responsibilities of a construction superintendent position and walk you through the process of making an unrivaled construction superintendent resume.

Understanding the Role of a Construction Superintendent

The construction superintendent position is a multifaceted role that binds various aspects of running a construction site like project management, sticking to the budget, safety protocols, managing the construction workforce, coordinating with subcontractors etc. Let’s understand the significance and importance of a construction superintendent by elaborating on the many roles and responsibilities that come with this position.

Project Management and Scheduling

• Sticking to the Blueprint- Construction superintendent must be proficient in reading and interpreting construction and architectural drawings to ensure that the project plan aligns with the approved plans.
• Managing Timelines- Construction superintendents are required to develop and maintain construction project schedules and ensure that the work is completed in a timely manner.

Resource Allocation and Management

• Labour Management- One of the key responsibilities of this role is to hire, manage and train skilled and unskilled labour. This includes conducting daily meetings with the entire crew, assigning tasks, monitoring their progress and addressing any personnel issues.
• Materials Inventory and Quality Management- Construction superintendents are expected to ensure the availability of the essential construction materials on-site and make sure that they meet the required quality standards.
• Equipment Management- This part of the job entails overseeing the operation, maintenance and logistics of heavy-duty construction equipment and machinery like, cranes or bulldozers.

Safety and Compliance

• Following Safety Protocols- A very important responsibility that comes with being a construction superintendent is implementing and enforcing safety protocols to safeguard and protect the construction workers. Since workers in a construction site are accident-prone, ensuring their safety is paramount. Making sure that the construction project is in compliance with local and federal safety regulations is also part of this job title.
• Permits and Inspections- This aspect of the job involves obtaining the necessary permits and coordinating with inspectors to guarantee that the project is in compliance with the building codes.

Quality Control

• Constant Supervision- Construction superintendents are expected to monitor the quality of work performed by their subcontractors and team to see to it that they are following the project specifications and meeting the industry standards.
• Technical Inspection- This includes arranging and supervising the inspection and testing of the construction materials, equipment and work to make certain that there isn't a compromise in the quality of work.

Managing Costs

• Budget Monitoring- Construction superintendents are tasked with the heavy responsibility of keeping the project within budget by tracking expenditures, recognising cost-saving avenues and minimising undue waste of materials.
• Change Orders- This includes managing change orders and assessing the impact on the project’s budget and timeline.

Team Coordination and Conflict Resolution

• Team Coordination- Construction superintendents facilitate communication between various stakeholders of the project like architects, engineers, subcontractors and laborers.
• Conflict Resolution- In a high-stress construction environment, conflicts are bound to arise. In such instances, a construction superintendent needs to resolve the issue promptly, implement quick problem-solving actions and make sure that the project is not affected and is within the established timelines.

Construction Superintendent Resume Examples

To understand what makes a resume effective and eye-catchy, it is important to understand the key differences between a correct and incorrect resume. To effectively demonstrate this, we have included a correct and an incorrect example of a construction superintendent resume.

An incorrect construction superintendent resume sample

INCORRECT

Josh Goodman

(000)-123-5409

Objective

Seeking a job as a construction superintendent.

Work Experience

• Worked for 5 years at A&T construction company
• Worked for 5 years in Calico construction company
• Managed major construction projects

Skills

• Good management skills
• Team coordination
• Cost management

Education

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Certifications

30-hour construction safety training certificate

A correct construction superintendent resume sample

CORRECT

Josh Goodman

(000)-123-5409

joshgoodman@example.com

123, Austin Road, Austin, Texas

Objective

An experienced construction superintendent with 10+ years of experience in effectively leading all aspects of a construction project. Proven track record of handling multi-million dollar projects with a result oriented approach to get the job done. Experienced in delivering projects within the stipulated time and within the budget while maintaining the highest safety and quality standards.

Work Experience

A&T Construction company

Construction Superintendent

June 2018-Present

• Project management of residential and commercial construction projects ranging from $10 million dollars to $30 million dollars.
• Manage all aspects of construction operations like project planning, scheduling, execution and ensure safety compliance and quality control.
• Constant communication with all the project stakeholders to make sure that the project goals are aligned with the construction work.
• Oversee the on-site construction team and vigilantly monitor progress to meet project timelines.
• Conduct regular site safety inspections complying with OSHA safety regulations and have maintained an impeccable track record of zero accidents during my tenure.
• Reduced overall project costs by 5% with regulated resource allocation and effective subcontractor contract negotiations.

Calico Builders

Assistant Construction Superintendent

February 2013- May 2018

• Assisted in the key elements of the project management of construction projects like budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation.
• Coordinated preliminary price negotiations and executed all contracts with subcontractors.
• Helped conduct regular site inspections and ensured all the safety protocols were followed.
• Created and maintained project schedules, daily reports and change orders.
• Contributed to a positive work environment by assisting in conflict resolution of disputes arising in the workplace.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Construction Management

Georgetown University, Georgetwon

2013

Key Skills

• Project management
• Proficient in MS office and CAD software
• Construction management and scheduling
• Budgeting and cost control
• Safety compliance
• Quality control
• Contract negotiation
• Leadership and team building
• Conflict management
• Organisational skills
• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Certifications

• OSHA 30-hour training in construction safety certification

Evaluating the Construction Superintendent Resume Examples

Let's take a look at the key differences between the two construction superintendent examples mentioned above.

Observations of the incorrect construction superintendent resume

• Crucial information like the candidate’s email address, location are missing from the header.
• The objective statement lacks information and fails to relay any career goals to a potential hiring manager.
• The work experience section gives no details for the number of years worked in said companies, roles and responsibilities and specific metrics on projects managed till date.
• The key skills section is vague and brief and gives no indication of the candidate’s qualifications.
• The education section only mentions a course and no details of the institution or a graduation date.
• The formatting and styling is not appropriately done.
• This resume doesn't do the candidate any favour and fails to highlight their skills and qualifications.

Observations of the correct construction superintendent resume

• The correct resume’s header includes detailed contact information making it easy for any hiring manager to establish contact
• The objective statement is to the point and emphasises the candidate’s result-oriented approach and skills.
• The key skills section includes both hard skills and soft skills that reflect an all-round and capable construction superintendent ready for hire.
• The education section has more credibility as it mentions the university, course and the graduation date.
• This resume accurately reflects the candidate’s skill, qualifications and work experience and reinforces the candidate’s suitability to hiring managers and potential employers.

How to Write a Construction Superintendent Resume?

A construction superintendent is vital to the development, operations and execution of a construction process. To ensure that your construction superintendent resume gets the attention it deserves, let’s take a look at the structure, format and the various sections that need to be highlighted in your resume.

Choose the Right Resume Format

There are multiple resume formats to choose from but the most common ones are as follows:

• Chronological
• Functional
• Hybrid

The most commonly used format is the chronological resume format. It lists your prior work experience and education in reverse chronological order. It is considered to be the most effective resume format amongst job seekers as it tells a potential employer about your on the job learning and it is convenient for them to scan through your work history. On the other hand, a functional resume draws more attention to your skills and qualifications rather than prior work experience. This format is usually used by entry-level candidates or people with a non-traditional professional background. A hybrid resume, as the name suggests, is a combination of the chronological and functional resume format. It sheds a light on both your experience and key skills and qualifications.

For a senior job title like a construction superintendent, following a chronological resume format is highly recommended as the main focus of your resume will be your previous work experiences.

Structure of a Construction Superintendent Resume

A well-thought out and structured resume is the key to grabbing the right attention of potential employers and recruiters. The construction superintendent structure should include the following sections.

• Header
• Objective statement/Professional summary
• Work experience
• Education
• Relevant key skills
• Certifications

Create a Header

No resume is complete without a header section. This section includes your contact information. Add the following details in the header of your construction superintendent resume.

• Full Name
• Phone number
• Email address
• Location

Ensure that these details are correctly mentioned as that is how your potential employer or a possible recruiter will be able to get in touch with you. So, remember to double check all the information and avoid silly mistakes here.

Write a Strong Professional Summary

A professional summary or objective statement is essential to accentuate your work experience and reflect a strong background in the construction industry. For a senior job title such as a construction superintendent it is essential to emphasise a solid background in construction management. This section should contain 4-5 sentences which draw attention to the following details.

• Your job title
• Key work experience with the number of years worked
• Mention achievements with quantifiable results
• Expertise and the unique values you offer to the position you are applying for

For instance, when it comes to a construction superintendent position, you can draw attention to your construction expertise, commitment to safety and leadership skills. Remember to keep this section concise and professional.

Detail Prior Work Experience

The work experience section is possibly the most important part of your construction superintendent resume. Take your time and systematically add a detailed and clear description of your previous roles, with an emphasis on your responsibilities and accomplishments as a construction superintendent. It is always essential to elaborate on your achievements with tangible examples. For example, you can quantify your achievements on the job like this- “Led a crew of 50 workers and successfully completed a $6 million project 2-weeks ahead of project schedule.”. Put a spotlight on all the projects you have completed, teams you have managed and also acknowledge any recognition you have received professionally. Use bullet points and action verbs to make it organized, structured and easy to read.

Add Relevant Educational Background

The minimum requirement for a construction superintendent job is just a high school diploma or a GED. However, due to the technical expertise required in running a job site, hiring managers will prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in construction management, construction science or architecture or other relevant courses. These courses include classes on construction methods and materials, budgeting, building codes and standards, and construction project management, and contract administration. So, it is important to mention any construction management degrees that you may hold as an additional degree can be the thing that lands you the job. Make sure to include the name of the institution and graduation date as well.

Highlight Relevant Key Skills

The key skills section of your construction superintendent resume is where you get to shine a light on your technical skills, managerial abilities, leadership and interpersonal skills. Ensure that you include both hard skills and soft skills. Use bullet points for clarity and see that your skills align with the job requirement. Here are some of the key skills you can include in your construction superintendent resume.

• Project management
• Proficient in MS office and CAD software
• OSHA safety standards
• Commercial construction projects
• Residential construction projects
• Construction management and scheduling
• Budgeting and cost control
• Construction job site health and safety
• Quality control
• Contract negotiation
• Leadership and team building
• Time management and delegation skills
• Conflict management
• Organisational skills
• Attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

If you have done a certificate course pertaining to construction management or safety, then it is highly recommended that you mention them in your construction superintendent resume. It enhances your qualifications and can instill faith in potential employers that you are a committed construction superintendent and a suitable candidate for the job. Here’s a list of certifications you can pursue to further your career as a construction superintendent.

• OSHA safety certificate
• Certified Construction Manager (CCM)
• Project Management Professional (CMP)
• Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
• Certified Construction Professional (CCP)
• Certified Real Estate Inspector (CRI)
• Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Tips to Format and Style Your Construction Superintendent Resume

A clean and professional look is paramount while designing your resume. It can play a significant role in creating a good impression with a potential employer or recruiter. Go the extra mile and check out these amazing formatting and styling tips.

• Make sure to use a professional and legible font such as Arial, Calibri, Helvetica or Times New Roman with a font size between 10 and 12 points for your main text and slightly larger size for the headings.
• Maintain consistent formatting throughout your resume.
• Use bullet points.
• Use concise phrases and avoid long paragraphs.
• Use a crisp professional tone and language and never use slang.
• If you have less than 5 years of work experience, your resume should not be longer than one page. For over 5 years, it is acceptable to extend your resume to two pages.

Make Your Resume ATS Friendly

With the appropriate usage of keywords in your construction superintendent resume, you increase your chances of getting past the applicant tracking system (ATS) software and landing yourself an interview with an actual human. Since the ATS software filters resumes based on the keywords fed in by the hiring companies, it is necessary to thoroughly scan the job description section of the job listing and tailor your resume to incorporate the exact same keywords in your resume. Let's take a look at a few ways in which you can seamlessly incorporate these keywords into your resume.

Meticulously Scan Job Postings

• The first step is to diligently read the job posting for the construction superintendent position you are applying to. Highlight the keywords and phrases that are recurring. These keywords represent the skills, qualifications and experience that are most valued by the employer.

Add Keywords in Your Skills Section

• In the skills section, add and include both hard skills and soft skills that are relevant to the construction superintendent role. Make sure that they actually align with your qualifications and skill set. Some of the hard and soft skills you can include in your construction superintendent resume are mentioned below.

Hard Skills

• Project management
• Construction scheduling
• Budget and cost management
• Safety Compliance
• Quality Control
• Subcontractor contract negotiation
• Site Inspections

Soft Skills

• Leadership
• Team building
• Strong communication skills
• Problem solving
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail

Customise your resume

• Customise your resume for each job application and tailor it to perfectly align with the job requirements and qualifications mentioned by the employer. It is highly recommended to scan each section in your resume with utmost scrutiny and see where you can add those exact but relevant keywords and phrases to propel your resume to the top of the pile.

Proofread and Testing

• The final step of making an ATS-friendly resume is to proofread and scan for any grammatical and spelling errors, punctuation and formatting errors that might lower your score and get your resume discarded. If you would like to take your resume for a test run to see how it fares with an ATS software, there are several online tools where you can feed in your resume and get productive feedback.

Key Takeaways

Now that we have covered all the aspects that go into making a compelling construction superintendent resume, let’s summarize some of the key points to remember while constructing your resume.

• Make sure you have a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a construction superintendent.
• Understand what differentiates a good construction superintendent from a mediocre one.
• Choose the chronological resume format.
• Create a well-thought out and structured resume.
• Write an impactful professional summary.
• Use action verbs to detail your work experience.
• Mention your work achievements with quantifiable examples.
• Maintain consistent formatting and styling throughout the resume.
• Ensure that you highlight all your relevant technical skills and soft skills.
• Make your resume ATS-friendly with the use of relevant keywords.

Conclusion

Construction superintendents lay the foundation for a successful construction project acting as the key point of contact that links all the project stakeholders. By comprehending the job description, choosing the appropriate format, adequately highlighting your skills and customising your resume for each job application and making it ATS-friendly, you can rest assured that your construction superintendent resume will get noticed by recruiters. If you require further assistance and want to go the extra mile to make your resume standout, check out our vast roster of resume samples and templates. Good luck with your job hunt!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)