Sample Construction Worker Resume

In your construction worker resume, you need to convince the HR manager that you are capable of handling all this work on one page.

Writing a resume is an easy task, but writing one that actually gets the job is quite challenging. In this guide, we will describe the exact steps you need to take to create a perfect resume that lets you land the high-paying construction worker resume that you always wanted.

Without further due, let's get started!

Additional Information About The Construction Worker Resume

Construction workers are hard-working people, so they are being rewarded for that. On average, construction workers earn $45,000/year (Payscale.com).

If you are the jack of all trades, your salary will be under the average and you will mostly be involved in material distribution, loading-unloading, removing debris, and assisting other specialized workers.

If you are capable of doing specialized construction work such as bricklaying, carpentry, painting, plumbing, you will be paid above average.

Do you know the best thing about being a construction worker?

Your earnings are unlimited!

Most construction sites work for tight schedules. They love workers who work extra. Construction projects typically offer overtime, night work, holiday, and weekend work for the construction laborer and most companies pay extra for these hours.

How to make a Construction Worker Resume

A typical hiring manager of a construction company gets hundreds of resumes every day for multiple construction job sites and positions. Therefore the time they would spend on your resume is less than about 10 seconds.

In addition, most construction companies now use applicant tracking systems to shortlist resumes.

Here are some general rules for writing your resume:

• The resume should not exceed one page
• Read the job description to identify their requirements
• Use an attractive resume template
• Define a clear layout and structure
• Write to the point

The layout of the Construction Worker Resume

The layout is what you include in your resume. These are basically the headings you are going to write. It makes your life so much easier when you have a clear layout.

Here is the layout we recommend for a construction resume:

• Name and contact information on the header
• Professional summary
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional sections

The structure of the Construction Worker Resume

A clean structure would make your resume stand out from the rest. As we mentioned early, the average hiring manager takes less than 10 seconds for a typical construction laborer resume. However, there is one way you can extend this time.

How?

By writing your resume in a quality structure that makes them want to read more.

Here, reverse chronological order will be your best friend. In that, you list your recent job experience first and a few bullet points describing what you did.

This makes it easy for the hiring manager to find your recent resume which saves them time. The additional time they would spend on your other sections and if everything else is normal, your resume should already be shortlisted.

Consider the following points as well,

• Use MS Word or PDF formats to send the resume. Refer to the job description to see if they have specified a format
• Use margins consistently
• Use readable and visible fonts and big headings

If you want to bypass the fonts, margins, headings, and all other basic formattings when you write your resume, consider using our resume templates which are ideal to use for Construction Worker resumes.

Start with the Header of the Construction Worker Resume

Every HR manager reads your resume header. At least your name. Therefore it is not a waste of time to put some effort into writing your resume header. However, this is a straightforward part where you need to write your name and contact information.

However, we have highlighted a few essential elements that you need to include in your resume header in the following section

Example of a header / Example of a bad header for a Construction Worker

CORRECT

John Smith

Construction worker

johnsmith@gmail.com

+1 254 65 72 69

INCORRECT

Construction worker

John Smith

johnthebest@gmail.com

+1 224 67 14 76

101, main street, apt 24,

Washington DC

USA

DOs while writing your header

• Start with your name. Use the first name and the last name
• Mention your title
• Use a professional-looking email address
• Put a phone number that you can be directly contacted. Preferably your mobile number

Is a photo required in the Construction Worker Resume?

Most HR managers would not expect a photo in your resume. One is they do not have time to scan through your photo and shortlist you. The other reason is that most organizations consider asking for a photo as discrimination. So to be safe, don’t include one.

Choosing your Construction Worker Title

In general, your title would be Construction Worker. However, if you are a specialized worker such as a plumber, painter, bricklayer, or mason, you can state that.

Professional summary for a Construction Worker

If you are asked to express your experience and expertise in two sentences, what would you tell?

If you are given a few seconds to convince the construction project manager, what would you say?

That should be your professional summary. It will be a sales pitch to show them that you are what they are looking for.

This is a two-three sentence summary of how your experience and expertise working in the construction industry would add value to your next position. Show them how your work ethic can help the construction manager achieve his targets.

Nevertheless, most applicants consider this section to be the most challenging to write. We are going to change that perception forever.

INCORRECT

Construction worker with 5+ years of work experience in the industry, seeking to join ABS Constructions LLC as a construction helper

CORRECT

Energetic construction worker with 5+ years of high rise building projects in the US and middle east passionate to join ABS Constructions LLC. In my previous job, worked as a construction foreman in multiple projects handling heavy machinery, hand tools, and other compounds

Tailor your professional summary based on the job description. Use the keywords the recruiter has mentioned. Make sure after reading your professional summary, they would feel like they have found the right guy.

Work Experience in the Construction Worker Resume

The experience section is the most sought-after part of any resume and it is the same for construction workers.

This will make or break your next construction resume and the dream job. Your construction jobs resume should highlight the experience you have had in a similar capacity. A quality experience section would get you multiple times more interviews than any other resume strategy.

Don’t have much experience?

We understand everyone is not an expert when they apply for a construction laborer’s job, but there should be a beginning to every journey. We will walk you through the process to align whatever experience you have to the job ad.

Describe your professional experiences on your Construction Worker Resume

As we discussed in structuring the resume, you should use reverse chronological order to list down your experience. Start your experience section with your latest experience. If you are currently on a job, you could list it first.

If you have worked in multiple positions, write what is applicable to the particular job you apply for in detail. Rest you can just list down the company name and the dates you worked there.

Use numbers to quantify your achievements. Numbers add excitement and integrity to your experience. These are strategies to extend the time a hiring manager spends on your resume.

Examples of professional experiences for an Entry Level Construction Worker

Here is an example experience section for an entry-level construction resume

INCORRECT

Aug 2019 to Present

LPL Engineering Ltd

Construction material loading and unloading

Operated hand and power tools

Pouring concrete

Painted walls

CORRECT

Aug 2016 to Present

LPL Engineering Ltd

Achieved the daily construction target by assisting the team

Involved in steel fabrication and roof installation

Assisted loading and unloading operations under supervisory instructions

Spread concrete for 100 cubic meters slab with other construction workers

Examples of work experience for a Senior Construction Worker

Here is an example experience section for a senior level construction resume

INCORRECT

Aug 2015 to Present

ACCESS Constructions Ltd

Safety hazards identification

Building temporary structures

Sprinkler systems installation

HVAC systems maintenance

CORRECT

Aug 2016 to Present

ACCESS Constructions Ltd

Managed a team of 15 labors for an overnight concrete spread of 200 cubic meters

Mentor junior team members on structural components

Worked with power tools for efficient building processes

Used cleaning solutions, construction chemicals, and other material following safety procedures

Worked with the supervisors to create a safe workplace environment

Examples of work experience for Construction Worker with NO experience

Entry-level construction laborers should also list their experience?

Of course, though it sounds odd.

Let recruiters know that you are a no-risk hire for them by relating your previous experience to construction work. Here is an example

INCORRECT

No Construction experience

Fast learner

High stamina for work in a challenging environment

CORRECT

Aug 2019 to May 2020

GRL Retail- Maintenance worker

Hands-on experience working with multiple power tools such as drills, power saws, breakers, and grinders

Involved in a roof renovation project

Assisted safe loading and unloading of retail stock daily

Education in the Construction Worker Resume

Most construction laborer job descriptions would not highlight the specific education qualifications you need to possess. However, having a high school diploma would be an advantage.

Rather than just listing your high school diploma, consider aligning that to the job you apply for by picking the relevant learnings.

Should you start with education or work experience for a Construction Worker?

You should start with your experience section. The most critical part of your construction worker resume would be your experience section and that is what the HR manager is looking for as soon as they get their hands on your resume.

Let them find what they want easily. The only exception would be if you are applying just after high school or studying for a construction qualification.

How to properly list your education in a Construction Worker Resume?

Use a proper format to list down your education. Here is what we suggest:

• Name of the school
• Years of education
• Your learnings

Example of the education section of a Construction Worker Resume

Skills to put in the Construction Worker Resume

In the case that you do not have much experience working in construction, your skills section could prove to be critical. Recruiters will look for skills listed on your resume to make a decision.

In the job description, hiring managers specifically mention the skills a candidate must possess to do the job. Take a close look at the job description and pick out the skills they want.

What are the main skills sought for in a Construction Worker Resume?

There are two types of skills relevant for construction workers. Soft skills and Hard skills. In the resume skills section, you need to write a mix of soft and hard skills to create a positive impression.

Here are some example skills:

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Problem-solving

Hard Skills:

• Blueprint reading
• Cut materials
• Construction materials knowledge
• Valid driver’s license
• Safety compliance knowledge

What skills for a junior Construction Worker?

A junior position should highlight your hands-on work skills and energy.

• Follow instructions accurately
• Work overtime whenever necessary
• Knowledge of hand tools
• High stamina to work in challenging environments
• Hands on experience of spray guns
• Clear communication

What skills for a qualified senior Construction Worker?

• Providing guidance to junior laborers
• Finish carpentry
• Blueprint reading
• Safe work environment practices
• An accurate understanding of project managers' instructions
• Managing craft workers

Additional Headings for your Construction Worker Resume

The sections we discussed are in 95% of the resumes the hiring managers are getting and they only shortlist 5% of the resumes.

How to get to that top 5% is the golden question!

Here is the trick. Use an additional section as a pleasant surprise to the recruiter.

Here are some additional sections you can include on a construction resume

Computer skills and certifications in a Construction Worker Resume

There are professional skills certifications for construction workers. If you have completed a qualification or are studying for one, you could list it here which would add so much value to your profile.

You may even get a placement in a special skill category on the job site with higher pay than the average.

• OSHA safety certificate
• EPA amusement operators safety certification (EPA)
• Certified construction professional (CCP)

Apart from these certificates, any skill certification that showcases your expertise in a particular field as a mason, carpenter, bricklayer, ironworker, painter, plumber, or welder would be quite valuable to list.

If you have any skills in basic Microsoft Office and related software, that would be an additional qualification.

Interests in a Construction Worker Resume

List your interests if they are related to the job you are applying for. Do not list a generic set of interests that has nothing to do with the job position.

Create carpentry arts and home deco in my free time

Volunteer trained lifesaver

Languages in a Construction Worker Resume

If you are fluent in a couple of languages, you may list that. Some construction sites have workers from different geographical areas talking in different languages. Your language skill may be a valuable asset for the company when it comes to managing and communicating with them.

Summary: Key Points for Writing a Perfect Construction Worker Resume

• It is important that your name and contact information appear at the top of your resume
• A summary of your accomplishments, experiences, and skills is appropriate
• List your experiences in reverse chronological order
• Describe your education and how it relates to working in the construction
• Put together a mix of soft skills and hard skills
• Give the hiring manager a pleasant surprise by including certifications, interests, and languages in the CV

Write Cover Letters That Goes With Your Construction Worker Resume

A cover letter is an ideal way to communicate to your employer why you are a great hire for them. In other words, you can use this as your sales pitch.

Include your past experiences, strengths, and expertise in one paragraph. Write about how you can help them increase the efficiency of the project work if they hire you which is the greatest problem every project manager faces.

However, every employer does not have time to go through each applicant's cover letter. Therefore, refer to the job description as they would state the requirement of a cover letter

Frequently Asked Questions for a Construction Worker Resume

What should a construction worker put on their resume?

Construction workers can use the following format and tailor it based on their experience, skills, and job requirements to create the resume.

• Name and contact information on the header
• Professional summary
• Work experience
• Education
• Skills
• Additional sections

How do you list construction skills on a resume?

A construction worker should write a mix of soft and hard skills in the resume. Here are some of the skills in both categories

Soft Skills

• Interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Negotiation
• Communication
• Problem-solving

Hard Skills:

• Blueprint reading
• Construction materials knowledge
• Valid driver’s license
• Safety compliance knowledge

What are the duties of construction workers?

Construction workers typically involve receiving material, loading, and unloading, keeping the job site safe, following the instructions of the supervisors, building temporary structures such as scaffoldings.

Some special skilled work involves carpentry, mason, bricklaying, plumbing, electric work, and welding.

Do you need a resume for construction?

The construction industry is fast growing and more workers are getting in due to attractive salaries and benefits making the jobs more competitive. Therefore, it is vital to make a resume that showcases your experience, skills, and expertise in the job to get a placement.