How To Write a Construction Manager Resume
To build an eye-catching construction manager resume, you must feature the most compelling projects using hard numbers, metrics, and monetary figures. Emphasize your ability to manage large construction teams throughout all project lifecycle phases. Illustrate your knowledge of building codes and regulations. This guide provides valuable insights to help you craft an accomplishment-driven resume and land your next interview.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your construction manager qualifications
Lead your resume with an engaging summary of qualifications to draw the hiring manager in and entice them to read further. Start with an opening sentence that lists your job title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that match the job description. Emphasize your advanced knowledge of the construction industry and your proven track record of managing large build-outs. Focus your profile on your ability to create value for your teams, stakeholders, and organizations to make a strong first impression on potential employers.
Professional Profile - Example #1
A Construction Manager with six years of experience specializing in civil engineering, construction management, project leadership, and building codes. A proven track record of managing residential construction projects. A strong history of identifying strategies to execute projects ahead of schedule and under budget.
Professional Profile - Example #2
A Construction Manager with eight years of experience, specializing in project management, commercial construction, residential construction, and OSHA safety. A proven track record of leading large-scale home build-outs and renovations. Adept at coordinating with architects and cross-functional teams to ensure quality on-time delivery.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your construction manager experience
Quantifying your professional achievements is essential to building a winning construction manager resume. Incorporate monetary figures, numbers, and metrics to establish a sense of scope for the reader and enhance the impact of your bullet points. For example, include the number of projects you’ve managed, the square footage of the buildings, and the size of the budgets. If you identified opportunities to enhance project delivery, quantify the impact this had during construction timelines.
Construction managers must also interface with clients, project teams, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle. Focus on highlighting specific accomplishments rather than simply detailing the tasks you delegated to team members. For example, if you led initiatives to improve compliance with safety regulations, explain how you established a strong safety culture across your team.
Professional Experience - Example #1
Construction Manager, South Philly Construction Partners, Philadelphia, PA
April 2017 – Present
- Oversee the construction of a 4K sq. ft. custom home, gather project requirements, manage a $1.5M budget, and ensure alignment with client specifications
- Manage a $300K project for new home renovations, establish project scope, conduct strategic planning, and deliver project $50K under budget
- Lead teams of 10-15 subcontractors throughout the project lifecycle, assign project responsibilities, and provide support to ensure quality deliverables
Professional Experience - Example #2
Construction Manager, Cincinnati Construction Partners, Cincinnati, OH
November 2015 – Present
- Design and build 100+ new custom homes, oversee all aspects of the building process, establish project scope, and analyze blueprints with architects
- Manage 20 home construction projects valued at $300K-$2M, select and hire subcontractors, and coordinate with municipalities to obtain permits
- Oversee 200+ employees, including architects, project managers, contractors, and construction laborers, developed a work culture of accountability, and ensure compliance with OSHA safety regulations throughout the project lifecycle
3. Include education and certifications relevant to construction managers
If you have any pertinent qualifications or certifications, include those on your resume in addition to things that are more or less required (such as a four-year degree). A Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is often a requirement for these types of positions, and should be your top priority. Highlighting OSHA training or a Project Management Professional (PMP) won’t guarantee you a job interview, but these credentials can help differentiate you from the competition during your job search.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Civil Engineering
- University of Syracuse, New York, NY | June 2018
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- PMP, Project Management Institute | 2015
- CCM, Construction Management Association of America | 2013
4. List construction manager-related skills and proficiencies
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) to scan resumes during the initial phase of the application process. If your document lacks specific keywords and action verbs, you might be automatically rejected before the hiring manager can review your resume, despite being highly qualified for the job. Incorporating key terms from the job description will mitigate this risk and offer you the best chance at securing an interview.
Include a mix of skills that demonstrate your construction expertise and leadership capabilities. Pay attention to what qualifications the employer values as you build out your resume. Below is a list of key skills and action verbs you might encounter during your job search.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD | Blueprints |
| Budget management | Building codes |
| Capital projects | Commercial construction |
| Construction management | Contractor management |
| Client relations | Cross-functional leadership |
| Environmental safety | Logistics |
| Inventory management | Operations management |
| OSHA safety | Hazardous materials safety |
| Process improvement | Project management |
| Project scope | Project roadmaps |
| Residential construction | Requirements gathering |
| Risk management | Safety |
| Stakeholder management | Team management |
| Vendor management | Zoning regulations |
Construction Manager Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Example #1
- Example #2
- Example #3
Carla Devers
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Cincinnati, OH 12345
Profile
A Construction Manager with eight years of experience, specializing in project management, commercial construction, residential construction, and OSHA safety. A proven track record of leading large-scale home build-outs and renovations. Adept at coordinating with architects and cross-functional teams to ensure quality on-time delivery.
Professional Experience
Construction Manager, Cincinnati Construction Partners, Cincinnati, OH
November 2015 – Present
- Design and build 100+ new custom homes, oversee all aspects of the building process, establish project scope, and analyze blueprints with architects
- Manage 20 home construction projects valued at $300K-$2M, select and hire subcontractors, and coordinate with municipalities to obtain permits
- Oversee 200+ employees, including architects, project managers, contractors, and construction laborers, developed a work culture of accountability, and ensure compliance with OSHA safety regulations throughout the project lifecycle
Assistant Construction Manager, Cincinnati Construction Partners, Cincinnati, OH
May 2013 – November 2015
- Coordinated with the construction manager for the build-out of 10+ residential homes valued at $200K-$700K, which included developing blueprints and coordinating with clients to ensure alignment with design specifications
- Provided support for the management of project teams and subcontractors, which included evaluating performance and identifying solutions to project roadblocks
- Attended client meetings to review project progress and interfaced with local agencies to obtain construction permits for home build-outs
Education
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management (BSCM)
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati OH September 2009 – May 2013
Key Skills
- Construction Management
- Project Management
- OSHA Safety
- AutoCAD
- Contractor Management
Certifications
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM), Awarded 2015
Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Manager Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for construction management resumes?-
It’s easy to get stuck when trying to describe your experience. Also, running out of ways to describe your work is common, and you may not want to use the word “build” or “constructed” repeatedly. We’ve put together a list of common action words for the construction management industry to help best describe your previous work:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Constructed | Coordinated |
| Created | Designed |
| Developed | Drove |
| Ensured | Evaluated |
| Executed | Implemented |
| Improved | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Supported | |
How do you align your resume with a construction manager job description?-
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for construction managers was $98,890 in 2021. This field is projected to grow by 8% over the next 10 years. Tailoring your resume to the job description is essential for generating interview opportunities.
Hiring managers often review hundreds of applications for new openings, and to make a strong impression, feature the skill sets they’re looking for. Tactically implementing keywords from the job description into your document will also ensure you get tagged as a good candidate by the ATS your potential employer may be using.
As you craft your resume, prioritize keywords according to the job posting. Pay attention to how the information is being presented on the page. If you notice that a term is repeated more than once or listed as a requirement, try and feature it in your professional profile.
What is the best construction manager resume format?-
Reverse chronological is the ideal format for construction manager resumes. This ensures that your most recent and relevant work experience and projects are featured towards the top of your document. There are exceptions, however. For instance, if you’re a project manager looking to transition into the construction industry, a combination format may be a better option, provided you can highlight relevant skills and certifications that align with your new field.
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Once you’re finished with your resume, a good way to finish it is to add a cover letter. A cover letter is an excellent opportunity to speak directly to your potential employer and make the case for why you’re a good fit for the position on offer.
A cover should be fairly succinct. Never exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our project manager cover letter examples.
