How To Write a Construction Worker Resume

To create a compelling construction worker resume, you want to draw attention to your strongest career achievements within the industry. Rather than simply listing vague job responsibilities, you should provide tangible examples of the projects you worked on and the value you bring to your organizations. As you begin to craft your resume, think about the impact you’ve had on these construction projects. Did you improve compliance with OSHA safety protocols? Did you reduce materials costs? Did you help to reduce project delays?

These types of details will go a long way in differentiating you from the competition during your job search. Over the course of this guide, we’ll provide numerous expert tips to help you translate your professional experience into an accomplishment-driven resume.

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level
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1. Summarize your construction worker qualifications in a dynamic profile

The professional profile is often the first thing the hiring manager reads when they begin reviewing your job application. You need to create a compelling snapshot of your career to make a solid first impression. Think about the size of the company you’re applying to. If you’re going to be working on larger construction projects, you may want to highlight your experience supporting multi-million dollar build-outs. Tailoring your summary toward the job you’re pursuing will significantly increase your odds of landing the interview.

Senior-Level Profile Example


A Construction Manager with 10+ years of experience overseeing commercial and residential construction projects valued at up to $100M. A proven track record of building and leading high-performance construction teams to execute complex projects ahead of schedule. Adept at ensuring compliance with safety regulations to prevent workplace injuries.

Entry-Level Profile Example


A Construction Worker with two years of experience collaborating with high-performance teams to execute home renovation projects and new residential builds valued at up to $200K. Adept at operating heavy equipment, performing repairs, and ensuring compliance with OSHA safety standards.

2. Create a powerful list of your construction worker experiences

Your professional experience section should detail specific examples of the projects you worked on and the positive contributions you’ve made to your previous organizations. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, mentioning the monetary value of a construction build-out will establish a sense of scope for the hiring manager. Illustrating your career achievements with a keen attention to detail will bolster your chances of advancing to the next phase of the hiring process.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example


Construction Manager, SEPTA, Philadelphia, PA
May 2016 – Present

  • Manage team of up to 20 contractors to ensure completion of commercial and infrastructure projects valued at $15M-$100M, deliver training on safety protocols, and conduct inspections to ensure regulatory compliance
  • Analyze blueprints, building codes, and schematics and coordinate with architects to adjust construction plans based on potential hazards and risks
  • Oversee five vendor relationships, coordinate material purchases valued at $500K-$1.6M, negotiate pricing, and reduce cost of materials by 10% over three years

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example


Construction Worker, Trinity Construction, Nashville, TN
October 2022 – Present

  • Coordinate with construction teams and contractors for residential projects valued at $80K-$250K, build, repair, and install wooden fixtures, and ensure on-time completion
  • Operate construction machinery, backhoes, compactors, and bulldozers, perform heavy labor, and ensure compliance with PPE regulations and OSHA safety standards
  • Conduct roof repairs by removing old roofing materials, performing cleaning and preparation for new materials, and ensuring safe hauling of tar and roofing materials to work sites

3. Include education and certifications relevant to construction workers

Although a construction management degree isn’t a prerequisite for most construction worker positions, it may be worth pursuing if you plan on advancing toward a management role in the future. For certifications, you should strongly consider obtaining an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification. Safety is a high priority for construction companies, and your chances of landing the interview will be greatly reduced if you lack any experience with OSHA regulations.

Certifications

Template

  • [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

Example

  • Certified Construction Manager, CMAC, 2016
  • OSHA 30 Certification, OSHA Education Center, 2014

Education

Template

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]

Example

  • Associate of Science (A.S.) Construction Management
  • WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, Detroit, MI September 2013 – June 2015

4. List key skills and proficiencies for construction worker

To ensure compliance with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), you’ll need to incorporate skills and keywords that match the job posting. If your resume lacks a certain number of keywords, your application may be rejected before it reaches the hiring manager. You should prioritize key terms that appear at the top of the job description and skills mentioned more than once. It’s also important to showcase how you utilized these skill sets throughout your career rather than simply listing them on your document. Below, you’ll find a list of key terms you may encounter during the job search:

Key Skills and Proficiencies
AutoCAD Blueprint Reading
Budget Management Building Codes
Capital Projects Carpentry
Commercial Construction Construction Management
Environmental Safety Inventory Management
Logistics OSHA Safety
Hazardous Materials Safety Heavy Construction Machinery
Power Tools Project Management
Residential Construction Risk Management
Team Management Zoning Regulations

How to Pick the Best Construction Worker Resume Template

The ideal template for construction workers is clean, well-organized, and simple in its overall design. Hiring managers are primarily interested in your qualifications, skills, and achievements, so you’ll want to avoid bulky graphics and flashy colors that may distract the reader. A top-down approach is also preferable, as using a template that splits multiple sections horizontally can sometimes negatively impact the reading experience.

Construction Worker Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Detroit, MI 12345

Profile

An OSHA-certified Construction Worker with eight years of professional experience supporting multi-million-dollar construction projects, including malls, bridges, highways, and commercial build outs. A proven track record of coordinating with diverse construction teams to ensure on-time and on-budget completion.

Professional Experience

Construction Worker, Hamlin Construction Co., Detroit, MI
November 2018 – Present

  • Coordinate with construction crews of up to 20+ personnel to execute multi-million-dollar projects, including erecting and repairing buildings, roads, and bridges in compliance with safety regulations
  • Oversee safe demolition of existing structures, dispose of hazardous materials, build scaffolds and barricades, and ensure on-time completion
  • Provide training to new team members and contractors on safety standards and SOPs

Construction Worker, Anderson Construction Inc., Detroit, MI
June 2015 – November 2018

  • Performed concrete work on commercial and industrial job sites for commercial projects valued at up to $800K and operated heavy machinery and power tools in compliance with OSHA safety standards
  • Loaded, transported, and distributed building machinery, tools, and materials to different job sites and ensured safe disposal of hazardous materials

Certifications

  • OSHA 30 Certification, OSHA Education Center, 2018

Key Skills

  • OSHA Safety Standards
  • Commercial Construction
  • Power Tool Operation
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Team Leadership

Education

Associate of Science (A.S.) Construction Management
Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI September 2013 – June 2015

Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Worker Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for construction worker resumes?-

It’s easy to find yourself running short on action verbs during the resume-building process. In some cases, only certain verbs can be used to describe your career achievements accurately. Differentiating your usage of action verbs is important, as reusing the same verbs repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear stale or redundant. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of verbs you can use as you craft your bullet points:

Action Verbs
Analyzed Built
Collaborated Constructed
Coordinated Examined
Executed Evaluated
Identified Implemented
Installed Led
Managed Oversaw
Performed Planned
Resolved Repaired
Supervised Supported
How do you align your resume with a job description?-

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that jobs for construction workers, also known as construction laborers and helpers, will grow by 4% from 2021 to 2031. This equates to over 168,500 new jobs each year. The increased demand will be driven by repairing infrastructure and constructing various buildings, including homes, schools, factories, and power plants. However, the construction industry is sensitive to economic fluctuations, so workers may see jobs decrease at times.

Even though jobs are expected to increase, there will still be competition for the most lucrative positions. Aligning your resume with the job posting can help you stand out from other applicants. If an organization is seeking a candidate with a strong background in safety, you may want to showcase an example of you training contractors on OSHA safety regulations. If you’re applying to a larger construction company, you might want to draw attention to your experience working on capital projects. Aligning your resume with the job posting is the best strategy for generating interviews during the job hunt.

What is the best construction worker resume format?-

Reverse chronological is the recommended format for construction worker resumes. This ensures that your most recent experience is featured towards the top of your document. Functional resume formats are generally considered outdated in modern-day recruiting. This is because a functional resume emphasizes skills but generally lacks detailed bullet points, which are essential if you want to make a strong impression on the hiring manager.

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Expert Advice
Include a cover letter with your resume

A matching cover letter can sometimes be helpful during the job hunt. To maximize the utility of your cover letter, you should mention something specific about the company you’re applying to in the middle paragraph and why you’re interested in joining the organization. This will show hiring managers that you’ve done your research beforehand, which reflects positively on you as a candidate. For more help, visit our construction worker cover letter guide.

Frank Hackett headshot

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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