How To Write a General Contractor Resume
Your general contractor resume should demonstrate your capacity to lead construction teams and execute building plans for homeowners, developers, businesses, and more. General contractors have a bird’s-eye view of construction operations but can zoom in on specific problems to help keep the project on track. The role requires high versatility and many different technical and management skills, which can pose a challenge in writing your resume. In this guide, you’ll learn how to create a compelling resume emphasizing your accomplishments and qualifications as a leader in construction.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications
The best way to start your resume is with an engaging summarization of your career as a general contractor. Include your job title and years of experience but add a few unique qualifications that make you suitable for the role you’re applying for. Understand what the client wants in a general contractor and align your profile with those requirements.
If you’re a seasoned contractor, emphasize your reliability. Mention your track record of completing projects on time and within budget. Highlight your knowledge of industry regulations and best practices. For entry-level contractors, shift the focus to your skills, commitments, and education. Call out your leadership abilities, dedication to safety protocols, or even relevant degrees and certifications.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
General contractor with over 10 years of excellence overseeing municipal and upscale residential construction projects. Reliably meet or exceed goals for project efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Find creative yet practical solutions to project obstacles and challenges. Versatile communicator. Adept at relaying complicated technical details and instructions to diverse project stakeholders.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Motivated general contractor with demonstrated success overseeing residential construction projects. Committed to achieving goals for project efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Equally effective in leadership or hands-on ability. Skilled at isolating and solving problems at all project stages.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
When writing your job descriptions, show how performing your responsibilities led to real results. Focus on accomplishments rather than a list of job duties. Hiring managers want to see real examples of how your management skills led to the safe and successful completion of construction projects. But don’t just state that you “oversaw construction projects,” though. Spell out the results and success of those projects in terms of your ability to meet budgets, deadlines, and other objectives.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate when listing your career achievements. As a leader working with clients and subcontractors, teamwork is a crucial aspect of your skill set and one not to overlook.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
General Contractor/Construction Manager, ABC Construction Consulting, Inc., Nashville, TN | April 2018 – present
- Manage on-time delivery of complex projects for this upscale residential construction firm
- Coordinate with other project workers, including engineers, architects, and electricians
- Vet, hire, and oversee subcontractors to ensure consistent attainment of standards for work quality and efficiency
- Maintain utmost job site safety and legal compliance
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
General Contractor, ABC Construction Consulting, Inc., San Diego, CA | June 2021 – present
- Hired to manage on-time, cost-effective delivery of residential construction projects
- Collaborate with other project specialists and workers, including engineers, architects, and stonemasons
- Supervise contractors, ensuring adherence to work quality and efficiency standards
- Monitor job sites for high levels of safety and legal compliance
- Provide regular updates to the main office on the progress of each project
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Whether you have a high school diploma or a four-year degree, start by listing your highest level of education. Some states require general contractors to be licensed, while others only need you to register as a business. Whatever the case, include any necessary licensing information that proves you’re legally allowed to operate as a general contractor in your area.
Certifications are another great way to show your competence. For example, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications would be helpful in establishing your dedication to safety and sustainability.
Education
Template:
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management
University of Washington, Seattle, WA | June 2017
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
General Contractor License, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, 2021
OSHA 30-hour Construction Industry Training, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, 2020
4. List pertinent key skills
For an effective general contractor resume, include a “Key Skills” section that gives the hiring manager a view of your broad expertise. This section also helps to optimize your resume for application tracking systems (ATS). Incorporate keywords from the job description into your skills list, profile, and professional experience section to make it through this resume filtering software. The list below will get you familiar with the terms and phrases you may come across:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Budgeting and cost accounting | Building codes |
| Complex problem-solving | Construction management |
| Construction sequencing | Contract negotiations |
| Materials procurement | OSHA safety |
| Project estimating | Project management |
| Regulatory compliance | Residential construction and remodeling |
| Staff hiring | Stakeholder relations |
| Strategic planning | Structural modification |
| Subcontractor management | Team leadership |
| Technical drawings | Work planning and scheduling |
5. Share your past projects
Provide greater insight into your past success by including a link to an online portfolio or listing details on your resume in a dedicated section. Clients and hiring managers will appreciate a closer look at your track record when they can see photos, budgets, and completion timelines. Choose some of your most notable projects that represent the variety of results you can provide to potential employers.
For each project in your portfolio, provide the project name, location, size (square footage or dimensions), scope (e.g., new construction, renovation, remodel), budget, and duration. These specifics give the reader a clear picture of your ability to handle projects at different scales and complexities.
How To Pick the Best General Contractor Resume Template
When selecting your template, consider it the foundation and framing for your resume content. Just like a building needs the proper structural support to stand, your resume needs a solid framework to be received well. Opt for simple templates that are well-organized and highlight your skills and accomplishments. Don’t worry much about including graphics or choosing the right color scheme. Clients are most interested in what you offer, not how stylish or appealing your resume looks.
General Contractor Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Allison Rosenberg
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
Motivated General Contractor with demonstrated success overseeing residential construction projects. Committed to achieving goals for project efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Equally effective in leadership or hands-on ability. Skilled at isolating and solving problems at all project stages.
Work Experience
General Contractor, ABC Construction Consulting, Inc., San Diego, CA
June 2021 to Present
- Hired to manage on-time, cost-effective delivery of residential construction projects
- Collaborate with other project specialists and workers, including engineers, architects, and stonemasons
- Supervise contractors, ensuring adherence to work quality and efficiency standards
- Monitor job sites for high levels of safety and legal compliance
- Provide regular updates to the main office on the progress of each project
Prior Experience
Server and Team Lead, San Diego, CA
- Demonstrated strong efficiency and early leadership.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management
University of California, San Diego, CA, May 2020
3.8 GPA
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Word, Excel, Project
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Construction Sequencing
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Efficiency Improvement
- Project Estimating
- Residential Construction & Remodeling
- Stakeholder Relations
- Subcontractor Management
- Team Leadership & Motivation
- Work Planning & Scheduling
Cameron Malfara
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Windermere Rd., Seattle, WA 12345
Profile
General Contractor with 5+ years of experience overseeing commercial construction projects. Consistently achieve project goals, deadlines, and budget requirements. Combine strong leadership skills with extensive hands-on construction experience. Highly adaptable to new work conditions, finding quick and practical solutions to project challenges.
Work Experience
General Contractor, ABC Construction Consulting, Inc., Seattle, WA
April 2020 to Present
- Schedule and guide on-time delivery of complex projects for this commercial construction firm
- Coordinate with other project stakeholders, including vendors, engineers, and architects
- Hire and oversee subcontractors, ensuring consistent work quality and efficiency
- Maintain utmost job site safety and legal compliance
General Contractor, XYZ Construction Corp., Seattle, WA
April 2017 to April 2020
- Managed all stages of commercial construction projects
- Addressed and resolved any project delays or constructability challenges
- Gained strong foundational knowledge of management and leadership principles
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management
University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2013 – 2017
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Project
- Procore
- Red Team
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Building Codes
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Contract Interpretation
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Materials Procurement
- Project Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Staff Hiring
- Stakeholder Relations
- Structural Modification
- Subcontractor Management
- Team Leadership
- Technical Drawings
- Work Planning & Scheduling
- Workplace Safety
Jessica Lang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Franklin Pike, Nashville, TN 12345
Profile
General Contractor with 10+ years of excellence overseeing municipal and upscale residential construction projects. Reliably meet or exceed goals for project efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Find creative yet practical solutions to project obstacles and challenges. Versatile communicator. Adept at relaying complicated technical details and instructions to diverse project stakeholders.
Professional Experience
General Contractor/Construction Manager, ABC Construction Consulting, Inc., Nashville, TN
April 2018 to Present
- Manage on-time delivery of complex projects for this upscale residential construction firm
- Coordinate with other project workers, including engineers, architects, and electricians
- Vet, hire, and oversee subcontractors to ensure consistent attainment of standards for work quality and efficiency
- Maintain utmost job site safety and legal compliance
General Contractor, XYZ City Construction, Nashville, TN
April 2012 to April 2018
- Managed all project stages for the construction of municipal roads and sidewalks
- Promptly addressed any project delays or challenges
- Gained advanced expertise in construction management and leadership principles
- Fostered positive and productive relationships with city inspectors
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 2008 – 2012
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Project
- Procore
- Red Team
Key Skills
- Budgeting & Cost Accounting
- Building Codes
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Concurrent Project Management
- Construction Sequencing
- Contract Negotiations
- Cost Reduction & Elimination
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Efficiency Improvement
- Materials Procurement
- Project Estimating
- Regulatory Compliance
- Residential Construction & Remodeling
- Staff Hiring
- Stakeholder Relations
- Strategic Planning
- Structural Modification
- Subcontractor Management
- Task Prioritization & Delegation
- Team Leadership & Motivation
- Technical Drawings
- Work Planning & Scheduling
- Workplace Safety
Frequently Asked Questions: General Contractor Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for general contractor resumes?+
Using action verbs on your resume is an easy way to streamline your descriptions and help readers visualize your accomplishments. If you run out of words to describe your past work or your writing sounds redundant, we’ve got you covered. Check out the list of action verbs below and consider using them in the professional experience section of your general contractor resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Achieved | Aligned |
| Allocated | Coordinated |
| Created | Decreased |
| Delegated | Eliminated |
| Expedited | Generated |
| Improved | Increased |
| Initiated | Introduced |
| Led | Organized |
| Oversaw | Raised |
| Resolved | Sequenced |
How do you align your resume with a general contractor job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment for construction laborers will continue to grow between 2022 and 2032. Over the next decade, property owners will need general contractors to manage construction workers and oversee their projects to completion.
Although this growth will provide good opportunities for general contractors to meet demands, you’ll need a customized resume to land your desired jobs. Aligning your resume with the job description will only increase your chances of getting selected for an interview. You must speak to the employer’s needs to be considered for the job.
For example, if a construction company is seeking a general contractor with expertise in large-scale commercial builds, you would emphasize your experience in managing complex commercial projects, coordinating subcontractors, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
What is the best general contractor resume format?+
Using the chronological resume is one of the easiest ways to highlight your most recent and relevant work experience. You draw attention to your continuous, progressive career trajectory in construction. On the other hand, the combination format lets you emphasize your skills, certifications, and accomplishments first. These items are listed before your professional experience section, highlighting your knowledge and technical ability.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Construct a compelling cover letter to increase the chances of landing your next big project. To make the greatest impact, you must customize your cover letter for the client or organization you’re applying to. See our comprehensive cover letter guide to learn how. If you’re looking for more examples in related occupations, read our project manager and construction worker cover letter guides.
