Carpenter Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Carpenter resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
If you have a knack for working with your hands and an eye for detail, then a career as a carpenter could be right up your alley. Carpenters are highly skilled workers who are responsible for building, repairing, or installing structures made of wood. They use power tools and manual tools alike to complete their work, and they work closely with architects and contractors to ensure that projects are completed on time and on budget.
Because carpentry is such a broad field with many different job opportunities, it can be challenging to write an effective resume that showcases your skills and experience. Follow these tips and resume example to write a carpenter resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Carpenter Resume
Here’s how to write a carpenter resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will read. And if they’re not compelling, you’ll lose the chance to make a lasting impression.
The key is to use bullet points to tell a story about your experience. And the best way to do that is to focus on the results of your work. So rather than saying you “managed project budgets,” you could say you “managed project budgets to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery of 15 new stores in Q1 2019, contributing to a 15% increase in store revenue over Q1 2018.”
Notice how the second bullet point is more specific and provides more detail about the project and its outcome.
Related: What Is a Carpenter? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you submit your resume online, it’s likely that it will be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs look for certain job-related terms, like “carpentry” or “woodworking,” in order to determine whether or not you are a good fit for the position. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right keywords, the ATS might discard your application.
To make sure your resume makes it past the ATS, use this list of common carpentry keywords as a starting point:
- Carpentry
- Construction
- Construction Management
- Project Planning
- Concrete
- Framing
- Contractors
- Drywall
- Flooring
- AutoCAD
- Renovation
- Interior Design
- Project Management
- Tiling
- Sheetrock
- Home Remodeling
- Heavy Equipment
- Engineering
- Contract Management
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Timber
- Residential Construction
- Carpenter
- Sawing
- Plant Health Care
- Plant Maintenance
- Hospitality
- HVAC
- Plumbing
- Customer Service
Related: How Much Does a Carpenter Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Make Your Resume Easy to Scan
There are a few things you can do to your resume to make it easier to read. First, use a standard font type and size throughout the document. Second, use left alignment instead of centered text. Third, list your experiences in bullet points rather than paragraphs. Fourth, keep bullets to 2 lines or less. Fifth, use all-caps and bold sparingly. Sixth, include some white space on the page to make the document easier to read.
Be Concise
When you are writing your resume, think about what is the most relevant information to include. A one-page resume is generally ideal, but if you have a lot of experience to share, you can make a two-page resume. Just be sure to focus on the most recent and relevant information. You also want to be concise and to the point, so trim down your resume as much as possible.
Check Your Work
Proofreading your resume is important in order to make sure it looks professional and error-free. Spell checking is a must, as are punctuation and grammar checks. It is also helpful to have someone else proofread your resume for you, as they may catch mistakes that you have missed. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Use a Summary
When it comes to writing a resume, a summary statement can be a great way to introduce yourself and give a snapshot of your experience and goals. This section can be a helpful way to connect the dots for a potential employer, explaining how your skills and experiences will make you a valuable asset in the role you’re applying for. By playing up your relevant experiences and skills, you can make a strong case for why you’d be a great fit for the job. Keep your summary statement short and to the point, and be sure to target it to the specific role you’re applying for.
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