Construction Laborer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Construction Laborer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
If you enjoy being hands-on and working with your hands, construction laboring might be the perfect career for you. As a laborer, you’ll perform a variety of manual tasks such as lifting heavy objects, digging trenches, building scaffolding, and laying bricks—whatever it takes to get a job done.
Because the construction industry is so large and diverse, there are many different types of construction laborers out there. Some work on commercial projects like skyscrapers or shopping malls. Others specialize in residential construction or help build infrastructure like roads and bridges. And some labors work in the oil and gas industry or in the maritime industry.
Regardless of which type of construction you’re working in, you’ll need a resume that showcases your relevant experience and capabilities. Here are some tips and an example to help you write an effective construction laborer resume.
How to Write a Construction Laborer Resume
Here’s how to write a construction laborer resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
The best way to make your resume stand out is to use strong action verbs. These verbs will help you describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in a clear and concise way. So rather than saying you “managed inventory,” you could say you “streamlined inventory management process by developing new inventory tracking system and reducing inventory levels by 15% in six months.”
Notice how the second bullet point is much more specific and provides more detail about what exactly you did and the results of your work.
Related: What Is a Construction Laborer? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
The first step in the construction laborer job search is to apply online. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for specific keywords related to the job opening. If your resume doesn’t include enough of the right terms, your application might not make it past the initial screening process.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of commonly used construction laborer keywords as a guide:
- Construction
- Construction Management
- Construction Safety
- Concrete
- Heavy Equipment
- Construction Work
- Contractors
- Carpentry
- Renovation
- Contract Management
- Energy
- Project Planning
- Landscaping
- Piping
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Site Safety
- Blueprint Reading
- Road
- Heavy Equipment Operation
- Forklift Operation
- Asphalt
- Manufacturing
- Supervisory Skills
- Microsoft Access
- Management
- Negotiation
- Microsoft Project
- Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Civil Engineering
Related: How Much Does a Construction Laborer Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Create Scannable Sections
There are a few things you can do to your resume to make it easier to read, such as left aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and using bullets instead of paragraphs to list your experiences. You should also use all-caps and bold sparingly, and keep your bullets under two lines. Additionally, you can include some white space on the page to make the document easier to scan.
Be Concise
There is no set length for a resume, but generally, it should be one or two pages long. One page is perfect for recent graduates or those with less than five to eight years of experience, while two pages is more appropriate for those with more than 10 years of experience. When trimming down your resume, be sure to remove any irrelevant information, such as personal details or hobbies. You also want to focus on the most relevant and recent experience.
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.
Consider Including a Summary
A resume summary statement provides an overview of your skills and experience, and it can be a great way to show off your most relevant qualifications for a new role. When drafting your summary, be sure to focus on your key skills and experiences, and try to target the role you’re hoping to land. Keep your summary concise and easy to read, and make sure it’s tailored to the specific job you’re applying for.
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