9 Contractor Resume Examples for 2024

Creating a strong resume is key for contractors seeking jobs. This article offers proven examples tailored for the contracting field. It also shares strategic tips from a hiring manager's perspective. Use this guide to present your skills and experience clearly to potential employers.

  Compiled and approved by Liz Bowen
  Last updated on See history of changes

  Next update scheduled for

At a Glance

Here's what we see in the best resumes for contractors:

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show clear impact by using numbers. Common metrics include increased project efficiency by 20%, reduced costs by 15%, completed projects 10% faster, improved client satisfaction by 25%.

  • Include Relevant Skills From The Job Description: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned in the job description. Some popular ones are AutoCAD, PMP certification, OSHA compliance, contract negotiations, project management software.

  • Focus On Industry Standards: Knowing industry standards can set you apart. Use phrases like met compliance requirements or followed safety guidelines to show your knowledge.

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Position your education smartly

In the context of a contractor's resume, the place of your education section depends on your experience. If you are new to the field, show your education first. Hire managers look for your latest training relevant to construction or contracting. For example, a recent degree in construction management or certification in a specialized trade goes at the top. This is because it's your strongest qualification.

However, if you have been a contractor for some time, list your experience first. Strong practical experience is what most hire managers search for in this field. If you have completed new training courses that are important for your work, like a safety certification, mention these early in the education section. Even for experienced workers, recent education that upgrades your skills can be a key point. Yet, the further back your education, the lower it should be on your resume. In this case, your hands-on experience speaks louder.

Certifications for contractors

Having specific certifications can make your resume stand out. For general contracting work, consider getting OSHA safety certificates or trade-specific licenses.

Highlight these near the top of your resume to ensure employers take note. It shows you are qualified and ready to start working.

Ideal resume length

As a hiring manager, I recommend that you keep your resume concise. If you're early in your construction career or have up to a decade of experience, aim for one page. This length shows that you can highlight the most relevant projects and skills without overwhelming the reader. Use clean templates to organize your information effectively.

For more seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the industry, a two-page resume can be appropriate. Ensure the first page captures your most significant and recent achievements as this is often what grabs attention during those crucial first few seconds of review. Remember, a shorter resume doesn't reflect less experience; it signifies your ability to prioritize the most important information about your work as a contractor.

Skills specific to contracting

Highlight your hands-on skills like equipment operation, blueprint reading, or project management. These are crucial for contractor roles.

Include any software skills related to construction management or design. Tools like AutoCAD or project management software can be important for certain jobs.

Beat the resume bots

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are often the first hurdle when you apply for a job. As a contractor, you need to make your resume ATS-friendly to ensure it reaches a hiring manager. Here are tips to help you:

  • Use keywords that match the job description. For a contractor, terms like 'project management' and 'safety compliance' are often important.
  • Keep your resume format simple. Complex designs can confuse the ATS. Stick to standard fonts and avoid tables or graphics that might not be readable by the system.

Make sure your resume shows your experience with clear, simple job titles and descriptions. For example, use 'contractor for residential construction' or 'commercial project contractor' to describe your roles. This way, the ATS can match your experience with the job requirements.

Tailor your resume details

You want your resume to show why you're right for construction work. Think about what you've done that fits what the job asks for. Make sure each point is clear and shows off your skills.

  • Highlight specific projects where you managed construction tasks or teams. Example: Managed a team of 15 to deliver a multi-storey office complex on time and 10% under budget.
  • Show the safety records of your sites. Example: Achieved a 100% safety record over a 5-year period on various construction sites.
  • If you're new to contracting, talk about similar work you've done. Maybe you’ve overseen projects in another field. Tell that story. Example: Coordinated cross-departmental teams in executing major IT infrastructure upgrades.

Key skills for contractors

As a contractor, you know your skills are the tools of your trade. Here's a list of key skills you should highlight on your resume, depending on your specialization:

  • Project management
  • Cost estimation
  • Scheduling
  • Blueprint reading
  • Construction management software (like Procore or AutoCAD)
  • Building codes knowledge
  • Material procurement
  • Quality control
  • Safety compliance
  • Contract negotiation

Include these skills in a dedicated section for easy scanning. Remember that hiring managers often use application tracking systems (ATS) that search for these keywords. So, if you have experience in these areas, make sure they are visible on your resume.

You don't need to list every skill, only those that apply to the job you want. Think about the tasks you'll be doing and choose related skills. For example, if the job is heavy on site management, ensure project management, safety compliance, and quality control are clearly mentioned. If it's more about pre-construction work, focus on cost estimation and blueprint reading. Tailor your resume to show you're the right person for the specific role you're aiming for.

Quantify your work impact

When you list your accomplishments as a contractor, using numbers can give a clear picture of your impact. This makes it easier for hiring managers to see the value you could bring to their team. Think about times when you saved money, reduced time spent, or improved efficiency.

  • For example, if you completed projects faster than the average, calculate the percentage of time saved. If you finished a project in 8 weeks when it usually takes 10 weeks, that's a 20% time saving.
  • Money saved is another strong metric. If you managed a project under budget, quantify the savings. Say you were allocated a budget of $50,000 and completed the work for $45,000, you saved 10% of the budget.

Think about materials used or waste reduced. If you used 15% less material without compromising quality or reduced waste by 25%, these numbers show efficient resource management. If you improved safety leading to fewer accidents, note the reduction in incidents from one period to the next, such as going from 5 accidents to 1 over a year.

  • Consider customer satisfaction. If you have data showing client approval ratings improved from 80% to 90% under your watch, include this.
  • For team leadership, mention the size of teams you've managed or trained, such as overseeing a team of 10 workers, or training 25 new hires.

Use these numbers to tell a clear story of your achievements. They help hiring managers understand the tangible benefits you've provided in your past roles.

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