How to Write a Job-Winning Carpenter Resume

How to Write a Job-Winning Carpenter Resume Carpentry is a skill that will always be in demand. So this is good news for those seeking employment in this field!Whether it is designing and building custom cabinetry, or overseeing a large-scale construction project, carpentry is a varied field with wide opportunity.While carpentry is a skill in wide demand, experienced carpenters are quickly becoming a vanishing breed.Now is your moment!It is essential that you display your complete skills in your resume. Demonstrate that you are a carpenter with superior knowledge and experience.Be sure to list in detail what your skillset includes and types of projects you have worked or consulted on.With a comprehensive and well-defined carpenter resume, you will be on your way to acquiring jobs and contracts.SummaryResume TemplateFormattingWriting Your Resume SummaryAreas of ExpertiseWriting Your Work ExperienceWriting Your Education SectionAdditional SectionsResume Points to RememberResume “Don’ts” to RememberSome Helpful ToolsLets be gin with a sample carpenter resume to demonstrate how all the resume pieces fit together. Then we will break each section down to really drill into how to write the best carpenter resume you possibly can.Find Resume Advice in Your IndustryBrowse our categories of resume samples to get industry-specific advice on writing your next resume.FinanceAdministrationBusinessConstruction MaintenanceCreativeCustomer Service RetailEducation LearningEmergency ServicesEngineeringFood ServiceHealthcareInformation TechnologyLawMarketingManagementCarpenter Resume (Text Version)CONTACT INFO:Steve Barker barkersteve@email.com 1 (501) 435-7895 Little Rock, AR 72002 linkedin.com/stevebarkerSUMMARY STATEMENTCarpenter: Carpenter experienced in leading a crew of 4 in all aspects of residential home remodels. Adept in designing and building custom pieces to client specifications. Particularly skilled in general residential carpentry, finely detailed aesthetics, and collaborating with other builders for e fficient and timely construction.AREAS OF EXPERTISEHand CarvingDraftingCreative ThinkingHardwoodMathematics: Algebra, GeometryPower Tools and SawsSafety GuidelinesPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:Hanes Cabinetry Little Rock, AR | Carpenter | May 2016-PresentCreate original hardwood cabinet designsOrder needed materialsConstruct cabinets in shopUtilize proper tools, including drills, table saws, planers, and routersHand-carve accents and custom aesthetics on to cabinet doorsJJ Construction Little Rock, AR | Lead Carpenter | June 2014 January 2016Supervised carpentry aspects of home remodelsHelped clients design new kitchen and bathroom featuresProduced blueprints according to client specificationsWorked with apprentice carpenters to create piecesTransported and installed finished pieces on siteFort Smith Builders Fort Smith, AR | Apprentice Carpenter | April 2012 April 2014 Collaborated with head carpenters on home building projectsCompiled and transported materialsOrganized tools and work spacesFramed walls and rough structuresFollowed all safety protocols and guidelinesEDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONCompleted four-year Carpentry Apprenticeship Program Nabholz University, Fort Smith, AR, Class of 2014FormattingA typical resume spends an average of 6 seconds in front of the eyes of a hiring manager. Not much time to make an impression. It is imperative then that your carpenter resume stand out from the bunch for it to be noticed.When considering formatting, you must keep in mind the importance of keywords and language. Many resumes are now scanned by bot software to determine viability through keywords. While perhaps not as applicable in the field of carpentry as in other vocations, this is still crucial to remember. You don’t want your resume to be passed over by a bot.Your resume should be structured in reverse chronological order. This way a hiring manager will be able to discern immediately your most recent experience and position. If this catches the eye, the remainder of your resume is likely to be considered, which is the ultimate goal. You can be the most qualified and skilled carpenter in the world, but that won’t land you the job unless they read your resume.Keep it simple. Use a basic font when producing your resume. Nothing fancy or difficult to make out.Include proper spacing in your resume. Never cram too much information onto the page. Clean and tidy is the name of the game, with reasonable spaces between entries.Creating Your Carpenter Resume SummaryThe most significant part of your resume will be the summary statement. It is the first bit of content to meet the eyes of a hiring manager or client, so its importance cannot be overstated.The objective of the summary statement is to condense your expertise into 2-3 sentences.Your emphasis should be on your most marketable and attractive skills. In other words, make your summary about what you do best in your chosen field.Do not state your employment objective in the summary statement. W hile this was once common practice, it is now outdated. Employers are interested in learning about your hard skills as quickly as possible. Keep it impersonal and to the point.A summary statement must prove to a potential employer that you are of high value and worth the investment.Below are some examples of what to do and what not to do in your summary statement:Yes!Carpenter experienced in leading a crew of 4 in all aspects of residential home remodels. Adept in designing and building custom pieces to client specifications. Particularly skilled in general residential carpentry, finely detailed aesthetics, and collaborating with other builders for efficient and timely construction.No!Experienced Carpenter. I have experience with home remodels and designing and building custom pieces. Looking for clients who value close collaboration. While the second example may read okay, it does not get at what your real skills are. You do not want something generic. Potential clients and employe rs want to know what they’ll be getting should they hire you. Be focused and specific about your skills.The first example immediately conveys your expertise in remodeling homes. It is then established that you create custom pieces according to customer specs and that you have the ability to manage a team to get the job done. Finally, there is a quick rundown of your strongest skill areas.Power words (more on these later!) are used to communicate your talents quickly and efficiently.Again, as in the second example, you do not want to state your objective, neither give a general rundown of your work history at former jobs.The example also includes the first person “I”. Never use personal pronouns in your resume.Your summary should leap off the page and let the reader know you are the person for the job.Key Accomplishments/ Skills QualificationsTo further punctuate your carpenter resume summary, a listing of your key skill and experience points is pivotal.With this section of yo ur resume, you have an opportunity to show what sets you apart from other applicants. So really consider your accomplishments and the areas you are most adept in.Remember your formatting and list your skills in an orderly bulleted list.Key Accomplishments/Areas of ExpertiseHand CarvingCreative ThinkingDraftingCreative ThinkingHardwoodMathematics: Algebra, Geometry /liPower tools and sawsSafety GuidelinesIt is important to include both hard skills and soft skills in your list.Hard skills include specific knowledge related to tasks, equipment, or technology relevant to your field. They are skills you acquired through training or education.Soft skills pertain to personal details such as modes of thinking, interpersonal ability, and attitude.PRO TIP: You want a mix of hard and soft skills on your resume. However, while hard skills are directly related to the field you’re pursuing, soft skills are more general. Make sure the soft skills you list are reflected in your work history.(See below for a helpful table of some suggested hard and soft skill ideas to inspire you in writing your skills section.)Listing Your Work ExperienceNow to the bulk of your carpenter resume: your work history. In this section of the resume, you will complete the picture of your experience and skills. Demonstrate where you have been and where you are going.Do not be discouraged if your work history is not extensive or varied. We all have to start somewhere. Typically, your work history will comprise the majority of your resume, even if your job experience is limited.Now let’s talk about Layout.Remember that reverse chronological order is the way to go. So you want to begin with your most recent job and finish with your first job in the field. If you are new to the field, then consider including unrelated jobs just to give an idea of your background, but try to tie in as many relevant skills as you can.You want to focus on the key roles you played in your job and specific tasks that gre w your experience. Display these points in a bulleted list.Your work history layout should include the following:The company nameWhere the company is locatedWhat job you performed thereIncluding dates of employment is optional, but you must be prepared to give them in an interview situation regardless. While gaps in employment or short terms of employment are not ideal on a resume, being upfront about them might prove to be the best policy.The bullet points of your day to day tasks on the job should convey action, initiative, and ability. Using power words, outline your strong points and accomplishments.Each work history section should be comprised of 3-5 bullet points. Avoid lengthy lists or lists that are too short.Below are a few examples:Yes!Hanes Cabinetry | Little Rock, AR | Carpenter | May 2016-Present • Create original hardwood cabinet designs • Order needed materials • Construct cabinets in shop • Utilize proper tools, including drills, table saws, planers, and rout ers • Hand-carve accents and custom aesthetics on to cabinet doorsNo!Hanes Cabinetry | Little Rock | Carpenter • Create cabinet designs • Construct cabinets • Utilize carpentry toolsWhich list conveys the most about the applicant?The first example provides a comprehensive summary of your place of work and what tasks you performed there. Each point begins with a power word and provides detail.The second example is lacking in detail and impact. While it may be accurate, it is nonetheless ineffective in communicating your responsibilities and work requirements.Remember, you want to stand out and draw attention to your resume.PRO TIP: As you construct your carpenter resume’s work history section, keep in mind what your potential employer or client is looking for. Identify the points in your experience which best correlate with the job description.More About BotsThough more applicable when applying for some vocations than others, it is important to keep the  Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) in mind when designing your resume. ATS is a software system that uses bots to scan applicant resumes..In order to best accommodate and pass the ATS, some applicants opt to list their work history in paragraph format rather than bullet points.So instead of looking like this:Hanes Cabinetry | Little Rock, AR | Carpenter | May 2016-Present Create original hardwood cabinet designsOrder needed materialsConstruct cabinets in shopUtilize proper tools, including drills, table saws, planers, and routersHand-carve accents and custom aesthetics on to cabinet doorsParagraph:Created original hardwood cabinet designs and ordered needed materials. Constructed cabinets in shop utilizing proper tools, including drills, table saws, planers, and routers.Or take a hybrid approach using limited bullet points:Created original hardwood cabinet designs and ordered needed materials. Constructed cabinets in shop utilizing proper tools, including drills, table saws, planers, and routers.Hand-ca rve accents and custom aesthetics on to cabinet doorsThe paragraph approach allows for the inclusion of many keywords that help to satisfy the ATS.A negative aspect to the paragraph method is it makes your resume harder to read, and more time consuming for a hiring manager to review.If in doubt, it is a wise choice to stick with bullet points.Your Education SectionYour education will varying depending on your chosen field. Carpentry, for instance, will probably not require a four-year degree. However, you might have completed an apprenticeship or training program, or perhaps you’ve received a certification. You will list these accomplishments in the education section of your resume.Example:Completed four-year Carpentry Apprenticeship Program Nabholz University, Fort Smith, AR, Class of 2014 List your highest level of education first, whether it’s a Highschool Diploma, Associate Degree, Apprenticeship, Bachelors or Masters Degree. Then add any certifications or licenses.Name your field of study and the institution you attended. If you are a recent grad, feel free to add your GPA and list any academic accomplishments.Additional SectionsAs you are completing your resume, an additional section may prove necessary. Perhaps you have awards or projects of note that don’t really fit in another category. You want to be as thorough as you can in communicating your qualifications and value.Potential sections could be:Awards and honorsPublicationsNoteworthy ProjectsSocial Media InfluenceSpeaking EngagementsHobbies/InterestsVolunteer WorkNo Experience?We don’t all have ten years or more of working experience behind us, especially in the field of our dream job. Perhaps you are changing careers or just starting out. If this is the case for you, don’t be discouraged! You can still produce a compelling resume.If you lack experience, consider adding your education information directly after the summary. Your education will likely be your strongest selling point.When w riting your work history, try and pinpoint tasks and responsibilities most closely related to the position/job you are applying for.Think about the things you’ve accomplished and what skills resulted. What skills or attributes might be applicable to the position of a carpenter?Have you worked with your hands? Have you held jobs that require organization and precision? Do you have an eye for detail? All of these skills can be relevant to the position you’re seeking.PRO TIP: There are plenty of soft skills that are relevant to an office manager position. Do you have any leadership or team-building experience? Those skills could work to your advantage.Carpenter Resume Points to RememberInclude your contact informationList your Linkedin profile and email address, or home address and phone if relevant. It may sound like a silly reminder, but when you’re thinking about every other detail it’s easy to overlook the basics.Get to the pointUse the space you have to maximum effect. You need to be forthright about your most relevant skills and areas of expertise. Now is not the time to hold back. You want your summary to really highlight your suitability.Utilize power wordsPower words are your friend. Use them freely and wisely. They can sharpen up your resume and give it a punch.Recruit a proofreaderYou always need another pair of eyes. Don’t be shy about getting someone else to go over your resume. Have them look for typos, grammar, or spelling mistakes. Besides, you may have left out a relevant skill!Things to AvoidLet’s go over some things to avoid when creating your resume:No first personKeep it impersonal. Do not directly refer to yourself in the summary or bullet-point lists. While it may feel natural to do so, the use of “I” and “me” takes away from the professionalism and focus of your carpenter resume.Just one pageFor most of us, our salient work history can be summarised in a single page. There is no need for more. Keep it simple and direct. Your chances of being hired will increase if you do so.Don’t say it twiceKeep things varied! With the help of power words and a little imagination, there should be no need to repeat yourself.(We’ve put together a handy table of power words below to use for inspiration.)Simple fonts and formatNo reason to use a fancy font or alternate format unless required to do so. You want your resume looking clean and crisp, no squinting required.Some Helpful ToolsOffice Manager Power WordsSupervisedProducedTransportedCollaboratedFramedCreateUtilizeHelpedWorkedCompiledOrganizedFollowedConstructOrderSkills ListHard SkillsSoft SkillsHand CarvingCreative ThinkingDraftingDetail OrientedHR PracticesDiscretionPower tools and sawsLeadershipSafety GuidelinesInitiativeHardwoodInterpersonal Skills