By Morgan Dowdy, Resource Coordinator
Are you getting any attention? Your resume made it through the initial stages of the application process and it is going to be reviewed by a construction recruiter. Are you confident that they are going to find what they are looking for in your resume? Have you included all of the information that shows you are the right person for the job? From construction skills, to certifications, to previous job accomplishments, your resume must show your professional value. Below we highlight the items you need to include in your resume in order to get the attention of a construction recruiter and land the job.
Description of Skills
A common mistake that candidates make is that they simply list their construction skills without talking about them. Saying for example that you are a skilled electrician with 5 years of experience in installing, maintaining, and repairing equipment and fixtures is not going to get the attention of a construction recruiter. It is important that you explain how the skills you developed throughout your construction career make you the right applicant for the position. Make sure to use industry terminology that highlights your expertise and shows a connection to the job.
Valid Certifications and Licenses
Hiring managers and construction recruiters don’t like to dig deep to find out if a candidate’s certifications and licenses are valid. Chances are that if this crucial information is not there, your resume is going to be moved to the bottom of the pile. In other words, not only do you have to keep your certifications and license up-to-date to meet regulations, you also need to make sure to include them in your resume to get the attention of a construction recruiter. It can be frustrating to miss an opportunity simply because the hiring manager can’t see that you are qualified and ready to get to work.
Concrete Examples
When reviewing a resume, nothing is going to get the attention of a construction recruiter more than strong and clear examples that speak to the candidate’s construction career. Have you worked on similar projects with similar responsibilities and duties? Have you used the same equipment or machinery that the job you are applying for requires? How successful were you in carrying out previous tasks? Don’t wait to be asked about things like these. Be proactive and include this kind of information in your resume to separate yourself from other candidates.
Work References
If you have been in the construction industry for some time and you are applying for a new job, references are a great tool to use to your advantage. References provide insight to your construction skills, experience and overall construction career and they help hiring managers understand the value you bring to the table. If you are fresh out of school and new to the industry, list references of jobs you held before school even if they are not relevant to the industry as they help hiring managers see that you are reliable.
Employment Length
The construction industry is a volatile industry that requires adoption to change. Throughout your construction career you might have to work on different projects for short periods of time and change positions more times than you expect. This is likely to get the attention of a construction recruiter. In order to cover your grounds, it is important that you talk about and explain changes like these in your resume. Remember to speak to the construction skills that you developed while working on a project even if it was for a short period of time.
Key Takeaways to This Is what Construction Recruiters Are Looking For:
1. Explain how your construction skills make you the perfect candidate
2. Make sure to keep your certifications and licenses current and list them on your resume
3. Give solid examples of your construction experience
4. List references that speak to your construction skills
5. If you worked on short projects, talk to the construction skills that you developed while on those jobs
About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com
