If you are considering a career in the skilled trades, the best way to get your foot in the door is to start with a stellar resume.
Don’t cringe; writing a resume is not difficult if you follow the following essential tips. First and foremost, tailor your resume to the field for which you are interested, (a concrete mason, labor supervisor, carpenter, master electrician, etc.).
Less is More
“Less is more” was a phrase adopted in 1947 by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The phrase means simplistic, simple, and clean. It holds true when you write your resume.
Today’s human resource professionals take an average of just six seconds to skim each resume they receive. For this reason, your resume must be organized and straightforward. Over-stuffing your resume will be a direct route to the trash can.
Content
Personal Information
- At the top of your resume include is your name, address, phone numbers, and email address.
- Note: Many recruiters use software that skims through the resume looking for specific keywords. Review the ad and pick out the keywords used and include them.
Example ‘Want Ad’ and the possible keywords to use in your resume
Looking for Riggers with Marine Experience
Responsibilities
- Align, level and anchor machinery
- Attach loads to rigging to provide support or prepare for moving, using hand and power tools.
- Attach pulleys and blocks to fixed overhead structures such as beams, ceilings, and gin pole booms, using bolts and clamps
Summary Statement
- A summary statement is the first paragraph that a recruiter sees. Here is your chance to immediately grab the attention of the hiring manager with a concise synopsis of your professional qualifications and explanation of why you are qualified for a particular position.
Skills
- Make a list of your best Skilled Trades skills. Make sure they apply to the job description.
Professional Qualifications
- Highlight your qualifications that pertain to the position for which you are applying. For instance, if you are applying for a carpenter position, there’s no need to include your experience as a landscape technician.
Work Experience
- Include relevant past jobs beginning with the most recent
- Detail your role and accomplishments at each position using three to five bullet points
- Begin with your most recent experience
- Use short sentences to describe your experience
- Describe the job
- Demonstrate any general qualities you gained from your work experience.
Education
- List any applicable certifications, degrees, or on-the-job training you have received.
Remember, your resume is a tool for getting you an interview and will not land you the job on its own. It’s up to you to make a great impression when you are called for an interview.
Interested? Connect with the team at Gillmann Services. We provide career opportunities in mining, marine, manufacturing, and industrial and commercial construction. We make an art of matching your skills and experience with premier companies. At Gillmann Services, we offer positions matched to skills and experience at competitive wages. Contact us today.