INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Carpenter positions are at a 2% growth rate, which is slower than average. With that said, there are currently 942,900 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 20,100 to 963,000 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Carpenter jobs was $49,520 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $31,200, and the highest 10% more than $87,410.
Our conclusion? The Carpenter job market is wide open for candidates.
Top carpenter sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Writing a job-winning experience section: Carpenter resume edition
Carpenter resume experience section: dos and don'ts
- List 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Include only relevant job experience;
- Make sure to highlight your strongest skills by focusing on the challenges you’ve faced and the results you’ve achieved;
- Don’t use buzzwords that carry no meaning;
- Don’t share confidential information about your previous employers.
If you prefer to be led by example, check out some great Carpenter resume experience section snippets below!
- Performing drywall installation, roofing painting, framing, staining, and cement repair
- Delivered materials to worksites
- Installed flooring in various unfinished properties
- Worked effectively in residential, commercial and agricultural settings.
- Effectively utilized demolitiion and custom renovation strategies.
- Successfully created fencing, decks, walkways, and Arbor construction.
- Effectively implemented framing, window and door installation, and trim and crown molding within construction projects.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail while shingling roofs, truss and rafter systems and webbing procedures.
- Insulated concrete form "ICF" housing, concrete flooring, and foundations.
- Drywall hanging, filling and painting.
- Carpenter, builder
- Construction, building, renovation and renewal of villas and houses
- Got certificate of usage of pneumatic airtools
- Built custom furniture from reclaimed materials
- Sketched Designs Furniture
- Managed Custom Orders
- Shaped materials to exact measurements for job requirements using hand tools and power equipment
- Cut timber, panels and other wooden materials according to measured dimensions
- Cut roofing paper to size and nailed and stapled paper to roof in overlapping strips to form base for roofing material
- Overlapped successive layers of roofing material, determining distance of overlap using chalk line, gauge on shingling hatchet and lines on shingles
- Supported safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations
- Assisted master carpenters with gutter installations for residential and commercial customers
- Cleaned job site after work completion and disposed of debris in proper containers
- Cut materials on job site to prepare for installation
- Followed government and corporate safety regulations and procedures
- Led a crew of 5-10 glaziers and carpenters installing in new. construction and occupied dwelling with no injuries reported.
- Experience with aluminum storefront systems, aluminum and vinyl windows, and steel doors.
- Completed projects ranging up to 18 buildings with 1000+ windows.
- Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients
- Install structures and fixtures, such as windows and molding
- Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, fiberglass, drywall, and other materials
- Construct building frameworks, including wall studs, floor joists, and doorframes
- With a passion to put my architecture degree to use and learn the construction industry from the ground up I'm pursuing this position as a carpenter.
- Work as part of a team to construct single and multi-family units for numerous home builders in the twin cities. Performing all aspects of rough stick framing to shape residential structures.
- Utilize prefabricated wall sections to streamline, reduce waste and cost, while adding precision to the building process.
- Mostly tasked in construction of ceiling
- Movement of materials from source to crane
- Involved in day to day construction tasks (lifting, mixing, etc)
- Hull repairs
- Varnishing
- Interior and exterior repairs
- Resiliency - Took an opportunity and risk to step back and pursue a career related to my degree, learning the building trade from the ground up.
- Leadership - Work with Foreman to read, follow blueprints and provide laborers with leadership and direction.
- Team work - Worked as part of a team to construct single and multi-family units for numerous communities in the twin cities.
- Remodel houses following blueprints and designs
- Install cabinets, windows, drywall, and other wooden structrures
- Laid architectural and 3-tab shingles
- Boxing and Concrete
- Panels marking
- Reading Plans
- Frame work
- Gib repairs
- Soffit work
- Applied carpentry skills to build, assemble, and modify custom display components for tradeshow exhibit booths & event display layouts
- Provided technical & logistical support, throughout all project phases.
- Led teams across Canada for 2,000+ special events and exhibits
- supervise local crews and trades throughout project build phases
- lead national teams to efficiently accomplish tasks and meet deadlines
- provide technical & logistics support, from concept to completion
- interpretation of floor plans for exhibit booths & event display layouts
- install and modify retail displays and corporate environments
- effectively communicate with clients, adapting to site requirements
- generate reports & recommendations to streamline onsite operations
- Follow blueprints and building plans to meet the needs of clients.
- Install structures and fixtures.Measure, cut, or shape wood, plastic, and other materials.
- Construct building frameworks, including walls, floors, and doorframes.
- Inspect and replace damaged framework or other structures and fixtures.
- Project planning
- Coordinated work teams in different projects
- Improved organization and productivity on supervised projects
- Planned and coordinated the activities on the department of carpentry
- Coordinated different projects
- Installed cabinets and furniture for different projects
- Forman that was undergoing training to be a Superintendent
- Roofing
- Carpentry
- Concrete finishing
PRO TIP
The person reading your Carpenter resume will be busy, make sure you never waste their time with fluff.
Action verbs for your carpenter resume
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An impressive skills section for your carpenter resume
Writing a skills section that stands out:
- Check the job advert for keywords that you can use: this will help you pass ATS;
- Focus on relevant and valuable skills that will support your application;
- Make sure to include both hard and technical skills, leaving soft skills for other sections of your Carpenter resume;
- Don’t list skills you don’t have.
Top skills for your carpenter resume
Adobe Photoshop
Adoe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Bluebeam
PlanGrid
Communication
Attention to details
Caution
Organisation
Punctuality
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Carpenter resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your carpenter resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
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PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your Carpenter resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
The carpenter resume summary: tips and tricks
Making a strong first impression.
- Keep your summary section short and easy to read; avoid long sentences;
- Highlight your total years of experience in the field;
- Mention 1-2 of your biggest achievements and strengths;
- Add a couple of keywords from the job advert.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
Your summary section should act as a professional taster. Use it wisely. Effectively convey your professional profile and let the hiring manager know that if they hire you, they won’t be disappointed. Make sure to include keywords from the job description too! Elaborate on your abilities further in your experience section. Again, cater to the job description.
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Carpenter resume: A strong education section
What to include in your education section:
- Your highest education degree (incl. major, duration, name of institution);
- A bit more about the certifications you’ve got (if they are relevant to what you’re applying for);
- Some extracurricular activities that have helped you develop and strengthen your skills;
- If you’re an entry-level applicant: Relevant courses and projects.
Top Certifications for Your Carpenter Resume
TOTAL: Cloud Computing / CompTIA Cloud+ Cert. (CV0-002)
Learn the basics of Cloud Computing and prepare for the CompTIA Cloud+ Certification Exam.
Oak Framing
How to make a traditional roof truss using woodworking & carpentry techniques old and new. Learn about tools and methods
Woodworking classes, basic carpentry
woodmaker- fundamentals exercises of the carpenter, wood woorking for everybody
TOTAL: AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate 2021
BEST VALUE: Pass the AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate SAA-C02 exam + AWS Essentials & 2 FREE practice exams
Creative Piano for the Beginner!
Traditional and creative piano method/instruction!
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PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Carpenter. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Carpenter resume: How to choose the right format
The content of your resume is necessary for showcasing your expertise, skills, and education. Great formatting, on the other hand, is essential for highlighting your attention to detail, creativity, and ability to stand out.
There are three basic resume formats to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Which one of these you choose depends on a couple of things, but most importantly: the industry and your level of experience.
The reverse-chronological resume format, for example, is great if you’re a Carpenter with many years of experience and no career gaps. It doesn’t really matter if your company of choice is a multinational corporation or an early-stage startup – this resume format is considered to be a safe bet.
If you’re someone with little or no experience, however, we advise you to go for a functional skills-based resume format. It focuses on skills, competencies, and education, rather than experience. This makes it great for entry-level applicants, career changers, and graduate students.
And if you’re tired of traditional formats and want to go over the top when it comes to your application, the combination or hybrid resume format is here to help. Here, you can focus on both your experience and your skills, there’s even space for you to highlight your most spectacular personality traits. If you want to give a modern feel to your Carpenter resume, this resume format is just what you need. Add a ‘my life philosophy’ section for additional bonus points!
Looking for ways to perfect your Carpenter resume layout and style?
- Don’t risk it: choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts (sized 10-12p);
- Match the length of your Carpenter resume with your years of experience – choose a one-page template if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- To be on the safe side, save your resume in PDF. This will help you avoid formatting issues and unauthorized editing.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you feel that you don’t have high chances in a particular company, due to lack of relevant experience, then you can still consider using a creative layout. That might help you get noticed and invited for an interview, as most of the other applicants will have boring resume designs.
Your carpenter resume: other sections to include
Tired of resumes that focus only on your professional side? Want to show you’re an actual human being with a real personality that goes beyond your work experience? Then add some other sections to your Carpenter resume!
Depending on the industry, company, and position, you can go for a more creative or less creative approach. Choose 1-2 of the following:
Making your carpenter resume shine
In a pile of boring black and white resumes, a creative Carpenter application feels like a breath of fresh air. And trust us, recruiters love this.
There are two ways to add a splash of creativity to your resume. You can either go for a creative layout (bright colors, modern fonts, etc.) or add some creative sections (e.g. ‘what my typical day looks like’).
It’s up to you! Just make sure to keep the position, company, and industry in mind. Otherwise, you risk going over the top. And that’s not always a good idea.
What makes a great carpenter resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
