Navigating the competitive job market is a significant CV challenge you might encounter as a contractor, often having to tailor your experience to diverse client requirements. Our guide offers detailed strategies and an array of industry-specific tips that can help you stand out, ensuring your CV resonates powerfully with potential employers.
What information should you include in your contractor CV? Learn how to create your interview-landing and job-winning profile with our bespoke guide on:
- Applying best practices from real-world examples to ensure your profile always meets recruiters' expectations;
- What to include in your work experience section, apart from your past roles and responsibilities?
- Why are both hard and soft skills important for your application?
- How do you need to format your CV to pass the Applicant Tracker Software (ATS) assessment?
If you're writing your CV for a niche contractor role, make sure to get some inspiration from professionals:
Resume examples for contractor
Explore additional contractor cv samples and guides and see what works for your level of experience or role.
By Experience
Senior Electrical Contractor
- Emphasis on Measurable Achievements - Edward's CV effectively communicates the significant impact he has made through quantifiable success metrics. For example, his leadership contributed to a 20% improvement in efficiency at Rolls-Royce, highlighting his ability to drive results and make substantial contributions to organizational goals.
- Diverse Industry Experience and Progression - The candidate displays a clear career trajectory with increasing responsibilities, transitioning from a Systems Technician at Siemens to senior roles at Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce. This progression reflects his growth in expertise and leadership within the electrical engineering field, demonstrating adaptability and a strong professional development path.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration and Leadership - The CV highlights Edward's soft skills and leadership prowess through instances of cross-departmental collaboration and mentorship. His ability to lead teams and work effectively with other business units has been integral in enhancing project outcomes and achieving alignment with commercial objectives, showcasing his competency in driving team and organizational success.
Junior Plumbing Contractor
- Clear and Structured Presentation - The CV is presented in a logically organized manner, starting with personal information and followed by a concise summary. Each section is clearly delineated, allowing for ease of navigation and ensuring that the reader can quickly identify key qualifications and achievements relevant to the role of a plumbing estimator.
- Strong Career Progression - The candidate's career trajectory is clearly articulated, showing advancement from a Plumbing Estimation Intern at Travis Perkins to a Junior Estimator at Wolseley UK. This upward movement demonstrates not only growth and increasing responsibility but also the candidate’s commitment to developing their expertise within the plumbing estimation field.
- Achievement Focus with Business Impact - The CV includes specific achievements, such as reducing project costs by 20%, which are linked to tangible business outcomes. These accomplishments are not merely numerical but highlight the candidate's ability to enhance project efficiency and cost-effectiveness, crucial for any estimation role.
Senior Civil Engineering Contractor
- Clear structure with defined sections - The CV is neatly organized into distinct sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements, allowing easy navigation and ensuring the reader quickly identifies relevant information. This structured presentation enhances clarity and keeps the document concise and focused.
- Consistent career growth in civil engineering - Elsie Murray's career trajectory shows significant growth from a Junior Civil Engineer to a Senior position. This progression demonstrates her persistent advancement in the water asset design sector, showcasing her continuous commitment to developing her expertise and taking on more complex responsibilities.
- Implementation of cutting-edge engineering techniques - Elsie's experience highlights her use of advanced civil infrastructure techniques and digital tools that have contributed substantially to project efficiencies. Her proficiency in innovative water treatment design and the deployment of new project management software emphasizes her technical depth and industry relevance.
Junior Mechanical Contractor
- Structured and Concise Presentation - Edward Mitchell's CV is organized in a clear and structured manner, making it easy to navigate. The use of headers and sub-sections ensures that the information is presented concisely, allowing readers to quickly grasp his qualifications and professional journey.
- Notable Career Growth at BAE Systems - The CV highlights Edward's career progression, particularly through his current role at BAE Systems. It reflects his growth from an intern at Rolls-Royce to a key team member contributing to significant project efficiencies and cost reductions, underscoring his advancement in the mechanical engineering field.
- Emphasis on Technical Expertise and Engineering Innovation - Edward's proficiency with industry-specific tools like Key Creator and his focus on mechanical subsystem design and prototyping demonstrate a strong technical depth. His achievements, such as reducing prototype development time and enhancing system performance, showcase his innovative approach to mechanical engineering challenges.
Lead Software Contractor
- Content Presentation and Structure - This CV is highly structured, providing a clear, concise layout that guides the reader through Charlie Thomas's professional history. It uses bullet points effectively to highlight key accomplishments and responsibilities, ensuring that each section is easy to read and relevant information is readily accessible.
- Career Trajectory and Growth - The career trajectory of Charlie Thomas demonstrates clear progression and growth, moving from a Software Engineer to a Lead Software Engineer within industry giants like BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce. This advancement highlights his competence and ability to handle increased responsibilities and leadership roles over time.
- Technical Depth and Industry-Specific Tools - The CV showcases impressive technical expertise, particularly in cybersecurity and systems engineering, with proficiency in Java, Apache Tomcat, MongoDB, and a range of security compliance tools. Demonstrating familiarity with industry-specific tools like Plotly and WebGL also indicates a deep understanding of the tech landscape required in aviation software development.
Entry-Level Environmental Contractor
- Comprehensive Career Development - Sophia Brooks' CV effectively outlines her growth from a Junior Environmental Analyst to Environmental Project Specialist, showcasing her steady career development in environmental science. Each role presents an increasing level of responsibility and complexity, demonstrating her ability to progress within the industry.
- Technical Proficiency in Industry-Specific Tools - The CV emphasizes Sophia's expertise with tools such as ArcGIS and her involvement in implementing Automated Meter Infrastructure (AMI) projects. These details highlight her technical depth and proficiency in using advanced industry-specific tools to enhance project outcomes and deliver insights.
- Impactful Achievements with Quantifiable Outcomes - The CV is punctuated by specific achievements with measurable outcomes, such as improving project delivery efficiency by 25% and reducing operational costs by 15%. These accomplishments illustrate her ability to drive significant business impact through enhanced processes and technologies, benefiting both the company and the communities they serve.
By Role
Building Contractor
- Content presentation emphasizes clarity and organization - This CV is presented in a structured format with distinct sections for experience, education, skills, achievements, and passions. Each section offers concise bullet points that succinctly convey relevant information without overwhelming the reader, ensuring clarity and ease of navigation.
- Demonstrates a strong career trajectory with progressive growth - Mia Ward’s career path illustrates a clear upward trajectory. Starting as a Site Supervisor and advancing to a Construction Project Manager, and finally to a Building Contractor, her career path reflects significant promotions and an increase in responsibilities, highlighting her competence and leadership abilities within the construction industry.
- Highlights soft skills and leadership competencies - The CV underscores Mia's soft skills, such as communication and team leadership, which are crucial in her roles. Her ability to improve team collaboration by 30% and enhance safety compliance emphasizes her leadership effectiveness and capacity to manage and motivate teams successfully.
HVAC Contractor
- Clear Structure with Relevant Sections - The CV is well-organized, with each section clearly delineated and relevant to the role of an HVAC Controls Specialist. It includes key headers like experience, education, skills, and achievements, allowing for easy navigation and highlighting all necessary aspects that pertain to the candidate's expertise in HVAC systems.
- Progressive Career Development - Ruby Gibson's career trajectory shows commendable progress, moving from an HVAC Engineer role to more specialized positions like HVAC Controls Technician and Support Engineer. Each position demonstrates increased responsibilities and the acquisition of specific skills, reflecting a clear path of professional growth within the HVAC industry.
- Evidence of Technical Proficiency and Innovation - Ruby’s CV highlights her expertise in leading HVAC systems such as Siemens Desigo PX and Trend IQVision, alongside her adept use of data analysis tools like PowerBI. Her involvement in implementing new technologies and improving system efficiencies underscores her technical depth and innovative approach within her field.
Telecommunications Contractor
- Structured Career Advancement - Sienna West's CV illustrates a clear growth trajectory within the telecommunications industry, starting as a Telecommunications Technician and advancing to Senior Telecommunications Engineer. It shows her progression from hands-on network installations to leading high-value projects, demonstrating her ability to take on increased responsibilities over time.
- Emphasis on Soft Skills and Client Relations - The CV highlights Sienna's strong communication skills and client-focused approach, evident in her ability to maintain a 95% customer satisfaction rate and conduct successful client meetings. Her leadership capabilities are underscored by her role in training new technicians and leading project teams to achieve streamlined operations and reduced service errors.
- Industry-Specific Expertise and Certifications - The CV showcases Sienna's deep technical knowledge and industry-focused certifications like the Certified Fibre Optic Specialist and PMP. These credentials reassure potential employers of her up-to-date expertise in managing fibre optic networks and executing telecommunications projects, which are critical in her field.
Demolition Contractor
- Comprehensive Experience Descriptions - The CV stands out with well-organized experience descriptions that clearly highlight significant achievements and responsibilities. It provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of Alfie's progression through different roles, illustrating consistent success in managing high-stakes demolition projects with measurable improvements in safety and cost reduction.
- Unique Blend of Skills and Certifications - Alfie Edwards' CV showcases an impressive range of skills relevant to the demolition industry. It combines technical proficiency in tools like MS Project and AutoCAD with critical certifications such as the CCDO and courses in safety and site management, positioning Alfie as a well-prepared professional capable of handling complex compliance and operational demands.
- Clear Focus on Industry Impact - Achievements within the CV emphasize real-world impact, such as a 15% cost reduction initiative and maintaining a zero-incident safety record. These accomplishments demonstrate Alfie's ability to not only meet but exceed industry standards, directly tying achievements to business success and operational safety, which are vital for such a high-risk sector.
Residential Roofing Contractor
- Clarity and Structure Drive Easy Navigation - Ethan Palmer's CV is meticulously organized, allowing for clear and immediate understanding of his qualifications and experiences. Sections are logically ordered and titled, ensuring that key information such as skills, experiences, and education are easy to locate and comprehend.
- Career Growth and Industry Progression - The career trajectory outlined in Ethan's CV showcases a natural and impressive progression through increasingly senior roles within the construction industry. His climb from a Construction Administrator to a Customer Service Manager demonstrates dedication and the ability to adapt and excel, implying a strong potential for further growth.
- Impactful Achievements Highlight Business Value - Ethan's achievements are not merely numbers but are tied to significant business values, such as improving customer satisfaction and increasing operational efficiency. These accomplishments illustrate his direct impact on enhancing business processes and driving valuable outcomes for employers.
Commercial Painting Contractor
- Structured Clarity and Organization - The CV is excellently structured, with clearly defined sections for experience, education, and skills, which make it easy for potential employers to navigate and quickly comprehend the candidate's qualifications and professional history. The use of bullet points under each job role succinctly conveys achievements and responsibilities without overwhelming detail, ensuring clarity and conciseness throughout.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - Ava Phillips' career trajectory showcases significant growth and development, moving from a Painter role to a Lead Painter in a relatively short period of time. This advancement highlights her ability to take on more responsibilities and effectively lead teams, demonstrating her potential for further growth within the industry. This professional journey underscores her dedication and capacity for upward mobility within her field.
- Emphasis on Eco-Friendly Practices and Innovations - A standout feature of Ava's CV is her commitment to sustainable practices, particularly the introduction of eco-friendly paint options. This initiative not only showcases her industry-specific knowledge but also her innovative mindset, which led to a notable 20% increase in client acquisitions. Her focus on sustainability aligns with current environmental trends, making her skills highly relevant in today's market.
Flooring Contractor
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - The CV of Noah Jones is well-structured and easy to navigate, with each section clearly defined and logically presented. The use of bullet points in the experience section ensures clarity and provides a quick overview of responsibilities and accomplishments without overwhelming the reader.
- Career Trajectory Demonstrating Growth - Noah's career path showcases a clear upward trajectory, moving from an Installation Specialist to a senior leadership role as a Senior Flooring Contractor. This progression highlights not only his technical proficiency but also his ability to take on greater responsibilities and lead larger teams successfully.
- Technical Proficiency and Industry-Specific Expertise - The CV highlights Noah's advanced understanding of industry-specific tools and methodologies, such as advanced power tools and comprehensive safety protocols. His ability to integrate these into daily operations has led to significant efficiency and safety improvements, underscoring his technical depth and contribution to the field.
Landscape Contractor
- Clarity in Content Presentation - The CV's structure is clear and concise, presenting each section with directness and efficiency. This allows the reader to easily navigate through Mia Ward's professional journey, understanding her suitability for a Jr. Project Manager role in landscape construction.
- Diverse Career Trajectory - Mia's career showcases growth from an Assistant Site Manager to a Jr. Project Manager. Each role demonstrates an increasing level of responsibility and leadership within the landscape construction industry, showing her dedication to professional advancement.
- Unique Technical Expertise in Irrigation - The CV highlights industry-specific skills such as irrigation system troubleshooting, backed by the completion of an Advanced Irrigation Techniques course. This technical depth adds a competitive edge, emphasizing Mia’s strong foundation in specialized landscape construction practices.
Masonry Contractor
- Structured Presentation and Conciseness - The CV is well-organized, presenting information in a structured manner that enhances readability. Key sections such as experience, education, skills, and achievements are clearly delineated, providing a comprehensive overview without overwhelming the reader. The concise bullet points effectively communicate the candidate’s competencies and accomplishments.
- Career Development and Leadership Roles - Harper Webb's career trajectory showcases consistent professional growth, moving from a Construction Technician to a Lead Contractor. This progression highlights not only technical expertise but also leadership abilities, as evidenced by roles that involve team management and client relationship maintenance.
- Technical Depth and Industry-Specific Knowledge - The CV emphasizes industry-specific skills such as advanced carpentry, electrical installations, and masonry practices. This technical depth, complemented by relevant certifications in electrical installation and carpentry, positions the candidate as a highly skilled professional capable of tackling complex construction challenges.
Carpentry Contractor
- Strategically Structured Experience Section - The CV is excellently structured, presenting a logical progression of roles from Journeyman Carpenter to Lead Carpenter. Each role contains concise bullet points that clearly delineate responsibilities and achievements, effectively illustrating a career path marked by consistent growth and increased responsibility.
- Showcasing Leadership and Team Management - Poppy Griffiths exemplifies leadership qualities through roles that required training and supervising teams, with notable improvements in efficiency. The ability to manage project logistics and personnel, particularly in a high-demand industry like carpentry, highlights strong leadership capabilities essential for career advancement.
- Integration of Technical Skills and Industry-Specific Achievements - The CV sets Poppy apart with its emphasis on technical expertise and innovative methodologies in carpentry, such as the implementation of carpentry software to enhance accuracy. Highlighting awards like the "Innovation in Carpentry Award" underlines their commitment to advancing industry practices and sustainability, which are key trends in modern construction.
Paving Contractor
- Clear and Structured Content Presentation - Joshua Patel's CV is organized in a concise manner, starting with a strong header followed by sections that clearly delineate his professional journey, skills, education, and additional qualifications. The use of bullet points effectively highlights his experiences and achievements, making it easy for employers to quickly identify his key competencies and career accomplishments in the utilities and construction field.
- Progressive Career Trajectory - The CV outlines Joshua's growth from a Senior Construction Technician to a Utility Construction Foreman, demonstrating a clear upward trajectory. His career advancements reflect an increasing level of responsibility, particularly in team management and project lead roles, emphasizing his capability to adapt and excel in the competitive construction industry.
- Notable Achievements and Business Relevance - Joshua's achievements, such as reducing onsite accidents by 30% and completing a major project 15% under budget, are not only backed by numbers but also show the tangible impact of his contributions to the business. These achievements underline his strong problem-solving skills and commitment to cost-efficient and safe construction practices, which are crucial in his field.
Drywall Contractor
- Content Presentation - The CV is well-structured and concise, presenting a clear overview of Finley's career path. Bullet points are utilized effectively to highlight key responsibilities and achievements in each role, making it easy for readers to quickly grasp the main points without being overwhelmed by too much information. This clarity enhances the readability and presentation of the CV, effectively showcasing the candidate's qualifications and experiences.
- Career Trajectory - Finley's career demonstrates a strong upward trajectory, moving from a Junior Restoration Technician to a Senior Restoration Technician. This progression illustrates a clear path of growth within the restoration industry, showcasing the candidate’s ability to take on more complex responsibilities and leadership roles over time, reflecting their consistent professional development and adaptability in the field.
- Unique Industry-Specific Elements - The CV highlights Finley's specialized skills in Sheetrock installation and expert painting techniques, which are critical in the restoration sector. Unique methodologies such as initiating a new color mixing protocol demonstrate Finley's technical depth and ability to innovate within their industry. These elements underscore the candidate's expertise and their strategic approach to solving industry-specific challenges.
Insulation Contractor
- Structured Career Progression - Lily Cooper's career trajectory is clearly outlined, showing a steady advancement from an Insulation Technician to a Senior Insulation Technician. This progression not only highlights her growing responsibilities and leadership roles but also her ability to manage larger projects and teams, demonstrating an increase in trust and capability over time.
- Specialized Technical Skills - The CV emphasizes unique industry-specific skills such as spray foam insulation and rig maintenance, which are crucial for an Insulation Technician. The inclusion of advanced courses further indicates her commitment to maintaining and enhancing her technical knowledge in this specialized field.
- Impactful Achievements - Lily's CV effectively communicates her achievements in a way that links them to business impact. Her initiative to reduce installation times and increase energy efficiency not only speaks to her problem-solving skills but also demonstrates her contributions to cost savings and operational efficiency, which are highly relevant to potential employers.
Concrete Contractor
- Clear structure emphasizing progression - The CV is well-organized with a logical flow from education through to current experience. This chronological presentation clearly demonstrates Amelia Murphy's career progression from Project Coordinator to Contracts Manager, showcasing both her advancement and dedication to her field.
- Emphasis on innovation within the industry - Amelia's commitment to pioneering new methodologies, such as the implementation of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles, is a standout feature. This focus on smarter construction practices highlights her contribution to enhancing operational efficiency and sustainability within the industry.
- Diverse skillset enhancing leadership capabilities - The CV lists a broad array of skills ranging from Project Management and Team Leadership to Client Relations. Her ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex client relationships is underscored by notable achievements like increasing repeat business by 30% and reducing on-site incidents by 50%.
Formatting your contractor CV to meet the role expectations
Staring at the blank page for hours on end, you still have no idea how you should start your professional contractor CV. Should you include more colours, two columns, and which sections? What you should remember about your CV format is this - ensure it's minimalistic and doesn't go over the top with fancy fonts and many colours. Instead, focus on writing consistent content that actually answers the job requirements. But, how about the design itself :
- Use the reverse chronological order to showcase your experience, starting with your most recent role;
- Include your contact details (email address, phone number, and location) - and potentially your professional photo - in the header;
- Must-have CV sections include summary or objective, experience, education, and skills: curate the ones that fit your profile;
- Your professional contractor CV should be between one-to-two pages long: select the longer format if you have more experience.
A little bit more about your actual CV design, ensure you're using:
- plenty of serif or sans serif font (e.g. Montserrat, Exo 2, Volkhov) as they are Applicant Tracker System (ATS) compliant. Avoid the likes of Arial and Times New Roman because most candidates' CVs are in this typography.
When submitting your CV, are you still not sure what format it should be? Despite the myth that has been circling around, most modern ATS systems are perfectly capable of reading PDFs. This format is an excellent choice as it keeps all of your information intact.
PRO TIP
Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a contractor CV
- Highlight key contractor projects to showcase experience, because it provides a direct insight into your hands-on expertise and success in relevant projects.
- Outline industry-specific skills such as proficiency in construction software or specialised techniques, this helps identify your unique qualifications.
- Include professional certifications and licenses to establish credibility and meet essential job requirements, as many contractor roles require specific certifications.
- Reference your education and qualifications, as they form the foundation of technical knowledge essential for a contractor.
- Detail safety training and records to emphasise commitment to industry standards and regulations, crucial for on-site roles.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your flexibility and adaptability by showcasing a variety of successful projects across multiple industries, emphasising how quickly you acclimatised to new environments and requirements.
- Focus on specific outcomes and achievements rather than just listing responsibilities, using metrics where possible to quantify your contributions to each contract role.
- Demonstrate your specialist skills and expertise by mentioning any niche technologies, methodologies, or industry areas in which you have significant experience, showing that you bring value and depth of knowledge to the table.
- Include testimonials or endorsements from previous clients or agencies to add credibility and provide social proof of your professional reputation and work ethic.
- Tailor your CV for each application, clearly aligning your proven track record with the specific needs of the contract role to show you are an ideal fit for the project.
Recommended reads:
Making a good first impression with your contractor CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for contractor:
- "Electrical Project Manager | NEBOSH Certified | 10+ Years in Commercial Installations | Energy Efficiency Specialist"
- "Senior Construction Supervisor | Chartered Builder | Health & Safety Compliance | 15 Years Site Management Experience"
- "HVAC Engineer | City & Guilds Level 3 | Renewable Energy Systems | Expertise in Climate Control | 8 Years"
- "Site Engineer | Degree in Civil Engineering | Structural Analysis | Proficient in CAD | 5 Years On-Site Coordination"
- "Plumbing & Heating Technician | Gas Safe Registered | Residential & Commercial Projects | 12 Years Trade Experience"
- "Lead Architectural Designer | RIBA Chartered | Sustainable Design Innovator | 20+ Years in Residential Development"
Opting between a contractor CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your contractor CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a contractor job:
- Seasoned electrical contractor with over a decade of experience in complex residential and commercial wiring solutions, including the recent completion of a high-profile eco-friendly smart building project. Familiarity with the latest energy-efficient technologies ensures the delivery of modern and compliant installations.
- Dedicated civil contractor boasting 15 years of hands-on experience in infrastructural developments, skilled in advanced project management techniques, and a proven track record of delivering multi-million-pound projects under budget and ahead of schedule.
- Former software developer keen to transition into the construction industry, brings 8 years of meticulous problem-solving and project coordination skills. Successful past collaboration in cross-functional teams to launch award-winning applications can translate into efficient handling of construction projects.
- Dynamic marketing professional eager to apply a decade of strategic planning and brand growth success towards a new career in construction management. Proven ability in leading teams to generate business leads and manage large-scale campaigns aligns seamlessly with the complexities and challenges of construction project oversight.
- Eager to embark on a career as a contractor, bringing a strong academic background in civil engineering and a passion for sustainable building practices. Objective to leverage internship experience in site analysis and design to grow with a forward-thinking construction firm.
- Recent trade school graduate aiming to begin a career in electrical contracting, equipped with a solid foundation in electrical theory, a keen interest in modern lighting design, and hands-on training in wiring and safety protocols. Seeking to apply learnings and adapt quickly in a fast-paced contracting environment.
Narrating the details of your contractor CV experience section
Perhaps you've heard it time and time again, but, how you present your experience is what matters the most. Your CV experience section - that details your work history alongside your accomplishments - is the space to spotlight your unqiue expertise and talents. So, avoid solely listing your responsibilities, but instead:
- adverts' keywords and integrate those in your experience section;
- Use your CV to detail how you've been promoted in the past by including experience in the reverse chronological order.
Before you start writing your contractor CV experience section, dive into some industry-leading examples on how to structure your bullets.
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Clearly state the duration of each contract, including the month and year it started and ended, as these details are crucial for employers to understand the extent of your experience.
- Outline specific projects you worked on including your role, the project goals, and the value you brought to the team, ensuring these are relevant to the job you're applying for.
- Highlight technical skills and tools you are proficient in, especially those that are in demand or unique to your field, as this can set you apart from other candidates.
- Mention any notable successes or achievements, such as completing projects ahead of schedule or under budget, as these can demonstrate your effectiveness as a contractor.
- Describe the scope of your responsibilities in each role to give the potential employer a sense of your capabilities and day-to-day tasks.
- Include any instances where you've had to demonstrate leadership or manage a team, as these experiences are valuable regardless of the industry or project.
- Outline how you've adapted to different working environments and company cultures, as this shows flexibility and the ability to integrate quickly into new teams.
- Detail any client-facing experience and your ability to manage relationships, as good communication skills are critical for contractors who often negotiate their own terms and represent their own services.
- If you’ve worked in diverse industries or on a variety of projects, emphasise this versatility and how it has broadened your professional skill set.
Principal Building Contractor
Principal Building Contractor
Turner & Townsend
03/2019-Ongoing
- Spearheaded the development of a new residential complex with a project budget of £5 million, ensuring successful completion 2 months ahead of schedule
- Managed a cross-functional team of 50, including subcontractors, architects, and site workers, enhancing team productivity by 30%
- Implemented innovative construction methods and sustainability practices, reducing materials waste by 15% and energy consumption by 20%
Lead Commercial Contractor
Lead Commercial Contractor
Mace Group
01/2016-12/2018
- Oversaw a major office refurbishment project for a Fortune 500 company with a budget of £10 million, delivering the project on budget and improving client satisfaction by 40%
- Negotiated and secured contracts with new suppliers, achieving a cost reduction of 10% on building materials while maintaining quality standards
- Drove the adoption of project management software among the project team, increasing operational efficiency by 25% and reducing miscommunication errors
Independent Contractor Specialist
Independent Contractor Specialist
Balfour Beatty plc
05/2013-08/2015
- Successfully completed 20+ residential remodelling projects with an average project value of £80,000, resulting in an average client satisfaction rate increase of 35%
- Created tailored work plans for renovation projects, improving project delivery times by 15% through effective scheduling and resource management
- Enhanced on-site safety protocols, contributing to a 20% reduction in workplace accidents and commended for achieving an exemplary safety record
Experienced Residential Contractor
Experienced Residential Contractor
Carillion
04/2011-04/2013
- Led a high-profile historic building restoration project with a budget of £3 million, preserving architectural integrity while incorporating modern amenities
- Negotiated contracts with vendors to procure high-quality materials at competitive prices, saving the project around 5% in projected costs
- Mentored a team of junior contractors and contributed to their skill development, resulting in a 20% increase in workforce efficiency
Construction Project Contractor
Construction Project Contractor
Skanska UK
06/2009-03/2011
- Completed the construction of a shopping centre 1 month ahead of the 18-month deadline and under budget by 8%, enhancing company reputation with clients
- Implemented a site-specific risk management plan that lowered insurance premiums by 12% due to improved safety standards
- Fostered strong relationships with key stakeholders, leading to the successful acquisition of three new lucrative contracts for future projects
Senior Infrastructure Contractor
Senior Infrastructure Contractor
Laing O'Rourke
07/2012-06/2017
- Managed the construction of a large-scale bypass road project valued at £20 million, which improved local traffic flow by 25%
- Successfully negotiated and managed a portfolio of contracts that reduced operational costs by 11% without compromising on project deadlines or quality
- Liaised with local government bodies to ensure all construction activities complied with legal and environmental standards
Expert Electrical Contractor
Expert Electrical Contractor
Kier Group
02/2014-05/2018
- Coordinated the electrical installation for a new high-rise apartment complex, ensuring all work met strict quality and safety standards
- Implemented cost-saving strategies in electrical materials procurement, saving the project an estimated £150,000 in unnecessary expenditures
- Developed and delivered an on-site training program for newer electricians which increased team skill levels and productivity by 18%
Specialty Mechanical Contractor
Specialty Mechanical Contractor
Costain Group PLC
11/2017-02/2024
- Spearheaded the mechanical systems overhaul for a landmark hotel, incorporating energy-efficient technologies that cut the client's energy bills by 22%
- Delivered all mechanical contracting work within the set timeline of 24 months, despite initial delays due to unforeseen structural challenges
- Formulated a predictive maintenance schedule for the mechanical systems installed, drastically reducing downtime and maintenance costs by 30% for the client
What to add in your contractor CV experience section with no professional experience
If you don't have the standard nine-to-five professional experience, yet are still keen on applying for the job, here's what you can do:
- List any internships, part-time roles, volunteer experience, or basically any work you've done that meets the job requirements and is in the same industry;
- Showcase any project you've done in your free time (even if you completed them with family and friends) that will hint at your experience and skill set;
- Replace the standard, CV experience section with a strengths or achievements one. This will help you spotlight your transferrable skills that apply to the role.
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PRO TIP
If applicable, briefly mention a situation where things didn’t go as planned and what you learned from it, demonstrating your ability to learn and adapt.
Mix and match hard and soft skills across your contractor CV
Your skill set play an equally valid role as your experience to your application. That is because recruiters are looking for both:
- hard skills or your aptitude in applying particular technologies
- soft skills or your ability to work in a team using your personal skills, e.g. leadership, time management, etc.
Are you wondering how you should include both hard and soft skills across your contractor CV? Use the:
- skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies that are part of the job requirement (and that you're capable to use);
- strengths and achievements section to detail how you've used particular hard and soft skills that led to great results for you at work;
- summary or objective to spotlight up to three skills that are crucial for the role and how they've helped you optimise your work processes.
One final note - when writing about the skills you have, make sure to match them exactly as they are written in the job ad. Take this precautionary measure to ensure your CV passes the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment.
Top skills for your contractor CV:
HARD SKILLS
Project Management
Budgeting and Financial Management
Contract Negotiation
Risk Management
Quality Control
Technical Knowledge
Health and Safety Regulation Compliance
Scheduling and Planning
Building and Construction Skills
Regulatory Knowledge
SOFT SKILLS
Communication
Leadership
Problem-Solving
Teamwork
Attention to Detail
Decision Making
Time Management
Adaptability
Client Relations
Conflict Resolution
PRO TIP
Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
Further professional qualifications for your contractor CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your contractor CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
PRO TIP
Use mini case studies or success stories in your CV to demonstrate how your skills have positively impacted previous roles or projects.
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Key takeaways
Your successful job application depends on how you well you have aligned your contractor CV to the job description and portrayed your best skills and traits. Make sure to:
- Select your CV format, so that it ensures your experience is easy to read and understand;
- Include your professional contact details and a link to your portfolio, so that recruiters can easily get in touch with you and preview your work;
- Write a CV summary if you happen to have more relevant professional experience. Meanwhile, use the objective to showcase your career dreams and ambitions;
- In your CV experience section bullets, back up your individual skills and responsibilities with tangible achievements;
- Have a healthy balance between hard and soft skills to answer the job requirements and hint at your unique professional value.
