A well-designed general contractor resume is your first step toward impressing employers or clients.
Whether you’re a specialist with decades of experience or just starting your career, your application needs to showcase your skills, qualifications, and achievements clearly. A tailored document can make all the difference in landing new contracts.
This article will walk you through how to create an effective general contractor resume, including templates and free resume examples for different specializations within the field.
General contractor resume examples
- Residential general contractor resume
- Commercial general contractor resume
- Green building general contractor resume
Residential general contractor resume template
Residential general contractor resume sample | Plain text
Jake Andrews
Los Angeles, CA
Email: jake.andrews@gmail.com
Phone: (310) 987-4321Objective
Experienced Residential General Contractor with over 10 years of expertise in building single-family homes, multifamily dwellings, and luxury residences. Skilled in managing teams, coordinating with subcontractors, and delivering projects within budget and on schedule.
Experience
Lead General Contractor
Andrews Custom Homes, Los Angeles, CA, January 2019 – Present
- Currently supervising the construction of custom homes and residential renovation projects.
- Manage subcontractors, oversee procurement of materials, and ensure projects are delivered on time while meeting high-quality standards.
- Develop and maintain client relationships, providing excellent customer service to encourage repeat business.
- Implement cost-saving strategies that consistently reduce project expenses by 15%, without sacrificing quality.
Construction Supervisor
Golden Coast Homes, Los Angeles, CA, May 2014 – December 2018
- Directed teams of 10-20 workers on new home builds and residential renovations.
- Coordinated site inspections, ensuring projects met local building codes and safety regulations.
- Maintained project documentation, including contracts, schedules, and budgets.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management
California State University, Los Angeles
Graduated: May 2014
Certifications
- Licensed General Contractor – State of California (Issued: July 2021)
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Certification (Issued: March 2020)
Skills
- Residential construction project management
- Budgeting and cost control
- Subcontractor coordination
- Client relationship management
- Quality assurance and compliance with local building codes
Why this contractors resume stands out?
- This resume highlights consistent career progression and demonstrates both technical expertise and cost management abilities.
- Being a Licensed General Contractor in California is essential for legal compliance and industry expertise, making the candidate a qualified and reliable choice.
- His current position underlines his leadership in managing subcontractors, materials, and project timelines, demonstrating his readiness to handle larger responsibilities.
- What is the best format for the resume for contractor?
Category | Guidelines |
---|---|
Formatting | - Use plain fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10-12 pt for body, 14-16 for headings). - Set margins to 0.5-1 inch. - Utilize single spacing within sections. - Keep resume to one page for under 10 years of experience; two pages are acceptable for more extensive experience. |
Style | - Maintain uniform bullet points, indentation, and spacing. - Start each entry with an active verb; keep bullets concise (1-2 lines). - Align text left; make dates aligned for a polished look. |
Language | - Add keywords from the job posting. - Eliminate unnecessary words. - Include metrics to highlight accomplishments. - Focus on diverse experiences; use synonyms for similar tasks. |
Final Tips | - Check for grammatical/spelling errors; consider peer review. - Clearly place your name, phone number, email, and location at the top. |
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Build My ResumeCommercial general contractor resume example
Samantha Lane
Houston, TX
Email: samantha.lane@gmail.com
Phone: (832) 765-1234Resume Summary
Highly skilled Commercial General Contractor with over 12 years of experience in managing large-scale projects such as office buildings, retail centers, and industrial warehouses. Adept at leading large teams, coordinating subcontractors, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
Experience
Commercial General Contractor
Lane Construction Group, Houston, TX, April 2018 – Present
- Currently overseeing commercial projects with budgets ranging from $1 million to $20 million.
- Coordinate with architects, engineers, and subcontractors to streamline workflows and meet deadlines.
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including ADA and OSHA standards.
- Implement risk management strategies to mitigate delays, reducing project downtime by 20%.
Project Manager
Texas Build Corp, Houston, TX, June 2012 – March 2018
- Managed the construction of a 100,000 sq. ft. retail complex from planning to completion.
- Maintained schedules, budgets, and regular communication with clients to ensure project goals were met.
Key Commercial Projects
Downtown Los Angeles Office Tower Renovation (Project Value: $5M)
- Oversaw the complete renovation of a 10-story office building, ensuring minimal disruption to tenants and completing the project two months ahead of schedule.
Luxury Retail Center Construction (Project Value: $8M)
- Led the ground-up construction of a high-end retail complex, coordinating with designers and engineers to meet stringent aesthetic and functional requirements.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
University of Houston, Houston, TX
Graduated: May 2010
Certifications
- LEED Accredited Professional (Issued: May 2022)
- Certified Construction Manager (CCM) (Issued: February 2021)
Skills
- Commercial construction management
- Contract negotiation and bidding
- Regulatory compliance and safety protocols
- Vendor and subcontractor coordination
- Time management and scheduling
Strong sides of this resume of contractor:
- With over 12 years of experience, Samantha has accumulated a significant depth of knowledge in the industry, from project management to leading construction teams.
- The general contractor resume also reflects her proactive approach to problem-solving, which is highly valued in project-based work environments like construction.
- Her ability to maintain schedules, budgets, and client communication shows that she’s not only focused on the tech side of things but also skilled in managing relationships.
- How to show experience on a resume for general contractor?
- List your most recent job first and work backward.
- Clearly state your job title.
- Include the name of the organization.
- Provide the city and state where the company is located.
- Indicate the month and year you started and ended each position of your general contractor resume.
- Focus on accomplishments and results rather than just duties.
- Quantify your achievements when possible.
If you have held multiple similar occupations, you can group them under a single heading to streamline your resume and avoid redundancy.
- How to choose general contractor skills for resume?
Carefully review job postings for contractor positions you’re interested in. Take note of the abilities that are frequently mentioned, as these reflect what employers value most.
- Hard skills are teachable knowledge sets that can be quantified and measured. They are often acquired through education, training, or hands-on experience.
- Soft skills are interpersonal traits that relate to how you work and interact with others. These are often more subjective and can be more challenging to quantify.
Select a mix of hard and soft capacities that align with the role you are applying for. Aim for a balance that showcases both your technical and interpersonal effectiveness.
Contractor hard skills:
- Project Management
- Blueprint Reading
- Building Codes Knowledge
- Contract Negotiation
- Construction Software Proficiency (e.g., AutoCAD, Microsoft Project)
- Technical Skills (e.g., framing, plumbing, electrical)
- Estimating and Cost Control
- Scheduling and Time Management
- Quality Assurance and Compliance
- Safety Protocols and Regulations
Contractor soft skills:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Problem-Solving
- Negotiation
- Adaptability
- Team Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution
- Attention to Detail
- Client Relationship Management
- Decision-Making
Green building general contractor resume template
Green building general contractor resume sample | Plain text
Erica Harris
Portland, OR
Email: erica.harris@gmail.com
Phone: (503) 456-7890Objective
Innovative Green Building General Contractor with 7 years of experience in sustainable construction. Expertise in energy-efficient design and the use of renewable materials to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high-quality results.
Experience
General Contractor
EcoBuild Contractors, Portland, OR, August 2019 – Present
- Currently leading green construction projects that incorporate energy-efficient technologies and sustainable materials.
- Achieve LEED Gold Certification on major residential and commercial projects.
- Develop and implement waste-reduction strategies, consistently cutting project waste by 30%.
Sustainability Consultant
GreenTech Consulting, Portland, OR, June 2017 – July 2019
- Provided consultation for green building projects, offering advice on sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems.
- Assisted clients in meeting environmental regulations and achieving LEED certification.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Engineering
Portland State University, Portland, OR
Graduated: May 2014
Certifications
- LEED Green Associate (Issued: June 2020)
- Sustainable Construction Certification (Issued: January 2018)
Skills
- Sustainable building practices
- LEED project management
- Energy-efficient design
- Waste reduction and recycling programs
- Client education on green construction
Materials and Technology Expertise
- Familiar with a wide range of eco materials, including bamboo flooring, reclaimed wood, low-VOC paints, and recycled steel.
- Skilled in implementing insulation materials with high R-values and low environmental impact.
- Expertise in integrating smart home technology to enhance energy efficiency, including smart thermostats, automated lighting systems, and energy monitoring tools.
Professional Affiliations
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), since 2020
Why this contracting resume is good?
- The resume begins with a clear opening statement that highlights Erica's niche expertise in sustainable construction and green building.
- Her academic foundation in engineering, combined with focus on sustainability, enhances credibility as a contractor specialized in green building.
- Membership in the USGBC strengthens her connection to the green building community and shows that she stays updated with industry trends.
- How to list education on a contract resume?
- Arrange your academic history in reverse chronological order.
- For each entry, include essential details such as the degree you earned, the field of study, the name of the institution, its location, and your graduation date.
- If you hold any relevant certificates, consider creating a separate section titled "Certifications" or "Licenses".
Honors, such as Dean’s List, Cum Laude, or any relevant scholarships or awards, can provide additional credibility.
- What is a resume opening statement?
It serves as a brief introduction that highlights your qualifications, experience, and career goals. It is typically one to three sentences long and is strategically placed at the top of your document.
Here's a table outlining different types of opening statements for a general contractor resume:
Type | Description |
---|---|
Objective | A brief statement that outlines your career aspiration and what you aim to achieve in the position. Ideal for entry-level candidates or those changing careers. |
Summary | A concise overview of your qualifications, skills, and experience. This type reveals your expertise and is appropriate for experienced professionals. |
Core Competencies | A focused list of your key skills and strengths as a general contractor. This can serve as an introduction to your resume and is effective for showcasing specific talents. |
Value Proposition | A paragraph that articulates what you bring to the table, emphasizing how you can benefit the potential employer. |
Personal Statement | A more narrative approach that reflects your passion for the industry and personal commitment to excellence in construction. This option is suitable for showcasing your personality. |
Conclusion
By utilizing these outstanding resume examples and guidelines provided in this article, you can create a general contractor resume that not only highlights your expertise in project management, budgeting, and compliance but also demonstrates your commitment to quality and client satisfaction.
Remember to tailor your document to each job application, emphasizing relevant skills and accomplishments that align with the specific needs of potential employers.
Utilize available resources, such as Resume Trick, to streamline the process and ensure that your application effectively represents your capabilities as a general contractor.