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Create CVIf you’re a high school or college student applying for a general contractor job, your resume needs to do one thing clearly: prove you can handle physical work, follow instructions, and contribute on a job site—even without formal experience.
Employers hiring for construction roles don’t expect polished corporate resumes. They’re looking for:
Reliability
Basic trade skills or willingness to learn
Physical capability
Safety awareness
Work ethic
Your resume should highlight hands-on experience, transferable skills, and any exposure to construction—even informal work.
This guide shows exactly how to build a strong general contractor resume as a student, step by step.
Keep your resume simple, clean, and practical. Avoid over-design.
Contact Information
Objective (or Summary)
Skills
Relevant Experience
Education
Optional: Certifications or Projects
Your goal is not to impress with complexity. It’s to make it easy for a contractor to scan and quickly see you’re useful on-site.
As a student, your objective replaces a traditional summary. It should clearly show:
What job you want
Your willingness to work
Any relevant skills or traits
“Motivated high school student seeking a general contractor assistant role. Strong work ethic, experience with basic tools, and physically capable of handling demanding construction tasks.”
“Looking for a job where I can grow and learn new things.”
The weak version is vague. The good version shows specific intent and relevance to construction work.
This section is critical for students with limited experience.
Focus on practical, job-site-relevant skills, not generic soft skills.
Lifting and carrying heavy materials
Basic tool handling (hammer, drill, saw)
Measuring and cutting materials
Site cleanup and organization
Following safety procedures
Carpentry basics
Painting
Landscaping
Concrete work assistance
Demolition
Punctual and dependable
Ability to follow instructions
Teamwork on physical tasks
Willingness to work outdoors
Avoid listing things like “Microsoft Word” unless the job specifically requires it. This is a hands-on role, not an office job.
This is where most students get stuck. The key is understanding:
Construction employers value real-world effort, not job titles.
You can include:
Helping a family member with renovations
Assisting in home repairs
Yard or landscaping work
Volunteer construction projects
School shop classes
Summer labor jobs
Example:
Construction Helper (Informal Experience)
June 2024 – August 2024
Assisted with framing and drywall installation on residential projects
Used hand tools to cut and measure materials
Cleaned and organized job site to maintain safety standards
Carried materials and supported skilled workers
This transforms “helping out” into credible, job-relevant experience.
If you’re a college student, internships can strengthen your resume significantly.
Even short-term or unpaid internships are valuable.
Construction Intern
ABC Builders, Dallas, TX
May 2025 – July 2025
Assisted contractors with daily site operations
Observed and supported framing and foundation work
Learned basic safety procedures and OSHA guidelines
Helped transport materials and maintain work areas
Focus on what you did, not just where you worked.
For students, education matters—but only briefly.
School name
Expected graduation date
College name
Major (if relevant, like Construction Management)
Expected graduation date
Shop class or trade-related coursework
Technical training programs
Even one certification can make a big difference.
OSHA 10 Certification
First Aid/CPR
Basic Safety Training
If you don’t have these yet, consider getting OSHA 10—it’s one of the fastest ways to stand out.
Contractors often scan resumes quickly. You need to make yours instantly readable.
Keep it to one page
Use simple fonts (Arial, Calibri)
Use clear section headings
Use bullet points for responsibilities
Avoid long paragraphs
Fancy designs
Colors or graphics
Overly complex formatting
This isn’t a corporate resume. It’s a work-ready document.
Avoid these if you want your resume taken seriously.
Saying “hard worker” without proof doesn’t help.
Instead, show:
Physical tasks completed
Tools used
Real examples
Even yard work or helping a neighbor counts.
Not including it = missed opportunity.
Don’t fill space with unrelated abilities.
Focus on:
Tools
Labor
Safety
Construction tasks
One page is enough. Keep it tight and focused.
Name
Phone | Email | City, State
Motivated college student seeking a general contractor assistant role. Physically strong, reliable, and experienced with basic construction tools and site work.
Hand and power tool usage
Material handling and lifting
Site cleanup and safety awareness
Measuring and cutting materials
Teamwork and following instructions
Construction Helper (Informal)
June 2024 – August 2024
Assisted with residential renovation projects
Used tools for cutting and measuring wood
Carried materials and maintained organized work areas
Supported contractors with daily tasks
Landscaping Assistant
May 2023 – July 2023
Performed outdoor labor including digging, lifting, and planting
Used basic tools and equipment safely
Worked in team environments on physical tasks
XYZ High School
Expected Graduation: 2026
Don’t send the same resume everywhere.
Instead:
If they mention tools → highlight tool experience
If they emphasize labor → emphasize physical work
If they require reliability → show consistency
Small tweaks can significantly improve your chances.
Contractors don’t expect perfection. They’re asking:
Will this person show up on time?
Can they handle physical work?
Are they willing to learn?
Will they follow instructions?
Your resume should answer yes to all four.
If you truly have zero experience, do this:
Take OSHA 10 certification
Help with a small project (even for free)
Learn basic tools
Add a short project section
Personal Project: Backyard Shed Build
Assisted in building a wooden shed
Measured, cut, and assembled materials
Used drills and saws safely
This shows initiative, which employers value highly.
Before sending your resume, confirm:
Is it one page?
Does it clearly show physical work ability?
Are tools or construction tasks mentioned?
Is it easy to scan in 10 seconds?
Does it match the job description?
If yes, you’re ready.
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