Choose from a wide range of CV templates and customize the design with a single click.
Use ATS-optimised CV and resume templates that pass applicant tracking systems. Our Resume builder helps recruiters read, scan, and shortlist your Resume faster.
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create Resume
Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVIf you have gaps in employment, are returning to the workforce, are over 40, or don’t have references, you can still build a strong general laborer resume that gets hired. The key is to shift focus from “missing pieces” to what employers actually care about: reliability, consistency, physical capability, and work ethic. This guide shows exactly how to position your experience, fill gaps strategically, and prove you’re dependable—without overexplaining or hurting your chances.
Before fixing your resume, you need to align with what hiring managers actually value in general labor roles.
They are not expecting perfect career timelines. Instead, they prioritize:
Showing up on time consistently
Following instructions without supervision
Physical endurance and safety awareness
Ability to work as part of a team
Reliability over long periods
This means your resume should prove dependability, not perfection.
Employment gaps are common, especially in labor roles. The mistake is trying to hide them completely or over-explain them.
Use a functional or hybrid resume format that highlights skills first, not timelines.
Focus on:
Skills and tasks you consistently performed
Types of work environments you handled
Tools, equipment, or processes you used
Then list your work history without drawing attention to gaps.
If you did anything productive, include it:
Temporary or day labor jobs
If you’ve been out of the workforce for years, your resume must quickly answer one question:
“Can this person still work consistently?”
Instead of explaining why you left, show why you’re ready now.
Include:
Recent physical or hands-on activities
Any recent work, even if informal
Certifications like OSHA or forklift training
Evidence of routine and consistency
Use your summary to reset the narrative.
Example:
“Reliable general laborer with hands-on experience in construction support, warehouse operations, and site cleanup. Known for strong work ethic, punctuality, and ability to follow directions in fast-paced environments. Recently completed safety training and actively seeking full-time labor work.”
Personal projects or home renovations
Helping family businesses
Volunteer work
Certifications or safety training
These demonstrate continued work ethic, which matters more than formal employment.
Weak Example:
“Unemployed from 2021–2023”
Good Example:
“Independent Labor Work | 2021–2023
Assisted with residential renovations, demolition, and cleanup
Maintained tools and ensured job site safety
Completed multiple short-term projects with consistent client satisfaction”
The second version shows activity, not absence.
This immediately positions you as ready and dependable.
Age is not the issue. Perception is.
Employers may worry about:
Physical ability
Adaptability
Willingness to take direction
Your resume must remove those concerns.
Make it clear you can handle the job:
“Able to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly”
“Comfortable working long shifts outdoors”
“Experienced with physically demanding tasks”
Include:
Use of modern tools or machinery
Safety compliance experience
Working with teams across age groups
Remove:
Jobs older than 15–20 years unless highly relevant
Outdated skills
Old certifications
Keep your resume focused on recent, relevant capability.
Many labor workers don’t have formal references. That’s not a dealbreaker.
Instead of listing references, show evidence:
Long-term roles (even if informal)
Repeated work with the same employer or client
Consistent responsibilities across jobs
If possible, include:
Supervisors from temporary jobs
Contractors you assisted
Volunteer coordinators
Clients from independent work
If none are available, simply write:
“References available upon request”
And make sure your resume already proves your reliability.
This is the most important part of your resume.
Every bullet should show consistency and responsibility.
Examples:
Reported to job sites on time and prepared for daily tasks
Followed supervisor instructions to complete projects efficiently
Maintained clean and safe work environments
Assisted team members to meet daily production goals
Completed physically demanding tasks without supervision
Even if jobs were short-term, highlight patterns:
Same type of work
Same responsibilities
Same performance standards
Consistency builds trust.
Even if your background is mixed, many skills transfer into labor roles.
Physical stamina
Time management
Teamwork
Safety awareness
Equipment handling
Following instructions
Problem-solving on-site
Instead of listing skills, show them in action.
Weak Example:
“Team player”
Good Example:
“Worked closely with team members to complete daily tasks ahead of schedule”
Your format matters more when you have gaps or unusual circumstances.
Resume Summary
Skills Section
Relevant Experience
Additional Work or Projects
Certifications (if applicable)
This keeps the focus on what you can do, not when you did it.
Avoid these at all costs:
Long explanations raise more questions than they answer.
Only include roles that show transferable labor skills or work ethic.
Phrases like “hard worker” without proof don’t help.
If your resume doesn’t show physical capability, you may be overlooked.
Many candidates underestimate the value of hands-on, unpaid, or temporary work.
Even with gaps or limitations, you can stand out by focusing on:
Show repeated behaviors across roles.
Highlight tasks where you were trusted.
Demonstrate willingness to work hard.
Make it clear you’re prepared to start immediately.
Before sending your resume, make sure:
It shows reliability in every section
It includes any form of recent activity
It highlights physical capability
It avoids unnecessary explanations
It focuses on what employers care about
If your resume answers “Can this person show up and do the job?” with a clear yes, you’re in a strong position.
Upload Resume
Import from Linkedin
