As the demand for construction continues to rebound in many parts of the country, an overwhelming majority of construction firms have reported trouble finding qualified workers to fill key spots.This is according to an industry-wide survey conducted by the Associated General Contractors of America.

If you are looking for work in the construction industry, the increased demand and low supply could make this the ideal time to apply for a position. One key component of  your application is making sure you have an up-to-date resume that highlights your skills and experience. In this post, we have identified three crucial characteristics of effective construction resumes to help you land the job.

1. Set the stage with an objective statement

In a few quick sentences, near the top of your resume, summarize your career goals and list the specific qualifications you have that make you a perfect fir for the job. An effective objective statement should tell your employer exactly what you are looking for with just a quick glance. While it might be tempting, this isn't the place to present yourself as a jack-of-all-trades. Instead, highlight a few distinct skills or areas of expertise that will set your application apart. 

2. Don't shy away from specifics

In resumes, specificity reigns supreme. Detail each job by company, site, foreman or manager, scope of work and type of facility to give employers a complete picture of the work environments you have experience in. When listing your day-to-day responsibilities at each site, don't be afraid to annotate the specific skills you had to employ to get the job done. You should also feel free to enumerate any of your work-related accomplishments, especially those that are meaningful or quantifiable. 

3. Show off your certifications

A stellar construction resume isn't complete until it contains industry credentials. Include any certifications, licenses, training, degrees and trade union memberships an employer could find valuable in an easy to find section. When you can, also list when and where each certification was issued. 

If you are looking to add to your resume, Safety Advantage offers workplace safety training programs in a variety of industry-specific areas. To learn more about our construction site safety classes, contact us today.