Carpenter Resume Examples + Writing Guide
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Carpenters are skilled craftsmen who work with wood and other materials to build, install and repair structures such as buildings, furniture and cabinets. They use specialized tools and equipment to measure, cut, shape and join wood and other materials.
Carpenters may work in a variety of settings, including construction sites, manufacturing facilities and residential homes. They must have strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail and physical dexterity, as well as knowledge of building codes and safety regulations.
To land a job as a carpenter, you’ll need a compelling resume that showcases your skills and qualifications. Take a look at our professionally made carpenter resume examples and writing tips to craft a standout resume in minutes.
Start by editing a carpenter resume sample from this page, or browse our selection of 40+ resume templates to find one that catches your eye.
Carpenter resume example (text version)
Joe Cook
Durham, NC 27517
(555) 555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Quality-focused carpenter committed to following safety code regulations. Timely and efficient working style takes difficult jobs through to completion within budget. Experienced in both residential and commercial construction.
Work History
April 2016 – Current
Medix Group
Lead Carpenter
- Facilitate harmonious working relationships with crew members to prevent problems and conflicts.
- Repair and maintained 120+ properties, including renovating flooring, walls, and ceilings, installing fixtures and remodeling bathrooms and kitchens.
- Examine buildings and project specifications to determine measurements and dimensions.
July 2010 – March 2016
Mr. Handyman
Carpenter
- Repaired roofs and flooring, remodeled bathrooms and kitchens, with a record of 47% increase in customer satisfaction.
- Promoted team safety by keeping work areas free of hazards.
- Set windows and layouts for stairs and common rafters.
March 2006 – June 2010
Calyx Senior Living
Handyman
- Maintained buildings and grounds for 76 units, working around residents’ schedules in order to minimize disruption.
- Observed all OSHA and corporate safety regulations and procedures.
- Inspected units to identify problems with mechanical, plumbing and electrical issues and promptly executed repairs.
Skills
- Basic electrical knowledge
- Exceptional finish carpentry skills
- Custom cabinetry expert
- New construction and renovation
- Project estimation and bidding
- OSHA training
Education
Durham Technical Community College Durham, NC
Associate of Applied Science Carpentry
5 essentials of a standout carpenter resume
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your carpenter resume. Include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address. Add your LinkedIn profile and professional website, if applicable. Reference our guide on how to write a resume for more advice on creating your contact details section.
Professional summary
Your professional summary is where you introduce yourself to the hiring manager and highlight your top qualifications in three to five sentences.
Your carpenter resume summary should showcase relevant skills, such as woodworking and blueprint reading. Include one or two notable professional accomplishments and touch on how long you’ve been in the industry.
If you are just starting your career, we recommend including a carpenter resume objective instead of a professional summary. Here is an example of an objective for a carpenter resume:
“My experience in framing, finishing and cabinetry, along with my attention to detail and commitment to safety, can contribute to the completion of high-quality projects. Seeking a role where I can continue to develop my skills and expertise in carpentry while working as part of a skilled and dedicated team.”
For additional guidance, take a look at our guide on how to make a resume with no experience.
Skills
List your top skills using bullet points to let hiring managers know what you bring to the table as a carpenter. An impressive resume will showcase a mixture of hard skills and soft skills.
Carpenters need a variety of skills to be successful on the job, such as blueprint reading, building codes and regulations and safety procedures.
Remember to note your interpersonal skills, which help you communicate effectively with your coworkers on the job. You can also take a look at carpenter job descriptions for resume skills that are relevant to your target role.
Work history
Your resume needs a clear work history section that starts with your present or most recent job and lists your remaining work experience in reverse chronological order.
Remember to mention the job title, employer’s name, company location and the duration of your employment. Use bullet points to showcase your accomplishments and quantifiable achievements for each role.
Here is an example of how you might describe a past carpenter role on your resume:
- Constructed and installed custom cabinetry in residential and commercial properties using a table saw, router and hand tools.
- Framed walls, installed windows and doors, and completed finishing carpentry work for new construction and remodeling projects.
- Operated heavy machinery, including a skid steer and forklift, to move materials and equipment on job sites.
- Maintained a clean and safe work environment, adhering to OSHA regulations and ensuring all tools and equipment were in good working condition.
Read our guide on including work experience on your resume for additional tips from career experts.
Education
List your educational background starting with the most recent degree and working backward. Include the name of the schools and the year of graduation. If you did not attend college, provide information about your high school and any relevant courses you have taken since graduating.
In most cases, carpenters do not need formal education beyond a high school diploma or equivalent. However, some employers may prefer or require candidates to have completed a carpentry or construction program at a vocational school or community college.
Apprenticeships are also a common way for carpenters to gain on-the-job training and experience. These programs typically last three to four years and involve a combination of classroom instruction and paid, hands-on work experience under the guidance of experienced carpenters.
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Action verbs for a standout carpenter resume
If you take a look at our carpenter sample resumes, you’ll notice that the work experience bullet points use strong action verbs to make an impact.
Here are some examples of action words you can use for your carpenter resume:
- Build
- Install
- Construct
- Fabricate
- Assemble
- Repair
- Maintain
- Inspect
- Measure
- Cut
- Trim
- Shape
- Join
- Sand
- Frame
- Design
- Estimate
- Coordinate
- Supervise
Use our resumes for carpenters from this page or make a resume from scratch using our Resume Builder.
Top skills for your carpenter resume
Make sure the resume skills you include are relevant to the job description and what the employer is looking for in a candidate.
Here are some examples of carpenter skills:
- Framing
- Cabinetry
- Millwork
- Saws
- Drills
- Routers
- Levels
- Blueprint reading
- Safety awareness
- Knowledge of OSHA regulations
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Communication
Carpenter skills for resumes should feature a mix of soft skills and technical skills to demonstrate your balanced experiences and qualifications. Explore our library of 800+ resume examples for more inspiration.
Certifications to include on a carpenter resume
Create a separate section on your resume for certifications and licenses and list them using bullet points.
There are several certifications that carpenters can get to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in the field. Here are some certifications that carpenters can pursue:
- National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Carpentry Certification
- International Code Council (ICC) Carpentry Certification
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Solar PV Installation Certification
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Construction Certification
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate Certification
By obtaining these certifications, carpenters can demonstrate their expertise in various areas of carpentry work and increase their opportunities for career advancement.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Carpenter resume FAQ
How do you tailor your resume for a carpenter job?
Tailoring your resume for a carpenter job involves customizing your resume to match the specific requirements and preferences of the employer. Here are some tips to help you tailor your resume for a carpenter job:
- Review the job posting or description to identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Use similar language and highlight your relevant experience to demonstrate that you have the skills they’re looking for.
- Focus on the experience that is most relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, if the job requires experience with finishing carpentry, highlight your experience in that area.
- If you have any certifications or training that are relevant to the job, be sure to include them on your resume. For example, if you have completed an apprenticeship program, include that information.
By following our guide and sample carpenter resumes, you can create a strong carpenter resume that highlights your skills and experiences and positions you as a strong candidate for the job.
How do I describe my duties at work for a carpenter resume?
When describing carpenter duties and responsibilities for your resume, it’s important to highlight your skills and experience in the field. Here are some tips to help you describe your duties effectively:
- Use action verbs: For example, instead of writing “I built a deck,” write “Constructed a custom deck using pressure-treated wood.”
- Be specific: For example, you might write “Installed crown molding in a 2,500 sq. ft. home using a compound miter saw and pneumatic nail gun.”
- Quantify your accomplishments: For example, you might write “Managed a team of three carpenters to complete a $500,000 renovation project on time and within budget.”
Reference our carpenter resume samples for additional ideas on how to add your job responsibilities to your resume. Using an AI resume builder can also help with generating work experience bullet points.
What is the best format for a carpenter’s resume?
The best resume format for a carpenter resume is the chronological format or the combination format.
The chronological format is a good choice for carpenters who want to showcase extensive work experience. The combination format is great for midlevel job seekers who want to showcase a blend of work experience and job-relevant skills.
Entry-level carpenters can use the functional format, which focuses on relevant skills such as fine motor skills, measurement, woodworking and technical drawing.
Be sure to include clear headings and bullet points to make your resume easy to read and scan. Use a simple, professional font and keep the design clean and uncluttered. Avoid using graphics or images, as they can distract from the content of your resume.
Do’s and don’ts for your carpenter resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your experience. For example, “Led a team of five carpenters to complete a commercial construction project two weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in a 10% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.”
- Use strong action verbs to describe your work experiences, such as “operated,” “installed,” “built,” and “inspected.”
- Tailor your resume to the carpenter job you are applying for.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your carpenter resume. For example, “framing” and “drywall hanging” and “wood manufacturing.”
- Format your carpenter resume with clear sections and appropriate fonts so that it is easy for ATS software to parse and hiring managers to read.
- Don’t lie about your experience and skills as a carpenter.
- Don’t make vague claims about your skills. Instead, provide specific examples of your experience installing cabinetry, using hand tools or reading blueprints.
- Don’t include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Don’t include irrelevant skills and work experience. Focus on relevant skills instead such as using specialized tools and equipment.
- Don’t forget to proofread. A carpenter is expected to have high attention to detail, and your resume should reflect that.
Top 4 tips for interviews for a carpenter job
Learn about the organization or company.
When applying for a carpenter role, it’s important to learn about the organization to demonstrate your interest in the position and to tailor your resume to the company’s needs. Here are a few areas to consider researching:
- History and mission statement: Learn about the company’s background and mission statement to get a sense of its goals and values.
- Company culture: Try to get a sense of the company’s culture by reading employee reviews or checking their social media profiles. This can help you determine if the company is a good fit for you and your work style.
- Safety protocols: Research the company’s safety protocols to see how they prioritize safety on the job site. This information can help you prepare for safety-related questions during the interview.
Practice your answers.
It is important to prepare for your job interview by practicing commonly asked questions. Here are a few behavioral questions to prepare for:
- Provide an example of how you deal with change
- Describe a time when a colleague disagreed with you
- Describe a time in which you took initiative
During your interview, you will be asked a variety of questions to assess your knowledge, skills and experience as a carpenter. Here are some common questions that you might encounter:
- What experience do you have in carpentry work?
- What carpentry tools are you proficient in using?
- How do you ensure that your work meets safety and quality standards?
Prepare questions to ask during the interview.
Prepare for the interview process by brainstorming informed questions that you can ask. This will help you showcase your interest in the company’s mission and values.
Here are a few questions you can ask the interviewer to demonstrate your interest:
- What types of carpentry projects will I be working on in this position?
- What safety protocols does the company have in place for carpentry work?
- Can you tell me about a particularly challenging carpentry project the company has worked on? What training or professional development opportunities are available for carpenters at the company?
- How does the company prioritize quality in its carpentry work?
Gather references.
Gather your professional references to share with the hiring manager if requested. Make a list of two or three former colleagues and a former manager willing to speak highly about your abilities and performance as a carpenter.
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Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Carpenters
- Learn.org. Article. Carpenter: Job Duties, Employment Outlook, and Training Requirements
- U.S. News & World Report. Article. Carpenter Overview
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Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with extensive experience in digital media. She is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.
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