Carpenter Resume: Free Template, Real Examples & Essential Tips

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You’re an expert at designing and building furniture out of wood. But are you having trouble crafting a job-winning resume? With our expertly made resume templates, you can craft the perfect resume and find your dream job in no time.

Carpenter Resume Example MSWord®
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According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for carpenters is only expected to grow 2% in the period between 2021 and 2031.

That translates to a projected 91,200 new job openings for carpenters each year. 

The opportunities, though limited, are certainly there. But optimizing your carpenter resume to make sure you land one is another matter. 

If you want to beat out our fellow woodworkers to get your dream job, you have to become an expert on writing a resume for carpentry work. . Whether you’re applying as an assistant carpenter, a carpenter foreman, or a self-employed specialist, knowing how to present your carpentry skills for resume success is essential.

Luckily, we’re here to guide you through the process of remodeling your carpentry resume to make sure it has an impeccable finish. 

By following our professional tips and examples in the guide below, you’ll establish yourself as one of the best carpentry candidates on the market. 

Our free resume builder can also greatly assist you to sand out the knots in your professional presentation. It will also help you showcase the key skills of a carpenter for resume impact and making sure recruiters notice your strengths immediately.

The US BLS has found that 26% of carpenters are self-employed.

This indicates a packed industry of self-starters and go-getters. But it also means that there are not a lot of carpenter resume examples for you to learn from. 

So, we built one for you.  

Our carpenter resume example includes key skills, an eye-catching objective, relevant work experience, and education.

Resume Example

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[Mike Lawrence]

[Carpenter]

[63 Main St, Brooklyn, NY 11224 | 111-111-1111 | mike.lawrence@example.com]

Summary

Detail-oriented carpenter, with in-depth knowledge of the entire construction process. Professional bilingual Civil Carpenter committed to following safety code regulations and committed to utmost quality workmanship. Seeking a position with an exceptional and professional company.

Experience 

Lead Construction Carpenter, 2015-present

Hobs Construction, Brooklyn, NY 

• Installation of door, window, and ceiling
• Demolition work
• Subcontractors’ on-site supervision
• Framing, trim work, plastering, tiling
• Work in all areas of construction projects
• Work from design specifications, blueprints, and sketches

Education 

John Taylor High School, Brooklyn, NY

 High School Diploma

 2004-2008

GPA 3.8

Skills

• Extensive knowledge of the whole construction process; drafting, material selection, technique, and safety
• Accurate reading of project plans and blueprints
• Experience in woodworking, exceptional finish, carpentry
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Worked on residential and commercial construction projects
• Bilingual (English, Spanish)
• Trained to operate hand and power tools and equipment
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment

Courses

• Introduction to Spreadsheets
• Financial Accounting
• Interpersonal Communication
• Managerial Accounting

As a carpenter, you do more than just hammer nails; you make a dream home a reality. You craft beautiful custom-made cabinets for clients’ most prized possessions that no store could provide.  

This is what your resume must convey.

To start with, it’s important to choose the right carpenter resume format. The three top resume formats to choose from are as follows:

• Reverse-chronological resume: The most common format, which lists work experience starting with the most recent to oldest. 
• Functional resume: A non-standard format that highlights your skills first and your work history second. Use this format if you’re entering the carpentry field from a different industry.
• Combination resume: A combination of the previous two resume formats.

We recommend the reverse-chronological format for your carpenter resume.

Details matter. Always use a clean, professional font and clear section headers to organize your information. Then pack it with the right information, such as your contact details, work history, skills, and education. 

Remember that recruiters like things simple, short and precise.

Whether you should opt for a summary or an objective depends on your professional background. 

If you’re an experienced carpenter, a resume summary would be a more suitable option. 

A carpenter resume objective is usually used for entry-level carpenter resumes or carpentry apprentices.

No matter which you choose, this opening statement should be short, precise, and reflect your personal and professional achievements.

Three to five clear sentences are enough to present yourself in this section.

Carpenter Resume Summary Example

Catch the attention of recruiters by creating an engaging carpenter resume summary. Accentuate your experience and skills in this section.

Highlight the key professional accomplishments, years of experience, and position in the industry.

Here’s how NOT to sell yourself as a master carpenter:

And now, consider this excellent example of a senior carpenter resume summary:

How to Write an Entry-Level Carpenter Resume Objective

We recommend resume objectives for entry-level candidates or carpentry apprentices. If you are in this category and lack experience—don’t panic!

There are many other things you can put in your carpenter resume objective.

An entry-level carpenter apprentice resume objective should depict the contribution you plan to make to the company. You should present your aspirations, goals, and skills.

Here are a few vital elements you can include to make the resume objective impressive:

• Education and certifications
• Hard or soft skills related to the industry
• Type of company you want to work with

Well-constructed sentences and catchy keywords can help portray you as a ready-made worker worth interviewing.

Entry-Level Carpenter Resume Objective Example

This lackluster objective is a sure way to get your resume tossed into a wood chipper: 

Now take a look at a great entry-level carpenter resume objective below to get an idea of how to prepare yours:

If you have extensive experience working as a carpenter, you shouldn’t have trouble describing it.

Still, you’ll need to list your carpenter resume job descriptions so that they fully convey your value. 

Here are some tips on what your experience section should include:

• Never describe your experience in paragraphs! Always use bullet points to display your accomplishments. Four to five bullet points are sufficient to give a short and clear overview.
• List your previous jobs in a reverse chronological way, starting from the current position.
• Include the company name, location, position held, and dates of employment for each entry.
• Study the job description to identify common words and phrases they use to describe their ideal candidate, then include those words in your sentences.
• Match your experience examples with the responsibilities listed in the job ad. 

Carpenter Duties and Responsibilities

A well-written resume should include a section dedicated to carpenter duties and responsibilities resume content. This gives hiring managers a quick, scannable overview of your core capabilities and past work functions. Here’s how you might present it:

• Measure, cut, and assemble wood, metal, and other materials according to blueprints and project specifications.
• Install frameworks, doors, windows, staircases, and flooring in residential and commercial properties.
• Operate and maintain woodworking tools, machinery, and heavy construction equipment.
• Follow safety protocols and ensure compliance with OSHA standards on job sites.
• Collaborate with project managers, fellow carpenters, and subcontractors to meet deadlines and quality requirements.
• Train and mentor junior carpenters or apprentices, offering guidance on techniques and safe tool usage.

Including this section in your resume ensures that recruiters can instantly see that you meet the requirements for the role.

Carpenter Resume Examples: Experience

First, let’s take a look at how NOT to write an experience section entry:

Instead, a good carpenter resume job description should look like something like this:

Entry-Level Carpenter Resume: Experience Section

If preparing a carpenter helper resume or carpenter assistant resume, you probably don’t have extensive professional experience.

Instead, you can craft a great objective and skills section to win potential clients over.  

Additionally, you may have volunteer experiences that can show that you are right for the job.

Perhaps you helped your neighbor install new kitchen cabinets, or you volunteered with an organization to rebuild homes in underserved communities.

You can find an example of how to convey experience as an entry-level carpenter below.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of blueprint implementation, drywall installation, and OSHA regulations
• Professional-level skill with manual and power tools
• Proficient in computer operation
• Strong physical dexterity

VOLUNTEER WORK

Helper

Red Cross, Brooklyn, NY

June 2015 – August 2015

• Helped erect waterproof tents for storm-affected population
• Laid stone patios while rebuilding houses damaged in natural disaster

Most carpenters graduate from a trade school, and some possess college degrees. 

However, you can also prove your skills in modern construction knowledge with certifications and trade specialties. The more training, the better.

If you have high mathematics and mechanical drawing scores, this will be useful for your work. Other valuable educational achievements could include:

• Associate’s degree from a vocational-technical school.
• Apprenticeships and on-site shadowing

Most carpenters also learn by working alongside more experienced tradespeople. If you have such training, it’s definitely worth mentioning it. Particularly if you’ve worked for a well-known name in the industry.

Carpenter Resume Education Section Example

Below is an example of what a carpenter resume education section should look like:

EDUCATION

NYC College, New York, NY, 20010-2013 

BSc. Degree in Engineering 

GPA: 3.8

Activities: Member of Math Society, Participated in an internship program – local civil construction project, College soccer team’s captain for 1.5 years

Carpentry is a form of art. It requires vision and tradesmanship to turn a piece of wood into a masterpiece. 

But being a carpenter requires many talents besides just being handy with a drill. You also need physical strength, attention to detail, dexterity, and thoroughness

Carpentry may also include working with materials like metal. You might need to install beams, walls, staircases, and ceilings. 

When selecting carpenter resume skills to highlight, only list abilities that are relevant to the job posting. And ones which you can honestly back up with examples.

Depending on your experience, you might choose to include skills like 

• Following blueprints and building plans
• Constructing and installing frameworks
• Drywall installation
• Construction of bridges or buildings.

It’s also a good idea to split your abilities into hard and soft skills to make the list easier to browse and skim through. Consider including some of the best carpenter skills for a resume:

Additional skills can help present a well-rounded view of your interests. Consider adding hobbies and projects you are passionate about—especially if they relate to carpentry.

Some of the information you can include are languages you speak, projects you participated in, technical and mechanical skills, or volunteer work you do for organizations you are passionate about.

Carpenter Resume Sample “Other” Sections

Here is an example of how to present this section:

OTHER:

• Actively engaged in sports (soccer, basketball)
• Study arts and engineering courses 
• Attend business school to improve business communication skills 
• Fluent in English, Spanish, and German

Creating a strong carpenter resume should be as easy as sanding down a log if you follow the instructions we provided in this guide.

To be sure that you have covered everything, here is a checklist to tick off when you’re crafting your masterwork of a resume: 

• Format your resume using the reversed-chronological style and a professional font
• Add a resume summary or objective to present yourself, depending on experience
• Choose strong keywords to attract the attention of a recruiter
• Stress your talents and skills as an entry-level carpenter. Select skills that highlight your strengths, but only the ones you possess
• Use your working experience to highlight your accomplishments and the impact made in previous positions
• Add Other Sections to point out what motivates you and your passions

Don’t underestimate the importance of a well-constructed carpenter resume. And remember, don’t hesitate to use one of our resume templates for a solid base if you’re having trouble getting started!