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An effective resume will make you stand out among applicants when you apply for a job in the skilled trades. An employer often only spends a few seconds glancing over your resume, so first impressions count. In many cases, this will be your one and only opportunity to get your potential employer’s attention and convince them to give you a chance. 1
The right skilled trades resume allows you to showcase your qualifications and reflect your personality. It also helps you take inventory of your skills, training, and work history. Remember, your resume should demonstrate that you can transition from school to the workforce. 2
In the skilled trades, employers specifically look for background, licenses, diplomas, certification, and work projects. Employers typically focus on particular skill sets, certain type of work experience, and correct use of industry terminology. In short, they want to quickly see if you would be a good fit for the position. 3
How to Write a Skilled Trades Resume
A lot of times when you look for resume templates online, you end up finding mostly examples for white-collar jobs. This is not very helpful for someone graduating from a refrigeration training program. A skilled trades resume differs from resumes for positions in industries like marketing or finance. We compiled a template with the most important elements of a strong skilled trades resume:
1. Header
Put your information in the header section of the document, such as name, address, phone number, and email address.
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2. Education
As most students coming out of school will be looking for entry-level positions, there may not be a lot of relevant work history. You will want to list your school to show employers that you are/have received training.
3. Core Skills
Highlight core skills that you gained through training and experience, like hydronic systems installation or solar panel repair. Make sure the skills you list are relevant to the position to which you apply.
4. Accomplishments
List accomplishments like training credentials, industry certificates, or state licenses that you have obtained. Again, make sure you include any accomplishments that could be relevant to the position.
5. Work History
List jobs in chronological order, starting with the most recent one. Provide company name, dates of employment, and job title. Specify your role and responsibilities at each job in 3 to 5 bullet points. Keep the position you are applying for in mind, so adjust work history details accordingly. 4 5 6
RSI Can Help
A skilled trades resume really focuses on the skills, training, and experience needed for the position. In a nutshell, the employer wants to know if you are able to perform the job, so always consider the position you are applying for when a crafting your resume.
The RSI Career Services Department helps its students prepare a professional resume for a skilled trades job and coaches students on soft skills and interviewing tips.
Additional Sources
1 – http://careerminer.infomine.com/why-it-is-so-important-to-have-a-good-resume/
2 – http://work.chron.com/importance-resume-writing-9220.html
3 – http://careers.workopolis.com/advice/how-to-craft-a-skilled-trades-resume/
4 – https://www.livecareer.com/resume-templates/microsoft-word/skilled-trades
5 – http://time.com/money/4171054/resume-tips-advice/
6 – https://www.resume-now.com/templates/skilled-trades
