Your Resume & Application

Even in the trades, a clean resume and a good application set you apart.

What to put on a trades resume

• Contact info and the type of work you want.
• Any experience — even unrelated jobs show you're reliable and show up.
• Skills, tools, and certifications — OSHA 10, equipment you can run, a valid driver's license, any trade training.
• References — people who'll vouch for your work ethic.

Tips

• Keep it to one page, clean and honest.
• Emphasize reliability and willingness to learn.
• Send a short, polite message when you apply — it goes a long way.

Going Deeper (Intermediate)

Even in the trades, a clean resume and complete application help you stand out. List relevant skills, certifications (OSHA 10, licenses), experience, and reliability — and tailor it to the job. Fill applications out fully and honestly.

Advanced / Pro-Level

Make it easy for a foreman to say yes:

• Highlight safety certs, hands-on experience, tools/equipment you can run, and — above all — reliability/attendance.
• Quantify where you can ("framed 40+ homes," "OSHA 30, forklift certified").
• List apprenticeship hours/credentials and references from foremen/supers.
• Keep the format simple and clean; follow up after applying.
• Be honest — licenses, certs, and background are verifiable; a lie that surfaces ends the opportunity.

Practice Challenge

Two applicants have similar skills; one's resume highlights "OSHA 30, 3 yrs framing, perfect attendance, foreman reference," the other just says "construction worker." Who gets the call and why? (Answer: the first — it gives the foreman concrete proof of safety, experience, and reliability (the traits crews actually hire for) and an easy reference to verify; specifics and reliability signals win the interview.)

In Practice

Even a fast-food job belongs on a trades resume — it proves you show up and follow through. Add an OSHA 10 and a couple references, keep it to one page, and you stand out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Leaving off non-trade jobs that show reliability
• Making the resume too long or cluttered
• Not listing certifications or references

Takeaway: Keep your resume one page and honest — highlight reliability, certifications, and references who vouch for you.

Educational content — general guidance; confirm tax, financial, and program specifics with the appropriate professional or authority.