Laborer Resume Examples

When you think of a Laborer, you think of someone who does physical, back-breaking work. They do all the heavy lifting! While there are laborers in every industry, they are popularly associated with the Construction business. Similarly, the skills that you learn in one type of physical labor can be applied to another industry. However, in order to land this job, your Laborer resume should showcase more than just your strength and endurance.

The job outlook for laborers is good! The Bureau of Labor Statistics categorizes laborers under “Construction Laborers and Helpers”. The BLS projects a very promising 12% growth rate for laborers over the next few years. The average wage rate is slightly above minimum wage at $16.74 per hour. The median average salary per year is estimated to be $34,810.

Thus, you should expect the job to be competitive. Every day there are people lining up for jobs at construction sites. They are armed with their resumes. The good news is we have prepared a Labor resume sample which will do all the heavy lifting for you. By simply following our advice, you can stay in front of the line.

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Expert Approved Resume Samples

Our samples are written by career experts with over 10 years of experience in resume writing.

Get inspired and explore what’s recommended to write in each section of the resume.

Laborer Resume Sample

Michael Williams

Address:              301 Hwy 34 West, Albia IA 52531
Phone:                  (641) 912-5264
Email:                    [email protected]
Current job:       General Laborer at Salisbury Processing Plant


Objective

To find a laborer position in a construction company where I will put to use my physical skills, experience and any accumulated knowledge to make the construction process more efficient.


Skills

  1. Great communication skills
  2. Can work either in a team or as a free member
  3. Able to schedule and delegate work to the other coworkers
  4. Knowledge in maintaining and cleaning various construction machines
  5. Skilled in providing great customer service
  6. Able to handle numerous tasks with ease
  7. Flexible, adaptable and respectful to authority
  8. Vast experience in various construction projects
  9. High attention to detail
  10. High physical stamina to endure even the strenuous tasks
  11. Good in both written and spoken English
  12. Can comfortably work under pressure

Experience

General Laborer, 2016-Present
Salisbury Processing Plant, Salisbury, MD 

Responsibilities

  • Loading and unloading Products
  • Packing the different products into the relevant areas
  • Cleaning and maintaining various machines
  • Reporting to the supervisor on any anomalies in the processing plant
  • Cleaning up after work or in case of any spills
  • Performing any other job-related tasks issued

Construction Laborer, 2015-2016
Tatitlek Corporation, Emmitsburg, MD

Responsibilities

  • Loaded and unloaded various construction materials and moved them to the destined area
  • Leveled the earth by use of shovels and rakes
  • Removed any debris and waste materials in or near the construction sites
  • Cleaned up any spills
  • Managed traffic movement in the construction area
  • Erected different concrete forms as well as scaffolding
  • Mixed, poured and extended building materials in the required portions

General Laborer, 2017-2015
Tyonek Native Corporation, Anchorage, AK

Responsibilities

  • Helped in drilling activities and also blasting
  • Operated different kinds of equipment
  • Handled various activities in the construction site with little or no supervision
  • Assisted other workers in the field of welding, carpentry and engineering

Education

Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Diploma in Construction Management
2015-2017, 3.2 GPA 

Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Certificate in Construction Management
1999-2015, 3.1 GPA

Ackley-Geneva High School, Ackley, Iowa
High School Diploma
1995-1999, 3.2 GPA


Courses

  1. Measuring and estimating building materials
  2. Job site management techniques
  3. Coordinating the construction process
  4. Quality and safety standards in the construction industry

Personal information

  • Civil Status: Married, with three child
  • Date of Birth:   December 12, 1981
  • Hobbies:  swimming, playing baseball, solving crossword puzzles

How To Write A Good Laborer Resume

The biggest mistake you can make is to not take your resume seriously. Firstly, this is your first point-of-contact with the recruiter. The information you disclose will determine whether the recruiter will consider you for the job or not.

Secondly, a well-written resume is a sign of respect to the company and shows a high level of professionalism. Certainly, the people at Human Resources will appreciate the time and effort you spent.

Here are a few helpful tips on how to write a good Laborer resume that will get the attention and respect of the recruiter:

Customize/Personalize Your Resume

It is very important to tailor-fit your resume to the needs of the company. When you’re working on a section, try to answer the question, “Why should we hire you as a Laborer in our project?”

The answer to “why” can be found in the job post. For this reason, it would be a good idea to review the job post before writing your resume.

Take note of the specific requirements of the job – level of experience, skills, education, and personality attributes among others.

You may also want to visit the website and social media pages of the prospective employer. By doing so, it will give you an idea of the type of culture that thrives in the company. This will help you find the right tone for your resume.

Pay Attention to Keywords

Another reason why it’s good to revisit the job post is that it contains valuable keywords.

HR puts keywords in the job post for a number of good reasons:

  • It helps them find targeted resumes; easier to identify which applicants took the time to read the job post.
  • Some companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) as a pre-qualifying stage. If you email the resume, the ATS will look for these keywords. Consequently, those with the keywords will move forward in the process.

For example, if the job post includes keywords such as “heavy lifting”, “operating heavy machinery”, and “power tools”, make sure you have these keywords in your resume.

Don’t Just Focus on Physical Skills

While there is a lot of heavy lifting involved, a Laborer resume must present other skills as well.

For example:

  • Can read and understand blueprints
  • Can track and manage inventory of supplies
  • Supervises the job site during graveyard hours

Construction companies are also looking for candidates who can handle tasks that are distinct from what a Laborer normally does.

Write An Eye-Catching Laborer Resume Objective

Don’t overlook the importance of having a well-written resume objective. Believe it or not, it could be the difference-maker in your job application!

Firstly, the objective statement is located at the top third of your resume. For sure, the recruiter will come across it. Therefore, the objective is the ideal location to sell your value to the company.

Secondly, the objective statement allows you the opportunity to “be heard”. It is often thought of as the “voice of the resume”. HR uses this section to gauge the personality of the applicant – “Is this person a right fit for the project?”

Here are tips on how to write an eye-catching resume objective:

Write in Your Own Voice

Don’t you sometimes hear the voice the writer whenever you read an article he has written?

Some people write according to the way they speak. Good examples would be Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, former US President Barack Obama, and NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.

Let your personality come out when you write your objective statement. Write it in a conversational tone. Don’t get technical.

Do You Have the Required Skills for the Job?

If you have the skills required for the job, use the objective to put them front and center. It will make the recruiter’s job easier. He will see right away that you are qualified for the position.

Think of the resume objective as your sales pitch. Why should the company hire you? The company should hire you because you have the skills that the job requires… and more!

Personalize it

HR loves personalized resumes. It shows that you took the time to make one that is specifically for them. Conversely, HR people do not like cookie-cutter resumes.

One of the most effective ways to personalize the objective statement is to mention the company. You could also mention a concern or issue the company is dealing with and how hiring you could potentially help them.

Remember, the objective is your voice. You can use it to speak to the company.

Include Relevant Skills

As we mentioned early in this article, becoming a good Laborer is not just about having the physical gifts for the job.

Do you have other skills which could be relevant or applicable to the job? Good examples would include the following:

  • Knowledge in computers
  • Experienced in driving vans and light trucks
  • Background in inventory management

If you have skills that could have value to the company, include them in your Laborer resume.

Don’t Forget Your Top Soft Skills

And let’s not forget your top soft skills! Many companies today are placing equal if not, more focus on soft skills.

What are soft skills?

These are the personality attributes or traits that best describe your attitude toward the job.

HR creates a profile of the ideal candidate for the position. The profile includes personality traits that make a candidate the best fit for the company’s culture.

Identify at least 3 of your most prominent soft skills and indicate them toward the end of your resume objective. The golden rule for picking out your soft skills is: Be Honest.

Using these 5 tips, let’s make create a good resume objective for a laborer job position.

 

Here is a sample job post:

Bayview Construction Company is Hiring!
Construction Laborers for its Seaview Condominiums Project

Requirements:

 - Minimum 1-year experience in construction
 - Experience in handling power tools
 - Background in painting and masonry work
 - Can work long hours
 - Physically-fit; no lingering medical issues

Example of a good objective statement for a laborer resume

For the past 2 years, I’ve had the good fortune to work in a number of commercial construction projects notably the Orion Tower in Hillsborough and the Meridien Plaza at Levitown. My scope of work included drilling, sawing/cutting different materials according to specifications, mixing and application of paint and cement. I am confident that my experience and expertise will greatly contribute to the successful construction of Seaview Condominiums. I am dedicated, hard-working and physically-fit. Likewise. I am willing to be subjected to a medical test.

Clearly, the first sentence is an attention-getter. Not only does it highlight the applicant’s tenure but it also gives details on the construction projects he’s worked on.

Likewise, the objective runs off a list of hard skills that are in line with the job requirement for Seaview Condominiums which is mentioned. Finally, the applicant gives a rundown of his best soft skills.

Laborer Resume Skills

Is the work of a Laborer purely manual and therefore, physical? While physical strength and conditioning are definite pluses for a Laborer, those are not the only skills needed for the job.

Yes, there is plenty of heavy lifting. As well as pulling, climbing, moving, and pushing. However, there should be more to your skills than abilities that attest to your physical strength.

Basic Math Skills

Construction work requires precision. You may be asked to mix cement or paint. You will make measurements on doorways, floorings, and in order to find out if furniture would fit an area. It is important to have basic Math skills so you can reduce the risk of costly mistakes happening.

Understanding of Construction Work

As a Laborer in a construction site, your supervisor may instruct you to handle a variety of tasks. It is a good idea to have an understanding of construction work because some of the tasks that you will be assigned may be technical or mechanical in nature.

You may want to consider taking courses related to construction work that are offered by a few technical schools. Another option is to sign up for apprentice programs that are offered by the construction company.

Ability to Work with a Team

Construction work is a team effort. Everyone must do their job to the best of their ability. If the team does not work cohesively, the company’s timetable may not be met. When this happens, delays follow and construction costs rise.

As a Laborer, you must have the ability to work with others in the team. Learn their job. Offer help if needed. Communicate constantly with one another. Let the supervisor know if there are problems that could affect the progress of the construction.

Problem Solving Skills

If you find that something “is not right”, it is important to find out what the problem is and work to develop a solution.

For example, did you notice that the cement was not dry before the tiles were installed? This could create big problems in the next few months. Thus, it is important to bring these matters to the attention of the Supervisor.

Be ready to offer solutions that could resolve the problem. Supervisors and Project Manager like Laborers who are proactive in the construction process. They are not content with just doing their job. They find ways to do their job better.

Laborer Duties And Responsibilities

All the work that you’ve done in the resume so far has come to this: the Laborer duties and responsibilities for the work experience section.

At this point, your resume has done its job. You got the recruiter’s attention. He wants to learn more about your work experience. In his mind, he is formulating the following question:

“Does he have the necessary work experience for this job?”

If the list of duties and responsibilities outlined in the work experience section answers this question, then you could be one step away from an employment contract!

So how do you compile a list of duties and responsibilities for the work experience section that will put your resume on top of the pile?

Focus on Your Latest or Current Employment

For the reason that a recruiter will only scan a resume, you can be sure that most of his attention will be on your latest and current employment. After all, your current employment will be the best reference point to where you are in the present in terms of skill, duties, and responsibilities. Describe at 5 to 8 duties and responsibilities that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

Review the Job Description Carefully

The job post will include details on the skills and other requirements for the position of Laborer. Thus, before writing down your duties and responsibilities in the work experience sections, list them on a sheet of paper. Then, identify the ones which are relevant or similar to the responsibilities summarized in the job post.

Get Into Detail

Let the HR person reviewing your application know that your duties and responsibilities are second nature to you. When writing your job description, go into detail. Avoid giving generic job descriptions. Describe your duties and responsibilities in a way that creates imagery in the mind of the recruiter.

Validate Claims with Numbers

HR people love numbers. They view it as a way of adding substance to your claims. If you or your team had notable accomplishments in your previous employment, share them on your resume and validate these claims with numbers.

For example, you were part of the construction team that helped your employer inaugurate the building on time and save money on the budget, you should include this accomplishment.

Example of duties and responsibilities for a laborer resume

Laborer; June 2017 to May 2017
Bellevue Construction Company; Jacksonville Beach, FL

  • Part of the construction team which worked on the Alexandra High Tower project from 2017 to 2017. We successfully met the company’s timetable to inaugurate the building on 12 May 2017 while streamlining the construction budget by 24%.
  • Assisted the pre-construction team in having the area ready for building by clearing grass, vegetation, debris, and other impediments.
  • Unloaded construction materials from suppliers’ delivery trucks and transported them via heavy machinery to the designated setup areas.
  • Received construction materials at the job site; organized documents and submitted them to Purchasing and Accounting for proper record-keeping.
  • Provided assistance to the carpentry and masonry teams upon request by the Project Manager; tasked with mixing paints and cement in the correct proportions.

Entry Level Laborer Resume

Every day, many entry-level laborers enter the job market hoping to land their first paycheck.

Companies don’t mind hiring entry-level laborers. The starting pay is not as high as an experienced Laborer so the company would get to save money. The trade-off is that the prospective employer will have to spend more on training and orientation.

If you want to stay ahead of the competition, here are some tips:

  • Highlight your education and training – Did you take up construction-related courses in a technical school? Are you certified in a relevant skill such as Carpentry? Did you undergo an apprenticeship program? If so, include the details on your resume.
  • Share Your Story – The objective is the ideal section to share your story. Firstly, it is your voice and secondly, it will be seen right away by the recruiter.Tell the person reading your application how bad you want this job. You don’t have to overdo it.You can state that you want to follow in the career footsteps of your father. Another good sales pitch is to tell the recruiter that you are willing to work long hours.

Advice for a Laborer Job Interview

As you prepare to be called for the interview, there are several things that you should do in order to capitalize on the moment. It would certainly hurt to go through all the stages of acquiring the job only to fluke at the interview. Don’t underestimate an interview; it can decide whether you will get the job or not. In order to prepare adequately, the following tips will come in handy.

Perform a Detailed Study of the Company

The last thing you want to happen to you during an interview is draw a blank when asked an obvious question like “Do you know what out company does?”. To avoid this, you should ensure that you have studied all you can about the company. The key areas to study are products or services that the company deals in, when it was established, major achievements through the years and latest news either about their past or upcoming events. This way, you won’t be caught out when the interviewer asks you about the firm. The other thing that you should enquire about is the interviewer. Either by use of social media or an employee of the company you can find out a lot about his interviewing style and what he is looking for.

Interview Questions to Prepare For

Although you might not get the exact same questions that are listed here, they are to give you a pointer of what to expect when you show up for the interview. The tip to observe here is to answer every question in relation to the job description and your skills and experience. This will help you to make a favorable impression in the mind of the interviewer.

  • What is your work style?
  • How would you describe your pace of working? What do you plan to do to improve on it?
  • How good are you at handling strenuous work?
  • How do you plan to handle the pressure in this job?
  • Would you consider yourself a self-motivator?

Note: Although they are not supposed to ask you about any medical conditions that you may have, they may try to sneak them in.  Watch out for that.

List the Questions That You Would Like To Ask

Although it is not given that you will get a chance to ask questions at the interview, there is a chance that the interviewer might expect you to ask some questions. To ensure that you don’t get caught flat-footed when he asks you whether you have any questions, make sure to come up with your own relevant questions. A sample of what you can ask is given below:

  • What do you like most about working here?
  • What does the company do to mitigate on-the-job injuries?
  • Is upper management receptive to suggestions made by employees?
  • What more can I tell you about my skills and qualifications?
  • What is the management style in this firm?

Dress Appropriately For the Occasion

An interview is your best chance of proving to the interviewer that you are the right candidate for the job. One of the ways you can use to prove your point is by dressing appropriately for the big day. In choosing the right image to display, you should try and picture how you would be dressing to work if you got that job. Alternatively, you should look at how those who are employed in a similar job dress to work and then dress that way. Things to avoid when dressing for the interview are: flashy outfits, strong perfume and loads of jewelry.

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