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A contractor is someone who does individual contract work, typically in a construction capacity. How do you show off these skills when you’re trying to find a job?
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Technically speaking, a “contractor,” also called a “subcontractor,” is any employee who is hired on a project basis for a job. They are not directly employed by a company but instead hired to work for that company for a short period of time. In general usage, a contractor is most frequently a person who works on construction projects of all types. If you’re applying to work as a contractor, then you’ll usually be applying to the contractor company, which will match you up with jobs that fit your skill set. Here’s what you need to know if you’re writing an independent contractor resume.
Build my resumeWhen you look at general contractor resume samples, you’ll notice that most of them emphasize skills above all else. That’s because your skills will help decide which specific jobs you get. Here are a few types of jobs that often fall under the “contractor” umbrella:
When writing a professional resume for one of these contractor jobs, it’s up to you to show what your skills are, so the hiring manager knows how to place you.
The resume format you choose will impact your resume structure. The chronological resume format is most common, placing the most emphasis on your work history. If you don’t have as much work history, you may opt for a functional format or for a combination format. Either way, you’ll use these sections when putting your contractor resume together.
The header will include your full name, your contact information like your phone number, and your professional social media links, including your LinkedIn profile. A winning resume may include some design flourishes in this section.
At the top of your resume should be your resume summary or resume objective. This is a two to three-sentence paragraph that gives a hiring manager a general overview of your resume. Think of your summary as your opportunity to explain in a few words why you’re the right person for the job. A resume objective also includes details on your career goals (and is best if you lack professional experience).
Here are some skills you should consider for a general contractor resume:
Include up to the last ten years of relevant work experience on your resume. As an independent contractor, this might include work with other contracting companies or specific jobs you’ve worked in the past. If you didn’t have a job title, then you can typically just write “Contractor”.
Many contractors have a high school diploma, but certifications are often mandatory in this industry. If you’re planning to move into a job where certification is important, then include such certifications in this section of your resume.
Build my resumeHave questions? We’re here to help.
Yes. A cover letter is always a great way to show off your skills and experience a little more effectively, and it also allows you to ask directly for a job interview. Resume writing is important, but even the best resume can benefit from an accompanying cover letter. If you’re not confident in your skills at writing cover letters, then use the ResumeHelp cover letter builder to create one as easily as possible.
If you don’t have a lot of official experience as a contractor, then you’re instead going to want to rely on your certifications and your skills. After all, a hiring manager just wants to know that you’ll be able to do your job. You don’t necessarily need years of professional experience; you can list internship experience if you went through an internship to become a contractor.
Your best bet at applying to multiple jobs more effectively will be your resume keywords. Resume keywords are keywords that a hiring manager includes in the job description to try and attract job seekers with very specific skills. If you look through the resume keywords and include those keywords in your own resume, then you can show employers the abilities and qualifications you have that are closer to their perfect applicant.
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