Your resume is your first impression — and in the trades, that impression needs to show employers you're reliable, skilled, and ready to work. But here's the thing: most blue-collar workers haven't touched their resume in years, or they're still using formats that don't match what employers actually want to see.
Why Your Resume Actually Matters
Look, some guys in the trades think resumes don't matter much. After all, employers care about what you can do, not what's on paper, right?
Sure — but here's reality: your resume decides whether you even get the chance to show what you can do. According to research from Ladders, recruiters spend an average of just 7 seconds reviewing a resume. If yours doesn't clearly show your value in that time, they've already moved on.
When employers post on BCRecruits, they're reviewing dozens or even hundreds of applications. Your resume needs to answer three quick questions: Can you do this job? Do you have the right experience? Are you worth bringing in?
A solid resume gets you that interview. A weak one keeps you stuck.
Start with a Strong Opening
Most blue-collar resumes jump straight into work history. That's leaving money on the table.
A professional summary is 2-4 sentences at the top that tells employers who you are and what you bring.
Bad example: "Hard worker looking for a job in construction."
Good example: "Licensed electrician with 6 years of experience in commercial and residential installations. EPA certified with expertise in troubleshooting electrical systems, reading blueprints, and completing projects safely and on schedule."
See the difference? The good example shows your job title, years of experience, certifications, and actual skills. That's what gets attention.
Match Your Skills to What They Need
Employers hiring for trades jobs are looking for specific technical skills. Make it dead simple for them to see you've got what they need.
Create a "Skills" section near the top. Here's what matters for common trades:
HVAC Technicians:
- Residential & commercial HVAC installation
- EPA Section 608 certification
- System diagnostics and troubleshooting
- Refrigerant handling
- Blueprint reading
Electricians:
- Electrical system installation
- National Electrical Code (NEC) knowledge
- Conduit bending and installation
- Troubleshooting and diagnostics
- Panel upgrades
Plumbers:
- Residential and commercial plumbing
- Water heater installation
- Gas line installation
- Code compliance
- Emergency service
Construction Workers:
- Heavy equipment operation (forklift, backhoe, skid steer)
- OSHA 10/30 certification
- Concrete pouring and finishing
- Framing and carpentry
- Safety protocol compliance
Match your skills to the job posting. If they're asking for specific certifications or equipment experience, make sure those jump off the page.
Use Strong Action Words
Too many resumes use weak language that undersells real accomplishments.
Weak: "Was responsible for maintenance"
Strong: "Performed preventive maintenance on 40+ HVAC units monthly"
Power words for your resume: Installed, Repaired, Operated, Maintained, Troubleshot, Completed, Supervised, Trained, Inspected, Managed, Built, Fabricated, Assembled.
Start every bullet point with a strong verb that shows what you actually did.
Put Numbers on Your Accomplishments
Numbers make everything more real. Instead of saying you "did installations," tell them how many.
Before: "Responsible for HVAC maintenance."
After: "Performed scheduled maintenance on 50+ commercial HVAC units monthly, reducing emergency service calls by 30%."
Numbers employers care about:
- Projects completed
- Crew sizes you managed
- Dollar value of projects
- Units serviced
- Percentage improvements
- Square footage worked
- People trained
Even ballpark numbers beat no numbers.
Show You Take Safety Seriously
Safety is huge. The Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks workplace injuries, and employers know that safety records matter.
Create a "Certifications & Licenses" section:
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
- First Aid/CPR
- Forklift certification
- EPA certifications
- State licenses (electrician, plumber, HVAC)
- CDL (if applicable)
Also work safety wins into your job history:
- "Maintained zero-accident safety record over 5 years and 1,200+ work hours"
- "Led weekly safety meetings, cutting workplace incidents by 25%"
Employers on BCRecruits tell us safety records matter because it reduces liability and keeps everyone safer.
Show You're Moving Up
Employers want to see growth. Show your progression:
- Promotions (Helper → Apprentice → Journeyman → Lead)
- More responsibility over time
- New certifications
- Training or mentoring others
- More complex projects
Example:
HVAC Technician | ABC Mechanical | 2019 - Present
- Started as Helper, promoted to Apprentice (2020), advanced to Journeyman (2022)
- Earned EPA Section 608 certification and Carrier/Trane manufacturer training
- Train new hires on safety protocols and equipment
- Independently manage residential and light commercial service calls
This shows you're building a career, not just clocking in and out.
Keep the Format Simple
Fancy designs don't work for trades jobs. Employers want info fast.
Best practices:
- Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
- Font size 10-12
- Bold section headers
- Consistent spacing
- Plenty of white space
Organize it logically:
- Contact info
- Professional summary
- Skills
- Work experience (most recent first)
- Certifications & licenses
- Education
Keep it to 1-2 pages max. Use bullet points, not paragraphs. Save as PDF and name it professionally: "John_Smith_HVAC_Technician_Resume.pdf"
Customize Each Resume
Biggest mistake? Using the same generic resume for every application. Employers can tell.
Take 10-15 minutes to:
- Match your skills section to what they're asking for
- Reorder bullet points so relevant stuff is first
- Use their language from the posting
- Emphasize experience that relates to their needs
This seriously boosts your response rate.
Proofread Like Your Job Depends on It
Spelling and grammar mistakes make you look sloppy. According to CareerBuilder surveys, 77% of hiring managers say they'll automatically dismiss a resume with typos.
How to catch mistakes:
- Read your resume out loud
- Have a friend look it over
- Print it and read the paper version
- Double-check dates, phone numbers, emails
If writing's not your thing, find someone who can help you clean it up.
Be Honest About Employment Gaps
Got gaps in your work history? Don't hide them. Be upfront:
If it was short: Use years only: "2020 - 2022" instead of "March 2020 - June 2022"
If it was longer: Give a brief explanation:
- "2021 - 2022: Family medical leave"
- "2020: Completed HVAC certification"
- "2019: Recovered from work-related injury"
If you did anything productive: Mention it:
- "Completed online safety training"
- "Personal home renovation projects"
- "Freelance handyman work"
Being honest beats trying to hide what employers will ask about anyway.
Get Past Applicant Tracking Systems
Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen resumes before humans see them. According to Jobscan, over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software.
How to optimize:
Mirror the job posting language. If it says "HVAC installation," use "HVAC installation" not just "installation work"
Include industry-standard terms:
- Equipment names (Carrier, Trane, Rheem, Milwaukee)
- Certifications (EPA 608, OSHA 30, Journeyman License)
- Processes (preventive maintenance, troubleshooting)
Use both acronyms and full terms:
- HVAC and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- NEC and National Electrical Code
Avoid images and graphics. ATS can't read text in images. Stick to plain text.
What Employers Actually Look For
When employers post jobs on BCRecruits, they look for:
- Relevant experience
- Proper certifications
- Reliability indicators (stable work history, attendance, safety)
- Clear communication
- Specific examples, not vague descriptions
They ignore:
- Generic resumes
- Typos and formatting issues
- Vague descriptions
- Unprofessional presentation
Ready to Put Your Resume to Work?
Now that you know how to build a resume that gets results, it's time to use it. Head to our job seeker registration page to create your profile and start applying.
BCRecruits connects skilled workers with quality employers in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, construction, manufacturing, welding, automotive, and more.
Got questions? Reach out to us — we're here to help you land the job you deserve.
Want more career advice and industry insights? Check out The Blue Collar Recruiter for real talk about what's working in today's trades job market.
Because a great resume doesn't just list what you've done — it shows employers what you can do for them.