Contractor CV examples to help you build yours

A contractor is someone who does individual contract work, typically in a construction capacity. How do you show off these skills when trying to find a job?

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Contractor CV examples

Technically speaking, a “contractor,” also called a “subcontractor,” is any employee 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 time. Generally, a contractor is most frequently a person who works on construction projects of all types. If you’re applying to work as a contractor, 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 CV.

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Jobs that can use in a contractor CV

When you look at general contractor CV samples, you’ll notice that most of them emphasise 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:

Carpenter
Electrician
General labourer
Project management
Construction management
Roofing

When writing a professional CV 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.

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The structure of a contractor CV

The CV format you choose will impact your CV structure. The chronological CV format is the 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 a combination format. Either way, you’ll use these sections when putting your contractor CV together.

Header

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 CV may include some design flourishes in this section.

Professional summary or career objective

At the top of your CV should be your professional summary or career objective. This is a two to three-sentence paragraph that gives a hiring manager a general overview of your CV. Think of your summary as your opportunity to explain in a few words why you’re the right person for the job. A career objective also includes details on your career goals (and is best if you lack professional experience).

Skills

Here are some skills you should consider for a general contractor curriculum vitae:

Reading blueprints
Understanding building codes
Sending out cost estimates
Using power tools and hand tools
Remodelling
Business development
Carpentry
Problem-solving skills
Time management
Working on construction sites and other job sites
Managing customer satisfaction
Applying drywall
Quality control
Residential construction
Interpersonal skills

Work history

Include up to the last ten years of relevant work experience on your CV. As an independent contractor, this might include work with other contracting companies or specific jobs you’ve previously worked. If you don’t have a job title, then you can typically just write “Contractor.”

Education

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, include such certifications in this section of your CV.

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Do’s and don’ts for a contractor CV

Do:

Include specific skills that you would be comfortable using daily in contracting work. This helps you get the right contractor jobs.
Include a balance of soft skills and hard skills. This allows you to showcase that you’re good at many different elements of your job, which can be a factor for contractors.
Use the CVHelp CV builder to create your CV. This helps you gain access to CV templates and designs that will help give your CV a clean, beautiful look.

Don’t:

Use graphs to display your skills. This negatively impacts your ability to get through an applicant tracking system (ATS), which scans CVs before a hiring manager sees them. The more straightforward a CV is, the easier it’ll be to pass ATS.
Lie in your CV. A hiring manager will check your information to make sure that it’s true, and lying can have negative impacts on your career as a whole.
Disclose identifying information about previous clients. If you want to talk about previous clients, then make sure it’s in fairly vague terms.

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FAQ: Contractor CVs

Q: Do I need to include a cover letter for a contractor application?

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. CV writing is important, but even the best CV can benefit from an accompanying cover letter. If you’re not confident in your skills at writing cover letters, then use the CVHelp cover letter builder to create one as easily as possible.

Q: How can I write a contractor CV without a lot of experience?

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.

Q: How do I change my contractor CV to apply to different jobs?

Your best bet at applying to multiple jobs more effectively will be your CV keywords. CV 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 CV keywords and include those keywords in your CV, then you can show employers the abilities and qualifications you have that are closer to their perfect applicant.

Move your CV to the top of the yes pile!

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