Generally speaking, the term “skilled trades” typically refers to positions that require additional training, education and perhaps even previous on-the-job experience. A lot of jobs fall under this umbrella term, including many positions within the manufacturing sector. With that in mind, it’s important to craft a resume that’s not only relevant to the skilled trade you are pursuing, but one that will get you noticed ahead of all the other qualified applicants.
The Heading
The topmost heading of your resume should resemble that of most other resumes. Make sure to include your full name, mailing address, telephone number and email address. If you have multiple phones or email addresses, feel free to include all of them within the heading. Moreover, make sure to include your full contact information on any subsequent pages of your resume, just in case they end up getting separated down the line.
Career Summary
Directly below the heading on the first page of your resume should appear a concise career summary. This should be no more than three or four sentences long, yet it should still provide a clear and comprehensive introduction to your primary skill set and past experience. Ideally, the career summary should have enough content to grab the attention of an employer while still holding enough back to lead them to the body of the resume itself. More importantly, remember to focus on your skills and qualifications that pertain directly to the skilled trade in question.
Work History
Your work history should be listed directly below the career summary. There is a lot of creative freedom when it comes to displaying your past positions, and many individuals tend to focus either on their most recent or most relevant positions. Experience over 20 or 30 years in the past is typically summarized, or even left out altogether.
Education and Training
The education and training section can have a real impact on the success of a resume that is written specifically for a skilled trade job. Because many such jobs required a certain degree, specialized training or industry certification, you’ll want to make sure to provide as much detail as possible when listing your credentials in this section.
You may even consider listing your education and training ahead of your work history. This works well for recent college graduates as well as those who don’t have much prior experience. By listing your education and training above your work history, you are effectively switching the focus from your previous experience to your credentials.
Distributing Your Resume
Once your resume is complete, you can begin distributing it to potential employers. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when pursuing skilled trade positions, however, including whether or not you have the required experience, certification, or education for the job at hand.
After your eligibility has been determined, feel free to hand out your resume to any employers that match your needs. Tradeshows, career fairs and industry-specific conferences all provide great outlets for connecting with employers who are offering positions in your chosen trade.
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