Handyman Resume Example & Writing Guide

When evaluating resumes, recruiters will look for the candidate with the most appropriate skill set and experience who will be able to do the job best. Therefore, you should look to highlight key abilities and experiences in your resume that match what the job description requires, and will show recruiters that you are that person, including:

• Your areas of specialization and relevant certifications
• Your years of experience across each area of maintenance you have worked in
• The hard skills that you can pass on to others

Your resume is a professional document. It doesn’t need to be flashy; any gimmick you attempt will almost certainly backfire. Make sure that your headings are universal in terms of font and size. Recruiters need to take in vital information quickly, so you should also avoid big blocks of text wherever possible.

 

There are several key sections that all recruiters and hiring managers expect to see. Omitting any of these sections means you’ll leave out vital information employers will need in order to come to an informed decision on your suitability for the role.

 

What follows are the relevant sections for a resume, and what to include in each one. 

 

 

In your header, you will provide your contact information about yourself, including your name, email address, phone number, and location (city and state). Your header will usually be slightly larger than the rest of the resume. Make sure you use a professional font; this will be the first thing a recruiter’s eye is drawn to. 

 

 

Depending on your level of experience, you will include either a summary or an objective. A resume summary is for those with experience as a handyman. As the name suggests, you will summarize your resume in a bite-size chunk (a few sentences) that gives recruiters insight into your top skills and previous accomplishments.

 

For those just starting in the trade, you will use a resume objective. This is a short statement of intent where you will specify your best current skills and what you hope to achieve in your career, aligning these expectations with the job on offer. 

 

 

In your skill section, you will list the attributes and competencies you possess that match what is required from the job description. You should look to include both soft and hard skills.

 

Soft skills are general skills not specific to a given role. As a handyman, the soft skills you will be expected to have include time management, interpersonal skills when working with clients, communication skills, problem-solving and attention to detail.

 

Hard skills are industry-specific skills you have acquired that pertain to handyman work. The role of a handyman is a varied one with many specialties, but some hard skills a recruiter might expect to see include:

• Maintenance work
• Repair work
• Working with HVAC systems
• Drywall installation
• Electrical repairs
• Installation of light fixtures
• Experience with power tools

Additionally, if you have work experience in a specific field, such as carpentry, landscaping, or roofing, you may wish to include a technical skills section which details the field-specific knowledge and equipment or tools you can operate safely. 

 

 

Here you will list your professional experiences up to now, in reverse chronological order. Each entry should include your job title, major duties and achievements, your place of employment and the dates you worked there.

 

If you are just starting out, focus on extracurricular and volunteer activities that emphasize the key transferable skills you picked up within each role. 

 

 

For each entry in your education section, you should list the qualification, along with the name and location of the institution you got it. At the very least, most handyman jobs will require a high school diploma, or evidence of professional or vocational training.

Do:

• Make sure you focus more on achievements rather than standard duties in your work experience section; a hiring manager will want to know if you will have an impact on a company.
• Use the job description to check for keywords related to skills and experiences the job requires. Using them in your resume will make it more likely to pass an applicant tracking system (ATS) used by recruiters.
• Proofread your resume before submitting it.

Don’t:

• Forget to look over our handyman resume samples to ensure your own is on the right track.
• Use big blocks of text for your sections – go with bullet points and short phrases instead.
• Be afraid to show off certifications and awards if they apply to the job. You can even create an additional section for these.