General Laborer Resume Examples & Templates

A general laborer, often called a manual laborer, performs various physical tasks to support construction projects and other manual labor activities. They play a crucial role in ensuring that job sites are maintained and operations run smoothly. To secure a job as a general laborer, a well-crafted resume is essential.

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General Laborer Resume Example

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Entry-Level / Junior Manual Worker Resume Example

An entry-level/junior manual laborer performs various basic physical tasks to support construction projects and other manual labor activities. They assist more experienced workers, ensuring that job sites are maintained and operations run smoothly. This role provides an opportunity to gain experience in the construction field and develop essential skills.

See this sample entry-level / junior manual worker resume:

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Mid-Level Manual Laborer Resume Example

A mid-level manual laborer, often referred to as an intermediate laborer or experienced laborer, occupies a role between entry-level and senior positions within the manual labor hierarchy. This position typically involves more complex tasks and greater responsibility compared to a junior role. Here’s a sample resume for mid-level manual laborers:

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Experienced / Senior Manual Worker Resume Example

A senior manual laborer, often known as a senior laborer or lead laborer, holds a high-level position within the manual labor hierarchy. This role involves significant responsibility, advanced skills, and leadership in managing complex tasks and labor processes. Here’s a sample experienced manual laborer resume:

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Resume Templates for General Laborers

Based on the analysis of 11 million resumes made in the Zety Resume Builder, here are the top 3 picks general laborers choose for their resumes:

Cascade

Use this resume template

This elegant resume template is designed for professionals aiming to make a lasting impression. Its clean, two-column layout offers a perfect balance between personal information, skills, and experience, making it easy for recruiters to scan through key details quickly. The use of color highlights sections effectively, while the structured reverse-chronological format ensures your achievements and qualifications stand out.

Diamond

Use this resume template

This modern resume template is perfect for professionals who want to present their experience and skills with precision and clarity. The sleek, single-column layout emphasizes work experience and skills, making it easy to highlight key achievements and proficiencies. The clean design, combined with a professional color scheme, ensures that your resume stands out while remaining highly readable.

Concept

Use this resume template

How about this unique resume template? Perfect for those who love the reverse-chronological resume format, this template leaves a thin sidebar vacant for all but dates. To increase its modernity, it has icons for resume sections and each item in the contact info section. The two-column layout combines a detailed timeline of professional experience with a clear presentation of skills and education. 

How to Write a Manual Laborer Resume:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your General Laborer Resume

The purpose of your general labor resume is to prove to the employer that you have the dedication, drive, and abilities to handle various tasks and duties.

However—Though you might be a jack of all trades, you still need to follow the one master rule: Have a perfect resume format that is easy to read and understand.

On a general labor resume, here’s the proper format:

• Style: go for the reverse-chronological resume format as it’s the universally recognized golden standard.
• Resume fonts: stick with Calibri, Arial, or other readable fonts.
• Font size: 11–12 points, with larger resume headings of 13–14
• Line spacing: 1 to 1.15.
• Resume margins: 1 inch all the way around.
• File type: A PDF resume is best unless the general labor job ad explicitly requests one in Word format.

Make sure you use these resume parts:

• Professional Header: name plus contact information.
• Summary: briefly explain your toolkit.
• Experience: your employment history and best achievements.
• Education: what education you have, and when you graduated.
• Skills: match your skills to the job ad.
• Other sections: talk about your project or certifications.

Should you use the combination format instead? See our guide: Resume Structure: How to Organize a Resume

2. Fill Your General Labor Resume With Relevant Experience

Whether you sweep streets, do landscaping, or lay concrete, don’t neglect the work experience description on your resume. How do you get your laborer job description for a resume right?

Here are the steps to follow to impress them with your general labor job description:

• Place your most recent job first, followed by the next—that’s the reverse chronological resume layout we talked about earlier.
• Your job title goes at the top, then your dates of employment, the contractor or company name, and up to 6 bullet points listing your general labor duties and responsibilities.
• Write about accomplishments rather than regular laborer responsibilities like physical duties, materials handling, using heavy and light equipment etc.
• Use action words (e.g., maintained, loaded, etc.) to start each bullet point entry.
• Tailor your resume to one specific job. Contractors, farmers, and other employers really despise those generic resumes.

Here are some examples of responsibilities for a manual laborer resume:

General Labor Keywords for a Resume

• Site Preparation and Maintenance: Assist in preparing construction sites by clearing debris, setting up barriers, and cleaning up after projects.
• Material Handling: Load, unload, and transport materials and equipment around the job site.
• Tool Operation: Operate hand and power tools such as drills, saws, and other machinery required for various tasks.
• Assisting Skilled Workers: Support carpenters, masons, electricians, and other skilled laborers by providing materials and tools, and performing basic tasks.
• Safety Compliance: Follow safety guidelines and protocols to ensure a secure working environment, including wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and reporting hazards.
• Basic Construction Tasks: Perform basic construction tasks such as digging trenches, pouring concrete, and assembling scaffolding.
• General Maintenance: Conduct general maintenance and repair tasks as needed to keep the job site operational.

Remember to use action verbs that are impactful and help to illustrate specific actions and tasks performed, making your resume more dynamic and engaging.

General Labor Resume Action Verbs

• Assembled
• Built
• Constructed
• Coordinated
• Demolished
• Dug
• Erected
• Excavated
• Installed
• Lifted
• Loaded
• Maintained
• Operated
• Organized
• Painted

Pro Tip: If you are writing a no-experience resume for general labor jobs of a particular trade, no worries. Still list the most relevant duties and tasks you’ve undertaken from other jobs.

3. Make Your General Laborer Resume Education Section Shine

How to write education on your resume? Most employers don’t expect formal education, but some may have a preference for applicants with a high school diploma.

Keep these rules in mind to get the education section right:

• Add your highest education level achieved, first.
• List the degree (if higher than high school), school name, and completion date.
• If you have some college but it isn’t finished, add high school below as a second entry.
• Include any helpful extras to boost your chances, such as the dean’s list, honors classes, and relevant coursework.

Pro Tip: Have a GED or didn’t finish high school? No problem! List what you have, and then astound the potential employer with the other general labor resume sections See how to list unfinished education on your resume for more information.

4. Highlight Your General Labor Skills on a Resume

General labor jobs are increasing rapidly. For example, in the US, construction laborers and helpers are set to increase in number by 12% between 2016 and 2026. That’s more than 180,000 other laborers aiming for your job.

So, just because “general labor” is defined as unskilled or unqualified work, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a killer skills section on your resume.

General Labor Skills for a Resume

• Landscaping (mowing, trimming, planting, etc.)
• Construction Demolition
• Quick Loading & Unloading
• Multitasking Skills
• Hand Tools & Power Tools
• Farm & Field Work
• Ability to Lift Heavy Loads
• Physical Stamina and Strength
• Knowledge of Health & Safety Regulations
• Concrete & Grouting
• Interpersonal Skills
• Critical Thinking Skills
• Works Well Under Pressure
• Time Management Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Communication Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Decision Making Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Accountability
• Technical Skills

Hold up a second, though. You will only hurt your interview chances if you take that list and add it right to your resume. You need to tailor your resume, remember?

So, here’s how to add skills in a better way:

• Write down the special professional skills (soft skills and hard skills) that you have that are connected with your general labor job field or trade.
• Pull out the general labor job description and highlight skills they’re looking for from their job requirements. Those are the best keywords to use on a resume.
• If something you’ve highlighted matches something from your previous list, add that to your general labor resume.

Pro Tip: Remember, most general labor includes a physical component if it’s not the entire thing. Make sure to list your strength and stamina attributes (e.g., ability to lift over 100 pounds).

5. Add Other Sections to Your General Labor Resume

Now, time to make yourself unique. Everyone and their mother include those previous core sections. Make your resume for general laborer jobs spectacular by adding extra resume sections.

Here are some great examples for labor resumes:

• Licenses and certifications
• Hobbies and interests
• Volunteer work on a resume
• Language proficiency levels on a resume
• Job-related achievements
• Association memberships
• Freelance projects

Make sure you remember everything when applying for a job. See here: 6 Steps to Complete in Your Application Process

6. Write a General Labor Resume Objective or Summary

A resume objective or summary is a profile on a resume, and it works just like an elevator pitch. Hiring managers use this brief introduction paragraph to learn about your general skills and level of relevant experience.

• Choose the resume summary when you’ve loads of general labor experience. The summary statement shows off your skills and general labor background.
• Choose the resume objective when you’re a greenhorn. The career objective tells them you’re new, but it pitches them your goals and the reason you’d like to be hired.

If possible, include a numbered accomplishment to really stand out above the other general labor job applicants.

Here’s how to write a career summary or resume objective:

1. Start with an adjective like dedicated or efficient.
2. Add your title (construction laborer, general laborer, manual laborer).
3. List years of experience (1, 5+, 10).
4. Cite your goal (Seeking to improve efficiency at…).
5. Share your biggest relevant accomplishment.
6. Proofread to patch any typos.

Pro Tip: The hiring manager or contractor will read the heading statement first since it’s at the top. However, write it last. This way you’ll be able to grasp better what to put in your intro paragraph after completing the other sections first.

7. Attach a General Labor Cover Letter to Your Resume

Are cover letters necessary? Pretty much. Without a cover letter for a job, many hiring managers will reject you.

So here’s how to create a cover letter for general labor jobs they’ll appreciate:

• Sort the format of a cover letter before you start to write.
• Include a cover letter opening with a compelling intro.
• Knock their socks off with your general labor skills and experience.
• Include numbered achievements to really make them swoon.
• Finish strong with an intriguing cover letter ending.

Also, we have answers on what to include in a cover letter, how many words should a cover letter be, and more great cover letter advice. Check them out!

Pro Tip: Follow up on your job application two or three days after you send it. While you wait, prepare for a job interview!

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Here are some other resume examples related to general labor:

• Landscaping Resume
• Construction Resume
• Construction Manager Resume
• HVAC Resume
• Machine Operator Resume
• Pipefitter Resume
• Cable Technician Resume
• Handyman Resume
• Welder Resume
• All Resume Examples

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/construction-laborers-and-helpers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/ces/publications/highlights/2024/current-employment-statistics-highlights-05-2024.pdf