Carpenter CV Example & Writing Guide

Carpenters are skilled craftsmen who work with wood to build and repair various structures and items. They play an essential role in construction projects, working on everything from simple furniture pieces to complex architectural designs. Carpenters have expertise in measuring, cutting, shaping, and joining different types of wood to create sturdy structures. But before getting to work, they gotta prove their talents and training through a thoughtful and thorough carpenter CV.

How to write a carpenter CV

A great carpenter CV sample should include the sections that all hiring managers expect to see when browsing over applications. 

These sections include:

• The CV header
• The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The CV skills section
• The education section

The following parts of this carpenter CV writing guide will offer tips on how to write each of these sections, plus adaptable sample wording.

Choosing the best CV format for a carpenter

Carpentry is a profession based on both professional experience and skills. Choosing the best CV format isn’t always easy, however, if you’ve worked in many different roles in the carpentry industry, you may opt for the traditional reverse chronological CV format. For this format, you should start with your most recent job title and place of employment and work backwards until you've included all relevant experience. Lookin’ good! 

CV header

In this section, don’t overlook the importance of the header. The header is designed to immediately draw the reader’s attention to your name, occupation, phone and email address. Prominently displaying this identifying info makes it easy for hiring managers to contact you for an interview. A choice CV header design also sets your job application apart from all the rest, and makes everything else on the page look more interesting. 

CV summary example

The summary — sometimes called profile or personal statement — is also the best place to mention any specific qualifications like licensing or apprenticeship experience that are required for the job. The summary should only be 3-5 sentences long, so it's best to offer just a taste of your strengths and let the hiring manager read more later on.

Below is the summary from our carpenter CV example, which you can adapt for your own use.

Employment history sample

Your employment history example is the place to list all of your work experience relevant to carpentry or roles that have allowed you to learn transferable skills. Remember to use powerful action verbs and mention job specific accomplishments that prove you are a choice candidate. Look to the job description for insight into the company's priorities. Whenever possible, try to align your abilities with your potential employer's needs. Add weight to your accomplishments by offering numbers, facts and figures that demonstrate your impact.

The employment history section from our carpenter CV example can give you more insight.

Carpenter education example

While your education section may not be as long as your experience section, it's still an important feature on a carpenter CV. Make sure to list all degrees and certifications here, as well as any apprenticeships or continuing education. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor's degree, you may leave out your high school qualification details. 

Check out our carpenter CV sample to see the best formatting for your education section.

CV skills example

The CV skills section is the spot to offer a bullet-point list of any extremely important qualities that you want a hiring manager to notice right away. Look to the job description for clues about what an employer values most. The skills section is also the place to include technical abilities and other hard skills, like understanding software or building codes. Don't forget to throw in some soft skills. Hiring managers will appreciate that you’re a well-rounded candidate who works well with others.

Check out our adaptable carpenter CV sample skills section below.

CV layout and design

Creating a professional presentation for your carpenter CV example is one of the best things you can do to increase your chances of standing out. Good design doesn't have to be complicated. Check out our collection of CV templates for an easy-to-use format that lines up well to trade work like carpentry — perhaps from the simple style category. You can also add a splash of colour or other design elements if you feel your prospective employer will appreciate it. When in doubt, a clean, easy to read layout is the best choice to stand out while focusing attention on your experience.