Helper Resumes: Beginning Your Career in a Trade

“It’s good to learn a trade.” Given the general state of today’s economy, this old truism appears to have been fairly sound advice.  The mechanical systems supporting the operation of commercial facilities, school buildings, governmental structures, and residences as well as the edifices themselves, will, sooner or later, require maintenance.  While the recession has impacted the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), plumbing, electrical, and carpentry industries, they have not suffered to the same extent as many other industries.  Therefore, individuals who have made the decision to enter one of these increasingly competitive fields either as a helper or an apprentice require well-written helper resumes to assist them in presenting themselves as qualified to secure employment within their desired trades.

How, then, does one craft a compelling resume if possessing little or no hands-on experience?

If an applicant has completed a formal, vocational training program, he or she can focus upon the various aspects of the trade that he/she has studied.  The use of phrases such as “Gained knowledge of” or “Acquired an understanding of” will provide candidates with an honest yet accurate voice when crafting their helper resumes.  Should job hopefuls already be employed as helpers or apprentices, a brief Summary can be used to begin the resume, with terminology alluding to the fact that they are learning the trades via hands-on experience.

Plumbers, electricians, and HVAC laborers must all learn to read blueprints and/or schematics, evaluate the requirements of each project, and install, modify, and test-operate their systems within the codes (regulations) established for each industry.  Carpenters can be engaged in sheet rocking walls and/or installing countertops, cabinetry, doors, window frames, stairwells, ceilings, and other architectural elements.  Using this most basic information, applicants can then build upon their helper resumes, including data such as the scope of the projects (the size of the structures or the dollar value), materials used, whether the projects represented new construction or renovation as well as related information, such as adherence to schedules and applicable health and safety considerations.