Finish Carpenter Resume Guide
Finish carpenters are responsible for completing detailed woodworking projects and creating custom pieces. They measure, cut, shape and assemble wooden structures such as furniture or cabinets using a variety of tools like saws, chisels and sanders. Additionally they may also be required to install hardware on the finished product including handles and hinges.
Your carpentry abilities are unmatched, and you could be a great asset to any construction team. But hiring managers don’t know about your talents yet. To make yourself known, create a resume that stands out from the competition.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Finish Carpenter Resume Sample
Magnus Kiehn
Finish Carpenter
[email protected]
211-546-7130
linkedin.com/in/magnus-kiehn
Summary
Accomplished finish carpenter with 5+ years of experience in custom carpentry and joinery work. Expertise includes cabinetmaking, millwork, staircases, furniture making, woodturning, and refurbishing antique items. Proven success in managing complex projects on-time and within budget while adhering to strict quality standards. At XYZ Woodworking Company I was responsible for training 10 new employees on the use of specialized tools & equipment as well as proper safety procedures.
Experience
Finish Carpenter, Employer A
Joliet, Jan 2018 – Present
- Developed and installed custom carpentry projects such as cabinets, shelving units and other built-ins for over 10 residential homes; increased customer satisfaction by 40%.
- Reorganized client’s kitchen spaces with new cabinetry designs and flooring installations within a budget of $5000 per project.
- Accurately measured, cut and assembled wood components to create attractive furniture pieces that met all safety requirements in accordance with industry standards.
- Spearheaded the construction of 4 entertainment centers while ensuring they were visually appealing and functional; completed on time within agreed timelines each time.
- Participated in workshops conducted by experts to stay up-to-date on trends like staining techniques, moldings & trimming styles etc., raising quality levels by 15% overall compared to previous year’s work performance.
Finish Carpenter, Employer B
Tampa, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Mentored new apprentices in the proper use of tools and safety protocols, resulting in a 50% decrease in workplace injuries.
- Structured custom furniture pieces for residential and commercial clients, using quality materials to ensure durability; completed projects ahead of schedule by an average of 10%.
- Resourcefully designed cabinetry systems from scratch utilizing AutoCAD software; reduced material costs by 15% through optimization techniques.
- Assembled complex wooden structures such as counters, railings and walls with precision accuracy; decreased labor time per job site visit by 25%.
- Formulated detailed plans for each project based on client specifications while adhering to local building codes & regulations; generated $25K+ worth of new business over the last year alone!
Skills
- Carpentry
- Construction Management
- Renovation
- Contractors
- Cabinetry
- Subcontracting
- Framing
- Blueprint Reading
- Drywall
Education
Vocational Certificate in Carpentry
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Finish Carpenter
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
Your resume summary should be a snapshot of your best qualities as a finish carpenter. Include information about the types of projects you have completed, such as custom cabinetry and furniture, any awards or certifications you may have earned, and how many years of experience you possess in this field. You can also mention that you are skilled at using various tools to create high-quality pieces with precision accuracy.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Committed finish carpenter with more than 10 years of experience in construction and renovation projects. Experienced in installing doors, windows, crown moldings, wainscoting and baseboards. At XYZ Inc., I managed a team of 4 people to complete the installation on time for over 20 customers within the stipulated timeline. Improved customer satisfaction by providing timely advice on selection of materials as well as cost-effective solutions for various projects.
Driven finish carpenter with 8+ years of experience in the construction industry. Adept at constructing, installing, and repairing wooden structures such as doors, windows and stairs to manufacturer’s specifications. Skilled in utilizing various power tools including saws, planes and drills while maintaining a safe work environment. Seeking to join ABC Construction to apply my carpentry expertise in creating aesthetically pleasing projects for clients.
Proficient finish carpenter with a demonstrated 10+ years of experience in the construction industry. Accomplished in creating and installing custom-made cabinets, countertops, doors, and other woodworking projects for both residential and commercial clients. Specializes in producing high-quality products while meeting tight deadlines. Looking to join ABC Company as a finish carpenter to apply my expertise towards delivering outstanding results.
Enthusiastic finish carpenter with 8+ years of experience crafting custom furniture pieces and completing intricate woodworking projects. Exceptional ability to interpret blueprints, drawings, sketches, and other instructions while delivering top-notch results that exceed customer expectations. Seeking to join ABC Company as a finish carpenter where I can apply my expertise in carpentry techniques to create beautiful works of art.
Reliable and detail-oriented finish carpenter with 5+ years of experience completing high-end carpentry projects. Seeking to join ABC Co and bring my expertise in residential construction, including installing cabinetry, trimming doors/windows, and building furniture. Key accomplishments include finishing a complex woodworking project ahead of schedule while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Determined finish carpenter with 5+ years of experience in the construction industry. Skilled at installing and finishing cabinets, doorframes, staircases, moldings, window frames, flooring and other wood components as well as performing minor repairs to existing structures. Successfully completed projects on time while ensuring quality workmanship that meets customer satisfaction standards.
Talented finish carpenter with 12+ years of experience in the carpentry industry. Expertise lies in crafting high-end custom furniture, cabinets and other architectural details out of hardwood, softwood, plywood and composite materials. Skilled at reading blueprints to accurately measure and cut material per specifications while producing quality workmanship that meets customer expectations.
Well-rounded finish carpenter with 10+ years of experience working on residential and commercial projects. Able to work independently or as part of a team in order to achieve successful outcomes. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Construction to utilize my strong attention-to-detail, problem solving skills, and commitment for creating high quality finishes for their customers.
2. Experience / Employment
The work history/experience section is where you provide details on your employment history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, with your most recent job listed first.
When writing this section, stick to bullet points and concise sentences that explain what you did and the results achieved. You want to take some time to think about the specifics of what you did and how it benefited the company or organization.
For example, instead of saying “Installed doors,” you could say: “Successfully installed 50+ interior doors within a month for an office building renovation project; ensured all door frames were level.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Constructed
- Installed
- Assembled
- Sanded
- Finished
- Measured
- Drilled
- Glued
- Nailed
- Shaped
- Laminated
- Varnished
- Stained
- Polished
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Developed
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Optimized
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Introduced innovative techniques to finish carpentry tasks, resulting in a 15% increase in productivity.
- Glued and fitted furniture components and trim pieces together with precision; filled gaps using putty, sealers and other materials as needed.
- Successfully completed the assembly of over 200 cabinets within 8 hours for a high-profile client project.
- Polished surfaces on woodwork projects such as staircases, window frames and doors to perfection; sanded down rough edges by hand where necessary to create seamless finishes that exceeded customer expectations every time.
- Constructed customized desks, bookshelves & wall units from scratch while meeting exact specifications provided by clients; implemented creative design solutions when faced with challenging installation scenarios or limited space requirements.
- Revised blueprints and measurements for custom-made furniture pieces to ensure precision; reduced measurement errors by up to 80%.
- Assessed raw materials such as lumber, plywood and veneers for any defects prior to construction, resulting in higher quality finished products.
- Sanded down surfaces of wood panels, doors and frames with power tools while paying attention to detail; achieved smooth finishes on all projects within the specified timeline.
- Reduced project costs significantly by using scrap material left over from other jobs whenever possible without compromising craftsmanship or customer satisfaction levels.
- Thoroughly inspected completed carpentry works before handing them over to clients; identified potential problems early on and made necessary repairs ahead of schedule at no additional cost.
- Laminated and installed hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring in over 150 residential homes; achieved a 98% customer satisfaction rating for the quality of workmanship.
- Achieved high-end results by skillfully sanding, staining and finishing interior trim carpentry such as doors, baseboards, window sills and crown moldings.
- Stained furniture pieces with oil-based paints to produce desired colors while adhering to safety protocols; successfully completed all projects on schedule without any accidents occurring during production process.
- Measured precise dimensions for cutting wood materials according to custom plans; competently used power tools including saws & routers along with hand planes & chisels when constructing decorative items from scratch or repairing existing ones upon request from clients.
- Competently constructed built-in cabinets using precise measurements that met client expectations within budget constraints; saved an average of 10 hours per project due to streamlined installation processes implemented by self.
- Drilled and installed door frames, windows and other fixtures with precision while adhering to detailed blueprints; improved job completion rate by 30%.
- Shaped and sanded wooden pieces into various shapes for furniture assembly, cabinet construction, staircases fitting and finish carpentry projects; completed 10+ tasks daily.
- Expedited production of high-end custom cabinetry jobs by 15%, utilizing specialized tools such as routers, saws, chisels & lathes to create intricate designs per customer requests.
- Confidently assessed materials needed for each task beforehand in order to avoid any unnecessary wastage or delays on the project timeline; reduced overall costs by 20%.
- Improved efficiency when installing flooring systems through careful measurements and quick installation techniques; saved an average of 3 hours/day compared to industry standards.
- Demonstrated advanced carpentry skills to construct, install and finish cabinets, doors, windowsills and other wooden fixtures in 20+ residential homes; completed projects with accuracy up to 0.5 mm.
- Coordinated a team of 4 carpenters for the installation of interior trim work on a $500K commercial project; managed all scheduling & deadlines while staying within budget parameters.
- Compiled detailed reports on material costs & labor hours used per job along with progress updates that were shared with clients daily via email/phone calls; reduced total expenses by 17%.
- Represented company at regional construction events as an expert panelist while simultaneously building strong relationships between contractors and suppliers in order to source materials efficiently at competitive prices.
- Independently renovated 2 kitchen countertops using custom-made woodwork which resulted in increased property value worth over $17K+.
- Varnished and stained wood cabinetry and furniture pieces to create a smooth, glossy finish for over 500 residential clients; singlehandedly increased company carpenter revenue by $4,000 in the last quarter.
- Finished carpentry projects with precision using sandpaper, saws and other tools according to customers’ specifications within 30 hours per project on average.
- Presented several creative solutions regarding installation methods while adhering to safety standards during consultations with homeowners; reduced customer complaints by 22%.
- Advised clients on appropriate materials such as hardwood plywood or softwood moldings that best fit their needs and budget constraints while remaining mindful of industry trends & advancements in design technology.
- Diligently engaged in all phases of construction from measuring/cutting lumber to installing interior doors/windows resulting in 98% job completion rate across 200+ projects throughout career history thus far.
- Installed trim, baseboards and cabinetry in 50+ residences, ensuring accuracy of measurements by using precision hand tools like calipers & levels.
- Facilitated the construction process for large-scale projects by accurately measuring & cutting wood components with saws; decreased labor costs on average by 10%.
- Nailed together wooden frames and assembled furniture pieces according to blueprints or customer requests; created custom cabinets for over 25 homes resulting in a 94% satisfaction rate from clients.
- Streamlined production cycles through efficient use of jigsaws, biscuit joiners and sanders; reduced time spent on each job site by 30 hours per month on average while maintaining high quality standards at all times.
- Substantially improved the overall appearance of client properties following installation of trim work around windows, doors & flooring edges as well as crown moldings along ceilings; increased property values up to $20K within 6 months post completion date across 20+ renovation projects.
- Consistently exceeded customer expectations by completing finish carpentry projects on time and within budget; saved $2,500 in project costs over the last year.
- Optimized workspace efficiency by developing improved methods for trimming door frames, installing cabinets and cutting mouldings; increased productivity rate by 10%.
- Utilized a wide range of tools such as saws, routers and sanders to accurately cut wood pieces according to job specifications with precision; completed 100+ jobs this year alone.
- Prepared surfaces ready for painting or staining using hand-held power tools while adhering strictly to safety regulations; achieved zero workplace accidents since joining the team 3 years ago.
3. Skills
Even though two organizations are hiring for the same role, the skillset they want an ideal candidate to possess could differ significantly. For instance, one may be on the lookout for an individual with experience in installing crown molding while another may be looking for someone with knowledge of cabinetry installation.
Therefore, it is important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for. This will help employers identify that you possess the qualities they desire and also pass through an applicant tracking system (ATS).
Besides just listing relevant skills here, you can further elaborate on them by discussing them in more detail elsewhere – such as within a summary or work history section.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Bathrooms
- Blueprint Reading
- Cabinetry
- Carpentry
- Construction Management
- Construction Safety
- Contract Management
- Contract Negotiation
- Contractors
- Decks
- Doors
- Drywall
- Finish Carpentry
- Flooring
- Framing
- Process Scheduler
- Project Estimation
- Project Planning
- Renovation
- Residential Homes
- Restoration
- Subcontracting
- Woodworking
4. Education
Including an education section on your resume will depend on how far along you are in your career. If you just graduated and have no work experience, it is important to mention your education below the objective statement. However, if you have significant work experience as a finish carpenter that should be highlighted first, omitting the education section might be best.
If an education section is included, try to focus on courses and subjects related to carpentry or finishing techniques relevant for the job at hand.
Vocational Certificate in Carpentry
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a certain field. They can show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to gain knowledge of specific topics, which is highly valued by many hiring managers.
If you have any certifications relevant to the job at hand, make sure they are included on your resume as it could give you an edge over other applicants who don’t possess such qualifications.
Certified Finish Carpenter
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Magnus Kiehn, this would be Magnus-Kiehn-resume.pdf or Magnus-Kiehn-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Attaching a cover letter to your job application is a great way of showing potential employers that you are the right person for the position. A cover letter usually consists of 2 to 4 paragraphs and can be used as an opportunity to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role.
Writing a cover letter might not always be necessary, but it’s definitely worth considering if you want to give yourself an edge over other applicants. It allows recruiters and hiring managers to get more insight into who you are as a professional, providing them with further evidence why they should hire you.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Jeromy,
I am writing to apply for the position of Finish Carpenter with your company. I am a highly skilled and experienced carpenter with over 10 years of experience in the construction industry. I have experience working on a variety of projects, from small residential remodels to large commercial construction projects.
I possess a strong attention to detail and take pride in my workmanship. I am able to work independently or as part of a team, and I have the ability to follow instructions accurately. In addition, I have experience using a variety of hand and power tools, as well as woodworking machinery.
I am confident that I would be an asset to your company and would like the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience can benefit your organization further. Thank you for your time and consideration; please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone number] or [email address] if you should have any questions or need additional information about my qualifications.
Sincerely,
Magnus