Cabinet Maker Resume Guide

Cabinet makers create custom cabinets and furniture for homes, businesses, and other organizations. They use a variety of tools to design, construct and install pieces made from wood or other materials. Cabinet makers also repair existing cabinetry by replacing broken parts or refinishing surfaces as needed.

Your skills as a cabinet maker are unparalleled, but employers don’t know who you are or what you can do. To make them aware of your capabilities and craftsmanship, write an impressive resume that stands out from the rest.

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.

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.

Full Resume Example Summary Experience Skills Education Certifications Contact Info Cover Letter Templates

Cabinet Maker Resume Sample

Zoie Gottlieb
Cabinet Maker

[email protected]
018-892-8302
linkedin.com/in/zoie-gottlieb

Summary

Well-rounded cabinet maker and woodworker with 8+ years of experience crafting custom furniture, cabinetry, and other wooden items. Seeking to join ABC Company as a master craftsman in order to utilize creative problem-solving skills and an eye for detail when creating high-end products. Previous accomplishments include building 20 cabinets that earned the company a reputation for quality craftsmanship among its clients.

Experience

Cabinet Maker, Employer A
Shreveport, Jan 2018 – Present

Competently crafted custom cabinetry and furniture, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.
Assessed wood qualities for strength and durability when selecting materials to build cabinets; inspected finished products for accuracy and quality control prior to delivery.
Participated in the design process with clients by providing valuable input that helped create aesthetically pleasing pieces of furniture within budget constraints; exceeded expectations on over 70 projects throughout 2020.
Prepared all necessary materials including lumber, plywood, veneers and hardware components according to precise measurements from blueprints; constructed 100+ cabinets in total during this period at an average rate of 5 per day.
Assembled units using traditional carpentry methods such as gluing/clamping joints together before sanding them down for smoothness and applying multiple coats of finish paint or varnish onto surfaces as needed.

Cabinet Maker, Employer B
Torrance, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017

Reorganized the woodshop layout, increasing efficiency by 25% and reducing material waste by 40%.
Optimized the production process of custom cabinets through creative design solutions, resulting in an increase of $5,000 in sales over a 12-month period.
Improved overall quality control standards for cabinet construction; reduced defect rate from 10% to 3%.
Revised existing plans for cabinetry projects within specified budget parameters while maintaining high craftsmanship standards; completed 15+ orders on time and under budget during last quarter alone.
Substantially decreased customer wait times when ordering furniture or cabinets; average delivery time was cut down from 4 weeks to 2 weeks with no complaints reported since implementation of new processes.

Skills

Cabinetry
Woodworking
Carpentry
Furniture
Renovation
Construction Management
Custom Furniture
Contractors
Interior Design

Education

Associate’s Degree in Cabinet Making
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

Certifications

Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD)
National Kitchen
May 2017

1. Summary / Objective

The summary/objective at the beginning of your cabinet maker resume should provide a snapshot of who you are and what makes you an exceptional candidate. You can use this section to highlight any relevant certifications or awards, as well as mention the types of materials and tools with which you have experience working. You could also talk about how your attention to detail has resulted in customer satisfaction ratings that exceed expectations.

Below are some resume summary examples:

Committed cabinet maker with 5+ years of experience crafting custom cabinets, furniture, and other wooden objects. At ABC Company received the Customer Service Excellence Award for providing exceptional workmanship on time and within budget. Skilled in CAD/CAM software to create highly detailed drawings of projects based on customer specifications; able to complete complex installations quickly and accurately.

Accomplished cabinet maker with 10+ years of experience crafting custom furniture. Seeking to join ABC Furniture Co. and utilize a blend of advanced woodworking techniques, creative problem solving, and artistic vision to produce quality pieces that meet or exceed customer expectations. At XYZ Woodworks increased production efficiency by 20% while maintaining high standards for product excellence.

Enthusiastic cabinet maker with over 10 years of experience creating custom furniture for residential and commercial clients. Skilled in using traditional woodworking tools as well as modern CNC machines to craft high-quality pieces from a variety of materials. At XYZ, built cabinets for 15 kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring that all designs met client specifications within budgeted time frames.

Amicable and detail-oriented cabinet maker with 5+ years of experience constructing and repairing cabinets, furniture, and other wood products. Seeking to join ABC Furniture as a skilled artisan in order to leverage expertise in creating customized pieces for clients. Achieved highest customer satisfaction rating at previous employer by completing orders on time and within budget constraints.

Seasoned cabinet maker with 10+ years of experience in woodworking and furniture construction. Highly skilled in working with a variety of hardwoods, laminates, veneers, and other materials to create high-quality pieces for residential homes and commercial businesses alike. Received the “Finest Craftsmanship” award from ABC Woodworkers Association two times over the past five years.

Detail-oriented and experienced cabinet maker with 8+ years of experience producing quality custom cabinetry for a variety of clients. Seeking to join ABC Company and bring superior craftsmanship, dedication to customer satisfaction, and creative problem-solving skills to the table. Recognized by peers as an excellent team player who is not afraid to take initiative when needed.

Energetic cabinet maker with 5+ years of experience creating custom pieces for residential and commercial clients. Skilled in using a variety of woodworking tools, including saws, sanders, routers, planers and lathes to create one-of-a-kind furniture solutions. Seeking an opportunity at ABC Woodworks to bring creativity and technical proficiency to the team’s projects.

Talented and detail-oriented cabinet maker with 5+ years of experience in creating bespoke furniture pieces. Achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate while working as a freelancer. Striving to use my knowledge of woodworking tools and techniques to bring life into the homes of ABC customers.

2. Experience / Employment

The employment (or experience) section is where you list your work history. This should be written in reverse chronological order, meaning the most recent job is listed at the top.

Stick to bullet points primarily when writing this section; doing so makes it easier for readers to digest what you have to say quickly. When listing out details, provide specifics on what you did and any quantifiable results that were achieved because of your efforts.

For example, instead of saying “Built cabinets,” you could say, “Constructed custom-made kitchen cabinetry from scratch utilizing a variety of materials such as oak wood and stainless steel hardware; completed projects within budget 95% of the time.”

To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:

Constructed
Assembled
Installed
Sanded
Finished
Measured
Glued
Drilled
Shaped
Stained
Varnished
Polished
Laminated
Painted

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:

Meticulously crafted and constructed 50+ cabinets per month using a variety of woodworking tools, ensuring accuracy in all dimensions to meet customer specifications.
Presented customers with design options that incorporated their unique needs and preferences; successfully decreased order cancellations by 15%.
Coordinated delivery schedules with the warehouse team to ensure timely pickup/delivery of orders; consistently met deadlines without any delays or issues reported from clients.
Painted over 300 cabinets in various colors and finishes according to customer requests, achieving an average rating score of 9 out 10 for quality workmanship given by customers upon completion.
Structured cabinet designs around existing plumbing & electrical lines, as well as pre-existing construction within homes; completed installations safely within budget on time every time for 100+ households across 5 counties annually.

Installed over 40 custom-made cabinetry pieces that included drawers, cupboards, shelves and other fixtures for private residences; reduced installation time by 25% compared to industry standards.
Polished over 200 cabinets with a variety of stains and finishes using advanced sanding tools; improved the visual appeal of each cabinet piece exponentially, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
Actively collaborated with interior designers to ensure that all cabinets were installed according to their specifications while also meeting space requirements; helped design 8 additional storage solutions as per client needs which led to an increase in sales by 15%.
Represented company at trade shows & conferences across the country, showcasing latest designs & products successfully generating new leads and closing 18 deals worth $20K+.
Glued together wooden panels securely when constructing boxes/cabinets according to exact measurements provided by clients; completed 30 projects on schedule without any discrepancies or delays in delivery timescale.

Laminated and finished over 60 cabinets with veneer, laminates and wood to high-quality standards; reduced customer complaints by 17%.
Successfully constructed 20 custom kitchen, bathroom & closet cabinetry sets from scratch while maintaining job timelines of 10 hours or less per set.
Advised clients on design options for their bespoke cabinet projects based on style preferences, budget constraints and space requirements; increased sales revenue by $4,000 in the last quarter.
Installed 75+ countertops using a range of materials such as granite, marble and quartz composite; improved installation time per unit by 25%.
Refurbished 35 existing cabinets according to client specifications utilizing specialized tools including jigsaws & routers; completed projects 3 days ahead of schedule in most cases.

Effectively designed, built and installed custom cabinets for over 40 clients per month; reduced wasted materials by 25%.
Utilized carpentry skills to measure, saw and assemble frames with precise accuracy; improved build quality on all projects.
Introduced innovative techniques such as doweling & pocket screwing to join cabinet parts together securely while saving time in the assembly process.
Shaped woodwork using hand tools like chisels, planes and files before sanding surfaces to a smooth finish ready for spraying or varnishing finishes of choice.
Sanded down rough edges on finished products prior to delivery ensuring no sharp areas were present that could cause injury; increased customer satisfaction ratings by 15%.

Mentored five apprentices in cabinet making, helping them develop their technical skills while ensuring all safety protocols were followed.
Formulated designs for custom cabinets and furniture using computer-aided design (CAD) software; increased efficiency by 15%.
Confidently used hand tools such as saws and routers to build cabinetry according to precise dimensions; completed projects on time with zero defects or returns within a $15,000 budget.
Compiled materials lists for each project and placed orders accordingly; reduced costs by up to 20% without compromising quality of the finished product(s).
Spearheaded several successful renovation projects that included installing new kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, completing work ahead of schedule over a 6 month period whilst bringing in an additional $20K in revenue for the company.

Measured, cut and sanded wood pieces to fabricate custom-designed cabinets for residential and commercial clients; increased production rate by 25% due to streamlined processes.
Expedited the cabinet making process by using automated routers, saws, joiners & planers as well as hand tools like chisels and drills when assembling doors, drawers & shelves with precision accuracy.
Streamlined assembly of complex cabinetry components such as moldings, face frames & end panels to ensure completion of projects within deadlines while maintaining high quality standards throughout construction process.
Diligently finished each piece with a variety of stains or lacquered finishes on site in order to meet customer expectations; successfully completed 6+ orders per month in average with 100% satisfaction rating from clients every time.
Drilled holes accurately for door hinges/knobs/handles installation then installed them securely along with other hardware units according to client specifications; reduced misalignment issues by 32%.

Achieved over 25% savings in materials costs by designing and fabricating custom cabinetry solutions for over 100 residential customers.
Facilitated a smooth installation process by ensuring all cabinets were accurately measured, cut, sanded and prepped prior to delivery on-site; reduced install time per cabinet set by 40%.
Reduced customer complaints & returns rate to 3%, due to the quality workmanship of each handcrafted piece with precise measurements & perfect finishes that met or exceeded industry standards.
Varnished 30+ sets of kitchen cabinets using water-based polyurethane sealers and advanced finishing techniques; enhanced natural wood grain pattern for better visual appeal without sacrificing durability or longevity of product life cycle.
Thoroughly inspected every cabinet before leaving workshop premises, ensuring there are no defects whatsoever including chips, cracks and other irregularities that may pose a safety hazard during handling operations at job site locations.

Developed and crafted over 200 custom cabinets and drawers for a range of commercial and residential customers, increasing production output by 25% in the last year.
Demonstrated excellent woodworking skills when creating intricate designs with intricate detail from high-grade wood materials; completed projects on time or ahead of schedule within budget limits.
Efficiently utilized power tools to cut, shape and finish cabinet components while adhering strictly to safety regulations; reduced workplace accidents by 15%.
Stained, varnished and polished wooden surfaces for an attractive finished look that satisfied customer requirements; provided professional aftercare advice & recommendations as needed.

3. Skills

The skillset employers require in an employee will likely vary, either slightly or significantly; skimming through their job adverts is the best way to determine what each is looking for. One organization may be looking for someone who is skilled in creating custom cabinets, while another may require experience with assembling pre-fabricated units.

It’s important to tailor the skills section of your resume according to each job you are applying for because many employers utilize applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.

In addition, make sure that you discuss any relevant skillsets in more detail throughout other sections of your resume; this will demonstrate how well-versed and experienced you are in those areas.

Below is a list of common skills & terms:

AutoCAD
Cabinetry
Carpentry
Construction Management
Contractors
Custom Furniture
Finish
Flooring
Furniture
Interior Design
Joinery
Kitchen Cabinets
Manufacturing
Millwork
Project Planning
Renovation
Space Planning
Subcontracting
Team Leadership
Time Management
Wood
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 educational background below the objective statement. However, if you have been working as a cabinet maker for many years with plenty of accomplishments to showcase, omitting the education section altogether might be best.

If an education section is included, try to highlight courses or specializations relevant to the role of a cabinet maker that demonstrate knowledge and expertise in this field.

Associate’s Degree in Cabinet Making
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011

5. Certifications

Certifications are a great way to demonstrate your expertise in a particular field. They can also show potential employers that you have taken the time and effort to stay up-to-date with industry knowledge and trends.

If you possess any certifications related to the job position, make sure they are included on your resume as it will give hiring managers an indication of how qualified you are for the role.

Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD)
National Kitchen
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 Zoie Gottlieb, this would be Zoie-Gottlieb-resume.pdf or Zoie-Gottlieb-resume.docx.

7. Cover Letter

Cover letters are documents that provide a more in-depth look into your professional background, skills and experiences. They typically consist of 2 to 4 paragraphs and can be used to explain why you’re the best fit for the position.

Although not all job applications require cover letters, writing one is an excellent way to show off your personality and make yourself stand out from other applicants. It also gives recruiters greater insight into who you are and what makes you qualified for the role.

Below is an example cover letter:

Dear Jimmy,

As a highly skilled and experienced cabinet maker, I am confident that I can be an asset to your company. With over 10 years of experience in the field, I have gained a strong understanding of the trade and how to produce high quality pieces. My attention to detail and ability to work with clients to understand their needs has resulted in many satisfied customers.

In my previous role as lead cabinet maker at XYZ Company, I was responsible for managing a team of five other cabinet makers. This involved delegating tasks, ensuring quality control, and troubleshooting any issues that arose. My leadership skills and knowledge of the trade helped our team meet all deadlines while producing top-notch results.

I am excited about the possibility of joining your team at ABC Company and bringing my expertise to help you continue producing high quality products. If you have any questions or would like to discuss my qualifications further, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [phone number] or [email address]. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Zoie