How to Write a Resume for a Painter's Position
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment of painters will grow by seven percent during the decade ending in 2018. As retiring baby boomers downsize or purchase a second home, they will hire painters to paint the interiors and exteriors of these dwellings. In the industrial sector, employers will hire painters to paint or apply protective coatings to prevent the corrosion and deterioration of industrial structures. If you are interested in this occupation, create a resume that highlights your manual dexterity and work experience.
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Instructions
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Create a header that contains your legal name, full address, telephone number, zip code and email address. Hiring officers frequently receive resumes with incomplete personal information and are unable to contact the applicants. Include a border line under your contact information.
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Lead with a performance summary. Located directly below the header, this short paragraph contains three to five of your greatest skills and achievements combined with your career objective. In his book "Alternative Resumes," Michael Howard provides the following example: "Two years experience as a freelance interior painter and subcontractor. Skilled in the preparation of walls, ceilings, woodwork and floors and the application of primer and latex paint. Extensive residential experience including houses, townhouses, condominiums/apartments and mobile homes. Moderate commercial experience including individual offices, building common areas, boutique stores, big-box stores, full-service restaurants and fast food mall outlets. Comfortable working alone or as part of a team."
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Use precise and action-based words to describe your duties and responsibilities in previous painting jobs. Howard provides the following examples: "Painted home interiors in a new 110-unit townhouse complex for two months;" "Painted exterior of two-level detached houses, including staircases and carports. Stained sundecks and gazebos." Describe any experience with tools and equipment such as bristle brushes, fountain pressure rollers, paint sprayers, edgers and scaffolding.
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Include an education section in your resume if you are a recent graduate. Although most painters learn through on-the-job training, you will have an edge if you have received a high school education or its equivalent and enrolled in an apprenticeship program. List any additional training and certification courses such as the Protective Coating Specialist designation from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers. If you have certificates in first aid and workplace safety, list their respective expiration dates.
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Highlight any awards, volunteer experience or interests that will distinguish you from the other applicants. Employers are looking for physically fit applicants with good manual dexterity, balance, vision and color sense. Mention any participation in high school or community sports teams and marathons. If you have helped with any restoration efforts or building projects in your local community, provide full descriptions of your duties and responsibilities.
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Tips & Warnings
Be consistent in your use of fonts, boldface, underlining and tab stops. Add as much white space as possible to improve the resume's readability.
Ask a reliable friend or relative to proofread your resume.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit painter image by Edward White from Fotolia.com
