Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and structure. They rank matches and filter many applicants automatically. If your resume lacks key phrases or uses odd formatting, ATS can reject it before a human reads it.

For a General Contractor, ATS looks for skills like project management, cost estimating, blueprint reading, permit acquisition, subcontractor management, OSHA compliance, scheduling software, change order management, and bonding or licensing details. Use those exact phrases when they appear in job postings.

• Use standard section titles: Work Experience, Education, Certifications, Skills, Licenses.
• List job titles, employer names, city/state, and dates in a clear order.
• Put key certifications like "OSHA 30" or "General Contractor License" in Certifications or Licenses.

Avoid fancy layouts. Skip tables, columns, text boxes, headers, footers, images, and graphs. ATS often misread those elements and drop content.

Pick common fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Save as a simple .docx or readable PDF. Avoid heavily designed templates that add hidden coding or unusual spacing.

Do not replace exact keywords with creative synonyms. If the posting asks for "subcontractor management," don’t only say "team coordination." Also avoid putting critical details in headers or footers. ATS might ignore them.

Finally, proof your resume for clarity and accuracy. Use short bullets that start with action verbs. Show measurable results like budgets managed, timelines met, or percentage cost savings.

Pick a clean, professional template for a General Contractor. Use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent projects and site leadership show up first. That layout reads well for hiring managers and parses reliably for applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Keep length to one page if you have under 10 years of direct contracting work. If you lead many large builds or have long project lists, you can use two pages. Focus every line on outcomes that matter, like budgets, schedules, and safety records.

Use ATS-friendly fonts such as Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Leave enough white space and consistent margins so a recruiter can scan your resume in seconds.

Structure your sections with standard headings: Contact, Summary, Experience, Projects, Certifications, Skills, and Education. Put licenses and OSHA or trade certifications near the top if they matter for the role. Use short bullet points and start bullets with strong action verbs.

Avoid common mistakes that hurt General Contractor resumes. Don’t use multi-column layouts or heavy graphics that break ATS parsing. Skip unusual fonts and bright color schemes. Don’t cram every task into long paragraphs; keep bullets focused and quantifiable.

Proof your file by saving a plain PDF and testing it in an ATS preview or by copying the text into a plain editor. That catches hidden formatting issues. Keep headings simple and exact, like "Experience" and "Projects," so systems and humans both find what they need.

Tailoring your cover letter matters for a General Contractor role. Your resume shows skills and history. The cover letter shows why you fit this company's projects and culture.

Start with clean contact info and the date. Include your name, phone, email, and the employer's name if you know it.

Key sections

• Header: Your contact details and the company's name and date.
• Opening paragraph: Name the General Contractor role you want. Show real enthusiasm for the company. Mention one strong qualification or where you found the job.
• Body paragraphs: Connect past projects to the job needs. Describe specific skills like budgeting, subcontractor management, schedules, or blueprint reading. Show soft skills like problem solving and team leadership. Add numbers when you can, such as percent under budget or projects finished on time.
• Closing paragraph: Reiterate your interest in this exact role and company. State confidence in your ability to add value. Ask for an interview and thank the reader.

Write like you are talking to a hiring manager. Use a professional and direct tone. Keep sentences short and active. Tailor each letter to the job posting. Mirror keywords from the job description. This helps your letter feel specific and relevant.

Focus on proof, not praise. Replace vague claims with brief examples. For instance, say, "Led a three-person team to finish a 12-unit renovation two weeks early," instead of "I am a great leader."

End with a clear call to action. Offer times you can talk or say you will follow up. Always thank the person for their time.

Hiring managers need proof you can run a job site, manage budgets, and finish work on time. Small resume errors make you look careless and cost you interviews. Pay attention to licenses, numbers, and safety details so your resume reflects the work you actually do.

Below are common mistakes general contractors make and simple fixes you can apply right away.

If you work as a General Contractor, your resume must show project delivery, cost control, and team leadership. These FAQs and tips help you present permits, schedules, and subcontractor management clearly. Use them to target bids and win interviews.