Skilled Trades: Resumes and Portfolios
19mBeginner2019-08-08
Authors

Bridget Quinn
NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center Workforce Development Coordinator
Course details
To grow your career in construction or manufacturing, you need more than just training in one of the skilled trades. You need a way of distinguishing yourself from all the other candidates in your field. In this course, Bridget Quinn—an electrical industry veteran with 20 years of experience—goes over the different components of a skilled trades portfolio, as well as how to create one that effectively highlights all that you have to offer. Bridget steps through how to craft a stellar cover letter and resume. She also highlights other items you might want to add to your portfolio, such as certifications and letters of recommendation, and how to best present them. To wrap up, she shares practical ways you can build your experience and qualifications to enhance your resume even further.
Learning objectives
Crafting a compelling cover letter
Demonstrating your industry knowledge
Sharing what motivates you
Highlighting your relatable skills
Constructing your trades resume
Adding letters of recommendation
Presenting your certifications and awards
Pre-apprenticeships (and where to find them)
Adding personal projects to your portfolio
Learning objectives
Crafting a compelling cover letter
Demonstrating your industry knowledge
Sharing what motivates you
Highlighting your relatable skills
Constructing your trades resume
Adding letters of recommendation
Presenting your certifications and awards
Pre-apprenticeships (and where to find them)
Adding personal projects to your portfolio
Skills covered
Job SearchingCareer DevelopmentDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Applying for an apprenticeship
- 02 - What you should know
- 03 - Contents of a portfolio
1. The Cover Letter
- 04 - Intent of the cover letter
- 05 - Research
- 06 - Motivation
- 07 - Relatable skills
2. The Structure of a Trades Resume
- 08 - Trades resume
- 09 - Objective
- 10 - Summary of skills
- 11 - Experience
- 12 - Employment history
- 13 - Training and certifications
- 14 - Education
- 15 - Volunteer work and hobbies
3. Additional Items to Include
- 16 - Letters of recommendation
- 17 - Certifications and awards
- 18 - Examples of work
4. Building Experience and Qualifications
- 19 - Pre-apprenticeships
- 20 - Trade classes
- 21 - Personal projects
- 22 - Work experience
Conclusion
- 23 - Next steps