Writing a construction CV that gets you placed
A construction CV is not a corporate CV and does not need to look like one. What a consultant needs is a clear record of what you can do, where you have done it, and what tickets you hold.
Last reviewed 10 November 2026 by the O'Neill & Brennan team
Put these at the top
The first thing on the page should be the information that determines whether you can start:
- Your trade or role, stated plainly
- Every ticket you hold with its expiry date
- Counties you will travel to, and whether you drive
- When you are available to start
List sites, not just employers
Naming the actual projects you have worked on carries far more weight than listing agencies or companies. A foreman reading "concrete frame, twelve storey residential, Sandyford" immediately knows what you can do.
Include the duration and the main contractor where you can.
Keep it to two pages
Nobody is reading past page two. Recent and relevant work first, older work summarised in a line each.
Leave out personal statements, photographs and anything about hobbies. They take up space that should be used for tickets and sites.
If you do not have a CV
Register with us anyway. For operative and trades roles we can take your details over the phone in a few minutes and build the record ourselves. A missing CV should never stop you applying.
Common questions
How long should a construction CV be?
Two pages at most. Recent and relevant work first, with older roles summarised briefly.
Do I need a CV to register with a construction agency?
Not for operative and trades roles. We can take your details by phone. A CV helps for professional and technical positions.
What is the most important thing on a construction CV?
Your tickets and their expiry dates, followed by the specific sites you have worked on. Those two things determine whether you can be put forward.