A general laborer resume should show the kind of work you do (demolition, framing, concrete, landscaping), the tools and equipment you can use, the size of your jobs, your safety training such as an OSHA 10-hour card (required by law for some construction work in states such as Nevada and New York), and how you get to sites.
General laborer resume checklist
OSHA 10-Hour Construction card, with the year
Type of work: demolition, framing, concrete, drywall, landscaping
Tools and equipment: saws, drills, compactors, skid steer
Size of jobs: homes, units, square feet, crew size
Safety habits: PPE, fall protection, toolbox talks
Driver's license and your own transportation
Certifications and licenses for general laborers
Certification
Why it matters
How much
OSHA 10-Hour Construction card Nevada
In Nevada, construction workers must give their employer a current OSHA 10-hour card within 15 days of being hired, and supervisors need the 30-hour card. OSHA's 10-hour Outreach course is voluntary under federal rules, but many contractors ask for it. List the 10-hour or 30-hour card with its year. It is a course card, not an OSHA license. Source
Required by law when you work in construction
OSHA 10-Hour Construction card New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, West Virginia
OSHA's 10-hour Outreach course is voluntary under federal rules, but many contractors ask for it. List the 10-hour or 30-hour card with its year. It is a course card, not an OSHA license. New York requires a 10-hour OSHA construction safety course for every worker on public works contracts of $250,000 or more, before work starts. New York City also requires a Site Safety Training card on many building sites. Connecticut requires proof of a 10-hour OSHA construction safety course for every worker on covered public works projects. Massachusetts requires every worker on public construction contracts over $10,000 to have completed a 10-hour OSHA construction course. Missouri requires a 10-hour OSHA construction course for on-site workers on public works projects, within 60 days of starting. New Hampshire requires the 10-hour OSHA construction course before starting work on public projects of $100,000 or more. Rhode Island requires the 10-hour OSHA construction course, carried on site, for state and city projects of $100,000 or more. West Virginia requires a 10-hour OSHA construction course within 21 days on public improvement projects over $50,000. Source
Required by law when you work on public construction projects
OSHA 10-Hour Construction card All states except Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, West Virginia
OSHA's 10-hour Outreach course is voluntary under federal rules, but many contractors ask for it. List the 10-hour or 30-hour card with its year. It is a course card, not an OSHA license. Source
Often asked for
Driver's license
Say you have a valid license and, if you do, your own vehicle. Some sites change often.
Helps you stand out
State rules for general laborers
These states have their own rules for this job. Each page explains the rule and how to list it on your resume.
A one-page example you can copy. The person is fictional.
Jake Thompson
General laborer, residential construction
Las Vegas, NV · (702) 555-0164 · jake.thompson@example.com
Summary
General laborer with 3 years in residential construction. Reliable, safe and quick to learn new tools.
Availability
Available for early starts, weekends and overtime. Own truck and valid driver's license.
Certifications and licenses
OSHA 10-Hour Construction card (2024)
Nevada driver's license, clean driving record
Work experience
General laborer, Desert Ridge Builders, Henderson, NVApr 2023 to Present
Framed and sheathed 14 single-family homes on a 6-person crew.
Mix, pour and finish concrete for footings, pads and walkways.
Run a skid steer, plate compactor and concrete mixer.
Keep the site clean and lead the morning toolbox talk once a week.
Landscape laborer, Green Valley Landscapes, Las Vegas, NVMay 2021 to Mar 2023
Installed sod, irrigation and pavers on about 40 yards a season.
Skills
Framing and sheathing · Concrete finishing · Skid steer · Reading a tape and simple plans
Education
High school diploma, Basic High School, 2021
Before and after
Before
Did general labor on job sites.
After
Framed and sheathed 14 single-family homes on a 6-person crew, finishing each frame in under 2 weeks.
Before
Hard worker who can do anything.
After
General laborer with 3 years in residential construction. OSHA 10 trained, own tools and truck. Available for early starts and overtime.
Common questions
Do I need an OSHA 10 card to work construction?
Federal OSHA treats the 10-hour course as voluntary, but some states require it by law. Nevada requires it for construction workers, and New York and several other states require it on public works projects. Many contractors ask for it anywhere.
What should a laborer with no experience put on a resume?
Physical or outdoor work, any tools you can use, an OSHA 10 card, a driver's license and your availability for early starts.
Should I list my own tools and truck?
Yes. Own transportation and basic tools help you get hired, especially when sites change often.
What numbers can a laborer use?
Homes or units built, square feet, crew size, yards or projects per season and days without an incident.