How To Make a Painter Resume in 5 Steps and What To Include

By Indeed Editorial Team

Updated November 23, 2022

Published September 29, 2021

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

How you demonstrate your work experience on your resume is important to presenting yourself as a capable painter. You can use this document to highlight your relevant painting skills, experience, and qualifications. Understanding how to create an effective painter resume can help you present yourself as the best candidate for the role and secure a new job. In this article, we discuss what a resume for a painter is, explore what this position entails, share steps for creating your resume, and provide an example.

What is a painter resume?

A painter resume can help you tailor your role-specific skills and experience on one document to submit to a prospective employer. When you write your resume, it's important to match responsibilities from the job description to your work experience. Be sure to review each unique job description and include your most relevant information to show them why you're suitable for the role. By showing you can perform the duties and responsibilities they're seeking and that you're interested in learning more, you may be more likely to get the job.

Types of jobs for painters

Painters work in a variety of environments and each has a need for a unique set of skills. There are three typical types of jobs you can apply for as a painter:

Residential painter jobs

Residential properties are typically where the homeowner is the client and you're responsible to paint the interior or exterior of their homes. It's important that you're polite, communicate effectively, and show respect for their home and personal environment. You may be working with a team of other professionals or alone over long periods of time, so teamwork is another essential skill for this environment. You may find employment directly with a homeowner or through an agency that can place you at various locations.

Commercial painter jobs

Commercial refers to a business or property that isn't a private home. It's important to understand the policies and procedures of any building you enter and be vigilant to keep a safe working environment. A good safety practice is to have clear communication, attention to your surroundings, and balance between your efficiency and energy.

Construction painter jobs

A construction job refers to painting for institutional and industrial settings. Work experience of two or three years is a benefit for these job sites. It may be necessary to have a certification or be part of an apprenticeship program like the Red Seal Program, which is the national standard of excellence of skilled trades in Canada.

How to format your resume as a painter in 5 steps

You can format your painter resume by following these 5 steps:

1. Start with contact information

The first section of your resume clearly shows your contact information. This includes your full name, the city and province where you live, your phone number, and your email address. If you have one, you can consider including a link to your digital portfolio or professional website that showcases your previous projects. Including this information makes it easier for clients or hiring managers you contact you and invite you for an interview.

2. Write a personal statement

The second part of your resume shares your personal statement, which is one or two sentences about your unique qualities, passions, and characteristics. To start your personal statement, you can begin with a list of three words others use to describe you, then one accomplishment and one of your passions. This is an effective way to engage your reader and encourage them to learn more about you and your skill set.

3. Focus on work experience

The bulk of space on your resume can be for your work experience because you can match your experience as a painter with the description of the job. You can start with a section heading for work experience, and then list your most recent and relevant job title, followed by the company and date of employment, and then a bullet list of your responsibilities as assets. Only include your most relevant roles so you can fit all the information on one page.

4. Include education and certifications

At the bottom, you can add your education and certifications, such as WHMIS for worksite safety and compliance or a certified Interprovincial Standards' Red Seal. Similar to your work experience, you can add your education or certificates beneath their own section heading and then your certification and the date of its award. There are no set academic requirements to work as a painter, but including your academic history can make you a desirable candidate to some employers.

4. List important skills

Highlighting your soft and technical skills is essential to a good painter resume. Employers want to know about your characteristics and expertise that can help you complete their specific task. Some typical skills for this role include attention to detail, creativity, and time management.

5. Include your availability

Your resume can be the length of one page, so if there's room at the bottom, then you can include a note about your availability for when you can start to work. Be sure to proofread your entire document to make sure it's ready to send. Consider asking a friend or family member to proofread it for you, as they may identify errors or make suggestions you hadn't considered.

Traits to include in your painter resume

The traits you want to include in your resume can complement the job description and highlight your unique characteristics. As you may be working alone in someone's home, it's important to demonstrate a strong work ethic and respect for your environment. For example, your ability to paint quickly, quietly, and cleanly can match a job description for a commercial property where business is conducted while you're painting.

Some other traits you can include are:

Respectful of time, budget, property and others. For example, speaking in a quiet voice inside someone's home.
Careful of cost, mess, details and materials. For example, cleaning up as you work so there's no mess left over.
Bringing energy to your work environment because the tasks are physical and require it. For example, standing for 12 hours to complete the project.
Paying close attention and being diligent at sequences, methods, and following instructions. For example, following each step as instructed to ensure the absolute quality of waterproofing or fireproofing varnish.
Understanding industry standards, material safety data sheets, and protocols. For example, understanding how to apply shellac or specialty finishes to any surface.
Being mathematical to calculate cost and budget time according to blueprints and measurements. For example, saving money on materials because you can calculate the precise surface area for application.
Demanding perfection with perfect lines, colours, and precision edges. For example, preparing surfaces by scraping and sandblasting until they're smooth and ready for decoration.

Typical duties and responsibilities of a painter

As a painter, featuring the following experience on your resume can help you impress potential employers:

Cleaning up: This is important because painting and decorating can be messy. It's important to follow proper procedures when handling chemicals, like solvents and sprays.
Maintaining a safe work environment: Your safety and the safety of everyone around you are a top priority. It's important to understand how to handle hazardous materials.
Assessing product for quality and cost: Your final product is someone's pristine space. To ensure the best price and quality, you can research and compare items.
Creating budgets: It's important to keep costs low by caring for your tools and brushes. Equipment can be expensive to replace and a budget or plan can save money.
Providing quotes to customers: Your quotes can be accurate for fewer surprises. Taking proper measurements and carefully planning your process can improve communication.

Example resume for a painter

Here is an example of a resume you can use to guide you when writing your own resume:

Preston Roberts
Hamilton, ON
289-668-6868
proberts@email.com
probertspaints.ca
Personal statement

My colour coordination and flare for decoration are impeccable and my passion for quality assurance enables me to follow strict procedures and enjoy them. I finish projects on time and within budget, and clients praise my tidiness.

Work experience

Painter
Pretty Painting Company
Toronto, ON
December 2020-Present

Oversaw morning safety meetings and ensure 15 team members wear personal protective equipment and understand the material safety data sheets, with zero major incidents for nine months.
Assessed blueprints and surface areas to order the correct amount of material and product, and increased profits because costs were under budget.
Applied surface treatments with precision and follow directions for meticulous quality control, avoiding the need for touch-up requests.

Education

High school diploma
Westview High School
Brampton, Ontario
2018
Certifications

Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Painter, Toronto, ON, July 2021
WHMIS Certificate, Hamilton, ON, December 2020

Skills

attention to detail
time management
teamwork
creativity

Available to start immediately

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.