Electrician resume example & writing guide

Electricians need a combination of experience, training, and skills to excel in their careers. Whether you’re an experienced electrician or just getting started, writing an effective electrician resume can help you convince an employer to hire you for the job. For guidance on writing a great resume, you can refer to our electrician resume example and guide.

This article and example will show you how to write a resume to get hired as an electrician. We’ll discuss:

• What information to include on your resume

• How to describe your experience, achievements, and training

• The best skills to highlight on your resume

• What to consider when choosing a resume format

What should your electrician resume include?

Your electrician resume should highlight your skills and knowledge of the electrical trade. It should demonstrate your ability to install, repair, and maintain electrical systems and comply with safety codes and regulations.

The goal of your resume is to make an employer feel confident in your skills and experience. To provide a well-rounded overview of your qualifications, include the following sections on your electrician resume:

• A resume header with your contact information

• A resume summary 

• An employment history section

• An education section

• A resume skills section

How can you create a professional summary?

At the top of your resume, create a short summary of your skills and experience. In two or three sentences, discuss your core competencies, such as designing grids and circuits. Mention your unique skills or specializations, like green building, to distinguish your application from others.

Make sure to target your summary to the job or company where you’re applying. For example, if you’re applying for a position with a commercial contractor, emphasize your experience with installing electrical wiring in office buildings or retail stores. 

See our adaptable electrician resume summary below.

How should you describe your work experience as an electrician?

Outline your employment history to show a hiring manager the types of projects you’ve completed as an electrician or an apprentice. Provide details about the achievements you’ve had in other jobs, such as a record of completing your work ahead of schedule.

List your past jobs in reverse-chronological order with your job title, employer’s name, and employment dates. Briefly describe your daily responsibilities, starting each sentence with a strong verb, like coordinated or executed. Use bullet points to showcase your key projects, achievements, or contributions in each job.

If you can, use data and numbers to illustrate your achievements. However, as shown in the example, you don’t need to limit your bullet points to quantifiable results. Instead, demonstrate how you’ve positively impacted your previous employers by performing safe, reliable work on-time and within budget. 

For example:

• Led a team to complete a large-scale electrical installation project ahead of schedule and under budget, resulting in client satisfaction and repeat business.

Take a look at the adaptable electrician resume employment history section below.

Include a fitting electrician resume education and certifications section

While most electrician jobs don’t require an undergraduate degree, it’s still important to include an education section on your resume. If you have a relevant degree, it may improve your chances of getting a job. Additionally, an employer will review your education section to ensure you meet the licensing requirements for an electrician role.

Keep these guidelines in mind:

• Mention your education. Include the full name of your degree or diploma and the name of your school.

• Provide your license. List your license number and the state where you’re qualified to work. If applicable, include the expiration date of your license so an employer knows it’s active.

• List additional certifications. If you have additional certifications in a specialized area, such as photovoltaic (PV) installation, list those credentials underneath your license and education.

Which key skills are relevant for an electrician resume?

Since you work in a skills-based trade, it’s essential to mention your areas of expertise, such as regulatory compliance or power systems. Choose skills relevant to the position you’re applying for. The skills you need as an industrial electrician, for example, will be much different from the skills for a residential electrician role.

Additionally, review the job description for some guidance on what skills to include on your resume. Many employers use applicant tracking system (ATS) software to approve or reject resumes based on keywords, which you can often find in the job description. (For more help with mastering the ATS, check out our article on resume ATS optimization.)

Regardless of the role or specialty, some common skills for an electrician resume include the following:

• Electrical equipment and systems

• Building codes

• Blueprint reading

• Project management

• Safety compliance

• Electrical installation and repair

• Budget management

How to select the most impactful electrician resume template

Make sure your resume shows your professionalism by using a clean, minimal layout. Choose a standard font and use white space to make your resume easy for a hiring manager to read. Clearly label the section headings of your resume in a bold or large font.

An employer will probably review your resume quickly, so aim to keep the document to one page. If you have many years of electrical experience, you can have a second page.

If you want to make a professional resume quickly, use our resume builder to select an optimized format. We also offer over 100 resume examples you can browse to get some additional ideas and inspiration for your electrician resume.

Copyable electrician resume example

Key takeaways for writing an electrician resume

1. Create an electrician resume to show prospective employers the projects you’ve completed and the skills you’ve gained throughout your career.

2. On your resume, emphasize your work experience, license, and continuing education to show a commitment to your trade.

3. Include relevant skills, such as blueprint reading and safety compliance, to ensure your resume passes an ATS.

4. Choose a simple, clean resume format to present your qualifications in a professional way.