Sample Electrician Resume and Skills List

Electrician working at site
Letizia Le Fur / Getty Images

Electricians typically receive thousands of hours of training before becoming licensed and certified. But simply being qualified to do the job isn’t enough to get you hired.

To show the hiring manager that you’re the best candidate for the position, you’ll need to create an electrician resume that highlights your skills, qualifications, and abilities—and that helps you stand out from the competition.

What to Include in Your Resume

When writing a resume for an electrician job:

Include your qualifications. This should also list your licensing, certification, and educational information, as well as your skills and experience. Be sure to emphasize any electrician skills that the employer highlights in their advertisement.

List your employment history and work related to the position. Include your apprenticeship(s) or any volunteer work you did as an electrician. In each description, highlight your skills, responsibilities, and experience.

Choose the best resume format. Select the resume type that emphasizes your strengths. For example, if you have strong work experience, a chronological or combination resume may be the best choice. On the other hand, if your work experience is limited and you’d like to highlight your skills, you might consider using a functional resume.

Depending on your preferences, you can include a resume objective, resume profile, or core qualifications section.

Tips for Writing an Electrician Resume

Review a resume sample for a person seeking employment as an electrician. The resume below includes employment history, education, and licenses—but don’t copy this sample exactly. Adapt your resume to your experience and customize it for every job application.

Match your qualifications to the requirements in the job listing. Evaluate the job advertisement to determine what the employer is looking for in an ideal candidate. Extract the relevant keywords, and be sure to include them in your resume and cover letter.

Include a cover letter. After drafting your electrician’s resume, don’t forget to write a cover letter, too. Without simply repeating your resume, this should highlight your training and qualifications for the job, mention any related work experience, and list any required licensure or professional memberships.

Include keywords from the job description in your cover letter as well as your resume to ensure that your application makes it through the screening process.

Sample Electrician Resume

This is an example of a resume for an electrician position. Download the electrician resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online).

Screenshot of a sample electrician resume

Sample Electrician Resume (Text Version)

Joe Smith
999 Main Street
New York 10003
(123) 555-1234
joe.smith@email.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE

Experienced and knowledgeable electrician with more than 10 years of experience in the field seeks a position with a busy contractor or top electrical or construction firm in need of a hard worker with solid technical skills.

CORE QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience overseeing, training, and scheduling personnel.
  • Proficient with the direct installation of wiring at construction and other sites.
  • Good interpersonal skills; able to interface with clients, project managers, and team members.
  • Fully certified in electrical engineering by a reputable college.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

VALLEY STREAM ELECTRICAL AND CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, Valley Stream, NY
Electrical Supervisor, September 2020-Present

Brought on board to oversee the worksites and scheduling of personnel. Perform direct installation of wiring and electrical appliances at new construction sites. Communicate closely with clients, project managers, and team members to identify and resolve issues and convey statuses.

  • Work with multiple construction teams to develop original blueprints of electrical wiring for new construction sites.
  • Assist in interviewing and hiring new employees.

DOWNSTATE ELECTRICAL INC., Jersey City, NY
Electrician Assistant, June 2011-September 2020

Assisted electricians with installation and repairs of heaters, boilers, and wiring at both residential and commercial construction sites.

  • Stepped up, as necessary, to perform administrative duties including phone reception, client relations, and project reporting.

EDUCATION

Associate of Electrical Engineering (June 2011); GPA 3.9
City College of New York, New York, NY

Dean’s List; Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Certifications and Organizations

Journeyman Electrician State License; Associate Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; Associate Member, International Affiliation of Electrical Inspectors.

Electrician Skills Lists

Here are the types of skills employers seek in the candidates they hire for electrician jobs. These skills will vary based on the position for which you're applying; if an employer specifically lists any of these skills on their job announcement, you should try to mention them in your resume and cover letter.

Technical Skills

Technical skills are perhaps the most important competencies employers look for in electricians, which is why it’s a good idea to broaden your technical skillset as widely as possible during your training and apprenticeships. Here are a few of the technical skills most commonly mentioned in job ads for electricians.

  • Calibrating Level, Pressure, Temperature, and Flow Measuring Systems
  • Commercial Experience
  • Construction Experience
  • Conducting 3-Phase Motor Replacement
  • Conducting Systems Tests
  • Electrical Installations and Schematics
  • Industrial Control Systems
  • Industrial Experience
  • Install and Maintain Electrical Equipment, Systems, and Devices
  • Installing Fixtures and Electrical Components at Construction Sites
  • Knowledge of State and Local Electrical Codes
  • Laying Out and Installing Wiring Circuits
  • License (Depending on Location)
  • Maintaining and Installing Fire Alarm Systems
  • Maintaining Tools and Equipment
  • Measuring, Cutting, and Bending Conduit Using Hand and Hydraulic Benders
  • National and Local Electrical Codes and Requirements
  • National Electrical Code (NEC)
  • Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)
  • Repair Electrical Systems
  • Repair Wiring Systems, Electrical Conduit, and Related Equipment
  • Repairing Single and Polyphase Wiring Systems
  • Replacing Defective Wiring Systems
  • Residential Experience
  • Safety Procedures and Regulations
  • Schematics
  • Terminating and Setting Switchgear, Panels, and other Distribution Equipment
  • Testing and Repair of Equipment
  • Troubleshooting Motors

Logical / “Thinking” Skills

Installing and maintaining state-of-the-art electrical systems can require extensive planning and diagnostics, so solid analytical and problem-solving skills are crucial.

  • Accuracy
  • Analytical Skills
  • Analyze Blueprints
  • Applying Knowledge of Programmable Logic Controls
  • Carefully Evaluating Risks
  • Critical Thinking
  • Decision Making
  • Detail Orientation
  • Diagnosing Malfunctions in Electrical Systems
  • Diagnostics
  • Evaluating Processes
  • Interpreting Blueprints and Construction Drawings
  • Learning Evolving Technology
  • Learning State and Local Building Codes
  • Mathematics
  • Mechanical Reasoning
  • Problem Solving

Physical Strengths

Like most trades, electricians must have the strength, physical stamina, balance, and dexterity required to perform physical tasks like working in cramped spaces, carrying heavy materials, and climbing on ladders.

  • Lifting and Placing Heavy Systems
  • Manual Dexterity
  • Reaching Overhead for Extended Periods
  • Reading Technical Materials
  • Repeated Bending and Squatting
  • Using Power Tools for Drilling and Cutting
  • Working from Ladders and Scaffolds
  • Working in Adverse Conditions
  • Working Odd Hours

Communications and Interpersonal Skills

As an electrician, sometimes you will work alone. Other times, though, you will be part of a team and will need to communicate effectively with others to ensure the job gets done on time and at or below budget.

  • Adapting to Changing Priorities
  • Collaborating with Other Trades People
  • Dependability
  • Explaining the Scope of Work to Stakeholders
  • Following Directions
  • Instructing Apprentices
  • Recommending Improvements to Processes
  • Supervising Apprentices
  • Teamwork
  • Time Management
  • Verbal Skills
  • Working Alone

Administrative Skills

Record-keeping, purchasing, and project scheduling and management may all be required of electricians, depending upon their employer and their level of seniority and responsibility.

  • Evaluating Options and Ordering Equipment and Tools
  • Maintaining Written Records of Projects
  • Organizational Skills
  • Planning Projects

How to Get Your Resume Noticed

List Your Qualifications: Include your licensing, certification, and educational credentials, as well as your work experience.

Use Keywords: Read the job description and pay close attention to the electrician skills listed. Then, include those keywords in your resume.

Don’t Forget the Cover Letter: Highlight your skills and experience, but don’t restate your resume.