Roofer resume example

Choose the right format for a Roofer resume

Use a reverse-chronological format. Roofing is a trade where employers want to see your most recent jobsite experience first, not a skills-based layout that buries your work history. Keep the resume to one page if you have fewer than ten years in the trade; two pages are acceptable for lead roofers or foremen with extensive project histories.

Use clear section headers, a readable font like Calibri or Arial at 10–12 pt, and consistent margins of 0.75–1 inch. Avoid tables and text boxes — many applicant tracking systems used by larger roofing contractors and commercial GCs strip that formatting and scramble your content.

• Sections in order: Contact Info, Summary, Work Experience, Skills, Certifications, Education
• File format: save and send as a PDF unless the job posting specifically requests a Word document
• No headshot, no objective statement — both are outdated in US roofing hiring

Write a professional summary that lands you the interview

Your summary sits at the top and gives a hiring manager a reason to keep reading. It should state your years of experience, the roofing systems you know best, and one concrete achievement or credential. Three to four sentences maximum.

Example: "Journeyman roofer with 9 years of residential and light-commercial experience specializing in asphalt shingle, TPO membrane, and modified bitumen systems. Installed and repaired over 400 roofs across the Denver metro area with a zero-OSHA-recordable safety record over the past five years. Holds an OSHA 30 card and has installed systems for an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor. Available for travel within a 75-mile radius and experienced leading three-person crews on tight turnaround projects."

Write work-experience bullets that show real output

Each bullet should start with a strong action verb and include a number wherever possible — square footage, number of roofs, crew size, project value, or safety metrics. Generic phrases like 'responsible for roofing tasks' tell a hiring manager nothing. Be specific about the systems, materials, and tools you worked with.

Mention brand-name materials and equipment you used regularly: GAF Timberline shingles, Carlisle or Firestone TPO, Henry or Polyglass membranes, Makita or Milwaukee cordless nailers, Roofmaster kettles for hot-tar work, or Soprema torch-down systems. These details help your resume pass keyword filters and prove hands-on familiarity.

• Installed and completed 180+ asphalt shingle roofs annually averaging 22 squares per job, maintaining a crew productivity rate 12% above company benchmark
• Led a 4-person crew on a $340,000 commercial TPO re-roofing project for a 60,000 sq ft warehouse, finishing 3 days ahead of schedule with zero safety incidents

Skills and certifications recruiters and ATS look for

List both hard technical skills and safety credentials. Commercial contractors and insurance restoration companies run resumes through ATS software that scans for specific terms before a human ever sees the document. Include the exact names of systems, tools, and certifications rather than paraphrasing them.

Manufacturer credentials — GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred, CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster — are awarded to contracting companies, so list your experience installing for a certified contractor and any manufacturer training you completed yourself. These credentials directly affect which jobs a contractor can bid, so employers value installers who know those systems.

• Roofing systems: asphalt shingle, TPO, EPDM, modified bitumen, metal panel, built-up roofing (BUR), slate, cedar shake
• Tools: pneumatic and cordless nail guns, roofing shovels, pry bars, chalk lines, roofing kettles, heat welders, seam rollers
• Safety: OSHA 10, OSHA 30, fall protection (1926.502), ladder safety
• Manufacturer experience: work for GAF Master Elite, Owens Corning Preferred, or CertainTeed SELECT ShingleMaster contractors, plus any manufacturer training you completed
• Other: Xactimate estimating software (for restoration-focused roles), blueprint reading, flashing and valley installation

Education, licenses, and extras that strengthen your resume

A high school diploma or GED is the standard minimum in residential roofing. If you completed a union apprenticeship — United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers (RWAW) — list the local number, completion year, and total apprenticeship hours. This carries significant weight with commercial and union signatory contractors.

Include your state contractor license number if you hold one, your driver's license class if you regularly tow trailers or operate company vehicles, and any first aid or CPR certifications. If you speak Spanish fluently, note it — bilingual roofers are in high demand for crew communication on diverse jobsites across the South and Southwest.

• State roofing contractor license (include license number and issuing state)
• RWAW apprenticeship completion — list local union number and graduation year
• Valid driver's license; Class A or B CDL if applicable
• CPR/First Aid certification with issuing organization and expiration date

Mistakes to avoid

• ×Listing roofing systems you have only watched others install rather than personally worked with — experienced foremen will catch the gap in a five-minute interview.
• ×Omitting your OSHA 10 or 30 card entirely, which immediately flags you as a liability risk to safety-conscious commercial contractors.
• ×Using vague language like 'assisted with roofing projects' instead of specifying your actual role, the system type, and the scope of work you owned.
• ×Failing to update your resume with manufacturer training you have completed and the manufacturer-certified contractors you have installed for, since those credentials are often the deciding factor in competitive bids.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a license to put it on my Roofer resume?

Licensing requirements vary by state — some states require a contractor license to pull permits, while others regulate at the county level or not at all. If you hold a state or local roofing license, always list it with the license number because it immediately signals to employers that you can legally lead permitted work. If you don't hold one but your employer does, you can note that you worked under a licensed contractor.

How do I write a Roofer resume with no formal experience?

Lead with any hands-on work you've done, including informal jobs, helping family members, or labor positions where you worked on a roof crew even briefly. List any relevant certifications like OSHA 10, and emphasize physical fitness, comfort with heights, and willingness to train on specific systems. Entry-level roofing candidates are largely evaluated on reliability and safety awareness, so address both directly in your summary.

Should a Roofer include a cover letter?

For residential roofing jobs posted online, a short cover letter — three paragraphs maximum — helps you stand out, especially if you're targeting a specific company known for a particular system like metal roofing or green roof installation. For walk-in applications or jobs found through word of mouth, a polished resume alone is usually sufficient. Always follow whatever instructions the job posting gives.