Concrete Finisher Resume examples & templates
Copyable Concrete Finisher Resume examples
While electricians wire up buildings and architects sketch future skylines, concrete finishers are the unsung artists who literally shape the foundation of our modern world. With trowel in hand, these skilled tradespeople transform gray slurry into smooth, level surfaces that will support everything from suburban driveways to towering skyscrapers. It's a craft that blends physical skill with surprising precision – a half-inch mistake in a concrete pour can lead to structural issues that last decades.
The field has changed dramatically in recent years, with advances in concrete mixes that cure faster and new finishing tools that reduce strain on workers' bodies. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6.7% growth in concrete finishing jobs through 2029, faster than many other construction trades. This growth comes partly from the infrastructure boom and partly from the fact that fewer young people are entering the trades, creating a skills gap that drives up wages (the median pay jumped to $48,330 last year). For those willing to master the craft, concrete finishing offers something increasingly rare: a career where you can see the physical results of your labor every single day, and one that's becoming more sustainable as eco-friendly concrete alternatives gain traction.
Junior Concrete Finisher Resume Example
Theo Jackson
Philadelphia, PA | (215) 555-8742 | tjackson.concrete@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/theojackson
Concrete finisher with 1+ year of hands-on experience in residential and light commercial projects. Skilled in various finishing techniques including broom, trowel, and stamped finishes. Quick learner who thrives in fast-paced environments and adapts to changing project requirements. Committed to quality workmanship and site safety standards.
EXPERIENCE
Concrete Finisher – Martinez Construction, Philadelphia, PA (Jan 2023 – Present)
- Perform concrete finishing for residential driveways, patios, and walkways (avg. 3-4 projects weekly)
- Apply various finishing techniques including broom, smooth trowel, and decorative stamped patterns based on client specifications
- Cut control joints using hand saws and power equipment to prevent random cracking
- Maintain quality standards by ensuring proper concrete mix ratios and curing processes
- Assist with measuring and layout work, ensuring precise dimensions and proper drainage slopes
Concrete Laborer – Martinez Construction, Philadelphia, PA (Aug 2022 – Dec 2022)
- Prepared job sites by setting forms, laying wire mesh, and installing rebar prior to concrete pours
- Mixed concrete using portable mixers for smaller patch jobs and repairs
- Assisted senior finishers with screeding, floating, and troweling techniques
- Cleaned and maintained tools and equipment after daily use
Construction Helper (Part-time) – Jackson Family Renovations, Camden, NJ (Summers 2020-2021)
- Helped with basic concrete repair work and small pours for family business
- Gained foundational knowledge of construction materials and site safety
- Assisted with cleanup and material handling on various residential projects
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION
Camden County Technical Institute – Construction Trades Certificate, 2022
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification – Completed March 2022
First Aid/CPR Certified – American Red Cross, June 2022
SKILLS
- Concrete Finishing Techniques (broom, trowel, stamped)
- Form Setting & Removal
- Screeding & Floating
- Control Joint Cutting
- Basic Blueprint Reading
- Concrete Mixing & Pouring
- Hand & Power Tools
- Site Preparation
- Basic Masonry
- Problem-Solving
- Team Collaboration
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Available for occasional weekend work and emergency repairs. Valid driver’s license with clean record. Own reliable transportation and basic concrete finishing tools.
Mid-level Concrete Finisher Resume Example
Garrett Wilson
Charlotte, NC | (704) 555-8721 | gwilson78@email.com | linkedin.com/in/garrettwilson
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented Concrete Finisher with 5+ years of hands-on experience in residential and commercial construction projects. Known for delivering high-quality concrete work with exceptional attention to surface finishing and decorative techniques. Skilled at interpreting blueprints, calculating material requirements, and operating a variety of concrete finishing equipment. Safety-conscious team player who thrives in fast-paced environments and challenging weather conditions.
EXPERIENCE
Senior Concrete Finisher | Davidson Construction | Charlotte, NC | June 2021 – Present
- Lead a 4-person concrete finishing crew on commercial projects ranging from $250K to $1.2M, including office buildings and retail spaces
- Perform complex decorative concrete techniques including stamping, staining, and exposed aggregate finishes that increased client satisfaction ratings by 27%
- Coordinate material deliveries and equipment scheduling for up to 3 concurrent job sites
- Troubleshoot surface defects and implement corrective measures, reducing rework by 19% compared to company average
- Train and mentor 7 junior finishers on proper techniques, tool usage, and safety protocols
Concrete Finisher | Precision Concrete Solutions | Gastonia, NC | August 2019 – May 2021
- Completed over 75 residential and small commercial concrete projects including driveways, patios, and sidewalks
- Operated power trowels, bull floats, and edgers to achieve smooth, even surfaces that met client specifications
- Applied curing compounds and performed control joint cutting to minimize cracking in finished concrete
- Calculated material quantities for projects up to 2,500 sq ft, maintaining waste levels below 5%
Concrete Laborer | Tri-County Construction | Rock Hill, SC | March 2018 – July 2019
- Assisted in site preparation, form building, and concrete placement for residential foundations and slabs
- Mixed and poured concrete according to specified mix designs and strength requirements
- Set up and maintained proper drainage and slope for water runoff in concrete installations
- Maintained tools and equipment in good working condition, extending average tool life by 14%
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Certificate in Concrete Finishing | Central Piedmont Community College | Charlotte, NC | 2018
OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety Certification | Renewed 2022
American Concrete Institute (ACI) Flatwork Finisher Certification | Obtained 2020
First Aid/CPR Certification | American Red Cross | Current
SKILLS
- Concrete finishing techniques (brooming, troweling, floating)
- Decorative concrete applications (stamped, colored, exposed aggregate)
- Blueprint reading and layout planning
- Construction math and material calculations
- Power trowel operation and maintenance
- Form setting and removal
- Concrete mixing and pouring
- Control joint cutting and spacing
- Surface defect identification and remediation
- Weather condition assessment for concrete work
ADDITIONAL
Valid NC Driver’s License with clean driving record
Bilingual: English and conversational Spanish
Available for occasional weekend work and emergency repairs
Senior / Experienced Concrete Finisher Resume Example
MIGUEL “MIKE” RODRIGUEZ
Portland, OR 97214 • (503) 555-4789 • mike.rodriguez@email.com • linkedin.com/in/mikerodriguez
Accomplished concrete finishing professional with over 12 years of hands-on experience in commercial and residential construction. Known for precision work on complex decorative applications and ability to lead crews of 3-8 finishers. Committed to maintaining the highest quality standards while meeting tight deadlines. Safety-focused team leader with expertise in modern concrete techniques, tools, and materials.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Lead Concrete Finisher | Precision Concrete Solutions | Portland, OR | 2018-Present
- Lead team of 6 finishers on projects ranging from $250K-3.2M, including the award-winning Riverfront Plaza commercial development
- Specialize in exposed aggregate, stamped, and colored concrete applications for high-end residential and commercial clients
- Reduced material waste by 17% through improved mixing calculations and better pour scheduling
- Train junior finishers on advanced techniques including proper bull floating, edging, and hand troweling
- Maintain zero safety incidents over 4 years through strict adherence to OSHA guidelines and regular toolbox talks
Concrete Finisher | Northwest Construction Group | Vancouver, WA | 2015-2018
- Performed finishing work on over 140 residential foundations and 12 commercial projects
- Mastered various finishing techniques including brooming, scoring, and salt finishing
- Operated power trowels, walk-behind saws, and other equipment to achieve specified finishes
- Collaborated with architects and project managers to interpret plans and ensure correct implementation
- Promoted from Finisher Assistant to Finisher after demonstrating exceptional skill and reliability
Concrete Finisher Assistant | Portland Metro Construction | Portland, OR | 2011-2015
- Assisted lead finishers with concrete placement, screeding, and finishing on residential projects
- Prepared job sites including setting forms, placing reinforcement, and cleaning equipment
- Mixed concrete to specified ratios for different applications and weather conditions
- Maintained detailed logs of concrete deliveries, mix designs, and weather conditions
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Vocational Training Certificate – Concrete Finishing & Masonry | Portland Community College | 2011
OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification | Renewed 2022
ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher Certification | American Concrete Institute | 2016
First Aid/CPR Certification | American Red Cross | Current
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Decorative concrete (stamped, stained, exposed aggregate, polished)
- Form setting and layout
- Control joint placement and sawcutting
- Power trowel operation (ride-on and walk-behind)
- Concrete mix design knowledge
- Blueprint reading and elevation interpretation
- Concrete sealers and curing compounds
- Finishing in extreme weather conditions
- Concrete repair and patching techniques
- Basic concrete estimating and material calculations
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bilingual: Fluent in English and Spanish
Valid driver’s license with clean record
Willing to travel up to 75 miles for projects
How to Write a Concrete Finisher Resume
Introduction
When you're looking for work as a concrete finisher, your resume isn't just paperwork—it's your ticket to getting noticed. I've worked with dozens of concrete professionals over the years, and I can tell you firsthand that contractors and construction managers spend about 6-10 seconds scanning each resume before deciding who makes the cut. A strong resume showcases not just your experience smoothing concrete, but your reliability, attention to detail, and technical knowledge in a format that's easy to scan.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your resume clean and straightforward—much like a well-finished concrete job. Aim for 1-2 pages max, with clear sections and plenty of white space.
- Use a simple, readable font like Arial or Calibri in 10-12pt size
- Create clear section headings that stand out (bold or slightly larger)
- Stick to reverse chronological format for work history (newest jobs first)
- Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
- Name your file clearly: "JohnSmith_ConcreteFinisher_Resume.pdf"
Profile/Summary Section
Start with a brief snapshot of your concrete finishing skills and experience. This section sits at the top and grabs attention fast. Keep it under 4 lines.
Avoid generic statements like "hardworking professional seeking opportunity." Instead, write something specific like: "Concrete finisher with 7+ years specializing in decorative stamping and exposed aggregate finishes. Experienced in both residential and commercial projects up to 32,000 square feet."
Professional Experience
This is where you'll spend most of your resume real estate. For each position, include:
- Company name and location
- Your job title
- Dates of employment (month/year to month/year)
- 4-6 bullet points describing your work
Make your bullets count! Start with strong action verbs and include specific details:
- Poor: "Responsible for finishing concrete."
- Better: "Finished and cured 1,200+ sq ft of concrete daily, maintaining 97% client satisfaction rate through precise edging and jointing techniques."
Include numbers when possible—square footage, crew sizes you've led, project timelines you've met or beaten, error reduction percentages.
Education and Certifications
Most concrete finishing jobs value hands-on experience over formal education, but still include:
- High school diploma or GED
- Vocational training or apprenticeship programs
- Relevant certifications (ACI Concrete Flatwork Finisher, OSHA 10/30, etc.)
- Equipment operation licenses (if applicable)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many larger companies use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter resumes before a human sees them. To get past these digital gatekeepers, weave these terms naturally throughout your resume:
- Concrete placement
- Finishing techniques (floating, troweling, edging, jointing)
- Decorative concrete (stamping, staining, exposed aggregate)
- Screeding and leveling
- Curing procedures
- Blueprint reading
- Flatwork and vertical applications
Industry-specific Terms
Show you know the trade by using proper terminology. Mention specific tools and techniques you're familiar with:
- Bull float, fresno, power trowel operation
- Slump testing
- Form setting and bracing
- Control joint placement
- Mix designs (mention specific PSI ranges you've worked with)
- Surface retarders and hardeners
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing duties without results ("mixed concrete" vs. "mixed and placed 37 yards of 4,500 PSI concrete for commercial foundation")
- Forgetting to mention safety record or training
- Omitting specialized finishes you can create
- Using vague time periods instead of specific dates
- Ignoring weather challenges you've overcome (hot/cold weather concrete work)
Before/After Example
Before: Responsible for concrete finishing at various jobsites. Did stamping and coloring. Used power trowels.
After: Led 3-person finishing crew completing 800-1,500 sq ft of decorative concrete daily. Specialized in seamless texture stamping and acid staining techniques, reducing callback rate by 18% through improved finishing methods. Operated and maintained ride-on power trowels for large commercial slabs while training 2 apprentices in proper finishing sequences.
Your resume should feel as solid as your finished work. Make every word count, just like every pass of the trowel matters on the jobsite. Good luck!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Concrete Finisher resume
- Problem-solving under pressure – figuring out solutions when concrete isn’t setting right with the clock ticking
- Team coordination – working seamlessly with laborers, truck drivers, and other trades on crowded job sites
- Spatial awareness and precision communication – giving clear directions about placement and finishing techniques
- Client interaction skills – explaining technical limitations or possibilities to homeowners who drop by the job site
- Adaptability to changing conditions – adjusting techniques for unexpected weather changes or material delays
- Mentoring newer finishers – showing patience when teaching the “feel” of working with different mixes
Hard skills for your Concrete Finisher resume
- ACI (American Concrete Institute) Flatwork Finisher Certification
- Concrete pump truck operation and maintenance
- Power trowel mastery for large floor slabs (36″ and 48″ models)
- Decorative concrete application techniques including stamping and staining
- Blueprint interpretation and layout planning using construction drawings
- Concrete mix design calculations for various PSI requirements
- Laser screed operation for commercial floor leveling
- Concrete testing procedures (slump tests, air entrainment measurement)
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety training