Top 12 General Labor Skills to Put on Your Resume
In today's fast-moving job market, the right skills on your resume can tip the scales. Especially in general labor, where versatility, safety, and reliability carry weight. This guide spotlights the top 12 general labor skills to highlight, helping you catch hiring managers’ eyes and boost your chances.
General Labor Skills
- Forklift Operation
- Welding
- Carpentry
- Plumbing
- Electrical Wiring
- Masonry
- Landscaping
- Painting
- Heavy Machinery
- Scaffolding
- Pallet Jack
- Safety Compliance
1. Forklift Operation
Forklift operation means safely driving and maneuvering forklifts to move, lift, and stage materials in warehouses, construction sites, and industrial spaces.
Why It's Important
It speeds up material handling, reduces strain, and keeps workflows humming while protecting people and inventory. Productivity rises. Risk falls.
How to Improve Forklift Operation Skills
Sharpen safety, precision, and flow with these moves:
Training and Employer Certification: Provide OSHA-compliant training, hands-on practice, and employer-issued certification. Refresh routinely.
Regular Maintenance: Stick to a strict preventive maintenance and daily inspection routine to prevent breakdowns and hazards.
Safety Protocols: Enforce pre-operation checks, speed limits, horn use at blind spots, and marked pedestrian aisles.
Ergonomics: Use adjustable seats, proper mirrors, and low-effort controls to cut fatigue and improve control.
Technology: Telematics, access control, and impact sensors help coach operators and schedule service before trouble hits.
Communication: Clear hand signals, radios where needed, and spotters in tight lanes keep people out of harm’s way.
Dial these in and forklift work becomes smoother, safer, faster.
How to Display Forklift Operation Skills on Your Resume
2. Welding
Welding joins metals or thermoplastics by heating the parts until they fuse, creating strong, durable bonds.
Why It's Important
It builds and repairs the frameworks that keep facilities, equipment, and vehicles working. Strength you can trust.
How to Improve Welding Skills
Practice Often: Different positions, materials, and thicknesses. Repetition builds steady hands and clean beads.
Learn from Pros: Take courses or apprenticeships. Follow standards and best practices from recognized trade bodies.
Know Your Materials: Match filler, prep, and heat to the metal. Clean surfaces. Control distortion.
Master Multiple Processes: MIG, TIG, stick—each has a sweet spot. Build range.
Safety Every Time: Proper PPE, ventilation, fire watch, and safe cylinder handling. No shortcuts.
Maintain Your Gear: Cables, tips, gas flow—keep it all in shape for consistent results.
Seek Feedback: Have experienced welders inspect your work and coach your technique.
How to Display Welding Skills on Your Resume
3. Carpentry
Carpentry covers building, installing, and repairing structures and fixtures using wood and allied materials with hand and power tools.
Why It's Important
It anchors construction and maintenance. Frames, finishes, and fixes—done right, they last.
How to Improve Carpentry Skills
Build Often: Start small (shelves, boxes) and scale up. Accuracy grows with repetition.
Study Techniques: Join classes or learn under a seasoned carpenter. Observe layout, joinery, and sequencing.
Know Tools and Materials: Blades, bits, fasteners, species, sheet goods—choose well, handle safely.
Measure Ruthlessly: Layout lines, square checks, and dry fits prevent rework.
Safety First: Guards on. PPE on. Dust control in place. Respect every cut.
Review and Refine: Ask for critique. Fix tear-out, gaps, and alignment issues until they disappear.
Keep Learning: New fasteners, adhesives, and tools appear often. Stay current.
How to Display Carpentry Skills on Your Resume
4. Plumbing
Plumbing installs, maintains, and repairs systems for water supply, drainage, and fixtures inside buildings.
Why It's Important
Clean water in. Waste out. Comfort and hygiene depend on it, and codes require it.
How to Improve Plumbing Skills
Learn the Fundamentals: Pressure, venting, traps, slope, and fixture requirements. Know the “why,” not just the “how.”
Hands-On Work: Assist a licensed plumber or pursue an apprenticeship. Sweat copper. Solvent-weld PVC. Crimp PEX. Repeat.
Follow Codes: Local plumbing codes and permits matter. Verify materials and methods meet requirements.
Use the Right Tools: Pipe cutters, benders, press tools, and quality sealants. Maintain them.
Diagnose Methodically: Isolate sections. Test pressure. Check vents and slopes before opening walls.
Work Safely: PPE, shutoffs tagged, hot work precautions, and proper handling of wastewater.
Seek Feedback: Have experienced tradespeople review your installations for neatness and code compliance.
How to Display Plumbing Skills on Your Resume
5. Electrical Wiring
Electrical wiring is the network of conductors and devices that safely distributes power from a source to equipment, lighting, and outlets.
Why It's Important
It keeps spaces powered and safe. Good wiring prevents shocks, fires, and downtime.
How to Improve Electrical Wiring Skills
Power Off, Verify: Shut off at the panel and confirm with a tester. Treat every conductor with caution.
Know the Code: Follow the National Electrical Code (or your local equivalent). Color codes, box fill, grounding, GFCI/AFCI—nonnegotiable.
Choose Correct Wire: Match gauge and insulation to amperage and environment. Use proper conduit and fittings.
Make Solid Connections: Tight terminations, approved connectors, and junctions in accessible boxes with covers.
Install Devices Properly: Orient boxes, support fixtures, and respect load ratings. Label circuits clearly.
Test Thoroughly: Continuity, polarity, and GFCI/AFCI function before energizing. Document results.
Know Your Limits: Pull permits when required and bring in a licensed electrician for complex or service-level work.
How to Display Electrical Wiring Skills on Your Resume
6. Masonry
Masonry builds structures with brick, block, or stone, bonded with mortar. Tasks include mixing, cutting, laying, and finishing.
Why It's Important
It delivers strength, fire resistance, and longevity. Foundations, walls, and walkways that endure weather and time.
How to Improve Masonry Skills
Master Materials: Understand brick, block, stone, mortar types, and when each shines.
Mix Right: Consistent mortar matters. Follow ratios, control water, and mix only what you can place.
Own the Trowel: Practice spreads, buttering, and joint finishing for clean, even courses.
Start Simple: Short walls, planters, or piers build precision fast.
Stay Plumb and Level: Use lines, levels, and string to keep courses true. Check often.
Respect Codes: Reinforcement, control joints, and footing requirements must align with local standards.
Safety: PPE, dust control, proper lifting, and secure staging.
Get Feedback: Have experienced masons critique bond patterns and joints until your work is tight.
How to Display Masonry Skills on Your Resume
7. Landscaping
Landscaping shapes and maintains outdoor areas—planting, trimming, grading, and installing hardscapes to create healthy, functional spaces.
Why It's Important
It boosts curb appeal, supports local ecosystems, and protects properties from erosion and drainage issues.
How to Improve Landscaping Skills
Plan with Purpose: Map sun, shade, soil, and water. Design for mature sizes and maintenance needs.
Choose Wisely: Favor native or climate-appropriate plants. Fewer pests, less water, better survival.
Build Better Soil: Test it, amend it, and add organic matter for structure and drainage.
Mulch Smart: Two to three inches—kept off trunks and stems—locks in moisture and blocks weeds.
Maintain on Schedule: Prune at the right time, fertilize when needed, and keep edges crisp.
Water Efficiently: Drip or soaker systems deliver water where it counts and waste less.
How to Display Landscaping Skills on Your Resume
8. Painting
Painting applies coatings to surfaces—protecting, sealing, and refreshing walls, structures, or equipment.
Why It's Important
It shields against moisture and wear, elevates appearance, and stretches the life of materials.
How to Improve Painting Skills
Prep Like a Pro: Clean, sand, patch, prime. Prep determines finish.
Know Your Materials: Match paint chemistry and sheen to the surface and use case.
Use Quality Tools: Good brushes, rollers, and sprayers deliver smooth coverage and sharp lines.
Refine Technique: Maintain a wet edge, control pressure, and cut-in cleanly before rolling.
Ventilate and Protect: Mask thoroughly, cover floors, and manage fumes.
Practice: Small projects build speed and consistency. Then scale up.
How to Display Painting Skills on Your Resume
9. Heavy Machinery
Heavy machinery includes large construction and industrial equipment used for earthmoving, lifting, grading, and more.
Why It's Important
It multiplies output, handles massive loads, and reduces physical strain—essential on big jobs.
How to Improve Heavy Machinery Skills
Maintenance Discipline: Inspections, fluid checks, wear parts, and clean filters—on schedule, every time.
Operator Training: Formal instruction, seat time, and task-specific refreshers. Pair new operators with seasoned mentors.
Smart Controls: GPS, grade control, and telematics boost precision and reduce rework.
Safety Protocols: Use spotters, barricades, and clear traffic plans. Lockout/tagout for service.
Efficiency Audits: Track idle time, cycle times, and fuel burn. Tune workflows to cut waste.
How to Display Heavy Machinery Skills on Your Resume
10. Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary elevated platform that supports workers and materials during construction, repair, or maintenance.
Why It's Important
It provides safe, stable access at height so work gets done efficiently without unnecessary risk.
How to Improve Scaffolding Skills
Train Thoroughly: Assembly, use, and dismantling must follow standards and manufacturer instructions.
Inspect Daily: Check planks, pins, ties, guardrails, and base plates before use. Fix issues immediately.
Use Proper PPE: Hard hats, non-slip footwear, and fall protection where required.
Respect Load Limits: Calculate expected loads and never exceed capacity.
Tie and Brace: Secure to the structure, level the base, and stabilize against wind or sway.
Safe Access: Provide ladders or built-in access and keep platforms clear of debris.
Watch the Weather: High winds, ice, or storms can make scaffolds unsafe. Pause and secure.
How to Display Scaffolding Skills on Your Resume
11. Pallet Jack
A pallet jack—manual or powered—lifts and transports palletized loads across short distances, common in warehouses and shipping areas.
Why It's Important
It moves heavy goods quickly, cuts down on strain, and streamlines material flow.
How to Improve Pallet Jack Skills
Maintain Regularly: Check hydraulics, forks, wheels, and brakes. Address leaks and wear early.
Prioritize Ergonomics: Use models with comfortable handles and low rolling resistance to reduce fatigue.
Train Operators: Teach safe turning, load balance, and proper travel speeds—especially in busy aisles.
Match Capacity: Select equipment with the right load rating and fork length for your pallets.
Useful Add-ons: Built-in scales or brakes can improve accuracy and control.
How to Display Pallet Jack Skills on Your Resume
12. Safety Compliance
Safety compliance means following health and safety rules, training, and procedures that protect workers and the public.
Why It's Important
It prevents injuries, avoids fines, and builds a culture where people go home in one piece every day.
How to Improve Safety Compliance Skills
Train and Refresh: Orientation, task-specific training, and recurring refreshers keep safety front-of-mind.
Audit and Correct: Walk the site, document hazards, and close corrective actions fast.
Communicate Clearly: Toolbox talks, signage, labels, and simple procedures everyone understands.
Equip Properly: Provide and enforce the use of PPE and maintain guards and controls.
Encourage Reporting: Reward near-miss and hazard reporting. Fix root causes, not blame.
Improve Continuously: Track incidents and trends, then update policies and training accordingly.
How to Display Safety Compliance Skills on Your Resume
