Essential Roofing Skills to Include on a Resume

Roofing professionals must present a mix of technical expertise and safety awareness to stand out in hiring processes. This article outlines the most relevant roofing skills for resumes, examples of how to list them, certifications that matter, and tips for passing applicant tracking systems. The guidance helps craft a resume that emphasizes measurable achievements, safety compliance, and industry-specific qualifications.

Category	Top Skills	Why It Matters
Technical	Shingle Installation, Roof Repair, Flashing	Directly related to job performance
Safety & Compliance	Fall Protection, OSHA Standards, Toolbox Talks	Reduces liability and improves hiring prospects
Certifications	OSHA 10/30, NRCA, Manufacturer Certifications	Demonstrates verified training

Why Roofing Skills Matter On A Resume

Hiring managers and contractors seek candidates who can deliver quality work safely and efficiently. Clear roofing skills on a resume show readiness to perform on day one and help match candidates with the right projects. Including industry terms and measurable results also improves visibility in searches and applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Core Technical Roofing Skills

Core technical skills form the backbone of any roofing resume and should be tailored to the job description. Key technical abilities include shingle and membrane installation, roof replacement, leak diagnosis, flashing and gutter work, and basic carpentry.

Shingle Installation: Asphalt, architectural, and specialty shingles, including proper nailing patterns and ventilation considerations.
Single-Ply Membranes: TPO, EPDM, and PVC installation techniques and seam welding when applicable.
Flashing And Waterproofing: Metal flashing, step flashing, counter flashing, and roof-to-wall interfaces to prevent leaks.
Roof Repair And Maintenance: Leak tracing, patching, and preventive maintenance to extend roof life.
Carpentry For Roofs: Roof decking repair, truss adjustments, and underlayment replacement.

Safety, Compliance, And Site Management Skills

Safety skills are critical in roofing due to fall risks and heavy materials. Employers prioritize candidates with demonstrated safety training, adherence to OSHA standards, and experience conducting site safety briefings.

Fall Protection: Use of harnesses, lifelines, guardrails, and anchorage systems according to best practices.
OSHA And Local Regulations: Awareness of OSHA 1926 construction standards and local code requirements for roofing jobs.
Site Clean-Up And Waste Management: Proper disposal of materials, tarp usage, and magnetic broom techniques to remove nails.
Jobsite Communication: Ability to lead toolbox talks, coordinate with crews, and follow superintendent directions.

Soft Skills That Boost A Roofing Resume

Soft skills influence hiring decisions, crew dynamics, and client satisfaction. Highlighting reliability, communication, problem-solving, and time management can differentiate a candidate beyond technical capability.

Reliability And Punctuality: Consistent attendance and the ability to meet production schedules.
Customer Service: Communicating with homeowners or property managers about repairs and timelines.
Teamwork: Mentoring apprentices, coordinating multi-trade projects, and working under foremen.
Problem-Solving: Diagnosing leaks, adapting to unforeseen substrate issues, and making on-site decisions.

Certifications, Licenses, And Manufacturer Endorsements

Certifications validate skills and improve hiring odds, especially for specialized roofing systems. Commonly recognized credentials include OSHA 10/30, manufacturer certifications (e.g., GAF, CertainTeed), and NRCA training.

OSHA 10/30: Basic and advanced construction safety training that signals a safety-first candidate.
Manufacturer Certifications: Product-specific certifications that qualify installers for warranties and premium projects.
NRCA Or Industry Training: Courses in best practices, roof systems, and commercial roofing techniques.
State Contractor License: Where required, a state or local contractor license for leading projects or bidding on contracts.

How To List Roofing Skills On A Resume

Resumes should be concise, targeted, and results-oriented. Organize skills into categories, use bullet points, and attach measurable outcomes like square footage completed, reduction in callbacks, or speed of completion.

Skills Section: Create a targeted skills area near the top with 8–12 key terms aligned to the job posting.
Experience Bullets: Start bullets with action verbs, include tools or materials used, and add metrics (e.g., “Repaired 200+ roofs with a 98% satisfaction rate”).
Certifications Section: List licenses, certifications, and manufacturer endorsements with dates and cert numbers if applicable.

Examples Of Resume Bullets For Roofing Roles

Concrete examples guide applicants on phrasing and emphasis. Use concise, active language and quantify achievements whenever possible to demonstrate impact.

Installed 5,000 sq ft of architectural shingles per week on average while maintaining a zero-fall incident record over two years.
Diagnosed and repaired complex roof leaks on commercial EPDM systems, reducing warranty callbacks by 40%.
Led a crew of four to complete a 20-unit townhouse roof replacement ahead of schedule, saving $8,000 in labor costs.
Completed manufacturer certification for metal roof installations, qualifying projects for extended warranties and increasing bids won by 15%.

Action Verbs And Keywords For ATS Optimization

Applicant tracking systems scan resumes for relevant verbs and industry keywords. Incorporate verbs like installed, inspected, replaced, measured, trained, and certified alongside roofing-specific terms.

Keywords To Include: Asphalt Shingles, TPO, EPDM, Flashing, Roof Inspection, Underlayment, Roof Decking, Leak Repair, Fall Protection, OSHA 10.
Action Verbs: Installed, Repaired, Inspected, Managed, Coordinated, Trained, Certified, Secured, Estimated.

Formatting Tips For Readability And Impact

Resume layout affects how quickly hiring managers absorb relevant information. Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent dates; keep the top third focused on skills and key accomplishments.

Prioritize: List the most relevant roofing skills and certifications first, tailored to the job posting.
Keep It Concise: One to two pages depending on experience; each job entry should contain 3–6 bullets.
Quantify Where Possible: Include square footage, percentage reductions, crew size, time saved, and monetary savings.

Common Resume Mistakes To Avoid

Certain pitfalls can undermine even qualified candidates. Avoid vague descriptions, missing safety credentials, and failure to tailor the resume to the specific roofing role.

Generic Statements: Phrases like “good with roofs” offer little value—replace them with specifics.
No Metrics: Omitting performance numbers reduces credibility and impact.
Missing Certifications: Failing to list OSHA or manufacturer certifications can cost interviews for safety-sensitive positions.

Interview Preparation Based On Resume Skills

Resumes should prepare candidates for job interview questions and hands-on assessments. Be ready to explain methods, demonstrate safety practices, and provide references who can verify past production and conduct.

Worksite Scenarios: Expect questions on leak diagnostics, handling poor decking, and managing weather delays.
Safety Questions: Employers will ask about fall protection practices, toolbox talks, and hazard mitigation.
Verification: Have contact information for supervisors or project photos that corroborate claims.

Final Tips For Maximizing Hiring Success

Small refinements can significantly increase interview rates. Customize resumes for each job, keep certifications current, and include a link to a portfolio or photo gallery of completed projects.

Portfolio: A simple online gallery with before-and-after photos and short captions boosts trust.
References: Provide supervisors who can verify production rates and safety records.
Continuous Learning: Enroll in manufacturer and NRCA courses to stay competitive and expand service offerings.