Handyman Resume Skills (Definition And Common Examples)

Updated 19 August 2023

A handyman, also known as a handyperson, is a property maintenance professional who may work as an independent contractor for an agency, or for a single landlord or property management company. A handyman may perform a variety of tasks including basic carpentry, pipework, minor electrical wiring and property maintenance. If you are interested in becoming a handyman, you may get more job opportunities as you advance your skills. In this article, we examine basic handyman skills, how to improve them and how to write a resume that highlights the necessary skill sets while applying for handyman jobs.

What Are Handyman Resume Skills?

Handyman resume skills are a diverse set of abilities that a handyman employs to maintain, repair and improve a property. Appliance installation, carpentry, basic plumbing, minor electrical wiring, maintenance and renovation are all common handyman skills. Through vocational training, apprenticeships, self-directed study and continued work experience, handymen can improve their existing skills and develop new skills over time.

Some of the tasks a handyman performs require a high level of skill, while others are simple and quick duties. A handyman's responsibilities can include:

Installation and repair of screens and doors
Installation and repair partitions and walls
Installation of shelves, cabinets, and countertops
Washing driveways and sidewalks
Painting interior and exterior surfaces

Examples Of Basic Handyman Skills

The following are some of the most common skills that handymen possess:

Carpentry

Installing cabinets, building shelves, anchoring bookcases and repairing broken furniture are all basic carpentry skills that a handyman may require. Carpentry, unlike other trades, rarely requires a licence and many handymen develop their carpentry skills to the point where they can complete entire projects on their own. Cabinetry, decks and porches and even small home additions and remodels are among larger projects that a handyman may engage in.

Plumbing

Plumbers work on pipes and drainage systems that connect appliances, machines and water fixtures. Fixing running toilets, replacing seals and unclogging and laying drains are all basic plumbing tasks. Basic plumbing may also include complex tasks, such as replacing a water heater or shutting off the water supply to remove and replace damaged pipes and connections.

Basic electrical engineering

Electrical work can be hazardous and usually necessitates the involvement of qualified professionals. A handyman may be required to complete some simple electrical engineering tasks. In this position, you may be responsible for locating and using fuse boxes, replacing light switches, resetting circuit breakers and installing light fixtures.

Appliance installation and repair

Setting up and maintaining common appliances like washers, dryers and dishwashers are typical handyman jobs. They require a mix of plumbing, electrical, motor operation and carpentry skills. Successful handymen typically have sufficient training and experience in general appliance repair.

Property maintenance

Property maintenance is a broad term that encompasses tasks ranging from simple cleaning to waxing floors, fixing and repainting worn or damaged walls and removing and replacing flooring and carpeting. Landscape maintenance, gutter cleaning and crack and pothole filling on paved surfaces are all examples of exterior maintenance tasks that a handyman may perform. Maintaining plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems in living units and landscaped areas and making repairs as required is usually part of a handyman's interior maintenance duties.

How To Improve Handyman Skills

Handypeople can improve their skills through experience, vocational courses or apprenticeships. The number of jobs for which you are qualified increases as your skill set and expertise expands. Larger, more complicated projects, such as full kitchen and bathroom remodels, also provide advanced financial benefits and opportunities to work in the capacity of a contractor. To enhance your handyman skills, consider taking these steps:

1. Enrol in a training course

There are numerous options for learning and improving handyman skills at vocational schools and diploma colleges. A classroom setting provides an excellent opportunity to learn from a professional instructor, network with others in your field and gain familiarity with equipment and materials. As an inexperienced handyman, you can take an introductory class in a specific trade you wish to learn more about, such as welding or electrical wiring.

2. Apprentice with an experienced handyman

An apprenticeship is a period during which a fresher works alongside an experienced professional to learn from them. This method of education is particularly advantageous because it provides work experience, technical education and income. You can arrange an apprenticeship by contacting senior handymen in your area and asking if they are interested in mentoring you. You can look for apprenticeships online, especially on the websites of established property maintenance service providers in your area.

3. Find resources for self-directed study

A self-motivated handyman can learn and improve their skills on their own, using a variety of resources. Consider self-directed study as a cost-effective option that allows you to focus on your fields of interest while working. Written manuals, online articles and instructional videos are available to cover most skills a handyman requires, from beginner to advanced expertise levels.

4. Gain work experience

Your skills may improve over time as a result of your work experience. You can improve your handyman skills by practising them on a daily basis and solving problems on the job. Consider taking simpler jobs at the beginning of your career until you feel comfortable with addressing more challenging tasks related to larger projects.

Handyperson Skills In The Workplace

While a handyperson's work entails many manual tasks, it also necessitates the acquisition of some additional skills for the workplace. These include:

Record keeping: It is necessary for businesses to produce and maintain accurate records of their finances and operations. This requires a handyman to organise receipts, write invoices, apply for permits and document their work using photographs, sketches and drawings.
Driving: A handyman typically requires a valid driver's licence. If you cater to multiple clients you may also require your own vehicle to travel between locations and pick up materials and equipment.
Interpersonal skills: It is critical for handymen to be able to communicate effectively with clients and other tradesmen. It is necessary that they maintain professional relationships with their clients and make them feel comfortable trusting them with their property unsupervised.

How To Highlight Handyperson Skills

To demonstrate competence and experience, it is vital that you know how to communicate your skills on a resume. Handyman skills are required for similar roles like apartment supervisor, groundskeeper and facilities manager. In a hiring situation, employers can identify you as a good prospective employee if you know how to list your skills effectively. Consider the following pointers to highlight your skills effectively:

On a resume

Make a list of practical and relevant skills to highlight in your resume. While discussing a broad skill category, use examples to demonstrate the extent of your abilities. It is critical to conduct research on a potential client or employer to determine what their specific needs are and to organise your skills section on a resume to meet those needs. You can include the following skill categories on a resume:

Minor electrical repair and wiring: Since electrical work can be hazardous and typically requires a licence, be upfront about your experience and what you are qualified to do.
Large appliance installation and repair: While giving examples, such as HVAC or water heater repair, remember to be specific about the scale of your projects.
Carpentry: Rather than listing every basic carpentry skill, it is beneficial to make a list of a few carpentry jobs you have completed that demonstrate multiple skills.
Plumbing: The role of a handyman demands basic to intermediate plumbing skills. Advanced plumbing jobs may require licences.
Material specific skills: You can list specific materials that you are familiar with when describing your handyman skills. For example, mixing and pouring cement, applying grout and caulk or staining and sealing fabric.
Equipment or tool-specific skills: Small excavators and track loaders require prior experience to operate safely. Consider including such skills in your resume.
Transferable skills: Transferable skills are skills you can use in multiple job fields and they describe a person's work style. Being organised, adaptable and dependable are examples of these skills.

For a job interview

Besides writing a resume, you may be required to attend a job interview with a prospective client or employer. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities and their results in person. Discuss a recent project that required multiple skills, was particularly challenging and yielded excellent results. To back up your claims, show before and after photos.