Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Construction manager skills for your resume and career

Q: How to manage a construction project

To manage a construction project, you must understand the project's scope, develop and maintain a schedule, and know your workers. The first rule of managing a project is knowing the scope. You should have a full plan of what you are doing before you begin working. That way, everything is focused and going towards the goal.

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Alan Atalah Ph.D.,

Alan Atalah Ph.D.

Some of the most important hard skills a construction manager can possess include prior experience with construction projects, ample experience with project management, and experience developing construction documents. It's important that construction managers have these skills because they will likely be major parts of the job. Construction managers will also need hard skills such as ensuring compliance with OSHA and building codes.

When it comes to soft skills, construction managers should be focused on providing excellent customer service while still attending to the needs and concerns of their staff. Construction managers may need to deal with a fair amount of conflict and cooperation, so conflict resolution skills are also a plus.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical construction manager skills. We ranked the top skills for construction managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.3% of construction manager resumes contained project management as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a construction manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 construction manager skills for your resume and career

1. Project Management

Here's how construction managers use project management:

Provided complete contract project management and consulting services from design, estimating, business plan, proposal development through project delivery/completion.
Implemented project management procedures for all projects including labor and equipment utilization, procurement, planning, scheduling and quality control/assurance.

2. Construction Management

Here's how construction managers use construction management:

Developed expertise in all aspects of Construction Management including contracts, negotiations, design, leadership, engineering and labor management.
Manage administrative policy and procedures; business development and marketing; estimating and bids; contract administration; construction management.

3. Construction Projects

A construction project is an organized process of constructing, redeveloping, renovating, or otherwise improving a building, or structure. The project phase begins usually as a broad criterion that is then made with the help of a brief, feasibility analysis, funding, and planning. The majority of construction projects are one-time jobs.

Here's how construction managers use construction projects:

Participated in the conceptual development of construction projects, purchased building materials & oversaw its organization, scheduling, & implementation.
Managed and inspected engineering/architectural construction projects at Tampa International, Tampa Executive, Peter O. Knight and Plant City Airports.

4. OSHA

Here's how construction managers use osha:

Conducted daily site inspections for excavation slope stability and risk assessment of other construction-related hazards to evaluate and ensure OSHA compliance.
Maintained safe work environment by following and enforcing standards and procedures according to company policy or OSHA regulations.

5. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how construction managers use customer service:

Initiated customer service philosophy to proactively address customer and general contractor concerns through timely responses and face to face meetings.
Led the challenge of successfully facilitating completion of all customer service demands on existing homes to customer satisfaction.

6. Oversight

Having oversight of someone means to monitor a process or a situation. If someone has oversight of something, they are responsible for the completion of the project. Oversight is usually given to experts as they monitor their juniors or newbies as they go through a project.

Here's how construction managers use oversight:

Manage third party contractors, including safety oversight, controlled inspection and environmental design specification compliance, and also direct consultants.
Performed contract management, construction scheduling, subcontractor coordination, client relations, quality assurance and safety policy oversight and enforcement.

Choose from 10+ customizable construction manager resume templates

Build a professional construction manager resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your construction manager resume.

7. General Contractors

A general contractor is a person who has the job of overseeing a construction project after a contract has been signed between the property owner and the contractor. A general contractor is also called a direct contractor and provides all of the labor, material, equipment like tools, and transport. Most of the time, a general contractor also hires multiple subcontractors to do all or different parts of the construction work.

Here's how construction managers use general contractors:

Monitor progress and quality of construction by periodically visiting store construction sites and providing functional expertise and counsel to General Contractors.
Construct weekly project meetings with Consultants, General Contractors and Subcontractors to relate and coordinate proper communication regarding the construction projects.

8. Real Estate

Real estate is land that has buildings on it. This kind of property consists of permanent improvements either natural or man-made, which include, houses, fences, bridges, water trees, and minerals. There are 4 types of real estate namely; residential real estate, commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and vacant land.

Here's how construction managers use real estate:

Co-founded MarkeTrend as a real estate and relocation services company that evolved into an investment focused real estate and construction company.
Sourced and identified high-potential real estate, negotiated purchase agreements, and led rapid transformations maximizing ROI and increasing valuations.

9. Quality Standards

Quality standards are a specific level of standards of products that are set by the companies for the customers that have to be met and maintained throughout the process until the time of delivery. Quality standards are information that includes the customer's requirements, guidelines, and characteristics for the needed final product or service.

Here's how construction managers use quality standards:

Educated general contractor personnel on quality standards throughout the construction process to ensure maximum productivity and quality of work performed.
Mentored quality training for project staff and subcontractors required to participate to ensure achievement of exceptional quality standards.

10. Project Scope

Here's how construction managers use project scope:

Facilitated development of project scope-of-work and selected mechanical engineer for retrofit of existing HVAC systems of the material distribution centers.
Examined bid project plan drawings and architectural specifications for proper compliance with specific project scope requests.

11. Building Codes

A building code is a requirement or standard for construction purposes. These codes will serve as the model and set of rules to obtain and approve before starting a project. The goal of this standard is to ensure the safety and protection of both the clients and workers. it is usually related to structures and buildings.

Here's how construction managers use building codes:

Fortified quality assurance by conducting inspections and ensuring adherence to internally and externally mandated requirements for building codes and production quality.
Conduct construction inspections to ensure conformance to design specifications and building codes.

12. Construction Process

Here's how construction managers use construction process:

Coordinated and supervised federal government construction process commencing with proposal/negotiations phase, continuing through final completion of services, and close-out.
Contribute to the development & implementation of construction processes & procedures to include identification of design standards.

13. Construction Schedule

Here's how construction managers use construction schedule:

Created detailed construction drawings and specifications for complex remodeling projects to select materials and define construction schedule.
Established new uniform construction schedules to properly control field activities and to properly forecast monthly closings.

14. Safety Standards

Here's how construction managers use safety standards:

Implemented and monitored strict quality safety standards, fostering a culture committed to performing in accordance with government and corporate regulations.
Manage project budgeting efforts and resource identification to ensure strict compliance with budget guidelines and quality/safety standards.

15. Construction Sites

A piece of land where constructional activities are to be conducted is termed as a construction site.

Here's how construction managers use construction sites:

Visited construction sites weekly to review quality of installations and provided appropriate guidance based on construction plans and client requirements.
Surveyed construction sites to develop accurate material balance calculations critical to accurate proposal development and profitability of the projects.

5 Construction Manager resume examples

Build a professional construction manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your construction manager resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Construction Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on construction manager resumes?

Alan Atalah Ph.D.

Professor, Bowling Green State University

Understanding the construction estimating and scheduling functions and using and applying this understanding with their applicable software programs (add to that BIM, AutoCAD, and contract administration software). Also, understanding and appreciating the construction contract and knowing the contractual rights and obligations of their firms. Understanding the needed safety and quality assurance and control procedures and how to ensure that project parties adhere to these procedures.

What soft skills should all construction managers possess?

Alan Atalah Ph.D.

Professor, Bowling Green State University

Dealing with people to earn their trust and faith in you. Knowing that people skills are much more than small talk and schmoozing. Communications orally and in writing. Listening to other people and trying your best to serve their interests as much as possible. Reading people. Creating a working environment where there is mutual trust among the project team members. Honoring your word and commitments to the best of your abilities. Willingness to learn and eagerness for professional growth.

Steering and focusing their intellectual and physical abilities to create the maximum value to their employer.

What hard/technical skills are most important for construction managers?

Alan Atalah Ph.D.

Professor, Bowling Green State University

Problem-solving involves defining the problem correctly, comprehending the facts related to the problem, identifying potential alternative solutions, devising selection criteria evaluate the alternatives, and selecting the best alternative solution.

Ability to use the a/c software programs to create value for the employer.

Simultaneously, visualizing the site and its surroundings, building and its requirements, time and sequence of operations, cost, quality, safety, etc., simultaneously avoids problems and solves problems quickly when they arise.

What construction manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Mike Sessions

Department Chair & Professor, Brigham Young University - Idaho

Our graduates find work all over the US, but more particularly in the western US, because western-based contractors tend to recruit at BYU-Idaho more than do eastern-based contractors. Utah, California, and Arizona seem to capture more of our students than do other western states.

What type of skills will young construction managers need?

Becky Serbin

Director of Education and Curriculum, National Tile Contractors Association

Tile contractors are hiring across the U.S. and using several different online job posting sites. We even have an online form that those interested in the trade can fill out. When we receive them, they are forwarded to members in their area. If the person is located in an area where there is a union presence, they can even contact that office for job opportunities.

What technical skills for a construction manager stand out to employers?

Kristen Parrish Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Arizona State University

This is pretty dependent on the job that you're going for, but I think that one technical skill that employers in construction look for is the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely. This will be critical onsite and in the office -- you need to demonstrate an understanding of how a project comes together, and this requires the ability to communicate clearly. Beyond the communication, a technical understanding of material behavior (i.e., concrete curing, crane picks, etc.).

Do you want to know more?

List of construction manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a construction manager resume and required skills for a construction manager to have include:

Project Management
Construction Management
Construction Projects
OSHA
Customer Service
Oversight
General Contractors
Real Estate
Quality Standards
Project Scope
Building Codes
Construction Process
Construction Schedule
Safety Standards
Construction Sites

Cost Estimates
Project Completion
Customer Satisfaction
Work Ethic
Cost Control
Contract Administration
Punch List
Ladders
Plumbing
Safety Regulations
Project Budget
HVAC
Shop Drawings
Value Engineering
Construction Drawings

Autocad
Field Supervision
RFI
Strong Analytical
MEP
Construction Phase
Renovation Projects
RF
RFP
Contract Terms
Cash Flow
Bid Packages
Residential Construction
Construction Issues

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Construction Manager skills FAQs

How to manage a construction project

Have more questions? See all answers to common executive management questions.

Search for construction manager jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse executive management jobs