The Painter & Decorator Resume Guide: What Recruiters Look For

Hiring managers in painting and decorating screen resumes for proof of physical output, like square meters covered or projects finished on schedule. They also scan for explicit mention of preparation work, coatings knowledge, and compliance with site safety regulations.

• Experience on both new builds and repaint work shows you can handle varied surface conditions.
• A valid CSCS or comparable site card often gets you past the first filter faster than a long job history.
• Recruiters check for brush and roller skills plus spray equipment use, because many contracts mix both methods.
• Evidence of working weekends or overtime matters for residential repaints where tenants need access during short windows.

• Surface preparation: sanding, scraping, filling, and priming
• Mixing and matching paint colors for seamless touch-ups
• Using brushes, rollers, and HVLP spray systems
• Working at height with ladders, towers, and scaffold
• Applying wallpaper and hanging wall coverings correctly
• Knowledge of lead paint removal and asbestos awareness procedures
• Estimating material quantities and completing job sheets
• Maintaining clean, safe workspaces and following COSHH rules

I'm a painter and decorator with 14 years of hands on experience across domestic, commercial, and industrial sites. I've completed over 500 full repaints and redecoration projects, often leading a small team to finish within tight deadlines. My work consistently passes snagging checks on the first pass.

Present your resume on a single A4 page, with your most recent role at the top and clear month and year dates for each job. Use a plain layout with standard headings like Experience and Skills, so an ATS can parse your details without dropping certifications or training.