In labor roles, showing up consistently is half the battle. If you have a strong attendance record, note it: '18 months of perfect attendance' or 'never missed a scheduled shift in 2 years.' Foremen and site supervisors place enormous value on workers they can count on — it's one of the most differentiating qualities in a general laborer resume.

General laborers who can operate a wider range of tools are assigned more varied and better-paid work. List every power tool, pneumatic tool, and piece of equipment you've used: jackhammers, compactors, plate tampers, concrete saws, skid steers. Even if operation was occasional, include it — you're demonstrating versatility.

OSHA 10 certification, safety training completions, and zero-incident project records directly reduce hiring risk. Supervisors must consider their EMR (experience modification rate) with every hire — showing you take safety seriously reduces that concern. List every safety credential you hold and the number of incident-free projects you've completed.