Cost Estimatorsresume guide.
Prepare cost estimates for product manufacturing, construction projects, or services to aid management in bidding on or determining price of product or A strong Cost Estimators resume shows mathematics, reading comprehension and speaking, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Microsoft Project, Procore software and Autodesk AutoCAD.
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- 1Name your tools and two key numbers.On-Screen Takeoff, PlanSwift and Procore software are in-demand tools in this guide. A win rate and cost accuracy tell a contractor what you are worth in two numbers.
- 2Give your win rate.Preparing estimates is the job, so the result is how many you won. A bid count, dollar volume and win rate show Mathematics and Judgment and Decision Making at work.
- 3Show how you handle price swings.Tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper have made material prices harder to predict. Showing a check that protected margin tells an employer your numbers hold up when the market moves.
- 4Show the result, not just the task.The guide lists deciding whether to make or buy components as a task. Say what you recommended and what it saved.
- 5Write out your certification in full.Give the full credential name, its letters, the body that issued it and that it is active. Estimating certifications are not required, so naming one exactly sets you apart.
- 6Keep education to one line.Most cost estimators hold a bachelor's degree, so the degree, school and year are enough.
Sample resume. The candidate is fictional; the layout and templates are real.
01Also called
O*NET02Skills employers expect
O*NETImportance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | Very high | Advanced |
| Reading Comprehension | Very high | Advanced |
| Speaking | High | Advanced |
| Active Listening | High | Advanced |
| Critical Thinking | High | Advanced |
| Judgment and Decision Making | High | Intermediate |
| Writing | High | Advanced |
| Complex Problem Solving | High | Intermediate |
| Active Learning | High | Intermediate |
| Coordination | High | Intermediate |
03Knowledge areas
O*NET- Mathematics
- Economics and Accounting
- Computers and Electronics
- Engineering and Technology
- Building and Construction
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Design
- Customer and Personal Service
- Mechanical
04Common responsibilities
O*NETOrdered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.
- Analyze blueprints and other documentation to prepare time, cost, materials, and labor estimates.
- Confer with engineers, architects, owners, contractors, and subcontractors on changes and adjustments to cost estimates.
- Collect historical cost data to estimate costs for current or future products.
- Assess cost effectiveness of products, projects or services, tracking actual costs relative to bids as the project develops.
- Consult with clients, vendors, personnel in other departments, or construction foremen to discuss and formulate estimates and resolve issues.
- Prepare estimates used by management for purposes such as planning, organizing, and scheduling work.
- Prepare estimates for use in selecting vendors or subcontractors.
- Establish and maintain tendering process, and conduct negotiations.
- Set up cost monitoring and reporting systems and procedures.
- Review material and labor requirements to decide whether it is more cost-effective to produce or purchase components.
05Software and tools
O*NET65 tools across 20 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.
- Microsoft ProjectHotIn demand
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementHot
- On Center On-Screen TakeoffIn demand
- ConstructConnect PlanSwiftIn demand
- HCSS HeavyJob
- HCSS HeavyBid
- Galorath SEER-SEM
- Logic Software Easy Projects.NET
- ConEst BidTrac
- ConEst JobTrac
- Galorath SEER
- Cost estimating software
- CPR Visual Estimator
- Palisade @Risk
- IBM Costimater
- Softstar Costar COCOMO II
- ConEst Intellibid
- PRICE Sytems TruePlanning
- Primavera Cost Management
- Procore softwareHotIn demand
- Construction Management Software ProEst
- WinEstimator WinEst
- Decisioneering Crystal Ball
- QSM SLIM Suite
- Resources Calculations Incorporated SoftCost
- ConEst Electrical Formulas
- Autodesk AutoCADHotIn demand
- Autodesk RevitHotIn demand
- Dassault Systemes CATIAIn demand
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- ConEst IntelliBid Design Build
- ConEst SureCount
- Intuit QuickBooksHotIn demand
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Cost accounting software
- CPR International GeneralCOST Estimator
- Choice Job Cost
- Microsoft AccessHotIn demand
- Xactware XactimateIn demand
- Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate
- Sage 100 Contractor
- Assured Software JPP
- SAP softwareHotIn demand
- Microsoft Dynamics
- Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
- Oracle Hyperion
- Microsoft ExcelHotIn demand
- IBM Lotus 1-2-3
- Corel QuattroPro
- Apple AppleWorks
- SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
- Software AG enterprise software
- Adobe AcrobatHotIn demand
- Laserfiche Avante
- Microsoft WordHotIn demand
- Microsoft OneNote
- ConEst T&M Billing Manager
- Microsoft Business Contact Manager
- Microsoft OutlookHotIn demand
- EFI Hagen OA
- Trimble SketchUp ProHotIn demand
- ConEst Permit Trac
- Microsoft Office softwareHotIn demand
- Microsoft PowerPointHotIn demand
- Microsoft VisioHotIn demand
06Education and preparation
O*NET07Putting it on your resume
ResumeXRays guidanceLead with what you built. For a Job Zone 4 role, hiring managers and parsers both look for outcomes before credentials. Put two or three results at the top of each job entry, with the scale or effect stated plainly.
Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "Microsoft Project, Procore software, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.
Show reading comprehension and speaking, not just mathematics. Reading comprehension and speaking rank close to mathematics for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.
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