Roofer: resume screening criteria template

You need someone who has actually installed roofs, not just carried materials or cleaned up. The best roofers have worked with at least two different roofing types (asphalt shingles, TPO, EPDM, metal, tile, modified bitumen) because each system teaches different skills. A roofer who has only done shingles may struggle with commercial flat roofs, and vice versa. Look for candidates who name specific materials, mention square footage completed (a typical crew installs 20-40 squares per day), or describe projects (re-roofed 15 homes in a subdivision, installed TPO on a 10,000 sq ft warehouse).

Strong evidence: Resume lists specific materials installed (architectural shingles, standing seam metal, 60-mil TPO), gives project counts (completed 50+ residential tear-offs, installed 200,000+ sq ft of commercial roofing), mentions manufacturer certifications (GAF, CertainTeed, Firestone), describes types of buildings worked on (single-family, multi-family, retail, industrial), or shows progression from laborer to installer to crew lead.

Red flag: Resume says construction experience or general labor without naming roofing materials, lists only one type of roof after multiple years, gives no project details or quantities, or shows experience only as a helper or cleanup crew with no installation responsibility.

Roofing is one of the most dangerous construction trades. Falls account for most roofing fatalities, and one serious accident can shut down your business. You need someone who has been trained in fall protection and who has a track record of working safely. OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification shows they understand hazard recognition, proper use of harnesses and guardrails, and ladder safety. A clean safety record (no lost-time accidents, no OSHA violations, no workers comp claims for preventable incidents) shows they apply that training every day.

Strong evidence: Resume lists OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification with completion date, mentions fall protection training or aerial lift certification, states zero accidents or lost-time injuries over X years, describes safety responsibilities (daily toolbox talks, job site inspections, trained new hires on harness use), or includes safety awards or recognition from previous employers.

Red flag: No mention of any safety training after years in roofing, resume shows gaps that might indicate injury time off, job descriptions include tasks done unsafely (worked without harnesses, climbed on wet roofs), or candidate has been fired from previous roofing jobs (often a safety issue).

Most roof leaks happen at flashing points (chimneys, skylights, valleys, walls, vents), not in the field of the roof. A roofer who can install shingles fast but does not understand how to flash a chimney or install a valley will generate callbacks and damage your reputation. Look for candidates who mention flashing in their resume, who describe detail work, or who talk about preventing leaks. Roofers who have done repair work tend to understand failures better because they have seen what happens when flashing is done wrong.

Strong evidence: Resume mentions installing flashing (step flashing, counter flashing, valley flashing, drip edge), describes waterproofing tasks (sealed penetrations, installed ice and water shield, applied mastic or caulk), lists repair experience (diagnosed and fixed leaks, replaced damaged flashing), or mentions inspections (checked for proper overlap, verified manufacturer specs).

Red flag: Resume focuses only on installing shingles or membrane with no mention of flashing or detail work, candidate has only done new construction (never repairs, so may not understand how roofs fail), or work history shows callbacks or complaints about leaks.

Roofing is weather-dependent and deadline-driven. You need someone who shows up on time, works a full day, and does not disappear when the work gets hard or the weather gets hot. Reliable roofers stay with employers for at least a year (roofing has high turnover, but the best workers are loyal), they mention perfect attendance or bonuses for reliability, and they provide references who will vouch for their work ethic. Job-hopping every few months is a red flag unless they were working for temp agencies or following a contractor between projects.

Strong evidence: Resume shows job tenure of 1+ years with roofing employers, mentions attendance awards or bonuses, describes working in tough conditions (completed jobs in heat waves, worked overtime to beat weather), includes references from previous roofing supervisors, or explains short-term jobs (seasonal work, project-based contracts, company went out of business).

Red flag: Resume shows 5+ employers in 3 years with no explanation, gaps of several months between jobs, vague reasons for leaving (seeking new opportunities, personal reasons), no references provided, or candidate has been let go for attendance or performance issues.

Roofing is brutally physical. Roofers carry bundles of shingles (60-80 pounds each) up ladders, work in summer heat on black roofs (surface temps over 150 degrees), kneel and bend for hours, and stay productive for 8-10 hour days. You need someone who can handle the physical demands without breaking down or slowing the crew. Look for candidates who mention the physical aspects of their work, who have done roofing for multiple seasons (proves they can handle the grind), or who describe their fitness or stamina.

Strong evidence: Resume mentions years of roofing work (proves they can handle it long-term), describes physical tasks (carried materials to roof, hand-nailed shingles, worked on steep pitches), lists related physical jobs (construction laborer, landscaping, warehouse work), or mentions working full roofing seasons (spring through fall) without injury.

Red flag: Resume shows recent back injuries or workers comp claims, candidate has left roofing jobs after short periods (may not be able to handle the work), work history shows a shift to less physical roles (may be trying to avoid roofing demands), or candidate is returning to roofing after years away (may have lost conditioning).

Experienced roofers own their basic tools (hammer or nail gun, utility knife, chalk line, tape measure, tin snips) and know how to use power equipment safely (pneumatic nailers, saws, hoists, lifts). They maintain their tools, they understand air compressor operation, and they can troubleshoot when a nailer jams or a blade dulls. Roofers who mention specific tools or equipment show they are serious about the trade and ready to work independently.

Strong evidence: Resume mentions owning tools or a tool list, describes using specific equipment (pneumatic coil nailer, shingle cutter, hot air welder for TPO, propane torch for modified bitumen), lists equipment certifications (aerial lift, forklift, scaffold), or mentions maintaining or repairing tools and equipment.

Red flag: Resume shows no mention of tools or equipment after years in roofing (may have only been a helper), candidate expects employer to provide all basic hand tools (unusual for experienced roofers), or work history shows equipment damage or safety violations involving tools.