Painter CV example
Showcase your manual skills, attention to detail, and project experience with a standout painter CV. Use our professional CV examples to make a lasting impression with a well-organised job application that reflects your style and craftsmanship.
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As a professional painter, you’re responsible for making sure that commercial and residential projects look their best. Whether you’re preparing a wall for painting, working as part of a decorating team, or interacting with customers, your role requires a variety of different skills. So, how can you write a painter and decorator CV that makes sure you look your best too?
Thankfully, myPerfectCV is here to help. We’ve got everything you need to write a showstopping painter CV today – including tips from UK recruiters, top-rated CV examples, and our trusted CV builder tool. Read on for:
- Sample painter CV
- Painter CV templates
- The best format for your painter CV
- How to write an effective CV for a painter
- Top dos and don’ts for painter CV writing
- Your painter questions answered
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Sample painter CV
Paul Piper
4 Queensway
Sheffield S1 9TH
paul.piper@example-example.co.uk
07912 345678
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Efficient Painter dedicated to the timely completion of residential and commercial painting projects. Seeking a position as part of a hardworking painting team emphasising safety, professionalism, and customer satisfaction.
WORK HISTORY
Painter, 07/2018 – Current
Crossley Decorators, Sheffield
- Cleaned and properly stored all painting and decoration equipment and supplies at the end of each workday and removed trash and debris from work areas.
- Bid on projects, prepped sites, and completed projects in line with customer specifications and requirements.
- Minimised disruption of client space and thoroughly cleaned up after completion of each job.
Painter (Construction), 05/2015 – 06/2018
Ken Jenkinson Builders Ltd, Sheffield
- Polished painted surfaces with sandpaper, pumice, rouge, wax, and other finishing materials.
- Moved painted items to drying racks and finished coated surfaces by baking painted items in an oven.
- Operated power and hand tools in a safe and effective manner.
Painter, 09/2012 to 04/2015
PHE Decorating Ltd, Sheffield
- Obtained correct dimensions and specifications by properly measuring areas.
- Climbed scaffolding, staging, ladders, and planks to reach work area surfaces and observed safety protocols to prevent falls.
- Performed smoothing and finishing work on walls, trim, and cabinetry.
EDUCATION
NVQ Level 2, Painting and Decorating, 2012
Sheffield College, Sheffield
SKILLS
- Hardworking and self-motivated
- Exceptional time management
- Responsible and reliable
- Interior decorating
- Creative design
- Finish work
- Paint mixing expert
- Organisation and efficiency
Painter CV templates
Like a good painting job, your CV needs to have a clean and professional finish. Always follow a template to make sure your application is easy to read. This will also help you fit all of your information on just one page – the preferred length for a CV, according to many recruiters.
The best format for your painter CV
A well-structured CV will help employers quickly understand your experience and the types of work you’ve completed, whether residential, commercial or decorative. Your painter CV needs to reflect precision, consistency, and a strong understanding of decorating materials and techniques.
A chronological CV format is often the most effective, especially if you have a steady history of projects or employment with contractors or painting companies. This format allows you to show growth in responsibility, specialisation (such as decorative finishes) and long-term reliability.
For freelance or self-employed painters, a skills-based CV may work better to showcase a variety of projects and abilities. This CV format may also work well if you’re just starting in the industry and don’t have much experience.
Regardless of the format you choose, remember that clarity and structure are key. Keep the design simple and easy to follow. Here are some formatting tips specific to painters:
- Choose a clean font such as Helvetica or Arial for a clean, practical feel.
- Use section headings in capital letters to add structure without visual clutter.
- Include brief project highlights (e.g. size, type of building, finishes used) under roles.
- Separate contract and freelance work to demonstrate
- Keep the layout consistent to reflect your attention to detail – no irregular spacing or font changes
How to write an effective CV for a painter
Learning how to write a strong CV is a skill you’re likely to use multiple times throughout your life. Structuring your CV clearly ensures that your experience, techniques, and project work are easy to understand at a glance. Here we’ll take you through each section of a painter’s CV, with practical tips and examples to help you make the most of your presentation.
- Adding contact details to your painter CV
- Writing your painter CV’s personal statement
- Adding an experience section to your painter CV
- Top skills for your painter CV
- Outlining education on a painter CV
Adding contact details to your painter CV
The first element you want positioned at the top of the page is your contact section. Keep your information simple and professional. Include your full name, phone number, email, and location (just the city or region is enough). Make sure your email address is appropriate, easy to read, and professional.
Example of a contact section for a painter CV
Brett Hawkins
53 Church Way
Sheffield S1 9TH
07912 345678
brett.h@example.co.uk
Writing your painter CV’s personal statement
Like a fresh coat of paint on a front door, your personal statement (or personal summary) is responsible for giving your CV curb appeal. This section sits immediately beneath your contact details and is designed to make your recruiter want to read on.
In your personal statement, outline your current employment, professional background, and most impressive skills. You can also give a sense of your personality by including thoughtful adjectives to describe your work ethic.
Example personal statement for a painter CV
Reliable and detail-oriented painter with over 7 years of experience in residential, commercial, and heritage projects. Skilled in surface preparation, colour matching, decorative finishes, and working to technical specifications. Known for delivering high-quality work on time and with minimal disruption to clients. Strong safety record and experience of working both independently and as part of large refurbishment teams.
Adding an experience section to your painter CV
Your experience section is where employers see your craft in action – from the types of projects you’ve completed to how reliably and independently you work. Rather than simply listing previous jobs, treat this section as a showcase of your practical knowledge. Highlight the range of work you’ve done (residential, commercial, decorative), surfaces you’ve prepared and finishes you’ve applied.
Include your job title, employer or client name, dates of work, and a few bullet points describing your responsibilities and achievements. Be sure to mention:
- Specific painting techniques or tools (e.g. spray painting, wallpapering)
- The scale of your projects – did you work alone or as part of a larger team?
- Whether you interacted with clients or managed schedules
- Health and safety compliance on site
- Any specialist work, such as mural painting or restoration
Example of work experience for a painter CV
Self-employed Painter & Decorator (January 2022 – Current)
Various private clients, Manchester
- Completed over 60 residential painting projects, ranging from single room redecorations to full house interior and exterior jobs.
- Advised clients on colour choices, finishes and surface treatments to suit desired aesthetics and budgets.
- Prepared walls, woodwork and ceilings using techniques such as sanding, filling, priming and masking.
- Applied a variety of finishes including matte, satin, gloss and textured coatings.
- Strictly adhered to health and safety regulations, including the use of PPE and safe ladder practices.
- Delivered projects on time and within budget, with 90% of new work coming from referrals.
Top skills for your painter CV
To be a successful painter, you’ll need a combination of practical abilities and interpersonal skills. These include preparing and applying paints, monitoring the condition of walls and ceilings, discussing client requirements, and time management. Depending on your place of work, you may also need to have a range of administrative skills, such as invoicing, payment processing, and record-keeping.
Essential skills for a painter
- Attention to detail
- Customer service
- Health and safety
- Hands-on expertise
- Preparing walls for paint
- Mixing and applying paint
Desirable skills to set you apart
- Invoicing
- Decorative techniques
- Knowledge of construction law
- Confidentiality
- Time management
- Business management
Outlining education on a painter CV
When it comes to education on your painting CV, it’s important to focus on formal qualifications and any relevant training or courses that support your craft. While a formal art degree can be helpful, many employers also value practical experience and on-the-job training.
If you’ve attended art school, participated in workshops, or gained specialist certifications (such as in decorative finishes or restoration techniques), be sure to list them. Don’t forget to include any apprenticeships or mentorships you’ve had, as these demonstrate your commitment to improving your skills.
Remember that your education section should highlight your artistic background as well as any technical training you have received. If you’ve developed expertise in particular techniques or materials, this should be mentioned. Keep the section clear and concise, and demonstrate your commitment to your craft.
Example of education for a painter CV
Bachelor of Fine Arts: Painting
University of Art & Design | September 2015 – June 2018
- Focused on oil painting, watercolours, and modern techniques
- Participated in multiple exhibitions showcasing student work
Certificate: Decorative Painting Techniques
National Institute of Decorative Arts | January 2020 – March 2020
- Specialising in faux finishes, murals, and textured walls
Apprenticeship: Restoration Painting
Art Restoration Studios | June 2019 – December 2019
- Gained hands-on experience in restoring classic artwork and historical building surfaces
Top dos and don’ts for painter CV writing
DO
DO quantify your impact
When you’re writing the work experience section of your CV, it can be tempting to list your daily duties and responsibilities – but this won’t necessarily help your application stand out. Instead, try including facts and figures from your previous positions, whether it’s an employee satisfaction rate, the average time it took you to complete a job, or the number of painting jobs you took on each week.
DO show some personality
Painters often work closely with others, whether they’re collaborating with fellow tradespeople or discussing briefs with a client. Interpersonal skills are an important requirement for the role, so make sure to use positive language to describe your character and work ethic when writing your personal statement.
DON’T
DON’T forget to use job-specific keywords
Lots of recruiters now use an ATS (application tracking system) to filter through CVs. By including keywords and phrases from the painter and decorator job description on your CV, you can help it get flagged by an ATS and increase its chances of being seen by a real recruiter.
DON’T neglect technical skills
It can be difficult to write a CV when your work normally speaks for itself. To help a recruiter understand your expertise, don’t forget to include your technical skills. These could include different painting techniques such as sponging, stencilling, and painting decorative plaster mouldings on walls and ceilings.
Your painter questions answered
What are a painter’s responsibilities?
A professional painter is responsible for carrying out home improvement tasks to a high standard. They can take on a combination of internal and external painting jobs, both of which come with their own set of challenges (including health and safety risks, weather considerations, and preparation methods). Painters may work for residential or commercial clients.
What is the average painter and decorator salary?
According to the National Careers Service, the average salary for a painter and decorator is between £17,000 and £32,000 a year. The average hourly rate for a painter and decorator in the UK is £14.
As a painter, should I include a portfolio with my job application?
Yes, it’s highly recommended that you include a portfolio with your painter CV. A portfolio allows potential employers to see examples of your work and get a better sense of your style, level of skill, and the range of techniques you’re proficient in. You can include photographs of completed projects, whether they’re commissions, personal projects, or public installations.
How do I list freelance or contract work as a painter on my CV?
Freelance or contract work should be clearly listed on your CV, especially if you’ve worked with several clients or on different projects. Treat each assignment as a separate job entry and describe the type of work you completed. You can group similar projects together if you wish, but always emphasise the variety and scope of your freelance experience.
Create your professional painter CV with myPerfectCV
With myPerfectCV, building your painter and decorator CV is as easy as painting by numbers. We’ve got all the resources you need to create a showstopping CV – so choose your professional templates, tailor your content, and download your personalised painter CV today.
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