Cabinet Maker Resume Example and Template
A cabinet maker resume showcases precision woodworking, design knowledge, and ability to bring custom designs to life. Highlight your experience with different woods and materials, joinery techniques, and finishing methods that show craftsmanship.
Employers value design collaboration skills, ability to read technical drawings, attention to detail, and portfolio of high-quality finished work. Mention any specialty work like inlays, veneers, or built-ins.
A complete, realistic Cabinet Maker resume, laid out in an ATS-tested template. The candidate is illustrative: the name, employers and figures were written for this example and identify no real person, so you can copy its structure and wording freely.
Updated September 2026
Also searched as
Master Cabinet Maker, Apprentice Cabinet Maker
Sarah Lindstrom: Cabinet Maker
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Summary
Master cabinet maker with 8 years crafting custom residential and commercial cabinetry. Expertise in design consultation, advanced joinery, and fine finishes. Completed 280 custom projects including kitchen renovations and built-in furniture. Skilled in hand tools and CNC machinery. Maintains strong client relationships with 65% repeat or referral business.
Work Experience
Master Cabinet Maker, Heritage Wood Craftsmanship
Apr 2021 – Present. 18-person custom cabinet and furniture shop
- Led design consultation and fabrication for 65 custom kitchen and bathroom projects, averaging $18,500 per job
- Trained 3 apprentices in joinery, finishing, and CNC operation; one earned journeyman status in 2024
- Reduced waste by 14% through optimized cutting patterns and material planning on hardwood projects
- Completed 12 high-end built-in furniture pieces featuring hand-laid veneers and custom inlays
Cabinet Maker, Twin Cities Custom Woodworking
Jun 2018 – Mar 2021. 35-person residential remodeling and cabinetry shop
- Fabricated cabinetry for 140 residential remodels, working closely with designers and homeowners on custom details
- Mastered CNC router programming and operation, improving production speed by 22% on cabinet boxes
- Specialized in finishing work including staining, painting, and hand-rubbed lacquer on 85+ projects
Apprentice Cabinet Maker, Northwoods Woodshop Cooperative
Feb 2016 – May 2018. 12-person custom furniture and cabinet shop
- Completed 2,500 hours hands-on training in furniture design, joinery, and finish techniques
- Built foundational skills in hand planing, mortise and tenon joints, and traditional woodworking methods
- Earned Minnesota Cabinet Makers apprenticeship certificate in May 2018
Education
Minnesota Cabinet Makers Apprenticeship Program
Apprenticeship Certificate, Cabinet Making and Woodworking. Feb 2016 – May 2018
Skills
Custom cabinet design and consultation, Advanced joinery (mortise, tenon, dovetail), CNC router operation and programming, Hand tool proficiency (planes, chisels, saws), Wood selection and material planning, Veneer and inlay work, Finishing (stain, paint, lacquer, oil), Blueprint reading and specification compliance, Client communication and project management
Languages
English, Swedish
Certificates and Awards
- Minnesota Cabinet Makers Apprenticeship Certificate, Minnesota Department of Labor, 2018
Why this look works
Cabinet makers create furniture that becomes part of people's homes, so a warm, inviting resume works well. Use natural wood tones, elegant fonts, and generous whitespace. The design should feel crafted and refined, reflecting the quality of work you produce.
Resume tips for this job
- Include average project value or kitchen remodel cost; this shows the scale and caliber of work you handle.
- Highlight repeat or referral clients explicitly; referral business is gold for custom cabinet makers and shows customer satisfaction.
- List specific joinery techniques if you use traditional methods; hand-laid veneers, inlays, or dovetails justify higher rates than box construction.
- Mention CNC skills if you have them; modern shops need both hand tool and machine expertise, and demonstrating both makes you more valuable.
Common questions
Should I include photos of my work on my resume?
No, not on the resume itself. Instead, provide a link to your portfolio website or mention you can share photos on request. A portfolio is essential for cabinet makers and designers; your resume should direct them there.
How do I show design skills if I work in a shop and don't design?
Describe your collaboration with designers and customers. Even if others sketch the design, your input on materials, joinery, and feasibility is part of the design process. Emphasize your design consultation experience.
Do I need formal training to work as a cabinet maker?
An apprenticeship or certificate program is the standard pathway. Some cabinet makers are self-taught or learned through years of shop work, but formal training signals discipline and mastery of traditional techniques. If you're self-taught, describe your mentors and the depth of your skills.