CMU (Concrete Masonry Unit)
CMU, or Concrete Masonry Unit, is a standard building material used in construction, commonly known as concrete blocks or cinder blocks. These are the large, grey blocks that make up many commercial buildings, basements, and foundations. Think of them as oversized building blocks made from concrete that create strong, durable walls. When you see this term in a resume, it usually indicates that the candidate has experience working with commercial or industrial construction projects, rather than just residential wood-frame buildings.
Examples in Resumes
Supervised installation of CMU walls for 50,000 sq ft commercial building
Estimated material costs and labor requirements for CMU and Concrete Masonry Unit construction
Led team of 12 masons in CMU foundation and wall construction for industrial warehouse
Typical job title: "Masonry Workers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Masonry Workers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you ensure quality control on a large CMU installation project?
Expected Answer: A senior candidate should discuss inspection processes, material quality checks, proper mortar mixing, level/plumb verification, and supervision of crew members. They should mention weather considerations and proper curing time.
Q: What factors do you consider when estimating a CMU project?
Expected Answer: Should explain considerations like material costs, labor hours, waste factor, scaffold requirements, weather delays, and site conditions. Should also mention experience with takeoff calculations and bid preparation.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key safety considerations when working with CMU installation?
Expected Answer: Should discuss proper lifting techniques, scaffold safety, proper tool use, personal protective equipment, and site safety procedures. Should also mention OSHA requirements.
Q: How do you handle CMU installation in different weather conditions?
Expected Answer: Should explain hot and cold weather procedures, proper mortar protection, material storage, and when to stop work due to weather conditions.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic tools needed for CMU installation?
Expected Answer: Should be able to list and explain use of basic masonry tools like trowels, levels, string lines, mixing equipment, and safety gear.
Q: What is the proper way to lay a CMU block?
Expected Answer: Should describe basic process of spreading mortar, setting block, checking level and plumb, and proper joint thickness.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic block laying techniques
- Tool knowledge and maintenance
- Reading simple construction plans
- Basic safety procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex wall layouts
- Material estimation
- Team coordination
- Quality control checks
Senior (5+ years)
- Project management
- Crew supervision
- Complex project estimation
- Safety program implementation
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic safety requirements
- Unable to read construction drawings
- No experience with proper mortar mixing
- Lack of understanding about weather effects on masonry work
