Forklift Operator Resume: Examples, Templates and Tips

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Choose the right resume format for your forklift operator resume

As a forklift operator, you know that placement is everything. To land the forklift operator job you want, you need to place your most impressive professional skills and accomplishments front and center.

The best way to accomplish that is by choosing the resume format that puts your most impressive credentials front and center.

Here’s how to decide which one is right for you:

Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume for more information on how to best showcase your skills, training and experience.

Now that you’ve chosen the perfect format, it’s time to pick your resume template.

Choose the right resume template for your resume

Create your resume

Every forklift driver resume will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — but you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right resume template for you.

For forklift operators, who can work in a variety of settings, a versatile simple resume template may be the way to go. Its minimalist design makes your skills and experience the star of the show and eliminates fussy design elements that might not be appropriate for some companies.

Another option is to try a modern resume. These have a sleek look that is more stylish but still appropriate across industries.

Now let’s dive into the writing process.

How to write a forklift operator resume in 5 simple steps

Just like learning to drive a forklift, writing a great resume is a skill that takes a bit of practice to develop. The key to getting noticed as a top candidate for competitive forklift operator jobs is to write a resume that highlights the skills, training and experience that match the role you’re applying to. The following step-by-step breakdown will show you how to accomplish this.

Whether you’re considering applying to work in construction or for a warehouse job, the description for a forklift operator is your first clue on how to succeed. A well-written forklift operator job description should tell you what is necessary to lift your career prospects.

Step one is to customize your document to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the duties of the role. Why is this important? Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords from the job description. If your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the forklift operator job description to improve your chances of landing a job interview.

To choose the right keywords, all you need to do is study the job ad. While every forklift operator role is different, a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your forklift operator resume. The key to success is to review the job post and make a list of the skills, training and experience the employer lists as critical to the role. These are your keywords.

For example, if the job description for the forklift operator role you seek asks for proficiency in operating various types of forklifts and safety awareness, plus strong problem-solving skills, you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words in your forklift operator resume. Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure your wording matches the wording in the job description exactly so that the ATS recognizes it.

It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your forklift operator resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.

Depending on your level of experience, your forklift operator resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. Think of this section as your resume profile, where you provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills, experience and professional highlights.

Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience in a forklift operator role should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.

Let’s look at how each of these would appear on a forklift operator resume.

Whether you are new to working with forklifts or a veteran of the field, hiring managers will closely scrutinize the skills you list on your forklift operator resume. Ensure that these skills are incorporated into your resume skills section, as well as folded into your professional summary or resume objective, along with your work experience details.

Providing employers with a well-balanced combination of both hard and soft skills is crucial. Hard skills are the quantifiable abilities required to perform the job, such as proficiently operating various types of forklifts and conducting thorough pre-operational checks. These skills can be effectively taught in a classroom setting. On the other hand, soft skills, like teamwork and adaptability, represent behavioral traits and personality attributes that are harder to measure and teach.

Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.

Key skills for a forklift operator resume

Here’s an example of a strong resume skills section for a forklift operator:

Every employer has different needs, which is why it’s critical to study the job ad. While the required skills, training and work experience will be different for each forklift driver role, the key to getting noticed is to learn how to write a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.

Unless you are writing a functional resume, which doesn’t provide details on your work experience, the key to highlighting your past experience is to think in terms of projects that challenged your skills, professional obstacles you’ve overcome and career successes you are proud of over the course of your career. Describing your work experience in these terms helps show off the impact of your work rather than just your job duties.

Sample forklift operator work history entry:

To be hired as a forklift operator, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training. For most jobs, a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED) is sufficient. This level of education provides the basic skills required for understanding safety instructions, reading labels and completing paperwork associated with operating a forklift. There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you are a very recent grad.

The most critical aspect of becoming a forklift driver is completing proper training and certification. This training is typically provided by accredited organizations, vocational schools or through employer-sponsored programs. It covers essential topics like safe operation, load handling and maintenance procedures. Additionally, it educates operators on OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations and guidelines.

How to list your education:

Optional sections for your forklift operator resume

Hobbies, interests or volunteer work

Featuring personal projects or hobbies, especially those tied to community service or creativity, offers a more comprehensive view of your passion for the creative world. It’s fine to add any of your personal interests to your resume as long as they aren’t political or religious in nature and have some relevance to the role you’re applying to.

How to feature hobbies, interests or volunteer work on your resume:

Awards and honors

Adding honors and awards to your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Being a successful forklift operator is all about volume, speed and safety so including awards for exceptional performance in these areas can help you stand out and increase your chances of landing the job.

How to showcase awards and honors on your resume:

Languages

Knowing more than one language is highly prized in today’s job market. Being able to speak more than one language is valuable to employers because it expands your communication abilities, allowing you to communicate with more colleagues and customers. Having these skills can make you a more desirable candidate so be sure to list your language skills on your forklift operator resume.

How to showcase languages on your resume:

Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

Adding a forklift operator cover letter can give your application a boost. Why? First, many job applicants skip this step, so writing one shows you are willing to go the extra mile to get the job. Also, writing a cover letter gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.

Learning how to write a cover letter for a forklift operator job starts with studying our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.

If you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Generator, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.

Key takeaways for your forklift operator resume