Operator Resume Examples

Looking for an operator job can be exciting as you think about new prospects, but it can also leave you feeling anxious about making a good impression on the potential employer. Standing out from the crowd is no easy task, but with a well-written resume, you’ll greatly improve your chance of landing a job and will get a welcome leg up on the competition.

Before you sit down to write this crucial document, look at several operator resume samples to get an idea of the formats, sections and general information to include. You will also do well to follow this guide and learn about crafting a great resume while avoiding some common mistakes.

The information you put in your resume will depend upon your experience, career path and the job you’re applying for. It is best if you look for operator resume samples that relate to your field because the contents vary greatly among different specialties.

There is no single path to follow when creating your resume, but there are a few basic guidelines to adhere to when planning out your information. For starters, you should include the four primary sections as listed below.

• Professional Summary Statement
• Skills or Qualifications
• Work Experience
• Education

You’ll probably notice that the order of these important sections differs within operator resume samples. The format you choose will be the deciding factor for the order in which you place your sections.

The traditional format that many professionals are familiar with is the chronological resume, which emphasizes the work experience section. Because it is so heavily focused on job experiences, it is an ideal format for seasoned operators and those with a strong work history.

The other frequently used format is the functional resume. This style highlights skills and core qualifications rather than past employment. An operator who is just starting out in their career or someone who is switching over to this profession can benefit from the features of a functional resume.

Both resume formats will have the summary statement at the top as it is the introductory section. This essential opening gives you a chance to highlight your career history as it relates to the job you’re applying for, and it’s the tool you’ll use to grab an employer’s attention and convince them to read the rest of your resume.

Before you write this section, first get acquainted with the summary statement that you find in operator resume samples. You can see that this brief passage is written in sentences without any personal pronouns.

It’s also worth noting that many professionals start by reviewing the job description to see what the core requirements for the position are. You can list these skills along with a few of your specialized talents that will make you stand apart from the other candidates.

It is wise to pull skills and abilities from different areas of your career. For example, mention your work experience, on-the-job training and a couple soft skills that make you an ideal operator. Below are a few good examples to help you get a feel for writing the summary statement.

• Dedicated forklift operator who specializes in loading and unloading merchandise while meeting delivery deadlines. Expert in the operations of warehouse production with up to date knowledge of safety regulations. Able to keep organized records and interface with vendors to maintain good working relations.
• Construction equipment operator who prioritizes safety and values efficiency. Experience with large and small construction projects in the commercial and residential industries. Demonstrates comprehension of diagrams, blueprints and maps of underground systems.
• Experienced drill rig operator with extensive knowledge of geology and related equipment. Strong ability to work efficiently alongside a crew of drill rig workers. Excellent physical strength and endurance for working with drill rig machinery in a variety of geographic conditions.

The education section allows you to prove that you have the formal training required for the job. Whether you began your career right after high school or you have more specialized training under your belt, you can highlight those experiences under the education section.

Once again, to find out the most important information to include in the education section, check out operator resume samples.

On a more general note, this area is where you’ll place your high school diploma, vocational schooling, apprenticeships and certifications. Keep in mind that you do not need to list your high school if you achieved higher education.

Write each of these achievements out by including the name and location of the school as well as the diploma, degree or certificate you earned. If the entry is recent, you can include the graduation date too.

Take a look at several operator resume samples to see different formatting and stylistic options for this section. In a functional resume, you may place the education section near the top just below the skills section. On the other hand, educational entries may be listed at the bottom underneath work experience if you’re writing a chronological resume.

Your most recent jobs leading up to your current career objective will go under the work experience section. The best approach to take depends on whether you’re writing a chronological or functional resume.

The chronological format focuses heavily on work experience, so you will probably spend most of your efforts on perfecting this section. Starting with your most recent position, you’ll list your previous jobs and write descriptive blurbs using bullet points.

While mimicking the work experience sections of similar operator resume samples, you’ll include your job title, the company and location where you worked and your dates of employment. The bullet points should include a mixture of job responsibilities, skills and quantifiable achievements.

With that said, the functional format will have a simplified listing of your previous jobs without the in depth descriptions. You can list your most recently held jobs, but you do not need to include the dates of employment. If you can, try to include positions that are similar to the job you’re applying for. As an example, a forklift operator can list jobs within warehouses to show that they are familiar with those types of operations.

No matter which type of resume you are writing, limit your work experience section to just three to five entries so that your document isn’t too long for the hiring manager to read through.

When writing the descriptions of your previously held positions, you’ll want to start each bullet point with an action verb to illustrate your immersion in the industry. You can find some great verbs within operator resume samples, and here are some examples to get you started.

• Operate
• Survey
• Train
• Inspect
• Perform
• Prepare
• Assist
• Deliver
• Promote
• Comply
• Load/Unload
• Transport
• Maintain
• Receive
• Lift
• Observe
• Adjust

All of your core qualifications and specialized abilities will fall under the skills section of your resume. For the most part, any career-related trait that you want to point out to the hiring manager would be listed within this section.

For functional resumes, the skills section is the primary focal point. Check out different style and formatting options by skimming through operator resume samples. Functional resumes usually feature longer descriptive phrases for skills as opposed to shortened lists.

As an operator, you’ll want to list machinery or equipment that you are familiar with, such as forklifts, drill rigs or cranes. Also, include any licenses you have that are required for the job if you haven’t already listed them in your education section. Many operator positions require employees to have a CDL, so you want to include this essential qualification as well.

You may also want to list your physical capabilities as they relate to your career. Mention your capacity for lifting and the endurance that allows you to complete full shifts on construction sites. If the position requires you to work flexible hours, then you can say something about your availability within the skills section.

Listed below are a few ideas to help you get started on your skills section.

• Familiar with IATA, ICAO and DOT Regulations
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Warehouse Inventory Experience
• Geological Background

On the other hand, if you’re writing a chronological resume, you can include the same type of skills. However, this section will be a brief listing of just a few qualifications. Compare operator resume samples to see how to set up this section and where it should be located on your resume.

It is great to have professional relationships with people who can help you get your foot in the door at new companies. That being said, you do not need to list references on your resume because the potential employer will ask you for them in a different part of the hiring process.

If you’re still making up a list of good references, try to think of people you worked with in the past. Some examples that are commonly used are supervisors, coworkers and vendors.

• Never repeat skills in multiple sections of your resume. For instance, if you listed a certification in your education section, do not list it again under skills. Your resume should be concise and brief whenever possible.
• Do not go into details about why you left previous positions on your resume. You may have a chance to talk about such things during the interview process, but your resume should focus on other aspects of your career.
• Always keep your formatting consistent throughout the resume. If you used a bold 14-point font for your first section header, do the same for each of the following sections.
• Don’t forget to double-check your resume for spelling and grammatical errors. Utilize the spell checker on your word processor and have a friend read over your resume before submitting it to the employer.

Workers looking for employment as operators will have fairly average prospects over the next decade. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that this industry will see a 10 percent growth rate between 2014 and 2024.

The most opportunities will be concentrated in the construction industry due to the increased spending on infrastructure. New projects, maintenance repairs and population growth contribute to an increased demand for construction equipment operators.

Employees who operate material moving machines can expect a slower growth rate of 3 percent. New technology, such as robotic equipment, increases the efficiency of workers while slowing the demand for new employees.

Operators looking for work will have the highest chances in metropolitan areas with commercial and residential construction. Cities that are undertaking large transportation projects will also have needs for qualified equipment operators.