Air Traffic Controller Resume Examples

Just as vital to aviation as pilots, air traffic controllers keep our airways safe and operational. Working from control towers and other facilities, they coordinate with pilots to maintain safety in takeoff and landing, make sure aircraft keep safe distances between each other, and more.

While the most commonly held degree for entry-level air traffic controllers is only an associate degree, the median annual salary for those in these roles reached nearly $123,000 in 2019. Below, our air traffic controller resume example can both show you what other qualifications you’ll need to land this position and how to organize that information on your resume.

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What is a Air Traffic Controller?

From various control centers, air traffic controllers coordinate with pilots during takeoff and landing, and continually monitor the location of aircraft. They must adhere to all government or company regulations to ensure flight safety and inform pilots of hazardous weather conditions, visibility problems, and issue other instructions upon takeoff and landing. They also alert airport emergency services if aircraft face other difficulties.

Air traffic controllers need to be certified by the FAA by passing written and practical tests approved by the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative program, in addition to receiving on-the-job training.

What Makes This a Great
Air Traffic Controller Resume Example?

It’s vital for air traffic controllers to demonstrate their attention to detail with a well-written resume. Our air traffic controller resume example, written by a certified resume writer, can advise you on what qualifications recruiters look for and how to present them.

 

Here’s how our expert-crafted resume examples can give you an advantage:

  • Pre-written, expert-level content:Our professional resume writers build our resume examples around the kind of industry-specific language recruiters expect to read. Use our air traffic controller resume example, with key terms like “ATC operations” and “STARs equipment,” as a writing guide, or use our Resume Builder’s pre-written suggestions if you need extra help.
  • How to choose a format: To pick the right resume format, you’ll first need to consider your experience level and skill set. The example above uses a chronological format thanks to the candidate’s many years of experience. Those with shorter work histories might benefit more from using a functional and combination resume.
  • How to pick a template: Always select a resume template that fits the employer you want to work for. LiveCareer offers a variety of traditional, creative and modern templates for any job-seeking situation. The applicant in this example opted for one of our more versatile modern styles.

3 Air Traffic Controller Professional Summary Examples

Your professional summary is likely the first section a recruiter will read, so it needs to quickly encapsulate why you’re the most hireable candidate. Both our resume examples and Resume Builder provide pre-written text that can guide you in writing this section yourself.

Here are three more professional summary examples to consider:

  1. Detail-oriented air traffic controller proficient in directing, monitoring and ensuring safe passage of aircraft along heavy-traffic routes. Adept at following and enforcing ATC protocol while communicating with pilots and other air crew. Skilled in administering monthly safety training to colleagues and other visiting staff.
  2. Confident air traffic controller skilled in guiding pilots through airspace and ensuring safety guidelines are followed. Team player with over 12 years of experience staying calm under pressure and directing crew through emergency circumstances.
  3. Articulate air traffic controller with decades of experience leading control rooms across four high-traffic airports. Thorough knowledge of workplace conduct policy; skilled keeping large ATC teams in accordance with federal and individual airline regulations.

3 Air Traffic Controller Work Experience Examples

Our air traffic controller resume example shows you how to write a work experience section that includes impressive achievements from throughout your career. Learn from this example or use our Resume Builder’s pre-written content, which you can tweak to include your own measurable accomplishments.

Here are three work experience examples our experts might suggest:

  1. Achieved 100% success rate in minimizing delays by implementing updated protocol reflective of modern traffic management and ATC standards.
  2. Successfully trained batch of 12 new ATCs in Micro-EARTS, PAR and STARS within two weeks.
  3. Maintained radio contact with 14 control towers daily and reduced scheduling conflicts by 32%.

Top Skills for Your Air Traffic Controller Resume

An air traffic controller’s job entails a high level of responsibility, so recruiters need to know candidates have the skills needed for the job. Our resume examples offer sample lists of skills, and our Resume Builder generates even more based on your own experience.

Below are some hard and soft skills we might recommend for your resume:

Hard Skills

  • Aerodrome control 
  • Simulator training
  • Holding patterns
  • IFR clearance

Soft Skills

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Communication
  • Detail-oriented
  • Teamwork

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Air Traffic Controller FAQs

What kind of training is required to be an air traffic controller?

Entry-level air traffic controllers are trained in a course at the FAA Academy, and the duration of this training depends on the applicant’s background. After completing their academy training, trainees are assigned as developmental controllers to air traffic control facilities, where they begin by providing pilots with simple flight data and statistics. They are later positioned in control rooms with additional responsibilities.

What kind of licenses, certifications and registrations are required to become an air traffic controller?

All air traffic controllers are required to hold an Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Certificate, or to be suitably qualified and supervised as stated in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 65. They must pass a “biographical assessment” to enroll in the FAA academy, which provides training to applicants.

What are some advantages of becoming an air traffic controller?

In 2013, the Wall Street Journal ranked air traffic controllers as having the best-paying jobs in the United States. Apart from high pay, air traffic controllers qualify for packages of federal benefits that include annual and sick leaves, as well as life and health insurance. They are also entitled for federal retirement benefits and are qualified to be a part of the government’s Thrift Savings Plan. Monetary advantages aside, air traffic controllers may also enjoy the satisfaction that comes from their job being highly essential.