Forklift Operator Resume (Sample Job Description & Guide)

One of our users, Brittanya, had this to say:

Zety really helped me create the best resume possible. It pointed out how things could be better on my existing resume and suggested many things to be re-worded or removed.

Now, let’s learn how to write a forklift operator resume:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Forklift Operator Resume

There are rules in place to keep forklift drivers (and those poor workers on foot) safe.

Well—

On a forklift operator resume, there are formatting rules to follow if you want to stay safe in the applicant pool.

Follow these rules when formatting a forklift resume:

• Start with the resume contact information in your professional header.
• Use resume categories with bold headings to split up your forklift resume.
• Choose a proper resume format, most commonly the chronological resume layout.
• Pick the best font to use for a resume, and make use of white space so everything isn’t crowded on your forklift driver resume.

2. Write a Forklift Operator Resume Objective or Summary

Also called a professional profile, the summary or objective is a brief paragraph at the top of your resume.

At just 3–4 sentences in length, it gives the employer an introduction into your work history, forklift skills, and warehouse experience.

It’s like an elevator pitch—

It has to grab their attention right from the start.

Use the career summary when you have 2+ years of forklift experience. In a summary statement, you talk up your experience around pallet jacks, forklifts, and cherry pickers. Then you wow them with a quantifiable achievement to prove you’re the best.

Use career objectives when you have less experience (or none). In an objective statement, you tell them your career goals. However, like the summary, you still give them a numbered accomplishment so they know you’re not all talk.

3. Create the Perfect Forklift Operator Job Description for a Resume

You’ve got to talk up the experience in a resume for forklift jobs in a way that meets compliance.

So—

Here’s how to write a forklift operator job description for resumes:

• Start with your current or most recent job, and go backwards from there.
• Put job titles at the top of your forklift operator resume, the months and years of employment, the company name and location, and 5–6 bullet points detailing your forklift operator duties.
• Start each bullet point with power verbs (e.g., offloaded, supplied, etc.).
• List one or two quantifiable achievements, just as in your summary or objective.
• Tailor your resume to this one forklift operator position. Generic resumes are spam resumes, and spam resumes go straight into the trash.

4. Make Your Forklift Resume Education Section Shine

Other forklift drivers may say that the education in a resume doesn’t matter.

Don’t listen to them.

A great resume education section might just win you that warehouse job.

Here’s how to get it right:

• Got plenty of forklift driving experience? Add the basics, such as your degree, major, college name, and school location.
• New to operating a forklift or cherry picker? Give them some extras to make up for your lack of experience, such as academic honors and relevant coursework.

5. Highlight Your Forklift Operator Skills on a Resume

Material moving machine operators (as the BLS calls them), including forklift drivers, are expected to grow by 6% between 2016 and 2026.

That’s 43,700 people to compete against.

To stand out, show them your driving abilities and pick list know-how is second to none with a forklift skills resume section:

Forklift Operator Skills Examples

• Stand-Up Counterbalance Forklift
• Rough Terrain Forklift
• Side Loader Forklift
• Telescopic Handler Forklift
• Manual Pallet Jack
• Cherry Picker
• Powered Pallet Jack
• Safety Awareness
• Good Judgment
• Hand-Eye Coordination
• Adaptability
• Cycle Counts and RF Gun
• Shipping & Receiving
• Loading & Unloading Trailers
• Ability to Lift 75+ Lbs
• Stocking & Packing
• Work Well Under Pressure
• Organizational Skills
• Excellent Communication
• Decision-Making Skills
• Technical Skills

But—

Don’t just take this list and use it in your certified forklift operator resume.

Here’s what to do, instead:

• Jot down a list of skills you have connected with warehouse work, construction jobs, and forklift driving.
• Always include both hard and soft skills!
• To find the best keywords to use on a resume, highlight skills the warehouse is looking for by looking in the job requirements from the ad.
• If something on your list matches one of your highlighted skills, add that to your resume skills list.

And by the way, hard skills are abilities you study to learn, such as unloading trailers or driving a Hi-Lo. Soft skills are traits you develop throughout your life, such as time management and communication. Your forklift resume should have both pretty equally.

Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.

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6. Add Other Sections to Your Forklift Driver Resume

You’ve created a decent resume so far.

But how to make it strong as a diesel-powered rough terrain forklift?

Go the extra mile on your forklift operator resume to stand out by adding some extra resume sections to make yours unique.

Here are some great additions to a resume for forklift jobs:

Forklift Resume Samples—Extra Sections

• Professional certifications
• Language levels on a resume
• Achievements for a resume
• Licenses & memberships
• Personal interests
• Volunteer experience in a resume

7. Attach a Forklift Operator Cover Letter to Your Resume

How important is a cover letter?

More than half of hiring managers say a resume without a covering letter isn’t enough.

Skip it at your own peril.

Whether you’ll drive an off-road rough terrain forklift or a peaceful order picker, always include your forklift driver cover letter.

Here’s how to write a forklift operator cover letter they’ll be happy about:

• Get a proper cover letter format sorted before starting.
• Write a compelling cover letter intro.
• Talk up your forklift skills and experience.
• Add a key achievement or two to show you’ve got what it takes.
• Write a powerful cover letter conclusion with a call to action.

Make sure you do it right: Check out our best cover letter tips, along with our posts on how long should a cover letter be and what to include in a cover letter.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here’s what it may look like:

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