Dispatcher Resume Examples (with Job Description Sample)

You’re a master at listening, prioritizing, and making life-saving decisions. But that’s not enough to get a job as a dispatcher. You also need a resume that clearly communicates your skills and background. Otherwise, your job application might never get a response—

And we don’t want this to happen to you, so we’ve made a step-by-step guide to a job-winning dispatcher resume.

This guide will show you: 

• A dispatcher resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a dispatcher resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of how to put skills and achievements on a dispatcher resume.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a dispatcher to get any job you want.

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Check out other sample resume guides related to dispatcher jobs:

• Logistics Coordinator Resume
• Logistics Manager Resume
• EMT/Paramedic Resume
• Police Officer Resume
• Criminal Justice Resume
• Firefighter Resume
• Security Guard Resume
• Security Officer Resume
• Peace Corps Resume
• UPS Resume
• Best Resume Examples

Dispatcher Resume Sample

Above was our take on the perfect dispatcher resume sample.

Now, let’s make yours—

Here’s how to write a dispatcher resume:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Dispatcher Resume

Dispatchers are communications liaisons responsible for effectively organizing and communicating between a base of operations and road units. Your dispatcher resume should prove you are prevalent in emergency services, transportation companies (taxis), and freight and trucking operations.

Whether you’re aim is to be a 911 dispatcher, security dispatcher, or service dispatcher, communication is key.

Same on a dispatch resume—

You need to communicate your eligibility by choosing the ideal resume format which keeps it all in an easy-to-read layout.

Here’s how to format a dispatcher resume template effectively:

• Start with the resume header and your resume contact information.
• Keep the various resume parts in order with bold titles.
• Use the best resume format, likely the chronological resume layout.
• Choose the best font to use for a resume, something legible and distinct.

Pro Tip: Send your resume in PDF format unless they ask for one in Microsoft Word within the job ad. A PDF resume can be read on any computer or phone they want to open it on.

2. Write a Dispatcher Resume Objective or Summary

Sometimes called a professional profile, a resume objective or summary is your elevator pitch.

As a short opening paragraph, it gives employers an introduction to you, your background, skills, experience, and career goals.

However, like the flashing lights of an ambulance, it’s got to grab their attention from the moment they lay eyes upon it.

A professional summary is ideal if you’ve plenty of dispatch experience. Using a numbered achievement to prove you’re valuable, the summary statement “sums” your previous dispatch experience up for them in a neat little package.

A professional objective is the one to use when you have little or no experience. Instead of summing up your experience, the objective statement talks up your career goals. It still provides them with a quantifiable accomplishment, however.

Pro Tip: Write your dispatcher resume objective or summary statement last, even though it’s the first thing they’ll read. Using this method, you’ll have a better idea of the juiciest morsels of information to sum up in the heading paragraph.

3. Create the Perfect Dispatcher Job Description for a Resume

Your security dispatcher or police dispatcher resume work experience section has got to deliver a one-two punch. It builds you up with relevant job duties and seals the deal with a key win.

So—

To create an awesome dispatcher job description resume section:

• Place your current or last job first, followed by the one before that, all the way down.
• Start with your position’s job title, then add dates at the job, followed by the agency or company name.
• List 5 or 6 bullet points giving them your job responsibilities and tasks.
• Begin each bullet entry with an action word (e.g., dispatched, coordinated, etc.).
• Give 1 or 2 measurable achievements to prove you know what you’re doing.
• Write a tailored resume, because employers hate those generic versions.

Pro Tip: Are you writing a no-experience resume for dispatcher jobs? Don’t worry. Most dispatch jobs provide on-the-job training. However, still list the most dispatch-relevant job responsibilities to increase your chances of getting that interview call.

4. Make Your Dispatcher Resume Education Section Shine

You might not need more than a high school diploma for most dispatcher jobs.

However, it doesn’t mean you can slack with the education on a resume.

So—

Here’s how to win them over on a dispatch resume education section:

• List your most advanced educational achievement first.
• Include the degree or certificate earned, college name and location, and your date of graduation.
• If relevant to your particular dispatch job, add coursework, academic awards, and a minor.
• Include high school on your resume for dispatcher jobs only if you don’t have a completed degree from a college or technical school.

Pro Tip: What’s relevant coursework for dispatch jobs? Depends on the type. For emergency services, health and public service coursework is fitting. On the other hand, freight and truck dispatchers would benefit from adding any logistics and supply chain classes taken.

5. Highlight Your Dispatcher Skills Resume Section

According to the BLS, between 2016 and 2026 in the United States alone:

Police, fire, and ambulance dispatchers (public safety telecommunicators) are expected to increase by 8% (8,200 jobs).

All other dispatcher jobs, from trucking to taxis to airlines, will increase by almost 100,000 jobs, combined.

You’ve got truckfuls of competitors.

So—

Beat those other candidates by listing the best skills for dispatcher jobs on your resume:

Key Dispatcher Skills & Strengths for Dispatcher Resume

• Empathy & Compassion
• Dispatching Console & Switchboard
• Freight Bills and Invoices
• Radio & Telephone Console
• Multitasking Skills
• Prioritize Calls Based on Urgency and Importance
• Shipping and Dispatch Documents
• Computer Aided Dispatch System
• Calm Under Stressful Situations
• Logistics & Supply Chain
• Arranging Deliveries & Pickups
• Microsoft Office & Google Docs
• Attention to Detail
• Accountability
• Department of Transportation Regulations (DOT regs)
• Excellent Communication (Verbal, Written) & Listening
• Interpersonal Skills
• Leadership Skills
• Teamwork Abilities
• Creative Thinking Abilities
• Decision Making Abilities
• Critical Thinking Abilities
• Management Skills
• Project Management Skills
• Time Management Abilities
• Problem Solving Abilities

Hold up a sec, though—

Above is a list of dispatcher resume example skills, but they’re mixed (trucking dispatchers, emergency dispatchers, etc.) to give you an idea only.

Don’t just copy that list into your 911 or AAA dispatcher resume.

Instead, here’s what to do:

• Think of all the professional skills you have, including soft skills and hard skills, related to dispatch jobs.
• To find the best keywords to use on a resume, take out the job ad and see what they’re looking for in the job requirements section.
• If you find something from the requirements matching one of your original skills, add that to your resume.

Pro Tip: Larger companies use software (an ATS—applicant tracking system) to manage the many resumes they receive. Stick as close to the job ad’s wording as possible in order to score higher when the software parses your resume.

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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When you’re done, our online resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Add Other Sections to Your Dispatcher Resume

You now have a dispatcher resume, essentially.

However—

It’s still pretty basic.

To make your resume unique from the other applicants, add some extra resume sections which fit the bill.

Here are a few great examples for a dispatcher resume:

• Licenses and certifications
• Personal interests
• Language skills on a resume
• Volunteer experience in a resume
• Job-related achievements
• Dispatcher organization memberships

7. Attach a Dispatcher Cover Letter to Your Resume

Should you write a cover letter?

Absolutely.

Most employers will overlook a resume which doesn’t come with a covering letter.

With that said—

Here is how to write a cover letter for dispatcher jobs:

• Determine how to format cover letter before starting.
• Start with a compelling cover letter introduction statement.
• Document your background, skills, and experience.
• List your choicest achievements with quantifiable numbers.
• Close with a cover letter ending including a call to action.

To make sure you maximize your application delivery, read up on our cover letter advice, how long a cover letter has to be, and what should be included in a cover letter.

Pro Tip: After a few days, send a follow-up email for a job application. During that time, don’t forget to prepare for the job interview!

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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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

Sources

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/police-fire-and-ambulance-dispatchers.htm
• https://www.bls.gov/oes/CURRENT/oes435032.htm