As a PR specialist, the business hiring you needs to know they can trust you when things get tough. You need to clearly demonstrate that you’re independent, work well under pressure, creative in solving problems, and much more. But clearly showing all of that on a resume is far from easy.

That said, if you wanted an easy job then you wouldn’t be in PR. Fortunately, we’ve compiled our best tricks, advice, and examples to show you precisely what you need to do to land your next PR role. So before you start sending off that dull resume you’ve used for years, give this guide a read-through and see what you can do to beat out the competition.

What you’ll learn in this guide:

• How to use PR resume examples for inspiration
• The formatting rules for the best PR resume
• How to get past ATS
• What recruiters look for in a PR specialist resume
• How to make your achievements stand out
• The best job qualifications to include
• What makes PR skills more effective on a resume
• The power of targeting your resume for specific roles
• How to prepare for the interview process
• And more!

PR resume template examples to get you started

When learning the basics of PR, one of the main ways you learn is through case studies. Whether you want to know what to do or what not to do, seeing PR in action is probably the best way to learn. It’s not that different with resumes. We recommend starting by having a look at some high quality PR specialist resume examples to get a feel for what the end goal of your resume process should be.

Be sure to make a list of the elements you like and don’t like about these resumes. There’s no one perfect PR resume, so you should be taking the best of what you find to incorporate into yours.

[Examples]

How to write a public relations (PR) specialist resume that will get you the job

There’s a fundamental question you’re always asking yourself in PR: who is the audience. Everything you do to represent a client has a specific audience in mind, otherwise it’s nearly impossible to come up with the right strategy. Fortunately, that same strategy will serve you well with your resume.

Before you start writing, you need to carefully consider the two main audiences your resume has. Everything you do from this point onwards should be done with them in mind. Let’s discuss them both in detail.

How to ensure you get past ATS

Despite what the vast majority of job seekers think, the first place your resume usually goes when submitted is not to a recruiter or HR professional but to an algorithm. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are AI-driven programs designed to sort through resumes and decide which should be immediately rejected. They are used by most large companies but can still often reject qualified resumes because of errors or misunderstandings.

That’s why it’s so critical to avoid those errors through early preparation. The good news is that you can do this by following three simple steps.

1. Be sure the resume you submit is the right file type. Nearly all ATS are designed to read .doc, .docx, and .pdf files. Submitting anything else will likely mean your resume is automatically rejected.
2. Use a resume builder to ensure your file is ATS-optimized. Some files are easier for ATS to read than others because of the way the data is structured within the file. Images, columns, charts, and other formatting can confuse ATS and lead to rejections. The best solution is to create your resume with a builder specifically designed to generate ATS-friendly files.
3. Get smart about how you use keywords. The basic way ATS function is by being given a set of skills and other requirements that resumes should meet. The problems come when ATS struggle to understand what’s written on the resume. To avoid this, list your skills, experience, etc. as closely to how they’re written in the job description as possible. This maximizes the chance that ATS correctly identify that your experience and skills meet their requirements.

How to give recruiters what they’re looking for

Once your resume sails past ATS it lands on the screen of a recruiter, the second audience you need to prepare for. But what is that recruiter looking for in your resume? This can be broken down into a few key things.

The first is the same thing the ATS was looking for. The recruiter will have a set of minimum requirements your resume needs to meet. Your mission is to make it as easy as possible for them to see that you meet the requirements. Lucky for you, this has already been taken care of when you prepared for ATS.

Otherwise, think about other ways to make that recruiter’s job easier. Using modern design can make your resume more aesthetically pleasing, carefully reviewing the text can help ensure it’s easy to read and understand, and minimizing its length can lessen their workload. In other words, at every step of your resume creation process, consider that recruiter and how you can make it as easy as possible for them to say “yes” to you.

How to format your resume

Many of the best ways to optimize your resume for recruiters come down to formatting. This is all about how you structure the information on your resume. You wouldn’t bury the lede in a press release, so don’t hide your most impressive achievements somewhere on the middle of your resume’s third page.

This is why the main formatting rule you need to follow is to put the most important information towards the top. This means using a resume objective or summary to give the main points right from the start and listing your experience in reverse chronological order (meaning your most recent work at the top).

Again, the thing to do is imagine you’re the recruiter and go through each section of your resume imagining the questions you might have. Controlling the order of information helps control the narrative you’re conveying, making the information in your resume more impactful.

The best length for a PR resume

Recruiters are always busy, so you need to consider their time constraints. That’s why you want your resume to be as short as possible while still providing the critical information it needs to. Generally you want to aim for 1-2 pages, leaning towards the shorter end if you’re less experienced.

But instead of taking a prescriptive rule like “your resume should always be one page,” the best rule to follow is this: only include information that makes your resume better. Look at each section and sentence and ask yourself “is this adding value to my resume?” If the answer is no, then get rid of it. That rule should make it easier to get your resume down to a reasonable 1-2 pages.

Top sections to include

While the sections you use should be tailored to your experience, these are the top ones we recommend for a PR specialist resume:

• Resume objective or summary
• Work experience
• PR achievements
• Education
• Certifications
• Hard skills
• Soft Skills

How to make your achievements stand out

As a PR specialist you know that achievements don’t amount to much if you can’t sell them. What recruiters look for is specific, concrete examples of what has resulted from your work as well as a focus on value provided to clients. Let’s examine some examples to show what this looks like in practice.

Coordinated many PR-focused events.

A bad impression is worse than no impression at all and this “achievement” illustrates that well. Instead of sounding impressive, it reads as vague. This means a recruiter seeing it would likely take away a negative impression of this candidate. If they’re going to work in PR, they need to at least be able to sell their own achievements after all. Let’s compare that to an improved version.

Coordinated and ran monthly press conferences to announce new products and field questions from journalists, resulting in an average of 8.5 articles in major publications.

This example makes it clear what role this person played and what the result was. But beyond that, the wording gives the impression that they are competent, detail oriented, and in control. In other words, it makes them sound like a top-notch PR expert, exactly the kind of impression you need to create.

How to make your skills more effective

The same techniques you used to make your achievements stand out should also be applied to your skills. Simply listing your skills is easy, but it doesn’t do anything to create a strong feeling in a recruiter that you actually possess those skills. What will do that is listing specific examples of when you’ve demonstrated them, or backing them up with training or a certification. Let’s look at some examples to better understand how to do this properly.

Excellent at building and maintaining media relationships

This is a critical PR skill, but getting specific will give it a far greater impact on the recruiter reading it.

Excellent at building and maintaining media relationships

-Actively worked with journalists from Forbes, Huffpost, and NYT through 3 PR positions and over 10 years.

By getting more specific you can give a recruiter a far better idea of what that skill means in practice. While the first version is the kind of thing you can easily read and immediately forget, the second one makes you consider just how good this candidate is at maintaining media relationships and what that could do for your own business.

The best PR hard skills to include

• Writing press releases
• Planning and running press conferences
• Writing speeches
• Media outreach
• CMS platforms
• Social media marketing (listing specific platforms)
• SEO
• Brand management
• Research

The best PR soft skills to include

• Building and maintaining media relationships
• Written and oral communication
• Crisis management
• Attention to detail
• Negotiation and persuasion
• Confidence
• Creative problem solving
• Charisma
• Team management
• Networking

How to list your education

Most people list their education on their resume as a given, but as a PR relations specialist, should you? It depends on a few things. The more recent and relevant to PR your education is, the more likely you should include it. Use that same rule we mentioned earlier, ask yourself if listing your education and details about it adds value for the recruiter.

If you do decide to list your education, here are two examples to illustrate how to do it.

BA in English

Brown University

1999-2003

-Recipient of university writing award

-Ran events for my sorority

To start, this degree is really too old to be included. Even if it were an actual degree in PR, after nearly two decades of professional experience, that work should be what gets you the job, not a degree from another era of PR. The other details would be worth mentioning if this person were a recent graduate because they connect with PR. But ultimately, this example is too old to be worth mentioning.

BA in Public Relations

New York University

2014-2018

-Worked on the university PR team to organize events as an on-campus job

-Volunteered as a media liaison for the NYU chapter of Greenpeace

This example is absolutely worth including because the degree is both recent and directly related to PR. The other details are also PR related, though the candidate should also consider what the specific employer they’d like to work with would think about their campus volunteering. The Sierra Club or WWF would love that experience while a company like Chevron likely would not. Always consider company culture and values when deciding which details to include or emphasize anywhere on your resume.

If you don’t have a degree in PR or are looking to brush up your skills, obtaining a certification is an easy choice. This is particularly true if you’re a recent graduate, looking to change careers, or otherwise don’t have very much professional experience.

Certifications to consider adding

• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Accredited in Public Relations (APR) Certification
• PRSA Certificate in Principles of Public Relations
• Udemy PR courses
• Coursera PR courses

What are ideal PR specialist job qualifications and how to list them correctly

The specific qualifications you’ll be expected to have will vary based on the specific PR role. This is another reason to always target a custom resume for each job you’re applying to. That said, the core qualifications you’ll generally want to emphasize will be:

• Experience dealing with media through press conferences, releases, relationship building, etc.
• Getting ahead of and handling PR problems.
• Putting together and executing PR strategies.
• Measuring the results of your work.

These are the 4 core areas your resume should emphasize throughout.

The best way to start a PR resume

Once you’ve got a clear idea of which skills, qualifications, and achievements you want to emphasize on your resume, you should use an opening objective or summary to mention them. This is the best way to get ahead of questions that might arise as a recruiter reads your resume and to form a strong first impression.

How to write a resume objective

A resume objective will generally be only about one sentence and should concisely explain who you are and what you aim to achieve with your PR resume. The good news is that you should already be experienced writing this kind of copy in press releases. The bad news is that this means expectations will be high.

I’m a certified PR expert with the skills to handle any crisis your company might encounter.

This resume objective has a lot going on and none of it is good. Beyond the basic mistake of not writing it in the third person, it’s vague and makes a promise this person cannot possibly keep. A skeptical recruiter will read this as you starting off your resume by lying to them, which is not how you want to start off that relationship. Let’s see an improved version.

APR certified PR specialist with 8 years experience building startup brands like Alterion and Microstars looking to bring this experience to build Ace Solutions into the most recognized brand in marketing automation.

This objective clearly states the candidates basic qualifications and how they'd like to apply those qualifications in this new role. It also communicates right away that you took the time to create a custom resume just for this position. Overall, this is the kind of strong first impression you need to make with a resume objective.

How to write a resume summary

If you have more you need to communicate from the start, a resume summary is a better way to go. This is ideal if you’re changing careers, want to explain more of your qualifications from the start, or want to get ahead of a question you know will arise in the rest of your resume like a gap in your work history. 

Talented and ambitious recent graduate with a BA in Public Relations from the University of Minnesota hoping to take all of the skills learned there and apply them towards working at your company. Free to answer any questions or discuss specifics at a convenient time.

This resume summary gives the impression of a candidate who’s full of hot air and not much else. It wastes time giving details like where they just graduated (important, but not the first thing a recruiter needs to know) and noting that they are available to discuss details. Overall, this example is generic and light on relevant details. Let’s see what a better version would look like.

Recent Public Relations graduate with experience building the website development brand SiteMaster looking to apply brand development expertise to getting the WebSmart CRM off the ground by targeting small personal online businesses like SiteMaster.

This resume summary mentions that the candidate is a recent grad but spends its time focusing on what experience they have and exactly how they want to use that experience in this role. It makes them sound like they have a plan and the experience to carry it out instead of someone looking to learn on the job.

How to target your resume for each application

As mentioned a few times in this guide, creating a custom resume for each PR position you’d like to apply for is one of the most effective ways to improve your chances of getting hired. It allows you to make your resume more ATS-optimized and targeted in addition to communicating to the recruiters that you took the time to do the job well instead of going the easy route.

Try researching the company where you’re applying to better understand their company culture and the specific PR challenges they’re likely facing. If you can craft your resume as an answer to these challenges while also demonstrating you’ll fit well within their existing culture, you’ll have a better shot at getting hired.

How to prepare for a job interview as a public relations specialist

Expectations for a PR interview will be high. Part of your role as a public relations specialist will generally be to field media questions, so you’ll be expected to be sharp and quick with your answers (though less so if it’s a purely digital role). The key to nailing that is to work out likely questions ahead of time and practice them extensively.

The exact questions will always vary based on the nature of the role, so be sure to brainstorm likely questions for yourself. Then, try practicing them with a friend so you’re comfortable and prepared when they come.

Which questions are likely to be asked during the interview process?

These are a few likely questions you’ll encounter and should be prepared for.

• How will your work impact the business?
• Why did you decide to work in PR?
• What is your greatest weakness as a PR specialist?
• What would be your approach if X happened?
• How would you go about building our brand?
• What is your approach to building and developing media relationships?
• Why should we hire you over another candidate?
• How do you see social media playing into your work?

How to make your resume stand out?

This guide has been full of tips, examples, and ideas for how you can nail all of the vital details of your PR specialist resume. However, one element we haven’t mentioned is design. This is the first thing a recruiter will notice about your resume and a sure way to make it stand out from the dull competition. Your resume should have a clean and modern design which enhances the content instead of distracting from it. The best way to get that design is to use a great resume builder.

Why using a resume builder gives you an edge

You’ll always be in charge of the content on your resume, but things like the design and the ATS-friendliness of the data on your resume’s file are harder to control. The right resume builder, however, allows you to feel confident that you’ll get these elements just right. 

From letting you choose from a variety of standout designs to making it easier for you to create multiple targeted resumes on one platform, Resumebuild.com offers the powerful features you need. Try it for yourself and see why resume builders are fast becoming the new standard for how people like you get great jobs.

Traveling for a living is many people’s idea of a dream job. It’s no wonder that many people glamorize the work of flight attendants. Not only do they get the chance to visit new cities and countries on the company dollar, but they also get to meet passengers from all around the world.

There’s no doubt numerous perks that this career offers. However, any flight attendant will tell you that there are constant challenges to deal with too - all of which must be done with a smile on your face. Rude passengers, turbulence, and delays are just some of the trickier parts of this occupation. And let’s not forget that you’re at every passenger’s beck and call for the duration of the flight.

In addition to all of the challenges flight attendants face in the air, they face one of their most formidable ones back down on earth: getting their dream job. If you’re a flight attendant who’s looking for a promotion within your current airline or you’re looking to switch to a new airline company altogether, you’ll know how competitive the entire hiring process is.

In order to catch a recruiter’s attention, you will need to apply with an eye-catching flight attendant resume that puts your best foot forward.

If you’re unsure about how to piece one together, this guide has you covered. We’ve shared all of our best expert tips to ensure recruiters won’t be able to say no to you. You’ll learn about a range of helpful pointers including:

• How to correctly format your resume
• Which sections are mandatory to include and how to write them effectively
• How to give your skills and achievements the attention they deserve
• Expert tips for writing your very first flight attendant resume
• An insider secret for efficiently creating a stunning resume

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write a Flight Attendant Resume That Will Get You Noticed

How should you format your resume?

When a recruiter is reading your resume, they’ll want to see your most recent professional experiences first and foremost, followed by the ones that preceded it. That’s why it makes sense to adopt a reverse-chronological resume format, which does exactly this. The primary advantage of using this resume format is that it emphasizes your upwards career progression.

There are also several resume layout standards that you should stick to. Here are the most crucial ones to be mindful of when you’re piecing together your resume:

• • Number of Pages: A single page only. 
  • Fonts to Use: Fonts that can be easily read at first glance, such as Avenir Next and Garamond.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any fonts that a recruiter would need to strain their eyes to read, such as Money Penny and Honest Script.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size.

What are the most important sections to include in your resume?

In order to make a flight attendant resume that will lead to your dream job, you’ll need to be strategic about what type of information is presented to the recruiter. After all, you only have one page to work within.

So you can forget what you’ve heard about including hobbies and references - unless the recruiter explicitly asked for them! Here are the most important sections your resume should include:

• Contact information: State your contact details, including your name, address, email address, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL.

• Resume objective or resume summary: Provide an overview of why you’re the perfect candidate for the job, based on your career aspirations and/or relevant achievements.

• Education: Provide key details about your educational background.

• Professional experience: Provide details (in bullet points) about your work history, highlighting your achievements in each role.

• Certifications: List key details about any relevant certifications that a recruiter would be interested in.

• Skills: List 6 to 8 of your relevant skills that an ideal candidate should possess.

• Languages: List any foreign languages you speak and your proficiency level in each.

• Awards: If you have any, list any awards you’ve received as a flight attendant.

How to list additional training and certifications as a flight attendant

Showing that you have the proper training to work as a flight attendant is crucial. As you’ll be well aware, it is a federal law requirement for all flight attendants to hold a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

While it is a ‘given’ that you hold this certificate if you’re currently employed as a flight attendant, you should make this fact crystal clear on your resume. The best way to do this is to create a “Training and Certifications” section in your resume.

You can then list this certification, followed by any additional relevant ones you have to your name, using the format below:

• [Name of certification], [Issuing organization], [Year obtained]

Here’s an example of how this should look on your resume. We’ve also included some examples of other relevant certifications you may wish to include if you also have them:

• Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, FAA, 2020
• First Aid Certificate, Red Cross, 2019
• CPR/AED Certificate, Red Cross, 2019
• Spanish Diploma Level C2 (Mastery), DELE, 2018

Pro tip: For more information about applying for a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency, read this FAA document.

Where to list languages on a resume and how to do it correctly

Being bilingual or multilingual is an attribute not all flight attendants can boast. While it’s not necessary to list your foreign language abilities in most other resumes, it’s an absolute must to include on your flight attendant resume.

Needless to say, being able to communicate in another language is very useful in your line of work. For starters, in order to qualify for flying certain flight paths, you’ll need to offer specific language abilities. Some airlines even require or give strong preference to those who are able to speak that airline’s native language. For example, Japan Airlines (JAL) looks favorably on candidates who can speak fluent Japanese.

Even if an application does not require foreign language abilities, listing them in your resume will help you catch a recruiter’s eye. Remember, recruiters want to find flight attendants who go up and beyond for their passengers, and being able to speak to passengers in their native language is one of the most powerful customer service experiences you provide.

You should list any foreign languages you speak in a dedicated “Languages” section. State the name of each language you speak along with your proficiency level. That is:

Languages

• [Language name] - [Proficiency level]

Be sure to put the most relevant language you speak first, even if it’s not your strongest one. Then, you can list any others you speak in order from most fluet to least fluent. 

For example, if you’re applying for a position at Delta Air Lines that will predominantly fly from the US to Spain and you speak a bit of Spanish, are conversational in French, have an intermediate level of Japanese, and native level Italian fluency, your languages section should look like this:

Languages

• Spanish - Beginner
• Italian - Native 
• Japanese - Intermediate
• French - Conversational

Pro tip: Don’t inflate your language abilities in order to sound impressive. If you only have basic conversational abilities in French, don’t state that you’re at an intermediate level. The recruiter may test your abilities, and you’ll be in big trouble if they discover you’ve exaggerated them.

How to highlight your most important achievements

One of the most wonderful things about being a flight attendant is that it’s so rewarding. It’s therefore easy to quickly accumulate achievements to your name. If you’re trying to figure out which ones are worth highlighting on your resume and also how to do so effectively, keep the following straightforward steps front of mind:

First of all, you need to work out which achievements will pique the recruiter’s interest. All you need to do is go through the job ad with a fine tooth comb, until you find all of the keywords the recruiter has used to indicate what they’re looking for.

Keywords are crucial to include in your resume as they directly address what the recruiter is after in their dream candidate. Including them also helps your resume get the tick of approval from any Applicant Tracking Software (ATS) the recruiter is using. ATS is a type of HR software that filters candidates based on a number of factors - including whether their resume features keywords from the job ad. If your resume doesn’t include them, you’ll get a big fat “Fail” from the ATS.

Once you’ve identified which keywords to target, you can then write about your achievements in a way that allows you to incorporate them. Keep in mind that you will need to add the keywords in a natural way and only use the ones that are relevant to your experiences.

Using keywords unnaturally - a practice called keyword stuffing - is a surefire way for your resume to end up in the reject pile. So make sure not to keyword stuff like this candidate did:

• Always stick to strict grooming standards in recognition that strict grooming standards are essential.

As you can see, they engaged in keyword stuffing by unnecessarily using the keyword “strict grooming standards” more than once. A recruiter would definitely wouldn’t be impressed by the candidate’s attempt to manipulate the ATS. Moreover, they would not pass the candidate anyway if their achievements all sound equally bland and repetitive.

To correctly use keywords in your achievements - simply incorporate them naturally, like this candidate did:

• Adhere to strict grooming standards in recognition of company policy - a key factor that has contributed to my 100% customer satisfaction rating. 

This achievement would be bound to catch a recruiter’s eye thanks to the fact that the candidate smoothly incorporated the keyword into it. The recruiter would also appreciate that the candidate quantified the positive impact that their work had by highlighting their customer satisfaction rating. To learn more about quantifying your work experiences, read the “How to make your resume stand out” section below.

Which skills should you mention on your resume?

You’re in luck - you can apply the same method we explained directly above, to work out which skills to mention on your resume. To give you a recap, you should carefully look at a job ad to identify the keywords a recruiter has included.

In this instance, you should look for skills-focused keywords. There are two types of skills you will encounter when you apply this method:

• Soft skills: Emotion-based or other intangible skills.
• Hard skills: Practical skills that usually require technical ability of some kind.

Below are some examples of keywords taken from real-life flight attendant job ads. Try to identify which ones are soft skills and which ones are hard skills:

1. Strict grooming standards
2. Building relationships
3. Inflight hygiene
4. Ability to work under pressure 
5. Coordinating multiple time-sensitive demands
6. Customer service abilities
7. Administering first aid
8. Ability to swim
9. Handling passenger complaints
10. Managing passenger safety

The first five skills are soft skills, while the latter five are hard skills. Did you manage to get them right?

Once you have a list of the skills stated in a given job ad, mark the ones you personally possess. You should then look for opportunities to add them to your resume. We recommend creating a “Skills” section that you can use to put a spotlight on your most relevant and attractive skills. Aim to list 6 to 8 of them.

You should also weave these skills throughout your job experiences section, as appropriate. You’ll get bonus points if you can sneak one or two into your resume objective or summary. But be sure to keep in mind that your inclusions should always sound natural!

How to write a resume objective or summary

Including a resume objective or summary is a fantastic way to immediately capture a recruiter’s attention. Both should be 2 to 4 sentences long and be positioned immediately under your contact information. However, you will only need to include one. Read on to discover which one is most appropriate for your situation:

Resume objective 

A resume objective is a clear statement about your career aspirations and suitability as an up and coming flight attendant. It is suitable only for candidates with little or no experience. When writing one, it’s therefore imperative to highlight the most attractive and relevant qualities you offer a recruiter.

Let’s now analyze the differences between a bad and good flight attendant resume objective.

Here’s an example of a bad one that shows some common mistakes in action:

• Aspiring flight attendant who wants to fulfil their childhood dream of becoming a flight attendant. Currently attending university and am waiting to graduate so I can finally work for Opal Airlines. At Opal Airline, I plan to learn as much as possible so I can become an award-winning flight attendant.

When a recruiter reads this, all they will see is “I,” “I,” “I.” The candidate has made the mistake of focusing their resume objective all on their needs. In fact, it is so self-serving that they have failed to communicate what attributes they can contribute to Opal Airlines. 

Another mistake that they’ve made is that their writing is too vague. This is a common mistake aspiring flight attendants make, because they’re unsure of what to write or they feel under-confident about their worthiness as a candidate.

So what does a mistake-free resume objective look like? See for yourself:

• Aspiring flight attendant who wishes to bring their enthusiasm, excellent customer service skills, and strong communication skills to a role in an international airline. Currently completing a BA in Modern Languages and Cultures from Pace University, where I am honing my intermediate French skills in accordance with Opal Airlines’ requirements. Two-time winner of Customer Service Agent of the Year at my current company.

There are so many things this candidate has done correctly that you should aim to do too. 

Firstly, they’ve made their resume objective about what they can do for Opal Airlines (rather than the other way around!). Secondly, they’ve highlighted their strongest skills - including ones that Opal Airlines particularly values, such as French skills. Thirdly, the candidate has customized their resume objective for Opal Airlines. They did this by including relevant and specific details about both themselves and the airline. Finally, to really seal the deal they highlighted their award to drive home how strong their customer service skills are.

Resume summary

A resume summary should provide a recruiter with an overview of your most relevant and noteworthy attributes and accomplishments. These can include your education, skills, work achievements, awards, and language abilities. You can even include your career motivations if you can fit them in!

Let’s explore the differences between a bad and good flight attendant resume summary. 

Here’s an example of what to avoid:

• Flight attendant with 7 years of experience. I love my job and am highly skilled in it, but I’m looking to work for a better airline like yours. 

Oh dear, this candidate definitely shouldn’t expect a call back! Why? They haven’t given the recruiter a single reason to hire them. First off, the way they’ve described their skills, experiences, and motivations is incredibly vague.

The candidate also fails to provide the recruiter with any concrete evidence about their competency as a flight attendant. Finally, the candidate hasn’t bothered to communicate why they’re an ideal candidate, and instead wasted time explaining why they want the job.

Compare this example to a resume summary that would immediately captivate a recruiter:

• FAA-certified flight attendant with 7 years of experience, who has undertaken both internal and external training in first aid and CPR/AED. I wish to bring my organizational skills, exceptional customer service, and fluency in Mandarin to Blossom Air. Voted Flight Attendant of the Month by my current airline.

What a difference tweaking your resume summary makes! 

There are many reasons this candidate ticks numerous boxes. Firstly, they’ve clearly stated the fact they’re FAA-certified, which is highly-advisable to do. They also highlighted a selection of other relevant certifications they’ve obtained, as well as their relevant skills that are based on the keywords the recruiter included in the job ad.

Moreover, the candidate mentioned the airline by name, which is a smart way to let the recruiter know that they wrote a custom resume summary just for them. The cherry on top is that they additionally highlighted an eye-catching award that has direct relevance to the job.  

How to write a flight attendant resume when you have little or no experience?

Have you always dreamed of being a flight attendant, but don’t have the faintest clue about how to write a career-launching resume? It can be confusing to know what to include, especially when you have little or no experience as a flight attendant.

We’ve shared our top expert tips below for how entry-level candidates can easily make a strong impression from the get-go.

1. 1. Use a functional resume format: This type of format is ideal for aspiring flight attendants as it puts a spotlight on your skills over your work history. To learn more, take a read of our handy guide about different resume formats.

• Emphasize why you’re worth taking a chance on: There’s no getting around the fact that you don’t yet have experience working in the air. That means the best thing you can do is to give the recruiter numerous reasons to choose you over all of the other candidates that are competing for the same position.
  
  You can do this by highlighting any educational background, skills, attributes, and professional experiences you can offer that are relevant to this career. You can even include information about clubs you’re part of and volunteering experiences you’ve partaken in. Just make sure to always write about each of them in a way that highlights their direct relevance to what the recruiter is after.

• Start developing the skills flight attendants rely on: The more skills you have at your disposal, the more competitive you’ll be as an aspiring flight attendant. The good news about the skills recruiters are looking for is that you can start working on many of them right now.

For example, if your communication skills are lacking, consider getting a part-time job where you can develop them. Likewise, if you want to work for an airline based in a certain country or aspire to fly a certain flight path, take up an appropriate language course.

• Emphasize your customer service experiences: If you’ve ever worked in a role, where you had to deal with customers on any level, be sure to feature it in your resume. That means your stint bussing tables in a restaurant or cafe, working as a part-time receptionist, responding to calls at a call center, or tutoring students during your vacation - all count.

How to make your resume stand out

If you want to ensure your resume goes the distance, there are some additional things you can do to transform it into a truly remarkable one. Take heed of our top tips below for making your resume stand out:

• Make your achievements measurable: A recruiter for flight attendants is fully aware of the general duties you are responsible for in your line of work. While it is vital to clearly list any relevant ones in your resume, don’t be complacent about how you list them. You should always be thinking, “How can I make this achievement measureable and eye-catching?”

The key is to quantify your achievements using numbers, percentages, and real-life examples. This will help the recruiter understand the positive impact your work had. For example, if your achievement is, “Safely and efficiently boarded passengers every time” you can add to the end of it “...which contributed to 99.4% of the flights I worked on taking off without delays.”

• Highlight any awards you have won: Have you been recognized by your airline as a flight attendant, who provides exceptional service? If you’ve received an award for your second-to-none service in the air, list it in a dedicated “Awards” section. If you don’t have enough space to do so, you can always mention it in your resume objective or summary instead.

• Make it clear if you currently work for an award-winning airline: If you’re currently a flight attendant for an airline that has received industry recognition for boasting one of the best cabin crews in the world, be sure to point this out in your resume objective or summary.
  
  While you didn’t personally receive the award, remember that you played a part in helping the company achieve it. You can write something to the tune of, “Current flight attendant for Cathay Pacific Airlines, which was voted as having one of the "World's Best Cabin Crews” in Skytrax's 2019 World Airline Awards.  

3. How Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool Can Help You Create a Stunning Resume

Now that you’ve finished reading this guide, you’ll probably have one of two reactions. 

You may have a renewed sense of motivation to get working on your flight attendant resume after learning about how important it is to create a high-quality one. That’s fantastic news! But unfortunately, motivation alone is’t going to cut it. You’ll also need plenty of time to work on perfecting your resume’s format and wording. Moreover, you will need a way with words to really make an impact.

Or maybe you had the complete opposite reaction and you’re now disheartened about how much work and expertise is required to make a stunning resume. Rest assured that this is a common reaction to have, as making a resume is indeed a very involved process.

We’re not saying all of this to dissuade you from working on your resume. Instead, we want to be upfront about the realities of making a strong flight attendant resume all by yourself. 

Fortunately, we have an insider secret to share with you that will solve all of the problems you’re experiencing: make your resume using Resumebuild.com’s simple-to-use resume builder. Simply put, our resume builder is your ticket to your next flight attendant job. 

Instead of wasting your precious time fiddling around with margins, spacing, fonts, and all that jazz, just use one of our practical and stylish resume templates. With over 15 to choose from, you’re sure to find one you connect with.   

Once you do, our resume builder will expertly guide you to fill out each essential section of your resume. It will indicate precisely what information you need to provide and offer you expert tips along the way. In the end, you’ll be the proud owner of a resume that convinces recruiters you’re their perfect candidate. Head to ResumeBuild.com to learn more or to get started.

From the outside, the life of a pilot appears to be incredibly glamorous. You constantly get to travel to new parts of the world, earn an excellent salary, and enjoy the prestige, which comes with the job title.

What most people fail to appreciate, however, is how demanding your job is. They also don’t realize the blood, sweat, and tears it took to become a pilot in the first place. Let alone that you had to study and undertake your pilot’s training for what seemed like years on end, you also had to log a certain amount of hours in the air and pass several exams to finally call yourself a pilot.

Now, as a fully-fledged pilot, you’re responsible for the safety of thousands of passengers a year - or a few bigwig clients if you’re flying private! Or perhaps you’re flying cargo, which carries a whole other set of responsibilities with it. One thing that’s for sure is that while there’s nothing in the world as thrilling as flying, it’s no walk in the park.

One aspect of your profession that’s especially challenging is trying to secure a new job. After all, there are only so many positions available, so competition is fierce. The Bureau of Statistics projects that overall employment of airline and commercial pilots will grow by 6 percent from 2018 to 2028. While this doesn’t sound too bad, keep in mind that this is only 1% more than the average for all occupations.

But it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, once you know how to properly leverage the key to impressing recruiters, you’ll have more job offers than you can handle! What, then, is the key? Your pilot resume. It has the potential to open doors to all kinds of professional opportunities - including flying with your dream airline or plane.

You just need to know how to make a pilot resume recruiters will scramble to read. If you’re ready to transform your resume, read our guide below. It covers each aspect of your creating the perfect resume including:

• Which skills you need to highlight and how to do it correctly
• The best way to list your flight times and ratings
• Tips for writing your resume objective or summary
• Expert advice for targeting your resume to each application
• How to distinguish your resume from the competition

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to write a pilot resume that will get you the job?

How to format it

As a pilot, you need to project professionalism in every facet of your being. Given that your resume is a written representation of your achievements as a pilot, it is vital that it appears to be just as professional as you are.

For this reason, we strongly advise that you make use of a reverse-chronological resume format. This format is the industry standard for pilots as it lets your work history take center stage, by featuring your work history prominently on your resume and arranging it from your most to least recent job.

In order for your resume to be well-received by recruiters, you will also need to ensure you have followed the standard layout rules we have outlined below:

• • Number of Pages: 1 page only. 
  • Fonts to Use: Any font that looks authoritative, such as Cambria and Garamond.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any font that makes the recruiter question your professionalism, such as Bradel Hand ITC and Vivaldi.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size

What recruiters will look for

While recruiters for most jobs will settle with a candidate who meets most of their criteria, recruiters for pilots must adhere to much stricter criteria. Each recruiter will be responsible for finding a candidate that meets all of their criteria in terms of training, flight time, skills, work history, licensure, and flight ratings.

Given that lives are at stake, recruiters need to be 100% certain that you tick all of the boxes they are looking for from their ideal candidate. That’s why a recruiter, who is responsible for finding a pilot with at least 3,000 hours of flight time, will not be looking to hire a pilot with 2,800 hours.

In addition, recruiters are only interested in pilots with a proven track record for safely transporting passengers or cargo from point A to B. Only pilots who have demonstrated unwavering compliance with aviation standards and codes of conduct will be seriously considered.

In order to ensure a recruiter selects you as their ideal candidate, you need to convince them that you meet all of their criteria - and then some. Your resume, thus, needs to be neatly presented and well-written, so that they can easily comprehend that you tick all the boxes they’re looking for.

If you’re unsure of how to do this, keep reading. You’ll learn all about how to create a pilot resume that addresses recruiters’ precise criteria.

Pro tip: As is the standard process with pilot job applications, in addition to sending a recruiter your resume, you’ll also need to ensure that you address the mandatory requirements listed in the job ad (such as flight hours) and provide all necessary supporting documentation with your application. Most applications also require you to submit to a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

How to get your resume past ATS (applicant tracking system)

In addition to addressing recruiters’ expectations, there’s another vital consideration you need to keep front of mind: how to get your resume past ATS. These three letters stand for ‘applicant tracking system’ or ‘applicant tracking software’ and describe a type of software designed to assist recruiters to filter candidates more efficiently.

Before the advent of ATS, recruiters were all on their own in sorting through resumes. With hundreds or even thousands to get through for each job, this process usually took weeks to complete. Thanks to ATS, recruiters can now feed any resumes they receive through the ATS, which will instantly present them with a list of candidates it ‘passed’ and ‘failed’.

In order to guarantee that your resume receives a pass, the most important thing you can do is add keywords from the job ad into your resume. All job ads for pilots contain a number of keywords that indicate what skills, level of training, and types of professional experiences the recruiter values.  

However, don’t just mindlessly add keywords to your resume. While you should try your best to include the keywords as they appear in the job ad, you must be mindful to make the keywords appear natural. It’s also important to be aware of the fact that ATS is a very black and white technology, so it can’t understand nuances in language. Consequently, if the keyword the ATS is searching for is “flight training” and you have only written “training”, the ATS won’t count it.
 

Pro tip: Only include keywords that are applicable to your professional profile. Remember that even if your resume makes it past ATS, it still needs to be reviewed by a recruiter. Their sharp eyes will quickly understand if you’re just trying to game the system by keyword stuffing or fibbing.

What skills to mention and how to do it correctly

Choosing the right skills to highlight can quickly take your resume from mediocre to eye-catching. When you’re selecting skills, be mindful that you need to feature those that will entice the recruiter - not the ones you personally think are impressive.

Remember how we just talked about adding keywords? You need to select skills, based on the skills-focused keywords the recruiter has featured in a job ad. After identifying what these skills are, you can then focus your resume on those that you possess.

It’s important to note that skills come in two types: soft and hard skills. Soft skills relate to your interpersonal and communication abilities, while hard skills relate to your technical abilities. You will need to include a balance of both to meet recruiter’s expectations.

To make the whole process of selecting and adding skills to your resume clear, let’s walk through it using an extract of a real-life job description for a captain.

Read the job description below and pretend that you are interested in applying to it. Try your best to identify the skills the recruiter is looking for, as well as the type of skill each is:

This is a Part 91/135 position which requires the successful candidate to work as a team member in a crew environment. The successful candidate will be safety oriented, possess strong leadership skills, and embody exceptional customer service. Demonstrated flight department management and float plane flying experience are also essential.

You should have identified the following six skills:

• Work as a team member
• Safety oriented
• Leadership skills
• Customer service
• Flight department management  
• Float plane flying

As you may have already figured out, the first four are soft skills, while the last two are hard skills.

The next step in the process is to work out which of the skills you personally possess. Then, you can list 6 to 8 of them in a dedicated “Skills” section on your resume. This section allows you to draw attention to the most relevant skills you offer a recruiter.

You should additionally incorporate the relevant skills you possess throughout your professional experience section. The skills you incorporate can be the same ones you listed in your skills section, but try to also feature a few other ones as well.

The reason it is important to add relevant skills to your professional experience section is because doing so will strengthen how impressive your achievements sound. For example, compare the following examples of work achievements:

• Safely flew two types of planes without any accidents.

• Never received any customer complaints about my flying.

• Ensured safety standards were continually upheld flying the Airbus A310-300 Airbus and A330-800neo, resulting in a 100% safety record on both.

• Continually demonstrated superior customer service, as evidenced by winning the revered “Pillot of the Month” award.

Needless to say, the achievements highlighted in green sound far more impressive than those highlighted in red. It’s all thanks to the fact that the candidate included relevant hard and soft skills to provide evidence of their competency as a pilot.

Pro tip: Including one or two particularly standout skills in your resume objective or resume summary is an easy way to capture a recruiter’s attention as soon as they look at your resume.

How to list your flight times and ratings

Let’s be crystal clear: listing your flight times and ratings on your resume is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ - it’s absolutely mandatory. This vital information allows a recruiter to determine whether you at least have the minimum level of flying experience to qualify for the position.

If you don’t list either of them on your resume, the fact of the matter is that a recruiter isn’t going to waste their time with your application. Why would they, when other qualified applicants have included specific details about their flight times and ratings on their resume? 

To ensure you list your flight times and ratings correctly, follow the simple format we’ve provided below:

Flight Times and Ratings

Total Flight Time: [List the total sum of your hours]

[Name of Position / Aircraft / Type of Flight #1]: [Total hours flown]

[Name of Position / Aircraft / Type of Flight #2]: [Total hours flown]

[Ratings]

And so forth.

Here’s how this may look like in action:

Flight Times and Ratings

Total Flight Time: 4700 hours

Pilot in Command: 1500 hours

Turbo Prop: 1200 hours

Cross Country: 200+ hours

Multi Engine: 100+ hours

Ratings: JAR-FCL ATPL

Pro tip: Don’t fudge any numbers on your resume! The recruiter will eventually verify whether the numbers you’ve stated on your resume reflect those recorded in your log books. Word travels fast about questionable pilots, so keep your reputation intact by being as accurate as possible on your resume.

How to list your education

As long as you follow the guidelines we’ve provided below, you’ll find that listing your education is a straightforward process.

Similar to what we recommended you do for your professional experiences, you should also structure your education using a reverse-chronological format. That is, your most recent (and therefore, most advanced) educational achievement should appear first, followed by the ones preceding it.

The only exception to this rule is that your pilot flight school training should always be positioned before your college degree.

When writing your education section, ensure that you include the following details about each of your educational achievements:

• Name of the program or college major
• Flight school name or college name
• Graduation year
• Coursework - only include if relevant

(N.B. The order they appear will depend on the particular resume template you use)

Here is an example of how your education section should look like:

• Professional Pilot Program, Sky High Flight School, 2020

• Bachelor of Aerospace/Aviation Sciences (BSAS), Southern Utah University, 2018
  Relevant coursework: Elementary Physics, Aircraft Systems, Flight Management Systems, Aviation Safety and Security, Aviation Meteorology, Human Factors and Safety, Aviation Law 

Pro tip: Remember to include information about any relevant licenses you have to your name inside of your resume!

How to write a resume objective (right and wrong examples included)

A resume objective is an opportunity for entry-level pilots to establish themselves as the right pilot for a given job. It should be written in a way that emphasizes how you are a highly suitable candidate, despite your relatively short time working as a pilot. You can do this by pointing out a handful of notable achievements you have to your name. As a resume objective should only be 2 to 4 sentences, you will need to be concise.

In order to write an excellent one, make sure not to give the recruiter a reason to doubt that you’re ready to take on the role, like this candidate did:

• I only just finished my studies at pilot school, so I will be able to absorb everything Sunshine Airlines teaches me if I get the chance to work there. I still need to develop my skills further, but I know that I’ll quickly learn everything I need to know to be a great pilot with some proper work experience. 

If you don’t think this candidate did too badly, keep in mind that they’ve completely put the onus on Sunshine Airlines to transform them into a great pilot. This is clear from the fact that instead of highlighting the proactive measures they’ve taken to develop their skills, they expect Sunshine Airlines to do most of the hard work for them.

What’s more, the way their resume objective is written makes the candidate sound like they’ll be hard work to train. No recruiter wants to hire a candidate who will be needy and is unwilling to show proactiveness. The candidate has also failed to provide any specific details about their training, skills, and career aspirations, which would make a recruiter question whether they really want the job.

Let’s now look at a well-written pilot resume objective:

• Recent graduate from Cloud 9 Pilot School is seeking an opportunity to apply their strong passion for aviation, burgeoning flying abilities, and superior teamwork skills in a position at Sunshine Airlines. Being a pilot with a reputable airline like Sunshine Airlines has been a lifelong goal of mine, which is why I studied hard to graduate with a 3.5 GPA from my Bachelor of Science in Aviation (with a concentration in Professional Flight) from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

This resume objective is ten-fold better than the previous one for a number of reasons. The candidate has similarly pointed out they’re a recent graduate, but has also highlighted the hard and soft skills that they wish to offer Sunshine Airlines. The recruiter would immediately tag this candidate as one to watch as they show a willingness to learn and strong potential.

The candidate achieves this by demonstrating that they take becoming a fully-fledged pilot seriously, by highlighting their relevant bachelor degree and high GPA. They also express their strong motivation to work at Sunshine Airlines, which the recruiter would, no doubt, welcome.

How to write a resume summary (right and wrong examples included)

A resume summary is an opportunity for experienced pilots to drive home the fact that their professional profile perfectly matches the recruiter’s criteria. It should act as a 2 to 4 sentence overview of the most relevant and eye-catching components of your resume you think the recruiter should pay extra attention to.

If you are wondering what faux pas to avoid when writing your pilot resume summary, this example showcases the most common mistakes candidates make:

• Pilot with 5+ years of experience is looking to switch from my current employer to one that values all of the amazing skills I offer as a pilot. I hope that AXL Airlines will give me a chance as once they see my impressive training and experience, they won’t regret hiring me. 

Where do we begin with all the mistakes this candidate has made? For starters, the tone they have used is both condescending and pompous. They complain about their current employer - a huge no-no in the recruitment process. Moreover, they talk up what an excellent pilot they are, without offering a single piece of evidence that they are one. In short, a recruiter would think this candidate is all talk and would reject them in a heartbeat.

Let’s now take a look at pilot resume summary example which represents everything you should aim to do when creating your own:

• ATP-certified pilot specializing in long-haul flights, with 5+ years of experience is seeking an opportunity to showcase their adherence to safety standards and strong interpersonal skills at AXL Airlines. With 4000 flight hours (1000 of which have been cross-country), I have the experience, endurance, and motivation to become a hardworking member of your strong team.

This candidate has ticked all the boxes a recruiter would be seeking. Not only have they highlighted the fact that they have undertaken appropriate pilot training and have several years of experience. They have also clearly listed their flight hours and have included specific details about their most relevant experience (cross-country flights).

Moreover, they have put their most relevant and attractive hard and soft skill front and center in their resume summary. It is also smart that they made it clear to the recruiter that they genuinely would appreciate the opportunity to work at AXL Airlines. Given their sincere tone, the recruiter would be pleased to discover that the candidate is so passionate about both their career as a pilot and the prospect of working for AXL Airlines.

How to target your resume for each application 

In such a competitive industry as aviation, you can’t afford to make any small or big mistakes on your resume. That’s why you must, at all costs, avoid making one of the biggest ones of all: failing to target your resume for each application.

Many pilots have one resume they submit to all recruiters - irrespective of what they’re specifically looking for. Recruiters don’t appreciate generic resumes, which is why most instantly reject them.

Don’t let this happen to you! Instead, use the keywords found in each job ad to customize your resume for each application. In turn, you’ll be able communicate a number of important things to the recruiter. You will show them that you have respected their time by properly reading through the job ad and delivering exactly what they’re looking for. You will also highlight that you have the specific skills, training, flight hours, and experience necessary for that specific job.

For example, imagine that a recruiter is specifically looking for a pilot who has experience flying a Boeing A380. If you have experience flying one, don’t focus your resume on describing your experience with other aircrafts. Instead, focus on branding yourself as a pro at flying Boeing A380s.

Another effective way to target your resume for each application is to take note of whether a recruiter has stated that they will give preference to candidates who have experience working for their particular airline company.

Airlines will often ask recruiters to track down pilots that have experience flying with their company, as they highly value loyalty. So if you’re applying to be a full-time pilot at Southwest Airlines and you worked part-time for them years ago, put a spotlight on this fact, by mentioning it several times throughout your resume. For example, you could mention it not only in your professional experiences section, but also in your flight times section and resume objective or resume summary.

How to make your resume stand out

If you’re really wanting to impress, pay attention to our top tips we’ve shared below for making your resume stand out:

• Stick to one page: With all of your travels as a pilot, you could probably write a novel about your experiences. However, when it comes to writing your resume, it is essential that you only submit one page. This is considered to be the industry standard so it is vital you stick to it. There are only two exceptions to this: if it’s stated otherwise on the application or if you’re going for a management position (in which case, you can include 2 pages max).

• Be selective with the information you highlight: Use the fact that your resume can only be one page to be ultra selective about the professional achievements you feature. Your resume is basically a ‘highlights reel’ of your pilot career, so only include details about your most impressive and relevant accomplishments.

• Include any volunteer work you have completed as a pilot: If you have offered your services to the community as a pilot, be sure to note it in your resume. While a recruiter won’t care to learn about your time spent volunteering in an orphanage, their interest will definitely be piqued by reading about any charitable flights you have flown. If a recruiter is choosing between you and another candidate, your charitable act may be just the thing that pushes you ahead! Just make sure to only include key details about your experience.

3. How You Can Use Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder to Quickly Make a Professional Resume

Let’s face it: only a select number of people have the skills, smarts, and perseverance to achieve a career as a pilot. Making it in this profession requires you to constantly prove yourself - even after years in the sky.

As we’ve explored above, in order to secure your future as a pilot and to keep getting the jobs you want, you will need to provide recruiters with a solid pilot resume. And don’t forget - you won’t be able to apply with the same resume each time either - you’ll need to customize it to each job application!

If you’re thinking, “Who on earth has the time to create a custom resume each and every time they apply for a job?” listen up.

Resumebuild.com’s all-in-one resume builder has proven to be an absolute lifesaver for pilots for this very reason. It allows you to quickly create a pilot resume that is designed to wow recruiters. The reason it’s so effective in helping pilots like yourself to perfect their resume is because it simplifies even the most complex parts of making a resume.

For example, many pilots get stumped on how to fill out their professional experience section. Our resume builder has no shortage of pre-written examples you can either refer to, use, or edit to suit your unique experiences.

Another advantage of using our resume builder is that it helps you create a resume that is in line with all of the resume guidelines and rules we mentioned in our guide above. You only need to take a look at the HR-friendly resume templates that are included to see that you’re in safe hands. 

If you’re ready for your application to start getting accepted by both recruiters and ATS, be sure to create your resume using our DIY resume maker.

Truck drivers are an integral part of how the global economy functions. Without qualified people to drive huge amounts of cargo long distances, there’d be no way for stores and companies all over the world to meet the needs of their customers. If you love driving and you like spending time on your own, becoming a truck driver could be the perfect career move for you.

Throughout the following article, we’ll be giving you advice on how best to create a truck driver resume that’ll catch the eye of any recruiter and make you seem like a great candidate for the job. If you’ve always wanted to drive a truck professionally but don’t know where to start, this guide is the perfect jumping-off point for you.

Multiple Template Examples

How to Write a Truck Driver Resume That Will Get You the Job 

How to Format It

The best choice of format for a truck driver’s resume is the classic chronological layout. This will help the recruiter see how your career has progressed so far, and even if you don’t have much experience you’ll be able to highlight your education and additional achievements early-on to grab their attention.

If you already have a lot of experience working as a truck driver and you’re simply applying to a new position, however - you might be better off going for the reverse chronological format. By listing your most recent jobs first, you’ll be showing whoever’s reading your resume that you’re not out of practice at all, and that you’ll be able to take on the needs of their job without much of an adjustment period.

What Recruiters Will Look For 

Recruiters who are poring over a pile of truck driver resumes will have their eyes peeled for a few important traits. Because being a truck driver is potentially dangerous on account of the heavy cargo and high degree of skill required to transport it around, certain skills like critical thinking and the ability to stay calm under pressure will be particularly appreciated.

Here are some of the main things recruiters will be looking out for as they go through your truck driver’s resume:

1. The Ability to Deliver on Schedule

The entire job rests on the driver’s ability to get his cargo to where it needs to be, on schedule. Being even an hour late could potentially have serious repercussions for the rest of the operation, so whoever’s hiring for the job will be particularly keen on ensuring that their chosen candidate can stick to a schedule day in, day out.

2. Problem Solving Skills

You’ll have to solve problems continuously throughout the course of your work as a truck driver. In addition to the act of driving itself, which requires solving problems on the go, you’ll also need to coordinate several different elements in order to be effective in the work you do. For example, you’ll need to be able to follow a route, but you should also have the ability to adapt if unforeseen circumstances, like a car crash, force a change in the predetermined plan.

Another way you can use your problem-solving skills as a truck driver is to point out routing errors that could cost your company thousands upon thousands of dollars if they’re not fixed. Your work as a truck driver is going to be full of opportunities to impress your higher-ups, so problem-solving is one of the main things recruiters will be hoping to see on the resumes of prospective candidates.

3. The Ability to Reliably Satisfy Customers

You could be the most technically skilled driver on the planet, but if you’re not able to meet the customer’s needs on a regular basis, your employers won’t be too impressed. It’s all about ensuring that the people you’re delivering for have their needs met. That could be as simple as sticking to or exceeding the prescribed schedule, or it could be a bit more complicated in cases where there’s a discrepancy between what’s in the back of your truck and what the customer was expecting.

You’ll need to resolve any issues that arise with the customers you’re serving effectively, efficiently, and politely. If you’ve been able to maintain stellar customer satisfaction figures throughout your work history, your recruiter’s eyes will light up when they get to your resume, which is exactly the effect you should be aiming for.

Which Skills to Mention and How to Do It Correctly

The skills section is perhaps the single most important aspect of your resume after experience. For truck drivers there are a lot more technical skills to take into account than with most other jobs, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect the soft skills though.

After all, there’s a lot more to being a trucker than simply being able to keep driving for extended periods of time. Generally speaking, the distinction between hard skills and soft skills, which is so prevalent in more standard office-type jobs, holds true for truck driving as well. Here’s a thorough list of the skills to focus on in your resume:

Hard Skills

The hard skills you’ll use as a truck driver usually relate to technical issues that you’ll need to handle throughout the course of your day-to-day work. Here are some of the most important hard skills to include on your resume to impress the recruiter and get yourself a call back:

• OTR Driving
• Load Bar Operation
• Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance
• Excellent technical driving skills, ideally demonstrated by a spotless driving record
• Loading & Unloading Freight
• Truck Tarping
• Load Bar Operation

Soft Skills

In comparison to the hard skills — which focus on selling yourself as a technically able truck operator — your soft skills will be a way to present yourself as a competent person to work with. In addition to being able to handle the demands of the job, it’s a good idea to come across as a self-sufficient individual, capable of operating with minimal guidance from above. See below for the ideal soft skills to mention in addition to the hard skills above:

• Honesty
• The ability to own up to mistakes and take responsibility for them
• Dependability
• Excellent work ethic
• Great critical judgement
• Good level of physical fitness
• Familiarity with effective communication

How to Highlight Your Achievements

You might think that achievements in arenas other than driving trucks won’t play a big part in your candidacy. That would be a mistake, however, since including a few achievements you’ve managed to pull off over the years is actually a great way to round off an application.

It’s not a great idea to be too fussy about which achievements you should include. Similarly, including achievements isn’t purely a numbers game, where the more bullet points on your list, the better you perform. As it happens, it can actually be more impressive to stick to a lower number of achievements, but to ensure you’re writing about them in the right way.

A good rule of thumb to bear in mind as you go about creating this part of your resume is that for every achievement you mention, you should include a few words that highlight why it’s relevant to being a truck driver. For example, if you won an essay-writing award in school, that would be an excellent opportunity to talk about your critical thinking skills. In a similar vein, if you’ve won any kind of sporting or athletic competition, that’s a natural lead-in to talking about your physical fitness.

Keep the list of skills above in mind when you’re selecting which achievements to include in your resume, and try to draw connections between the two when possible. This will result in a much more impressive overall package, and should help you to stand out from the crowd when it comes time for the recruiter to decide who to invite for an interview.

Why It’s Important to Include Additional Training and Certifications in a Truck Driver’s Resume

Driving a truck is one of the prime examples of jobs, for which additional training and certifications can be a huge help. Part of this is down to the fact that there’s no end of courses and qualifications you can undertake to further your technical ability, while non-technical training you’ve got under your belt will help elevate your application as a whole.

Taking on training to drive different types of vehicles will enable you to become a more confident driver, and you’ll be able to pick up some transferable skills as well. 

Some other great courses you could consider enrolling in, include radio operation courses and other communication-focused qualifications, in addition to training that teaches you more about the mechanical side of the job, making minor fixes if your truck breaks down.

Not every additional certification you take on has to relate directly to your work as a truck driver, either. By furthering the skillset you already have, you’ll be presenting yourself as a more well-rounded individual, which is always an attractive thing for recruiters to find in applicants.

Including additional training and certifications in your resume is something people often don’t spend a lot of time thinking about. That’s another great reason to really put some time and effort into that section, since it’ll help you to stand out against your competition.

How to Write a Resume Objective and Examples of This

A resume objective should make it clear to the recruiter that you’ve read through the job listing in detail, and should be written in a dry, dispassionate voice. The more precisely you can tailor your statement to the job at hand, the better. Try to pick out a couple specific details and focus on those when writing your objective.

For example, if the job listing mentions that critical thinking is important, it would be a good idea to mention how you’re able to use your own critical thinking skills on the job. Here are a couple examples of well-written truck driver resume objectives:

1. Driven, responsible individual with eight years of experience driving trucks interested in applying to the CDL Driver position at ABC Haulage Inc. Will display exceptional critical thinking and communication skills, as well as a perfectionist’s approach to keeping on schedule and solving problems on the go. 

2. Experienced, resourceful truck driver keen to fill the role of CDL Driver in XYZ Corp. More than six years of experience in providing excellent service with a focus on customer satisfaction and ensuring that any and all problems are resolved effectively and efficiently. 

How to Write a Resume Summary and Examples of This

Your resume summary should make it clear to the recruiter exactly how much value you’ll be able to add to their organization if they decide to hire you. Feel free to be a bit more expressive, in contrast with the impartial tone used in resume objectives. 

Don’t be afraid to talk specifically about how you were able to perform to a high level in your past jobs. Mentioning numbers and statistics is a great way to make an impression on whoever’s reading your resume. Check out two samples of great resume summaries below:

1. Reliable, hard-working truck driver interested in leveraging problem solving skills, critical thinking, and high levels of physical fitness to fill the role of CDL Driver at XYZ Inc. In my most recent professional role as a long-distance truck driver I was able to maintain 97% customer satisfaction driving an average of 3,000 miles a week, and I’m keen on bringing that level of quality and dependability to your organization.

2. Focused, knowledgeable truck driver with five years of experience applying for that role at ABC Corp. I’ve been able to maintain an average figure of 98% on-time deliveries throughout my ten years of experience driving trucks professionally, and I’d welcome the opportunity to bring that attention to detail and work ethic to bear in your company.

How to Include Education on Your Resume

Education is an important thing to take into consideration for any job, and truck drivers are no exception. People often think that because it’s not an office position, education might not be valued as highly, but that’s a mistake. Just because you’ll be driving a truck all day, doesn’t mean what you’ve managed to achieve during your time going for a degree isn’t relevant.

You’ll be able to make a good impression on the recruiter, whether or not you’ve gone to college, so long as you’re able to make one vital point crystal clear: namely, that you’re a reliable, honest, and hard-working individual. Those are the main characteristics trucking companies want from their employees, since they’ll be trusting the drivers to stick to the schedule and deliver the load as requested.

A well thought-out education system is a great way to get information across, directly related to your work ethic and character in general, and it’s bound to impress whoever’s reading your resume. The best way to format your education section is to keep things simple and easy-to-read, focusing on listing the name of the place you went to school, how many years you studied there, and what qualification you ended up walking away with.

It doesn’t matter if it’s a GED, a trade school qualification, or a four-year Bachelor’s degree. What’s important is that by spending time to make your education section look great, you’ll be subtly signalling to the recruiter that you understand how a strong history in the education system can vouch for your character.

How to Mention Additional Experiences on Your Resume

Not every experience you list on your application has to strictly relate to truck driving. As it happens, if you’re able to effectively (and concisely) talk about some of the other things you’ve gotten up to in your life - it could make a great impression on the recruiter, who may well be on his 90th truck driver’s resume of the day and in need of something a little different. 

You need to make every statement you write relate to the way you’ll be able to carry out the work required of a truck driver. Here are some of the best ways to consider mentioning additional experiences you’ve had on your resume:

1. Volunteering

Time spent in a voluntary capacity is an impressive thing for any recruiter to see across the entire spectrum of jobs. For truckers, it’s a great way to demonstrate that you’re able to function in a variety of different roles, while maintaining high standards and an excellent quality of work.

When you’re talking about your time spent volunteering, a good way to tie it into being a truck driver, could be to focus on how you were able to coordinate with other individuals in a larger, team-based setting. As well as reinforcing the fact that you have a strong work ethic and that you’re not afraid of pulling your own weight, it’ll speak volumes about your communication skills as well.

2. Online Courses

These days, there’s no end to the amount of online courses anybody can take, often for free. There are several reasons online qualifications like these are an impressive thing for recruiters to come across in a truck driver’s resume, but perhaps the most important of the lot is that it shows an inner drive to continually learn and expand your skillset.

Moreover, being able to put yourself through an online course and make it right through to the qualification itself demonstrates that you’re able to function without much supervision. That’s an important quality to have for anybody who’s going to be driving trucks over long distances, and it could make all the difference if the ultimate decision on whom to hire.

3. Hobbies & Interests

Don’t shy away from devoting a small section to talking about your hobbies and interests. It may seem like they’re not relevant to the work you’ll be doing, but mentioning what you like to do in your free time helps to make your resume come alive, as it will make the recruiter feel like there’s a real person behind the document. 

Unlike your achievements or past experiences, don’t try too hard to tie your hobbies into truck driving. Assuming your hobbies don’t involve some kind of driving, it might seem like you’re trying too hard to make your point, and it could wind up coming off as a little inauthentic, which is the last thing you want. 

Keep this section short and sweet, and don’t overthink it either - just include a few lines about what you like to do when you’re not on the job and leave it there.

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out

There are a few ways you can make your resume stand out as a truck driver. The first of these is to be as precise as you can in as many areas as possible. You have to think about it from the recruiter’s point of view. They could be reviewing dozens or even hundreds of resumes for one position, which means that by the time they get to yours, they’re probably sick to death of hearing the same generalities about “timely deliveries” and “strong work ethic”. Making your resume stand out doesn’t just help busy executives remember you; it also helps them instinctively like you for giving them a break from the tedium of buzzword after buzzword.

Instead, offer clear value by being specific about the traits you choose to highlight. Use numbers and percentages where possible, since the recruiter’s likely to remember that you kept a customer satisfaction record of 95%, but less likely to remember you at all if you simply “prioritize customer satisfaction”.

Another way to stand out is to focus on any unusual or non-standard traits you can bring to the job. A defensive driving course you’ve taken, for example, will raise at least one or two eyebrows. Don’t be shy about discussing your passions, either. The recruiter isn’t a robot, after all; they’re a person, and they want to hire a person for the job. You could even go so far as to describe what your typical day looks like in one of the additional details sections, which will definitely help you stand out from the crowd.

How Resumebuild can Help You to Write an Outstanding Truck Driver’s Resume

If you’re interested in making a professional resume for a truck driver’s position but you’ve got no clue where to start - we’ve got the perfect suggestion for you. Resumebuild’s resume building tool is the ideal way to make a clean, modern-looking resume without spending hours trying to perfect every last detail.

The tool provides hundreds of professional templates for you to choose from. All you need to do in order to craft the perfect resume is pick out the template that appeals the most to you, fill in your own personal details, and then click download. It really couldn’t be simpler.

Where would we be without trusty delivery drivers like yourself?

It’s thanks to delivery drivers that we can receive any products we order online from the comfort of our home. Whether you order a dozen soccer balls from Amazon or a meal from Uber Eats, it’ll be a delivery driver who turns up at your doorstep.

They also enable businesses to receive the goods they need to operate. From huge commercial orders for multinational companies, to delivering produce to mom and pop restaurants, it’s again delivery drivers who make it all happen.

All in all, the value they bring to both individuals and businesses is immeasurable. It would therefore be easy to assume that this profession has many sunny days ahead. However, research says differently.

The Bureau of Statistics (BLS) projects that overall employment of delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers will grow 2 percent from 2018 to 2028. This is substantially less than the 5 percent average projected growth for all occupations during this same time period.

What exactly does this increasing competition for jobs mean for you as a delivery driver? You’ll need to start giving 110% if you want to be hired for a coveted delivery driver job. Specifically, you’ll need to create a resume that makes it undeniable to recruiters that you’re worth hiring.

You can discover how to do this by reading our delivery driver resume writing guide below. You’ll find it invaluable if you’re wondering:

• What type of information your resume should include
• Whether or not it’s worth listing your educational background
• Which skills will make you an attractive candidate
• How to write a killer resume objective or summary
• If there’s a simpler way to make a resume (Hint: there is!)

In fact, it will answer all of these questions and more! So if you’re ready to learn how to write a delivery driver resume that gets you hired, our guide is the way to go. 

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write a Delivery Driver Resume That Will Get You Noticed

How to format the resume?

You’ll be pleased to learn that formatting your delivery driver resume isn’t rocket science. That being said, you’ll need to select the right format to ensure your resume catches a recruiter’s eye.

The format that does this best is a reverse-chronological one. Recruiters favor it for delivery driver resumes because it’s designed to give your work history section the attention it deserves. Just like its name suggests, this format lists each of your jobs in reverse-chronological order. So your current job will appear first, then the one just before that, and so on.

There are a number of other stylistic elements that you’ll need to get right as well. Instead of giving yourself a headache trying to figure them out, pay attention to our expert guidelines below:

• • Number of Pages: Only 1.
  • Fonts to Use: Any conservative fonts that you’ll be familiar with, such as Arial and Calibri. 
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any ‘fun’ fonts that will make you look like an amateur, such as Storybook and Petal.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size.

What should a delivery driver put on a resume?

Your resume needs to offer a recruiter all the information they’re expecting to see if you want to convince them that you’re the ideal delivery driver for the job. Here’s a rundown of the most important sections you should put in your resume.

• Contact information: You must provide a recruiter with your contact information so they can easily get in touch with you. List your name, home address, email address, contact number, and LinkedIn URL.

• Resume objective or resume summary: Right below your contact information, include a 2 to 4 sentence long overview of why you’re a perfect fit for the position. Whether you should write a resume objective or summary will depend on your experience level, but more on that later.
• Education: Provide details about your educational background, whether that’s your high school diploma or college degree.
• License and certifications: Provide details about the type/s of driver’s licence/s you hold (e.g. Class A, Class B, or Class C CDL), as well as any certifications that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you hold more than one license, make sure to change the section name to “Licenses and Certifications”.
• Professional experience: Also referred to as your employment history section, you should share insightful details about each relevant job you’ve had. State the company’s name, your position, the years you worked, and your most relevant and outstanding achievements.
• Skills: A list of the most relevant skills you possess as a delivery driver. Be sure to include both soft and hard skills.

Pro tip: Take a look at this resource for a summary of the different types of driver’s licenses there are and the different rules that apply in each state.

How to list your education in a delivery driver’s resume

If you thought recruiters didn’t look favorably on delivery drivers with a good educational background, think again. It’s worth keeping in mind that most delivery drivers require at least a high school diploma or equivalent to get started. So it’s definitely a good idea to mention yours in your resume.

To list your diploma correctly, add it to your resume’s “Education” section.

But make sure not to waffle on like this candidate did:

EDUCATION

• I graduated from the Liberal Arts and Science Academy in Austin, Texas in 2019. I did pretty well and finished with a GPA of 3.5. My favorite subjects were science and maths but I hated art. I was president of the maths society which was super fun. 

Your education needs to be in list form, and you should only include the most vital details. That is: 

• Name of the high school
• State the high school is located in
• Name of the educational level attained (i.e. High School Diploma) 
• Year of graduation or year of intended graduation
• GPA (only if 3.5 or higher)

If you’re an entry-level candidate, you can also mention some major academic achievements and/or your extracurricular activities if you wish.

In the end, your high school diploma should look something like this on your resume:

EDUCATION

• Liberal Arts and Science Academy | Austin, TX
  Diploma, 2020 (GPA 3.5)
  Member of the Maths Society 

See how much easier that is to read?

If you have currently hold or are working towards a college degree, you can leave your high school diploma off of your resume altogether. Instead, you’ll need to provide the following key details in list form:

• Name of the college or institution
• Location of the college or institution
• Name of the degree
• Years studied
   

For example:

EDUCATION

• Texas State University | San Marcos, TX
  Bachelor of Science, 2019 - Present

Pro tip: The way you order the details about your diploma or degree will depend on the type of resume template or formatting you use. For example, some templates will list your school or college name first, while others will list the degree or diploma first.

How to highlight your most important achievements

By now, you’ll no doubt have a lot of happy memories of being on the road as well as interacting with customers. Some of them may even form part of your proudest achievements as a delivery driver. So we can see why you may think that it’s a good idea to highlight them on your resume.

However, you need to remember who your resume is ultimately written for. It’s written for recruiters, hiring managers, and your future boss. They want to see achievements that they find noteworthy – and these may not be the same as the ones you hold dear.

You can determine which achievements these stakeholders would find impressive by analyzing the job ad of the position you wish to apply for. All of the words that indicate the skills, attributes, and experiences an ideal candidate should have are the very ones you should base your achievements around.

These words are known in the HR industry as keywords. By framing your achievements around keywords from a job ad, you’ll be able to offer achievements that directly align with a company’s vision of what a dream candidate looks like.

But it’s crucial to ensure that any keywords you include sound natural and not out of context. Another tip to keep in mind is to use an ‘action + result’ approach when writing your achievements. In this approach, you should not only state what you did, but also share the positive results your actions brought about. An easy way to do this is to use numbers and statistics to quantify your results.

Putting all of this into practice, an achievement that targets the keyword “Complete all paperwork for each delivery” should look as impressive as this:

• Complete all paperwork for each delivery with great accuracy, resulting in the company’s only 100% error-free paperwork record.   

Pro tip: Make sure to only include keywords in your resume that are applicable to your professional skills, attributes, and experiences. 

Which hard and soft skills should be mentioned on a resume?

In order to position yourself as a strong candidate, your resume needs to mention the soft and hard skills that a job ad features by way of keywords. (To learn more about keywords, read the section directly above).

For the uninitiated, soft skills describe desirable personal attributes and communication abilities. Hard skills describe sought-after technical abilities that are often specific to a given position.

If you want to give yourself a running chance of being hired, your resume needs to show that you possess a healthy balance of both hard and soft skills. 

Additionally, keep in mind that you may also need to mention practical skills such as:

• How long you’re able to sit for while driving
• How long you’re able to stand for while unloading a vehicle
• How long you’re able to walk to and from a vehicle 

Once you’ve worked out which skills are best to target (based on the job ad’s keywords) you should:

1. List 6 to 8 of them in your “Skills” section
2. Incorporate them throughout your work history section
3. Emphasize a few in your resume objective or summary

In case you were wondering which hard and soft skills recruiters could be after, take a look at the ones we spotted in real-life delivery driver job ads:

Hard skills

• Loading and unloading trucks
• Completing all paperwork for each delivery
• Maintaining quality control of orders according to company standards
• Ensuring cleanliness and safe working of the truck
• Completing pre-post inspection
• Keeping vehicle fueled in accordance to management instructions
• Ability to safely navigate a delivery truck
• Accurately recording route information
• Operating a heavy commercial vehicle
• Receiving and processing telephone orders

Soft skills

• Customer service
• Detailed oriented 
• Ability to prioritize projects
• Professionally communicating with customers
• Follows all safety rules and applicable laws
• Teamwork
• Communication skills
• Ability to follow directions
• Work ethic
• Problem solving

What are the similarities and differences between a resume objective and summary? When should I use each one?

There seems to still be some confusion about resume objectives and resume summaries among job seekers. On the surface, they seem quite similar, but they actually have a number of notable differences. 

To make these similarities and differences crystal clear, we’ve highlighted the main ones below:

Similarities between a resume objective and summary

• Both appear underneath your resume’s contact information section.
• Both should be 2 to 4 sentences long.
• Both should be written specifically for each job.
• Both should be written in a captivating way
• Both should ultimately convince a recruiter why they should hire you.

Differences between a resume objective and summary

• A resume objective is for entry-level candidates, whereas a resume summary is for experienced ones.
• A resume objective aims to showcase a candidate’s potential, whereas a resume summary aims to showcase a candidate’s proven experience, skills, and attributes.
• A resume objective should highlight a candidate’s short-term professional aspirations and the fact that they have numerous attributes that make up for their lack of experience. In contrast, a resume summary should highlight a candidate’s professional competencies as a delivery driver as well as their extensive experience.

If you’re still a bit confused about which one to use, the answer is simple: 

• If you’re an entry-level candidate who has little to no experience as a delivery driver, use a resume objective. Anyone wishing to switch to a delivery driving career should also use one.
• If you’re an experienced candidate who has already been working as a delivery driver, use a resume summary.

How to write a resume objective? (Examples included)

Ready to write a killer resume objective? It’s relatively straightforward to do if you know what you’re doing. That’s why diving right in is unwise; you’ll likely make the same slip-ups other entry-level candidates make. 

Instead, take a look at the following examples of good and bad resume objectives to learn how to make a formidable one.

Let’s start off with a weak resume objective:

• Recent high school graduate who wants to become a delivery driver for your company. I have a driver's license. I would really like the chance to prove my skills. 

While this resume objective isn’t terrible, you can bet that it would make a recruiter’s eyes glaze over! We will give the candidate props for showing confidence in their ability to do the job, but there’s really nothing else that this resume objective has going for it.

The biggest error with it is that it all sounds incredibly vague. The candidate failed to specify which type of driver’s license they hold and the state it’s valid in. This is notable because recruiters need to know these details in order to determine whether a candidate meets a given job’s licensing requirements. 

What’s more, the candidate mentioned that they have skills without specifying which ones. With such little information to go off of, a recruiter wouldn’t be able to work out if their skill set matches those of the job.

As you can see, being specific is vital. But specificity is only the beginning. A great resume objective also has a number of other features, as the following candidate’s one shows:

• Recent high school graduate who wishes to leverage their work ethic and record of safe driving in the delivery driver job at Vitamins Plus. Having received a 95% customer service rating at my previous job, I know that I have the positive attitude and communication skills necessary to give your customers my all. I hold a Class B Commercial Driver's License in California.

If one thing’s for sure, any recruiter who read this would be eager to keep reading. The candidate represents themselves as a consummate professional, even though they don’t have a minute of paid experience as a delivery driver. 

How did they achieve this? By doing precisely what all entry-level candidates should do; emphasize their relevant skills. Although the candidate only has one relevant hard skill the recruiter is after (record of safe driving), they make up for this by highlighting an assortment of soft skills the recruiter is also interested in (work ethic, customer service, positive attitude, and communication skills). 

Another great thing the candidate did is mention a relevant achievement at their previous role (their 95% customer service rating). It doesn’t matter that the job isn’t related to delivery driving because they made it relevant to the job they’re applying for. What’s more, by highlighting their amazing rating, they in turn quantified their achievement. Last but not least, the candidate also provided the necessary details about the license they hold. 

How to write a resume summary? (Examples included)

If you want your resume summary to work for you, you can’t just hurriedly type it out. You need to put as much thought and care into writing this section as you will for the rest of your resume. After all, there’s a good chance your resume summary is the first thing a recruiter reads in your resume.

To understand how to make a resume summary that grips recruiters, it’s helpful to compare examples of good and bad ones. Don’t worry, we’ve done all the hard work for you! 

First, take a look at this dull one:

• With 6 years of experience driving delivery trucks, I am a delivery driver you can rely on. I believe I’m the perfect choice for the role at 24/7 Deliveries as I not only have the skills you’re looking for, but I also have tons of experience.  

This candidate shouldn’t hold their breath that they’ll be called in for an interview because their resume summary does nothing to strengthen their application. In fact, it’s so unhelpful they may as well leave it off altogether! 

The reason we’re so critical of it is because it doesn’t say anything of substance. The only thing a recruiter would learn about the candidate from it is that they’ve been driving delivery trucks for 6 years. Notice how the candidate states that they have both the skills and experience to excel in the job, but they haven’t shown this in any way. Moreover, they didn’t specify which license they hold.

So what should you do instead? Check this example out:

• With 6 years of experience driving delivery trucks that hold up to 20,000 lbs of cargo for wholesale distribution centers with a spotless driving record, I believe I would excel at the role at 24/7 Deliveries. Thanks to my meticulous customer service and ability to meet deadlines, I have brought my company over 100 new customers via customer referrals. Hold a CDL Class A driver’s license in California.

This candidate has managed to write a flawless resume summary which ticks all of the recruiter’s boxes. Similar to the previous candidate, this candidate also has 6 years experience driving delivery trucks. However, unlike them, this candidate has provided an insightful overview about their relevant skill set, professional experiences, and attributes.

A recruiter would be pleased to see that this resume summary provides details of the cargo amount the candidate typically transports (up to 20,000 lbs of cargo). They’d also be impressed that the candidate specified the type of license they hold and which state it’s valid in.

However, the candidate really hits it out of the ballpark by effortlessly mentioning their top skills. For starters, they highlighted their spotless driving record, which would reassure the recruiter they’re a safe driver. They additionally mentioned the relevant soft skills they possess that the recruiter is after in a candidate (meticulous customer service and ability to meet deadlines). But it doesn’t end there. The candidate also quantified how amazing their skills are by sharing the large number of referrals that resulted from them.

If you want your resume summary to shine just as bright, keep in mind that this is the standard you’ll need to aim for. If you reach or exceed it, you can rest assured you’ll be hired in no time!

How do you write a delivery driver resume with little to no experience?

Getting your foot in the door when you don’t have experience is tough. It’s especially challenging in an industry that’s known to give preference to inexperienced candidates who come recommended by an already established delivery driver.

If you don’t have any experience as a delivery driver nor any connections in the industry, not all hope is lost! In fact, with the right moves, you’ll soon be making your very first paid delivery. To get started, just follow our tips below:

• Use a functional resume format: It doesn’t make sense to use a resume format that focuses on your professional experiences if you don’t have any. That’s why we recommend using a functional format instead. It’s perfect for entry level candidates as it focuses on the biggest draw card you offer recruiters: your skill set. 

• Perfect your resume objective: Hopefully by now you’re convinced of how important including a strong resume objective on your resume is. If you’re not, put yourself in a recruiter’s shoes. They’re looking for someone who sets themselves apart from the hundreds of other candidates. While entry-level candidates share a similar lack of experience, everyone’s career aspirations and attitude is unique. The section in which you can really show yours off is your resume objective.

• Pinpoint what you need to work on: At the end of the day, a recruiter can only hire you if you at least meet a given role’s minimum requirements. It’s therefore vital to work towards obtaining any licenses, certifications, and skills recruiters expect you to already have.
  
  Remember, that while a recruiter may be able to look past the fact that you don’t meet their desired criteria, they won’t be able to budge on any mandatory criteria you lack. For example, a company may be willing to train you on the job to use their tracking system, but they’ll expect you to already hold the driver’s license that they specified in the job ad.

How to make your resume stand out

While we feel guilty to remind you again, it’s vital to keep in mind that the BLS predicts a measly 2 percent job growth in your industry. This means that it’s crucial for your resume to stand out. We’ve shared 3 tips below to do so:

• Tailor your resume for each job: The easiest way to make your resume stand out is to tailor it for each job. What we mean by this is that instead of applying to each job with the same resume, apply with one that meets the criteria of that specific job. While the recruitment process can sometimes feel mysterious, one thing that’s for sure is that recruiters absolutely detest generic resumes – and that’s putting it lightly! 

Believe it or not, tailoring your resume isn’t that difficult. If you follow our tips above for strategically using keywords from each job ad, you’ll be well on your way. It’s also important to provide specific details and examples of why you’re the right person for each given job and to always keep the recruiter’s needs at the front of your mind as you’re writing.

• • Bulk up your “License & Certifications” section: This section is hugely important on a delivery driver resume, particularly if you’re gunning for a job that has very specific requirements. The fact of the matter is your chances of getting a job that requires a certain type of license or certification that you don’t have is zero.
    
    It’s simply a matter of practicality and legality; a recruiter isn’t going to hire someone to drive a CDL Class A if they don't have the license to do so! So if you’re after a particular type of job that you’re not qualified for, the only way to get a look in is to obtain the required license and/or certification. It’s well worth bulking up this resume section anyway because it’ll make you more competitive as a candidate and also allow you to be in the running for a wider range of jobs.

• Don’t forget about your soft skills: Many candidates assume that they’re a shoo-in for any delivery driver job so long as they can offer the hard skills a recruiter is after. However, this assumption will likely deteriorate your chances of being hired.
  
  Why? Recruiters want to hire candidates who take their customer service skills as seriously as they do their driving skills. After all, without happy customers, there will be no more deliveries! So be sure to provide a balance of these two types of skills and be sure to get working on your soft skills if they’re a bit rusty.

3. How Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool Will Take the Pain Out of Making a Resume

We’re going to give it to you straight: Making a resume is the usual way is a downright pain. There’s no getting around the fact that even putting together a mediocre resume will completely sap your energy and time. So you can only imagine how difficult it is to create an incredible resume!

That’s why we suggest taking a different approach – one that’s designed to take the pain out of making a resume. We’re talking about none other than our amazing resume builder at Resumebuild.com. 

It offers a range of eye-catching features including:

• An easy step-by-step resume making process 
• 20+ HR-approved resume templates 
• 1000’s of pre-written examples

Another draw card is that it will help you save significant time and money compared to other resume making options. While making a resume by yourself can take several days or weeks, it’s possible to make your resume in just minutes with our builder. Moreover, our builder is far more affordable to use than hiring a professional resume writer. 

So if you’re ready to get hired ASAP for a delivery driver job, use our advanced resume builder to make a resume recruiters can’t refuse.

Increasing automation has made the job market look bleak for many professions. However, not every job is impacted by this phenomenon. Caregiving is a prime example of an occupation that is set to offer job security for years to come. After all, there isn’t a machine replacement for the human to human care and contact that caregivers offer their patients.

There’s also another significant factor that makes caregiving one of the most secure professions. The population is ageing at an unprecedented rate. The United States Census Bureau projects that the 2030s will be a transformative decade in part because the population is expected to grow at a slower pace and age considerably.

In fact, within a few decades, the Bureau projects that older people will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. “By 2034 (previously 2035), there will be 77.0 million (previously 78.0) people 65 years and older compared to 76.5 million (previously 76.7 million) under the age of 18," says Jonathan Vespa, a demographer at the Bureau.

By implication, the need for caregivers is likely to exponentially increase in order to keep up with the growing demand for caregiving services. This is reflected by data from the US Bureau of Labor Statics that projects a 36 percent growth of overall employment of home health aides and personal care aides from 2018 to 2028. Given that the average projected employment for all occupations during that same period is only 5 percent, this signifies eye-wateringly high expected job growth in the caregiving sector.

So does that mean that you no longer need to bother fixing up your resume in order to apply for caregiver jobs? Definitely not!

Keep in mind that just because there are more jobs, that doesn’t mean they’ll all be worth applying for. And it certainly doesn’t mean you’re a shoo-in for a great position if you don’t make any effort with your resume. If you want to be hired for a caregiving job that comes with solid pay and benefits, you will need to create a winning caregiver resume.

Our resume guide below will run through all of the essential information and tips you need to make an incredible caregiver resume. You should read it if you want to learn crucial matters including:

• Which sections to include in your resume
• How to correctly list your education, training, and certifications
• Expert tips for selecting the right achievements and skills
• What you should do if you’re an entry-level caregiver
• How to easily and quickly make a stunning resume

1. Multiple Template Examples

2. How to Write a Caregiver Resume That Will Get You Noticed

How to format your caregiver resume

We strongly advise that caregivers who wish to put their best foot forward should use a reverse-chronological format for their resume. This format is designed to enunciate your professional progression. It does this by ordering your work history from your most to least recent job.

Another recommendation we believe that all caregivers will benefit from is following some tried-and-true resume layout guidelines, which we’ve noted below. These guidelines were created to make it easier for candidates’ resumes to align with recruiters’ expectations of them.

• • Number of Pages: All resume content must fit within a single page.
  • Fonts to Use: Standard fonts that won’t rock the boat. For example, Cambria and Helvetica.
  • Fonts to Avoid: Any font that you wouldn’t use to update your patient’s files with. For example, FF Trixie and Jacques & Gilles.
  • Margins: 1 inch on all sides.

• Line Spacing: 1 or 1.15.

• Header size: 14-16 point size.
• Text size: 11-12 point size

What should a caregiver put on a resume?

Every strong caregiver resume will invariably feature a number of standard sections. These sections are required due to the practical information they provide about your professional experience, skills, and training. They also offer you the opportunity to put a spotlight on the attributes you have as a caregiver that distinguish you from other candidates. Here are the most critical sections to include in a caregiver resume: 

• Contact information: Information that allows a recruiter to easily contact you or look further into your professional background. Include your name, home address, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL.

• Resume objective or resume summary: A short statement that aims to frame you as an ideal candidate. Include one or the other, based on your level of professional experience.
• Education: Significant details about your educational background.
• Training and certifications: Details about any additional training and certifications you have undertaken that are relevant to the position at hand.
• Professional experience: An overview of each relevant position you’ve held that features your most attractive and relevant achievements.
• Skills: A list of 6 to 8 of the most relevant skills you possess that will help you succeed in the position. 

How to list your educational background in your caregiver’s resume

Many caregivers assume that after all of their years of professional experience, they no longer need to list their educational background on their resume.

The thing is, recruiters will only consider applications from caregivers who at least meet the minimum educational requirements to work in the given position. It’s worth keeping in mind that recruiters won’t waste their time trying to figure out if you meet them. So make your educational background as clear as day on your resume. 

In order to correctly list details about your education background, make sure to provide the following information. The order in which you do so will depend on the resume template or overall format you use:

• The name of the degree
• The name of the college or institution
• The state it is located in
• The year you graduated or the years you have studied 

For example:

• Certified Nurse Aide Course, Austin Community College, TX, 2019 - Present
• High School Diploma, Bellville High School, 2014 - 2018

Pro Tip: Instead of separating your “Education” and “Training and Certifications” sections, you’re welcome to create a singular section that combines the two called “Education, Training, and Certifications”.

How to list additional training and certifications as a caregiver

If you have any additional training and certifications as a caregiver, listing them on your resume is critical for three main reasons.

Firstly, there may be specific licencing, training, or other certifications that are mandatory in your particular state. Moreover, there may be particular certifications the Professional Association of Caregivers recommends caregivers in your state to hold.

If you’re wondering what they are for your state, Caregiverlist provides a clear state-by-state outline of them. For example, the resource states that in Arizona, licensure for home care agencies requires basic caregiver training and direct care worker caregivers (DWC) for Medicaid (ALTECS) must have 6 hours of training. In terms of non-medical training, it states that the Professional Association of Caregivers recommends Arizona caregivers to undertake a 8 hour certification course.

Secondly, there may be mandatory training and certifications requirements for the specific type of caregiving work you currently do or want to do. For example, in order to work as a respite care provider, you must undertake additional training. While some workplaces offer in-house training, it’s usually preferable to have the appropriate training needed to work in a given role.

Last but not least, listing additional training and certifications, such as CPR and first aid training, will make you a more attractive candidate in the recruiter’s eyes. Why? Further training exemplifies both your passion for your professional development and your desire to provide your patients with the best quality care possible. So if it boils down to two comparable candidates, a recruiter will, no doubt, give strong preference to one who has more relevant training.

So how should you list your additional training and certifications on your resume?

We advise that you provide the following information about each one:

• The name of the training or certification
• The name of the organization that issued it
• The state where you undertook it (as appropriate)
• The year you received the training or certification

Below are some examples of this format in practice: 

• National Caregiver Certification Course (NCCC), American Caregiver Association, 2017
• Certified Nursing Assistant, Advanced Medical School of Nursing, CA, 2018 
• First Aid Training, Red Cross, 2020
• CPR Training, Red Cross, 2020

Be sure to order your certifications and training from most to least relevant in regards to the given position!

Pro Tip: It’s always a good idea to update your resume with new certifications and training if you want to retain your competitiveness as a candidate. If you’re after some ideas, check out this list of 50 courses and training for caregivers.

How to highlight your most important achievements

If you want to highlight your most important achievements in a way that immediately commands a recruiter’s attention, you’ll need to use the following method:

Before you start working on your “Professional Experiences” section, you will first need to select the most appropriate achievements to include. A simple rule of thumb to remember is to choose those that are directly relevant to the job application.

So how do you pinpoint which of your achievements are actually relevant? Just take a careful look at the job ad of the position you wish to apply for. Keep your eyes peeled for words that describe the qualities a recruiter is looking for from their ideal caregiver. These words are referred to in the human resources industry as ‘keywords’.

Keywords are used by recruiters to make it clear what attributes candidates like yourself need to offer in order to get a look in. These attributes may include both mandatory requirements a caregiver must have as well as ‘nice to haves’.

In order to inform the recruiter which of these attributes you personally possess, you need to incorporate the keywords that apply to your professional experiences into your achievements.

To make this all clearer, let’s use a hypothetical scenario to run through the entire process of identifying keywords and creating an achievement around them.

First of all, you’ll need to pretend that you want to apply for a position with the following job requirement:

• Experience with housekeeping, meal preparation, and other caregiving tasks

In order to target this requirement in your achievement, you’ll need to first identify the keywords in it. Have a go for yourself. 

You should have successfully identified 3 keywords:

1. Housekeeping
2. Meal preparation
3. Caregiving tasks

Next, you’ll need to work out if your experiences match up with these keywords. For the sake of this scenario, let’s assume they all do. You’ll then need to select a relevant work achievement that exemplifies your understanding of the duties and skills that these keywords represent.

Finally, you’ll need to write out this achievement, making sure to do so in an engaging way that includes the chosen keywords. 

To show you how to do this properly, let’s compare how a good vs bad caregiving resume achievement with these keywords looks like:

• Performed quality housekeeping, meal preparation, and other caregiving tasks using my skills in housekeeping, meal preparation, and other caregiving tasks to get the job done. 

Have you picked up on why this achievement sounds so off? The candidate has unnaturally added the keywords into their achievement, which is a practice known as ‘keyword stuffing’. Keyword stuffing is heavily frowned upon for two main reasons.

Firstly, it represents a clear attempt by a candidate to manipulate the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). ATS is a type of recruitment software that evaluates whether a resume meets a recruiter’s criteria, based on the keywords it does or doesn’t include.   

Keyword stuffing is also frowned upon, because it makes your writing sound stiff and disjointed. Needless to say, writing like this is an easy way to cause a recruiter to instantly lose interest in your application.

So what should you do instead? Take a look for yourself:

• Performed all caregiving tasks, including housekeeping and meal preparation, in line with my knowledge of each patient’s needs to ensure they all received personalized care.

Just like the example above, your sentences should flow well. You can achieve this feat by incorporating keywords into each achievement in a natural way. If any of them are difficult to read or sound robotic, it’s time to rewrite them. 

Another thing you should follow suit on is ensuring that your achievements emphasize why they’re noteworthy. Unlike the previous candidate, this candidate didn’t just plainly state that they can perform the caregiving tasks the recruiter is looking for. They additionally explained how they performed the tasks and the result doing so had. That is, this candidate applied their “knowledge of each patient’s needs” so that the patient’s could “receive personalized care.”

So if you want to write an equally impactful achievement, remember to explain both what you did and the positive result it brought about.

Which hard and soft skills should be mentioned on a resume?

If you’re finding it tough to determine which skills to include in your resume, the good news is that it’s more black and white than you think.

In fact, if you read the section above, you already know how to select the right ones. Yes – it all comes down to keywords! 

You can use the method we described above to pinpoint which skills-focused keywords the recruiter is after. To recap, all you need to do is scan the job ad for keywords that represent what the recruiter is looking for. In this case, you should hone in on finding skills-focused keywords.

You’ll then need to select which ones are most relevant to your own skill set. A recruiter may ask you to elaborate on your skills, so honesty is always the best policy.

Where should you mention them, then? You should list the best 6 to 8 of your skills in your resume’s “Skills” section. Additionally, you should add them naturally throughout your work experience achievements. One final section you should include 1 or 2 of them in is your resume objective or summary.

It’s vital to search for both hard and soft skills when looking at a job ad. Hard skills are measurable technical skills that are usually related to a specific profession. Soft skills are intangible interpersonal skills that are usually shared across a range of professions.

Here are some examples of common hard and soft skills for caregivers that we extracted straight from real-life job ads:

Hard skills

• Setting up, serving, and cleaning up after the meals
• Providing laundry service 
• Following incident reporting guidelines
• Organizing individual resident and group activities
• Facilitating move-in and move-out processes
• Assisting residents with their daily routines 
• Transporting residents 
• Assisting patients in and out of bed
• Proper wheelchair transfer
• Maintaining a healthy environment

Soft skills 

• Compassionate
• Patient
• Dedicated 
• Reliable
• Prompt
• Friendly
• Resourceful
• Positive attitude
• Honesty
• Written and verbal communication skills

What are the differences between resume objective and summary? When should I use each one?

A resume objective or resume summary both allow you to define yourself as a strong candidate to a recruiter as soon as they start reading your resume. These sections share a number of features in common. For example, they should both be positioned directly below your contact information. This means that one or the other will represent the first major section of your resume. Another key similarity is that they should both be around 2 to 4 sentences long.

However, while they are similar, you should not mistake them for being the same. In fact, you should only use one of them on your resume. It’s easy to work out which one is suitable for your situation. It all depends on your level of experience. That is:

• If you’re an entry level candidate with little to no experience, use a resume objective.
• If you’re an experienced caregiver, use a resume summary.

It is vital that you don’t use the wrong one as the purpose and focus of each is distinct. 

The purpose of a resume objective is to convince a recruiter that you are a worthy candidate even in spite of your minimal or non-existent professional experience. You can do this by  focusing on all of the other relevant attributes that you can bring to the table.

Compare this to the unique focus and summary of a resume summary. The purpose of a resume summary is to explain why you’re the most ideal candidate, compared to all other candidates. You can do this by focusing on the ideal blend of relevant professional competencies you offer as an experienced caregiver.

Once you’ve worked out which is best for your situation, read our pointers below for writing either an amazing resume objective or summary.

How to write a resume objective? (Examples included)

To accomplish writing an incredible resume objective, you need to know what to avoid and what to aim for.

A common mistake entry-level candidates make is that they project their lack of confidence onto their resume objective. An equally common mistake is that they don’t give a recruiter a convincing reason to hire them. Here’s a resume objective example that shows these mistakes clearly:

• Aspiring caregiver who lacks any professional experience is after an entry-level role. I think I’ll make a great caregiver but as I haven’t developed any of the necessary skills yet I’m looking for an employer who will teach them to me.

So what should you do instead? Make sure you don’t undersell yourself. You might not feel confident about your worthiness as a candidate, but try to put that aside for a minute. If you want to score your dream job, your resume objective needs put a spotlight on your very best and most relevant attributes. 

To do this, concentrate on branding yourself as a highly-competent aspiring caregiver. To show you have a bright future ahead, make sure to mention any relevant skills, training, education, internships, and professional experiences you have. The following example shows all of these features in action: 

• Aspiring caregiver with first aid and CPR training is eager to put their passion for caregiving into practice in an entry-level role at Sunny Caregivers. Thanks to my internship at Hillside Caregivers, I have developed a range of skills, such as assisting patients in and out of bed and proper wheelchair transfer, that I can utilize in this role.  

How to write a resume summary? (Examples included)

Think of your resume summary as your elevator pitch to a recruiter. Imagine if you had the opportunity to read it out loud to them - how do you think they’ll react? 

If your resume summary sounds uninspiring and is irrelevant to what the recruiter is looking for, you’ll be sabotaging your chances. Many experienced candidates think that the ‘main’ part of their resume will do the talking for them, so they just write a vague and bland resume summary like this candidate did:

• Caregiver with 5+ years of experience who loves their job. Looking for a new role at Paradise Caregivers so I can keep developing my useful caregiving skills.

If your own one looks anything like that, don’t expect to make it to the interview stage. Your resume summary should convince a recruiter that the rest of your resume is worth reading. It should make it clear that out of all of the competent caregivers out there, you bring something extra special to the table.

You can do this by hand-picking the most relevant and impressive attributes you offer that a recruiter would be intrigued by. Ultimately, you need to make it clear why it would be in the recruiter’s interests to hire you – and not the other way around like the previous candidate did. 

Be sure to include a summary of your most eye-catching qualifications, skills, training and certifications, as well as professional experiences. For bonus points, try to quantify your achievements (you can read more about this further below). The following example exhibits all of these recommended qualities a resume summary should have: 

• Caregiver with 5+ years of experience who has won “Employee of the Month” twice due to the unwavering dedication and positive attitude I demonstrate when assisting residents with their daily routines. Looking to work at Paradise Caregivers so that I can utilize the patient-focused approach I take – one that has led to a 25% increase in patient referrals – at a larger caregiving organization.

How to write a caregiver resume with little to no experience

The most important thing to keep in mind if you have little to no caregiving experience is to make the recruiter aware of the unique qualities, skills, and knowledge you offer. Don’t underestimate the impact this will have! It’s common for entry-level candidates to overemphasize what they lack, so taking this more positive approach will be sure to leave a great impression.

For example, while you may not have any caregiver certifications to your name, you can instead emphasize your training in other relevant areas such as first aid, CPR, or anaphylaxis. 

Likewise,  in the place of caregiver-specific work experience, you’re welcome to highlight any relevant work experiences, volunteer experiences, and internships. Just make sure to make them as relevant as possible to caregiving. For example, if you worked at Target, you can feature your customer service skills and communication skills as these are also skills used in caregiving. 

At the end of the day, recruiters for entry-level roles are looking for someone who is responsible, proactive, and passionate about their future in caregiving. If you can show these things in your resume, and also put a spotlight on your most relevant attributes, you’re sure to score your very first caregiver job in no time.

How to make your resume stand out

An effective way to distinguish your resume from the pack is to make a concerted effort to make your resume stand out. Here are our top 3 tips for doing so:

• Quantify your achievements: We’ve already explained the importance of highlighting the positive outcome your achievements have had. But to really impress, quantify this impact whenever possible by using relevant numbers and percentages. For example, to quantify “Received positive feedback from patients” you could add, “...leading to a 98% satisfaction rating in the annual patient survey.”
   

• Cut the fat: While you’ll need to include detailed information in a patient’s case report, you shouldn’t take this same approach with your resume. Each section should directly address what the recruiter is looking for. Anything else may need to be cut out if your resume is starting to look too full. White space can go a long way in making your resume look more presentable.

• Read your resume out loud: You should only submit your resume once you’re certain that it’s 100% mistake free. Even after using a spell checker and proofreading it, mistakes can still slip by. That’s why we recommend reading your whole resume out loud. While your eyes may have glazed over reading it countless times, this method provides a new opportunity to catch any sneaky errors.

3. How Resumebuild.com’s Resume Builder Tool Helps You Create a Resume That Impresses Recruiters 

If you can effectively do absolutely all of the things we mentioned above, then you’re set to make an unforgettable impression on a recruiter. If you’re able to apply a few of the pointers we shared, you’ll at least be able to make some leaps and bounds with your resume. However, it will still fall short of completely wowing a recruiter.   

Your job is stressful enough without needing to add the stress of putting together a perfect resume. That’s why it’s a wise decision to utilize a reliable resume builder to get the job done. 

If you’re feeling a bit guilty about doing so, just remember that recruiters use ATS software to help themselves out. Similarly, you can use a resume builder to help yourself out. It’s also worth keeping in mind that a high-quality resume builder like Resumebuild.com’s offering won’t just spit out a generic resume for you. In fact, any resume builder that does this has red flags all over it!

Our resume builder is designed to do most of the heavy lifting for you – it even provides pre-written examples just for caregivers! That being said, you’ll still need to provide information about yourself in order to make your resume unique to you. The reason we don’t offer a ‘one size fits all’ approach is because we recognize that customizing your resume to each specific application is a surefire way to get noticed by recruiters.

So if you’re ready to use a resume builder that has your best interests in mind, rest assured that our professional and efficient resume maker is it.

As an SQL developer, you’re going to be asked to code, work with databases, etc., but the real core of what you’ll be doing is helping people access and utilize information. Understanding that more human side of the job beyond the technical aspects is what makes a truly great SQL developer.

That’s why spending the time to create a better SQL developer resume is so critical. You need to demonstrate an ability to empathetically understand the person reading your resume and help them access the most important information about you as a job applicant. An SQL resume which ignores that risks looking like a developer who won’t be easy to work with and won’t focus on the end-user.

Fortunately, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to take you through everything you need to do in order to nail your SQL developer resume.

What this guide will show you:

• How to learn from SQL developer resume examples
• What it takes to get noticed by recruiters
• How to get past ATS
• The proper length, formatting and sections for an SQL developer resume
• The most effective way to include education and certifications
• How to best list your skills and which skills to consider adding
• What can make your achievements stand out
• Why starting with an objective or summary is best and how to write both
• What to do if you don’t have much experience
• How to use a resume builder to make the process easier

SQL developer resume template examples

When you’re starting a new project, there’s a good chance you begin by heading to Github to see what others have done. That’s because the best way to tackle a project is often to borrow good ideas from others and improve on them. The same approach is effective for crafting an SQL developer resume.

Start by looking through these examples we’ve chosen. Write down what stands out about them, the first impressions you have, and generally what you like and don’t about each one. Now, when you start on your own resume, you can use these notes as a set of initial ideas to get you started.

[Examples]

How to write an SQL developer resume that will get you noticed by recruiters

Like any developer, you’re going to be expected to get details right. Sloppy code or obvious UI mistakes make for a poor SQL developer, just as sloppy writing or bad formatting make for a bad SQL developer resume. The key is to be thoughtful and consider who will be reading your resume and what you can do to appeal to them. That’s why we’ll begin by discussing the two main audiences your resume will have.

Start by understanding your audience

If someone asked you to develop a database management system and said it wasn’t necessary for you to know who it was for or what it would be used for, you’d think they were a bit crazy. Yet, far too many SQL developers start writing their resumes without giving a moment’s thought to who they’re for. Even if you’re thinking about the recruiter, that’s not enough because your first audience is likely going to be an algorithm.

How to prepare for ATS

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are AI-driven tools for analyzing and sorting large numbers of resumes quickly. More than half of all companies and the vast majority of larger ones currently use ATS, so unless you’re only applying to small startups or one-to-one projects, your resume is almost certain to run into one. That’s why it’s essential to optimize your resume for ATS from the beginning. Here are the basic steps you need to follow to do that:

1. The first step is the easiest, only submit resumes in .doc, .docx, or .pdf file formats. These are the file types ATS are optimized for and submitting anything else will likely result in your resume getting automatically rejected.
2. Create your resume with a builder specifically designed to produce ATS-friendly files. The reason should be familiar to you, just like with a database, it’s not just about having the right information, it’s about how that information is structured. Poorly structured data within a .pdf or .docx file can still make it very difficult for ATS to read. Using a quality resume builder solves this problem so you can focus elsewhere.
3. Focus on keywords. While each ATS is slightly different, they generally work by looking for specific skills and experience in order to determine whether your resume is worth a human review. You can optimize for this by analyzing the job description, listing the key skills and experience it asks for, and ensuring your resume has as many of them as possible. Be sure to use the same language the job description does to ensure the ATS makes the connection.

How to understand recruiters

There’s no getting around the fact that most SQL developers aren’t talented writers. It’s a very different skill set. But if you want to stand out to recruiters, you need your resume to be well written and easy to understand. Imagine you have to review 50 or even 100 resumes in a day and you’ll appreciate why little details like formatting, good writing, and good design all stand out.

Fortunately, the single most important way to appeal to a recruiter is something you’ve already done: use keywords. That recruiter will also have a list of requirements next to them when they’re evaluating your resume, so ensuring it’s easy and clear to see which of those requirements you meet will make for an appreciative recruiter.

Overall, the best way to ensure you get all of those critical details right is to ask for help. Get a friend you trust to review your resume and describe everything that stands out. You might want to try this with both a fellow SQL developer and someone who doesn’t know anything about SQL because they’ll likely notice different things (and you can’t be certain how much the reviewer will know about the technical side of SQL).

How to format an SQL developer resume

We mentioned formatting before because as you know, the structure of information has an enormous impact on how easy it is to read and understand. This is why the primary rule of resume formatting is to put the most important and relevant information towards the top. Using a resume objective or summary accomplishes this (more tips and examples on those below) as well as using reverse chronological order for your work experience (putting your most recent work first).

How long should an SQL developer resume be?

The answer is the same for the question “how much code do you need for a program?” You want to have the shortest amount which can still accomplish everything it needs to. Extra information is only going to waste a recruiter’s time. The best way to determine this for yourself is to evaluate each section and piece of information on your resume by asking yourself whether it adds value. Anything that doesn’t should be removed. After doing this, aim for 1-2 pages.

Which sections should you include in the resume?

While including all of these sections would likely make your resume too long, these are the most important ones you should consider adding.

• Resume objective or summary
• Developer experience
• Achievements
• Projects
• Education
• Certifications
• Hard skills
• Soft Skills

How to list your education, additional training, and certifications

You’re not likely to have a Bachelor's degree in SQL development, so how should you include your education on your resume? The answer can be taken from the previous section: only if it adds value. If you have an old degree in an unrelated field, you can probably leave it off your resume. The following two examples illustrate this:

BA in Political Science

Virginia Tech

2007-2011

-Focuses on qualitative methods in political analysis

-Captain of the university snowboarding club

-3.8 average GPA

None of the details listed in this example will make this applicant look like a better SQL developer. Now it’s possible that they noticed that many people in the company where they’re applying love snowboarding, in which case this detail might help show that they’ll fit in with the company culture, but otherwise it doesn’t add anything.

BA in Computer Science

The University of Utah

2015-2019

-Senior project focused on building a custom database management tool for the university’s admissions department

In this example, the degree is relevant, it’s more recent, and the thesis was worth mentioning because of its connection to SQL management. No other details were relevant enough to include.

That said, as with any tech field, the best way to show that you’re on top of the latest developments is with additional training and certifications. These require substantially less time and money and are particularly useful if you’ve been out of the workforce for a while or are trying to become an SQL developer without much experience.

The best certifications to include on an SQL developer resume

• Microsoft Technology Associate Certification
• SQL Server Training in database management, database administration, database management and analytics, and more

How to highlight your most important achievements

A common mistake many SQL developers make on their resumes is to simply list their responsibilities and what they’ve worked on. However, employers aren’t looking for someone to simply do the bare minimum when they’re told and then go home. They want someone who will be proactive and help add value to their business. The best way you can demonstrate that is by highlighting concrete achievements

These two examples show what that should and should not look like.

-Worked with many different teams across the company to improve database management

A likely response from a recruiter to this “achievement” would be “okay, what does that even mean?” They would be right to ask that. This example shows how being vague about your achievements leaves them essentially meaningless. This is almost worse than not writing anything because it essentially wastes the recruiter’s time. Now let’s see an improved version.

-Developed a custom user-friendly database UI for the Finance, HR, and senior management teams; coordinating with each one to ensure it met all of their requirements

- An internal audit estimated that the ability to easily access more internal data saved the company $300k in the first 12 months of its implementation

This example takes up a lot more space, but for a recruiter this will be time well spent because this achievement tells us a lot about the candidate. It speaks to their ability to handle a complex project with many stakeholders and that they look at how their work impacts the company as a whole instead of narrowly focusing on just what’s in front of them. In other words, these achievements make a strong case to hire this developer.

How to list your skills more effectively

We’ve already discussed the importance of listing the right skills to get past ATS and make it clear to recruiters that you meet their criteria. But simply listing skills is only the beginning, to take your SQL developer resume to the next level you should be giving specific examples of those skills in much the same way you listed your achievements in the previous section.

Importantly, depending on the skills the examples might not be from a job at all. If you’re mentioning your ability to work well under pressure, you could describe balancing 21 credits per semester with working 30 hours a week at a restaurant during university. This isn’t directly related to SQL development but it still demonstrates that skill nicely. Here are two examples to illustrate how you can make your skills more effective.

Proactive

Obviously, anyone can simply state that they have a soft skill. Compare this simple listing of the skill to the following example with something to back it up.

Proactive

-Decided to begin regular security checks and subsequently identified a security flaw in the SQL database at Orion Systems, fixing it and thereby preventing a potential data hack.

In just a single sentence, the example above shows that this candidate is indeed proactive and that this quality resulted in serious benefits for their employer.

Which hard skills should be mentioned on an SQL resume?

• SQL server migration
• Oracle
• DDL
• DML
• Database table designing
• Database table coding
• Declarative programming
• SSIS
• Database architecture
• PL/SQL
• Database automation
• Code review
• Table index development
• Data modeling

Which soft skills should be mentioned on an SQL resume?

• Proactive
• Works well under pressure
• Written and oral communication
• Attention to detail
• Works well in groups

How to write a resume objective and where to use it

Back in the resume formatting section, we mentioned the importance of getting the most critical information out there at the beginning. A resume objective or summary is the best way to do that. These short sections open your resume with some text explaining who you are, what you want to achieve, and potentially why you’re a great candidate for a specific position. They put you in control of forming a strong first impression and allow you to selectively emphasize your best qualities. They also offer a way to get ahead of potential questions which might arise about other parts of your resume.

A resume objective tends to be shorter, only about a sentence, and focus more narrowly on what you aim to achieve with your resume. Let’s look at two examples to better understand how to write one.

I’m a young SQL developer without much experience looking to apply my skills in an entry-level position where I can learn and grow.

This example makes a few critical mistakes. First, it’s written in the first person and everything on your resume should always be written in the third person. But far more importantly, the tone of this resume objective makes the candidate sound young, inexperienced, and unsure of themselves. Not having experience is fine, but that’s no excuse to strike this tone.

SQL developer with a recently acquired database management certification looking to apply skills towards making Verve Technologies’ internal data more accessible.

The second version of that example still acknowledges that they’re new to SQL development, but focuses on the value they’d like to provide a specific employer instead of on what they hope the employer will do for them. So this resume objective communicates a lot in a single sentence and thereby makes a strong initial impression.

How to write a resume summary and where to use it

The basic difference between a resume objective and summary is that a summary can be longer. However, don’t make the mistake of using that as an excuse to ramble on. A summary should still be concise and information dense. This is also a great place to explain something like why you’re changing careers or addressing another question you think will come up when a recruiter reads your resume.

After working as a computer technician I recently decided to change careers and learn more about SQL database management. My technical background should make me a good candidate and I’m ready to put in the time to improve my skills.

This example states that the candidate decided to change careers, but doesn’t tell the recruiter why. It misses an important opportunity to establish some personality and show a passion which led the candidate to enter the field. It’s also light on details about what their technical background is and what skills they feel need to improve. Let’s see an improved version to better understand how this example should change.

Newly certified SQL developer looking to begin a new career in database management after encountering it working in tech support for Alliance Microsystems. Was able to learn some SQL in that role and now looking to develop knowledge of database architecture to empower the teams at Mercury Inc. to make better decisions with better data.

Although this person can’t point to more concrete achievements a recruiter might expect from a more experienced candidate, their resume summary makes a strong case for why they’re still a great hire. They clearly explain why they chose to get into SQL development, what skills they’d like to develop further, and how they aim to impact their prospective employer. Taken together, these facts make a strong first impression.

How to write an SQL developer resume when you have little or no experience

The good news for you is that companies hiring technical talent often understand that they will need to do some on-the-job training. As long as you can demonstrate you have the basic skill set they’re looking for, a lack of specific SQL experience might not disqualify you. That said, showing that you’ve gone out of your way to obtain a relevant certification will go a long way towards making you look like a stronger candidate.

In essence, companies know that teaching someone SQL is easier than teaching them something like how to be proactive. If you can clearly demonstrate those critical soft skills and at least the basis for learning the necessary hard skills, you’ll be a strong candidate.

How to make your resume stand out

As should be clear by now, your resume should stand out in many small ways. Getting the details right is something that a recruiter will really notice because far too many candidates are sloppy with their resumes. That said, perhaps the best way to really stand out even before a recruiter has read a word is with design.

The challenge is that good design on a resume often means using a file format or structure that ATS won’t like. The key to getting both modern design and an ATS-friendly file is using a resume builder.

Why a resume builder is an essential tool

When you’re crafting your SQL developer resume, you have plenty to worry about. You need to get the formatting, content, keywords, and more just right. That’s why it makes sense to use a resume builder to take other key things like ATS friendliness and great design off your plate.

Resumebuild.com’s powerful resume building tool makes it easy to create many custom resumes to target specific jobs, get standout design, and feel confident your resume is ready for ATS. This allows you to focus your time on the places where it will have the most impact so you can end up with the best possible resume and the job you deserve.