As our economy, worldwide, recovers from the Pandemic or attempts to, many people are looking for work. Whether this is the first time, in a long time that you find yourself looking for a job or you have been searching for quite some time, please read below. Here are some tips for perfecting your resume as a forklift operator (and more).
Cover Letter
Should the ad require a cover letter please consider the following when writing it.it. Resumes look towards the past, cover letters look towards the future. Use the cover letter as a chance to show how your past experiences in the industry are relevant to this new position. This is also an opportunity to display your awareness of the company’s needs and your enthusiasm for the position.
Again, a cover letter isn’t always necessary but is a great opportunity to highlight what you will bring to the team. You can discuss the following:
Your cover letter should be only a paragraph two or three paragraphs in length, accurate and to the point. There are many cover letter and resume templates you can find online with a quick google search. Try searching for keywords “forklift operator+resume package” or “forklift operator cover letter”.
Resume Objective
Writing an objective on your resume is the most daunting task when it comes to creating your resume. The template below can help take some of the guessing out of it and help get your reader straight to the point.
Start your resume objective with a strong trait, add 2-3 skills, describe your professional goals and say what you hope to do for the company. State the position in which you are applying for and with that company. Mention the perspective company by name.
Here is a short template to help get you started:
[SKILL/EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION WITH JOB TITLE]. Looking to apply my [years/months of EXPERIENCE] at [COMPANY], to help [TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES YOU WILL HELP OUT WITH SUCCESSFULLY].
“Your cover letter should be only a paragraph two or three paragraphs in length, accurate and to the point.”
Resume Length
The perfect resume length is easily one of the greatest debates. Is one page too little, are three pages the only way to really get your experience well laid out, or are fitting your resume on two-pages the sweet spot? This question will leave you wondering, and a quick online search will leave you even more undecided.
The answer is that there is no right answer. You can start by listing all of your relevant industry experience and work backwards from that. Once you see how much space is remaining. I typically like to have 1/2 of my resume to be experience, ¼ split between skills and objective and the rest is heading, certifications, etc.
A general rule of thumb when it comes to picking a healthy resume length is a one-page resume would work in a situation where your experience is at one or two companies. A two-page resume could be considered when you have a robust technical background, you’ve made a significant impact on your previous role, or you have extensive work history going through 3, 4, or more places of employment.
Last, a three+ page resume would be reserved for situations where you are at an executive level or high-seniority and a portfolio style resume is necessary. Also, sometimes HR can request such detailed information as part of your onboarding should you get hired for the role.
Skills & Experience
These should be listed in either chronological (with most recent dates first) or by order of importance.
Education & Training
This area of your resume should list your current degree or education in progress, first, including the dates you started and/or graduated. A field of study does help but a G.P.A. is not required.
Professional References
A simple rule to remember when deciding if and what references to include is to NOT include references on a resume unless an employer asks you to. Should you list a refer be sure to ask them for permission or give that person a heads up that they may be called by whichever company it is you listed them with.