How To Write a Contemporary Truck Driver Resume
To build a contemporary truck driver resume, you must provide an in-depth view of your commercial truck driving experience. Draw attention to the monetary value of the shipments, the number of hours you drove, or your on-time delivery rate. Showcase your route planning skills and knowledge of The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) safety regulations. Create compelling content and bullet points that frame seemingly route job tasks as achievements to grab the reader’s attention.
Below, you’ll find some expert tips to help you craft an accomplishment-driven resume.
- Entry-level
- Mid-level
- Senior-level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your contemporary truck driver qualifications
When writing your resume profile, start with a sentence that highlights your experience and skills as a truck driver. For example, “A Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) Truck Driver with five years of commercial driving experience, specializing in OSHA safety, materials handling, and vehicle maintenance.”
List your key skills relevant to the job you are applying for and emphasize your achievements in the field of truck driving. It’s a good idea to customize your profile to match the requirements of the job you are applying for. Use keywords from the job description to make your profile more relevant to the hiring manager. Remember to keep your profile concise and to the point. Your goal is to grab the hiring manager’s attention and make them want to learn more about you.
Senior-Level Profile Example
A Certified Class A CDL Truck Driver with 10+ years of experience, specializing in route planning, DOT regulations, vehicle maintenance, and commercial truck driving. A strong history of optimizing shipment routes and maintaining a 97% on-time delivery rate.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A CDL Certified Truck Driver with entry-level experience, specializing in route navigation, vehicle maintenance, customer service, and logistics planning. A strong history of ensuring compliance with safety regulations and maintaining a 93% on-time delivery rating.
2. Add a compelling section featuring your contemporary truck driver experience
Incorporating numbers and metrics from your career into your resume can significantly enhance the impact of your bullet points. For employers, your on-time delivery rate will likely be the most important metric to include, but other opportunities can quantify your truck driving experience. For instance, you could mention how you optimize route planning to reduce labor hours or improve customer satisfaction. Regardless of the scale of your accomplishments, frame your bullet points proactively, emphasizing your ability to create value for your employers.
Another important aspect of your experience that hiring managers will be looking for is your knowledge of OSHA and DOT safety regulations. When operating vehicles with heavier capacities, the risk of safety issues increases significantly. Data indicates there were over 4,842 fatal accidents in 2020, which was an 18% increase from 2011. This means hiring managers will be much more interested in candidates with strong knowledge of vehicle and road safety standards.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Truck Driver, HVAC Solutions Inc., Minneapolis, MN
May 2016 – Present
- Operate tractor-trailers, semi-trailers, and freight haulers for shipments valued at up to $300K, conduct safety inspections of vehicles in compliance with OSHA standards, and maintain an annual on-time delivery rate of 97%
- Identify route inefficiencies and provide recommendations to optimize route planning activities, resulting in a reduction of 2.5K driving hours and over $100K in annual savings
- Coordinate with the fleet manager to provide training to 15+ new hires on inventory management processes, safety protocols, and daily operating procedures
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Truck Driver, UPS, Nashville, TN
May 2022 – Present
- Perform timely delivery of mail shipments, conduct inspections and labeling of packages prior to loading, and maintain a 93% on-time delivery rating
- Conduct pre-trip safety inspections on company vehicles, troubleshoot issues, and create reports for the transportation manager on defects, safety risks, equipment, and policies
- Create daily logs of mileage, routes, shipments, and cargo and identify potential improvements to optimize routes and delivery times
3. List any education and certifications relevant to contemporary truck driver
The most important aspect to feature on your resume is your CDL license — this is the first thing the hiring manager will look for in addition to the Class A CDL, the gold standard for commercial truck drivers.
Many other certifications beyond your licensure will look great on your resume. For example, getting a hazardous materials (Hazmat or H) endorsement will certify you to transport large shipments of hazardous materials and may open a career path toward higher-paying job opportunities. In the example below, the job seeker has obtained numerous endorsements, which should provide them with a significant edge over the competition.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- High School Diploma
- Southwest Senior High, Minneapolis, MN | 2020
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- CDL Hazmat (H) Endorsement, State of Tennessee | 2018
- OSHA Safety Training | 2018
4. List key contemporary truck driver skills and proficiencies
Many employers rely on applicant tracking systems (ATS) to identify qualified candidates during the hiring process. To ensure your document meets the necessary criteria of the ATS scan, incorporate specific keywords from the job description into your resume. Although some may be obvious, such as Class A CDL license or OSHA safety, others may be less clear.
Below is a list of keywords you may encounter in your job search:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Class A CDL license | Commercial delivery |
| Commercial truck driving | Customer service |
| DOT regulations | Fleet management |
| Forklift operation | Freight haulers |
| GPS navigation | Hazardous materials handling |
| HAZMAT | Inventory management |
| Logistics planning | On-time delivery |
| OSHA safety | Route navigation |
| Route planning | Safe driving |
| Semi-trailers | Tankers |
| Tractor trailers | Traffic laws |
| Vehicle maintenance | |
1. What are the most in-demand skills for contemporary truck drivers that should be featured on a candidate’s resume? Please include both hard and soft skills. -
When crafting a resume for a truck driving position, incorporate both traditional and modern skills.
Hard skills:
- Autonomous systems: Familiarity with semi-autonomous driving assist technologies
- CDL
- Defensive driving: Special training or certifications in defensive driving techniques
- Electronic logging devices (ELD)
- GPS navigation: Expertise in using advanced GPS systems for route planning
- Safety protocols: Knowledge of current DOT regulations and other safety guidelines
- Tech-savvy: Ability to use real-time cargo tracking software and mobile apps for truckers
- Vehicle maintenance: Basic troubleshooting and preventative maintenance
Soft skills:
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Decision-making
- Reliability
- Situational awareness
- Teamwork
- Time management
The skills required for a truck driver may change depending on the specific industry that a candidate chooses to pursue. Let’s say you are interested in pursuing a career in the transportation of hazardous materials. Highlight any related skills, including hard skills such as knowledge of regulations and soft skills similar to dependability and responsibility.
2. What work experience and other accomplishments are hiring managers looking for in a contemporary truck driver?-
Hiring managers in the trucking industry look for drivers with a mix of experience:
- A strong track record in long-haul or specialized freight deliveries
- Familiarity with modern tech like real-time cargo tracking and semi-autonomous driving systems can set you apart
- Safety is paramount, so any certifications or recognitions related to safe driving are highly valued
- Proven skills in customer service, teamwork, and adaptability to changing regulations or technologies can make you a standout candidate
3. What else, in addition to a resume, should a contemporary truck driver candidate be prepared to provide hiring managers?-
To set themselves apart, truck drivers can add a few extra items to their application, along with their resume:
- A cover letter that highlights key skills, experience, and more
- Professional references from previous employers or managers to strengthen your credibility
- A portfolio of safety certifications or special training can also be a big plus
- Logs or metrics that demonstrate your reliability and efficiency
Additionally, some companies may request a driving test or simulator exercise to assess your practical skills.
4. What advice would you give a contemporary truck driver candidate about their job search? -
The trucking industry is evolving, and so are its job opportunities. The advice I would give to a truck driver candidate in their job search would be to:
- Customize your resume to showcase hard and soft skills matching the job description.
- Network, network, network! Utilize specialized trucking job boards and social media to connect with potential employers or employees — referrals can go a long way.
- Stay current on technologies and regulations within the industry or the more niche fields.
- Finding the right fit is important. Respectfully treat the interview process as a two-way street — they are interviewing you, but you are also interviewing them.
It can take time and patience to find the right job, company, and culture. Stay positive, and know you’ve got this.
How To Pick the Best Contemporary Truck Driver Resume Template
When selecting your template, choose a layout that is well-structured, clean, and readable. Strong visual elements may seem appealing, but they can also distract from your content. Avoid flashy colors, overly decorative fonts, and bulky graphics. Opt for a simple, elegant template that places your certifications, skills, and experience at the forefront of your resume.
Contemporary Truck Driver Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Joseph Corbin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 W Adams Ave, Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
A Class A CDL Truck Driver with five years of commercial driving experience, specializing in OSHA safety, materials handling, and vehicle maintenance. A proven track record of executing large deliveries across multiple states and maintaining a 96% on-time delivery rate.
Professional Experience
Truck Driver, Delivery Solutions Trucking Co., Detroit, MI
May 2018 – Present
- Operate freight haulers and tractor-trailers to deliver 35K pound shipments, perform deliveries with a 97% on-time delivery rating, and drive an average of over 2K miles per week across three states
- Ensure safe handling of hazardous materials during shipment, including performing pre-trip inspections of cargo
- Perform routine maintenance and inspections of vehicles to identify potential defects, prevent accidents, and ensure compliance with OSHA safety regulations
Truck Driver, Murphy Construction Partners, Detroit, MI
August 2016 – May 2018
- Execute deliveries of materials, dirt, lumber, and steel to construction sites, operate semi-trailers and freight haulers, utilize forklifts to load shipments
- Coordinate with the transportation manager to adjust routes based on traffic, accidents, road work, and weather conditions
Education
CDL Training Program
Detroit Trucking School, Detroit, MI February 2016 – August 2016
High School Diploma
Henry Ford High School, Detroit, MI September 2012 – June 2016
Key Skills
- Commercial Truck Driving
- Hazardous Materials Handling
- Route Planning
- OSHA Safety
- Logistics Planning
Certifications
- CDL Hazmat (H) Endorsement, State of Tennessee, 2018
- CDL Tanker (N) Endorsement, State of Tennessee, 2018
- Class A CDL License, State of Tennessee, 2016
- OSHA Safety Training, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions: Contemporary Truck Driver Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for contemporary truck driver resumes?-
You may run short on action verbs during the resume-building process. Identifying alternative vocabulary to describe an achievement or job responsibility may be difficult in some cases. Incorporating a mix of action verbs can help keep your content fresh and enhance the overall reading experience for the hiring manager.
Below is a list of action verbs you can use to improve the quality of your bullet points:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Collaborate |
| Conduct | Coordinate |
| Deliver | Diagnose |
| Drive | Enhance |
| Ensure | Examine |
| Implement | Maintain |
| Manage | Oversee |
| Perform | Plan |
| Repair | Resolve |
| Support | Transport |
How do you align your resume with a contemporary truck driver job description?-
The average annual salary for a truck driver varies depending on your certifications and the type of vehicle you’re driving. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for delivery truck drivers was $40,410 in May 2022, while drivers who operated heavy tractor-trailers generated $49,920 in May 2022.
Now that you’ve seen examples of how to write a contemporary truck driver resume, you need to tailor your document to the job description. Pay close attention to the types of trucks you’ll be operating in the new position, and be sure to mention your experience driving and maintaining them in your bullet points. If the organization emphasizes its safety culture, include your knowledge of OSHA standards directly in your professional profile.
The key to grabbing the hiring manager’s attention is to feature the most relevant aspects of your commercial driving experience as close as possible to the top of your document. Aligning your resume with the needs of individual employers will go a long way in securing your next interview.
What is the best contemporary truck driver resume format?-
When creating a resume for a truck driver job, it’s important to choose a format that emphasizes your skills and experience in the industry. The reverse chronological format is the most commonly used format and is ideal for those with a solid work history in the industry. This approach lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. It also includes traditional elements of a resume, like work history, education, and contact information.
Remember, a cover letter should be fairly succinct. Don’t exceed more than 400 words — 250 to 300 is ideal. For more information and ideas, view our truck driver cover letter examples.
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