Forklift Operator Resume Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Jodie Ramsay
(456) 789-0123
[email protected]
678 Third Street, Miami, FL 90213
Profile
Safety-conscious Forklift Operator with 2 years’ experience moving heavy loads and packaging shipments in large warehouse environments. Skilled at driving multiple forklift types, including stand-up and sit-down vehicles. Draw on strong knowledge of safe lifting techniques and safe work practices in sub-zero environments. Team player willing to work long shifts to support company goals without compromising output quality.
Key Skills
- Forklift Operation & Maintenance
- Machinery Troubleshooting
- RF Handheld Scanners
- Team Collaboration
- WMS Systems
Professional Experience
Forklift Operator, Sun Commodities, Miami, FL | February 2021 to Present
- Safely load and unload pallets of wholesale produce
- Perform daily maintenance and safety checks, and fix common mechanical problems
- Move products to specified storage spaces and manually unload and stack boxes while observing safe lifting practices
- Maintain a clean, unobstructed work area, and report any health or safety issues to supervisors
- Use RF scanners to keep accurate putaway records
Warehouse Associate, Capstone Logistics LLC, Miami, FL | June 2020 to February 2021
- Calculated load costs and processed payments
- Safely lifted and carried loads weighing up to 80 pounds
- Disposed of packing materials to maintain site safety per company guidelines
- Worked with teammates to efficiently handle freight shipments within strict deadlines
Education
Graduate, Miami Senior High School, Miami, FL | 2021
Electives Completed:
- Auto Mechanics
- Driver Education
- Production Technology
Credential
OSHA Forklift Certification | 2023
Erika Wisniewska
(876) 543-2109
[email protected]
567 My Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 34567
Profile
Reliable, safety-conscious Forklift Operator with a 6-year record performing injury-free heavy load lifting and moving in warehouses. Skilled at using both manual and automatic stock locator systems and RF scanners. Enjoy collaborating to meet time-sensitive goals in a fast-paced environment.
Key Skills
- Operation of stand-up forklifts and lift jacks
- Forklift maintenance and repair
- Warehouse health and safety procedures
- Team collaboration
Professional Experience
Stand-Up Forklift Operator, ProLogistix, Minneapolis, MN | January 2017 to Present
- Locate and package stock carefully to protect against damage during transit
- Check each order before shipment to ensure accurate product types and quantities
- Manually lift and carry loads of up to 50 pounds using safe handling methods
- Conduct safety checks on forklift vehicles before use, and perform regular maintenance
- Operate stand-up forklifts and mechanical jacks safely to load and unload cargo from trailers
- Work with a team of 5 lead warehouse personnel to oversee junior operators and pickers
Forklift Operator, PSG Global Solutions, Minneapolis, MN | February 2015 to January 2017
- Operated high-reach forklifts at heights of up to 35 feet using a harness
- Monitored and documented inventory
- Located and picked products for orders using a manual locator system, and accurately weighed and labeled each pallet
- Kept warehouse floor clear and hazard-free, and reconfigured racking when needed
Education & Credential
Graduate, Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, MN | 2014
OSHA Forklift Certification | 2015
Brian Eldridge
(012) 345-6789
[email protected]
678 My Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 78901
Profile
Hardworking Forklift Operator with 10+ years’ experience and detailed knowledge of stand-up and telescopic handler forklift use and maintenance. Skilled at performing heavy manual labor tasks while adhering to safe lifting protocols. Experience working in busy industrial warehouses in sub-zero conditions to demanding timescales. Equally effective working solo or on a team.
Key Skills
- Health & Safety Procedures
- Mechanical & Manual Pallet Jack Operation
- Reporting & Documentation
- Safe Manual Handling
- Team Collaboration
- Time Management
Professional Experience
Forklift Operator, Restaurant Depot, Philadelphia, PA | January 2016 to Present
- Safely load and unload pallets from trailers
- Inspect, maintain, and repair forklift machinery as needed
- Maintain a clean and clear work area, and report any hazards to management team
- Verify correct product quantity and type before each shipment
- Supervise and train new forklift operators on all safety protocols
- Draft weekly reports on forklift team’s productivity for upper management
Forklift Operator, Dietz & Watson, Philadelphia, PA | February 2011 to January 2016
- Labeled and thoroughly wrapped product pallets to prevent damage or infestation
- Used and maintained safety harness equipment to work safely at heights of up to 40 feet
- Operated scanning and radio frequency equipment for picking and putaway tasks
- Monitored and documented inventory per company guidelines
Education
Graduate, Central High School, Philadelphia, PA | 2010
Credential
OSHA Forklift Certification | 2011
Common Key Skills and Action Verbs for Forklift Operator Resumes
Highlighting your key skills and relevant action verbs can be crucial to getting your resume noticed. Many hiring managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to identify applicants with potential, saving them time and money. The ATS scans each resume, looking for these keywords and phrases, and highlights candidates that score well. These resumes are forwarded to the hiring manager for further evaluation. This means that if you have more skill keywords in your resume, there’s a greater chance that your resume will make it to their desk for an in-person review.
| Key Skills & Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Assembly line | Cherry picker |
| Communication | Detail-oriented |
| Docking | Forklift certification |
| General warehouse | Hand cart |
| Handy-eye coordination | Inventory control |
| Loading and unloading | Machinery operation |
| Order picker | Organization |
| Pallet jack | Safety awareness |
| Scanning | Scissor lifts |
| Shipping and receiving | Stocking |
| Teamwork | Time management |
| Trucking | Warehousing |
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Communicate | Dock |
| Label | Listen |
| Load | Manage |
| Operate | Organize |
| Pack | Pick |
| Receive | Scan |
| Ship | Stock |
| Unload | Warehouse |
Tips for Writing a Better Forklift Operator Resume
Feature your safety credentials
Safety is very important when operating any type of industrial machine, including a forklift. This is why all forklift operators must have OSHA-compliant certification. Employers know that a safe workplace is a productive workplace and are looking for candidates who are safety conscious. However, this requires more than just certification. Use your resume to demonstrate that you are safety conscious by talking about your safety record and training and actions you’ve taken to keep your workplace safe.
Example #1
Good
Inspected and performed minor maintenance on forklift and other equipment on a daily basis to ensure everything was operating safely
Bad
Regularly performed minor maintenance on forklift and other equipment
Example #2
Good
Trained junior forklift operators on correct stacking, pulling, and handling procedures to minimize safety issues and improve performance
Bad
Helped train junior forklift operators on correct procedures
Don’t undersell your forklift operator soft skills
It may seem like hard skills, such as operating scissor lifts, are the most important element to include on your forklift operator resume. However, there are soft skills that employers look for. Forklift operators need to be able to work in a team and communicate well with supervisors, colleagues, and also clients on occasion. Employers also look for organizational and time management skills, as they need candidates who can complete their work efficiently. In your resume, always emphasize a soft skill you excel in or one that is mentioned in the job description.
Example #1
Good
Worked with a team of five warehousing staff to organize picks, ensuring work was completed efficiently, and orders filled promptly
Bad
Helped organize picks and fill orders promptly
Example #2
Good
Communicated regularly with retail stores via telephone and email to determine needs of retail locations and adapted schedule according to changing priorities to ensure urgent orders were shipped first
Bad
Picked and sent shipments to retail stores based on priority
How to Align Your Resume With the Job Description
Job descriptions are used by hiring managers to define what they’re looking for in a candidate. They compare resumes to the job description, looking for those that include the skills and attributes they consider key priorities. Tailoring your resume to highlight these priorities can be essential in standing out from other applicants.
To determine which skills to feature, start by reading the job description closely. Take note of the most important requirements, which are generally listed first or mentioned multiple times. Compare your resume to this list and make sure it demonstrates that you can deliver on these priorities. To help your resume stand out, focus on your most notable achievements and avoid generic descriptions or copy and pasting.
Example Forklift Operator Job Description
R&S Incorporated is looking for a technically skilled forklift operator with excellent attention to detail. You will be responsible for locating, loading, unloading, moving, stacking, and tracking the inventory of heavy materials safely and efficiently. You will be working as part of a warehouse team and may also need to communicate with our stockists, retail staff, or online customers. This is a physically demanding role, and the ideal candidate will be responsible, diligent, and safety-conscious.
Responsibilities:
- Use a forklift to load, unload, ship, and receive warehouse items
- Secure loads to the machine before transport to ensure safety
- Utilize scanning technology to ensure correct products are picked, and inventory is kept updated
- Communicate to stockists, staff, and clients regarding their orders
- Inspect machinery to determine repair requirements and perform routine maintenance to ensure safety
- Move materials packed on pallets or in crates around the facility
- Identify and resolve or report workplace safety hazards
- Adhere to all health and safety policies and procedures
Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED
- Valid forklift certification
- Proficiency in operating machinery and scanners
- Good written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of working safely in a warehouse environment
- Good physical condition
- Demonstrated ability to inspect and maintain forklift and other machinery
The job description shows that the following experience and skills are considered priorities by the company:
- Forklift operation
- Loading and unloading
- Moving loads
- Secure loads
- Safety-conscious
- Inspect machinery
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Track inventory
See below for an example of how best to incorporate these attributes into your resume:
Forklift Operator Work Experience Example
Forklift Operator, Bailey Industries, New York City, NY
April 2015-Present
- Operate forklift and pallet jack to load, unload, and move materials and around the warehouse
- Work in a team of five to secure loads, inspect machinery, and maintain equipment and environment to ensure safe warehouse operations
- Use scanners to determine pick requirements, locate correct stock and keep inventory management systems updated
- Communicate with management and stockists to determine needs, resolve order issues, and notify them of any inventory shortages or delays
- Stay up-to-date with forklift certification and safe operating procedures