How To Write a Forklift Operator Resume
As a forklift operator, your resume must show your technical skills and commitment to safety protocols. Organizations want to know they can trust you to move their materials safely and efficiently. With the tips and examples below, you’ll learn how to create a strong resume that impresses employers and gets you interviews for your next forklift operator job.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Create a profile by summarizing your forklift operator qualifications
In a short paragraph at the top of your resume, provide your job title, years of experience, and two to three key reasons you’re the right forklift operator for the role. If you can operate multiple forklift models, cite those and any other equipment or machinery relevant to your target job. With safety being key to your vocation, mention any related highlights, such as a multi-year streak of working with zero injuries or high compliance scores on safety audits.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Hardworking forklift operator with over 10 years experience and detailed knowledge of stand-up and telescopic handler forklift use and maintenance. Skilled at performing heavy manual labor 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.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Safety-conscious forklift operator with two 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 work practices in sub-zero environments. Team player willing to work long shifts to support company goals without compromising output quality.
2. Outline your forklift operator experience in a compelling list
Employers want forklift operators who handle and repair machinery and help keep facilities safe and productive. In your professional experience section, highlight your achievements to show you can meet and exceed expectations, and try to quantify your results. For example, mention how many tons of material you moved per shift, how many deliveries you made daily, or the rate of increased warehouse efficiency you contributed to. Focus your bullet points on relevant skills such as your proficiency in different forklift models, expertise navigating confined spaces, or adherence to safety protocols.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
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 (RF) equipment for picking and putaway tasks
- Monitored and documented inventory per company guidelines
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
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
3. Add forklift operator education and certifications
Give basic details on your highest education degree, along with any pertinent licenses or credentials you’ve earned as a material mover. Certifications in OSHA compliance, forklift operation, or material handling show your grasp of industry safety standards and commitment to operational excellence.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- High School Diploma
- Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, MN | 2014
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Year]
Example
- Forklift Certification, OSHA | 2015
4. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to forklift operators
Devote a section of your resume to your skills specific to the forklift operator role you’re after. Review the job posting for keywords and skills to include in this section. This strategy helps get your resume through any applicant tracking systems (ATS) the employer may use. Below are some key skills hiring managers often look for in a forklift operator resume.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cherry picker operation | Efficiency improvement |
| Forklift maintenance and repair | Hand-eye coordination |
| Inventory control | Machinery troubleshooting |
| Mechanical and manual pallet jack operation | Order picker operation |
| Reporting and documentation | RF handheld scanners |
| Safe manual handling | Scissor lift operation |
| Shipping and receiving | Stand-up forklift operation |
| Team collaboration | Time management |
| Warehouse health and safety procedures | Warehouse operations |
| Warehouse management system (WMS) | |
How To Pick the Best Forklift Operator Resume Template
The best resume template will feature your work skills and highlights while maintaining a clean and organized appearance. Choose a template with a simple and professional design. Avoid elaborate fonts, colors, or graphics that might distract from your resume content. A balanced layout with plenty of white space keeps your strengths as the focal point, allowing employers to navigate your information easily.
Forklift Operator Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
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
Frequently Asked Questions: Forklift Operator Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for forklift operator resumes?-
Finding the right words to convey the scope of your duties can be challenging, so we created the following list of action verbs. Consider using some of these to catch hiring managers’ attention and write a more engaging forklift operator resume.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Assembled | Created |
| Coordinated | Delivered |
| Docked | Drove |
| Expedited | Improved |
| Lifted | Loaded |
| Lowered | Maintained |
| Maneuvered | Maximized |
| Operated | Optimized |
| Organized | Picked |
| Prioritized | Raised |
| Received | Repaired |
| Scanned | Shipped |
| Stocked | Streamlined |
| Unloaded | Verified |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts employment for all industrial truck and tractor operators (including forklift operators) will grow 7% from 2021 to 2031, equal to around 54,000 new positions over the decade.
When applying for a specific forklift operator job, it’s important to tailor your resume. This strategy impresses hiring managers by showing you align with the job requirements and are interested in the role. Read the job posting thoroughly to understand the core duties and required qualifications. Identify keywords and phrases that reflect what the employer seeks in a candidate, then cite any you possess in your profile or key skills section. For example, if the job requires expertise in certain forklift models, feature those skills prominently. Also, consider mentioning your ability to work in similar warehouse environments or equipment setups.
What is the best forklift operator resume format?-
Most forklift operators should use the combination (or hybrid) format. True to its name, this format combines important features of other resume formats: the chronological format’s experience section, and the functional format’s profile section.
A combination resume offers you the best of both worlds by fusing these two features. The experience section gives you an overview of your recent work history – essential information for most employers. At the same time, the profile section lets you showcase your career highlights at the top, regardless if they’re from that work history or another part of your background. The resulting resume is straightforward yet strategic. It gives hiring managers the clearest possible view of your experience and relevant strengths, so they can make an informed decision about moving ahead with your candidacy.
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