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
Professional and safety-conscious forklift operator with two years’ experience moving heavy loads and packaging shipments in large warehouse environments. Competent at driving multiple forklift types, including stand-up and sit-down vehicles. Excellent knowledge of safe lifting techniques and injury-free throughout employment. Strong team player and willing to work long shifts to support company targets without compromising output quality.
Key Skills
- Forklift operation and maintenance
- Experience using RF handheld scanners and WMS systems
- Able to perform basic machinery troubleshooting tasks
- Clear verbal communicator
- Strong teamwork skills
- Detailed knowledge of safe working practices in sub-zero environments
Education
High School Diploma
Miami Senior High School, Miami, FL, June 2019
Electives Completed:
- Auto Mechanics
- Driver Education
- Production Technology
Professional Experience
Forklift Operator, Sun Commodities, Miami, FL
February 2019 – Present
- Safely load and unload pallets of wholesale produce using forklift vehicles
- Perform daily maintenance and safety checks and carry out fixes to solve common mechanical problems
- Move products to specified storage spaces and manually unload and stack boxes, observing safe lifting practices
- Maintain a clean, unobstructed work area and report health and safety issues to supervisors
- Use RF scanners to keep accurate putaway records
Warehouse Associate, Capstone Logistics LLC, Miami, FL
June 2019 – February 2019
- Calculated load costs and processed payments
- Safely lifted and carried loads weighing up to 80 pounds
- Tidied and disposed of packing materials following company guidelines to maintain site safety
- Worked with teammates to efficiently handle freight shipments to challenging deadlines
Certifications
- OSHA Forklift Certification, January 2021
Erika Wisniewska
(876) 543-2109
[email protected]
567 My Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 34567
Profile
Experienced and safety-conscious forklift operator with a 6-year track record performing injury-free heavy load lifting and moving in warehouses. Expert in the operation and maintenance of stand-up forklifts and competent to perform equipment repairs. Skilled at using both manual and automatic stock locator systems and RF scanners. Enjoys the challenge of working collaboratively in a fast-paced environment to meet time-sensitive targets.
Professional Experience
Stand-Up Forklift Operator, ProLogistix, Minneapolis, MN
January 2017 – Present
- Locate stock using locator system and package carefully for transit to protect against damage and pests
- Check each order before shipping to ensure product types and quantities are correct
- Manually lift and carry loads weighing up to 50 pounds using safe handling techniques
- Perform safety checks on forklift vehicles before use and carry out regular maintenance tasks
- Operate stand-up forklifts and mechanical jacks safely to load and unload cargo from trailers
- Work with a team of five lead warehouse personnel to oversee junior operators and pickers
Forklift Operator, PSG Global Solutions, Minneapolis, MN
February 2015 – January 2017
- Operated high-reach forklifts at heights of up to 35 feet using a harness
- Performed stocktakes and kept accurate inventory records
- 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 performed racking reconfiguration where necessary
Education
High School Diploma
Roosevelt High School, Minneapolis, MN, June 2014
Key Skills
- Skilled operation of stand-up forklifts and lift jacks
- Forklift maintenance and repair
- Detailed knowledge of warehouse health and safety procedures
- Strong communication and teamwork skills
- Excellent mathematical ability
- Hardworking and reliable
Certifications
- OSHA Forklift Certification, 2015
Brian Eldridge
(012) 345-6789
[email protected]
678 My Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA 78901
Profile
Seasoned forklift operator with 10+ years’ experience and detailed knowledge of stand-up and telescopic handler forklift use and maintenance. Strong work ethic and ability to perform heavy manual labor tasks while adhering to safe lifting protocols. Experience working in busy industrial warehouses in sub-zero conditions to demanding timescales. Clear communicator and able to work collaboratively with a team and independently under own initiative.
Professional Experience
Forklift Operator, Restaurant Depot, Philadelphia, PA
January 2016 – Present
- Safely load and unload pallets from trailers using forklift machinery
- Inspect forklifts at the start and end of each shift and carry out routine maintenance and troubleshooting
- Maintain a clean and clear working area and report any hazards to the management team
- Check product quantity and type against documentation before shipping
- Supervise and train new forklift operators, including all safety protocol
- Communicate weekly reports on productivity of the forklift team to upper management
Forklift Operator, Dietz and Watson, Philadelphia, PA
February 2011 – January 2016
- Accurately labeled product pallets and wrapped them thoroughly to minimize the chance of 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
- Conducted stock inventories and completed necessary paperwork according to company guidelines
Education
High School Diploma
Central High School, Philadelphia, PA, June 2010
Key Skills
- Excellent standard of written and spoken English
- Skilled at operating mechanical and manual pallet jacks
- Accurate record-keeping
- Team player
- Knowledgeable on health and safety procedures and safe manual handling
- Time management
Certifications
- 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