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Modern construction projects like roads, buildings, and bridges rely upon heavy equipment and the Heavy Equipment Operators who make them run. These operators drive and maneuver everything from forklifts and excavators to cranes, bulldozers, and the large trucks used in construction projects across the United States and around the world. If you are interested in a career in this field, we have the professional writers you need to craft a great resume and increase your chances of getting hired. In addition, be sure to check out the writing tips, resources, and Heavy Equipment Operator resume example we provide below.
Expert Tip
You should never use a creative resume
Many job seekers think that an eye-catching resume template will help them stand out to hiring managers and increase their chances of landing an interview. This is a myth put out by resume builders that value design over content.
The truth is that most hiring managers prefer a traditional resume format.
Creative resume templates, like the one pictured here, can actually hurt your chances of landing an interview. Instead, you should use a basic resume format that quickly communicates your basic information and qualifications–like the one included below.
Heavy Equipment Operator resume (text format)
How confident are you feeling about your resume? If you need more help, you can always refer to the following resume sample for a position.
Name
Title
City, State or Country if international
Phone | Email
LinkedIn URL
HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR PROFESSIONAL
A dedicated, detail-oriented Heavy Equipment Operator highly regarded for providing exceptional knowledge and support for construction projects. Out-of-the-box thinker who diligently addresses operational issues and ensures continued productivity. Known for superb work ethic, strong attention to detail, and the capacity to strictly enforce safety regulations and corporate policies. Recognized as well organized, demonstrating self-motivation, perseverance, and flexibility to ensure professional results exceed all expectations.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Collaboration
Relationship Building
Logistics Management
Safety Management
Project Coordination
Team Leadership
Production Scheduling
Inventory Management
Problem Resolver
Construction
Maintenance Planning
Communication
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Heavy Equipment Operator
Company, City, ST Year-to-Year
Responsibilities
Operated [Equipment], [Equipment] and [Equipment] to complete jobs in a timely and safe manner.
Used forklifts, hand trucks, scissor lifts and other equipment to move materials around work sites and organized according to need.
Maintained and cleaned equipment after each job and inspected.
Operated commercial vehicle to transport equipment and job-specific machinery to and from job sites.
Operated equipment such as [Machine type] and [Machine type].
Applied chemical solutions and used polishing machines to clean all installation surfaces, equipment, tools, work sites and storage areas.
Oversaw inventory, equipment maintenance and bay cleaning.
Repaired wiring, plumbing, equipment, and machinery.
Welded metal parts with gas welding equipment as specified by layout, welding diagram, or work order.
Requisitioned new supplies and equipment.
Operated variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, cranes, drill press, forklift, and basic hand tools.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Company, City, ST Year-to-Year
Responsibilities
Installed, aligned, and balanced new equipment.
Supported technicians in equipment maintenance and repair.
Drove vehicles to and from work sites and maintained a clean driving record.
Graded earth and smoothed surfaces as part of projects or finish work.
Erected structural components, poured concrete, and completed other construction-related tasks.
Read work orders to prepare for machine setup.
Heavy Equipment Operator
Company, City, ST Year-to-Year
Responsibilities
Safely operated mowers, snow blowers, chain saws, electric clippers, sod cutters and pruning saws.
Maintained documentation for areas such as orders, activities, schedules, and employee performance.
Prepared and administered preventative maintenance work orders.
Ensured timely response in picking and packing of reorders.
Attended monthly safety meetings to ensure machine operation safety.
Inspected machine parts for conformance to product specifications.
Followed standards and procedures to maintain safe work environment.
EDUCATION
Complete School Name, City, St/Country: List Graduation Years If Within the Last Ten Years
Complete Degree Name (Candidate) – Major (GPA: List if over 3.3)
Relevant Coursework: List coursework taken (even include those you are planning on taking)
Awards/Honors: List any awards, honors or big achievements
Clubs/Activities: List clubs and activities in which you participated
Relevant Projects: List 2-3 projects you have worked on
Everything you need to write your heavy equipment operator resume
Now that you’ve seen an example of a job winning Heavy Equipment Operator resume, here are some tips to help you write your own. You should always begin with a summary section. Remember to use basic formatting with clear section headings and a traditional layout. Finally, be sure to include top skills throughout your resume. We’ve included several examples common for Heavy Equipment Operator below.
Let’s start with your resume summary section.
1. Summary
The resume summary replaces the out-of-date resume objective. A summary outlines the most impressive parts of your resume for easy recall by your potential employer, while also serving to fill in personal qualities that may not appear elsewhere on the page. Remember that summaries are short and consist of pithy sentence fragments! You can check out the Heavy Equipment Operator resume example for more information!
Expert Tip
Always start with your most recent positions at the top of your resume. This is called reverse-chronological format, and keeps your most relevant information easy for hiring managers to review.
2. Formatting
Our experts recommend you start your resume with a resume summary, like the one above. Other common sections are Work Experience, Education, and either Skills or Core Competencies. Here are some guides from our blog to help you write these sections:
Some resumes will include other sections, such as Volunteer Experience or Technical Skills. When it comes to what sections you need to include on your resume, you will know best!
Other sections for you to consider including are foreign language skills, awards and honors, certifications, and speaking engagements. These could all be relevant sections for your resume.
3. Appropriate skills
Collaboration
Relationship Building
Logistics Management
Safety Management
Project Coordination
Team Leadership
Production Scheduling
Inventory Management
Problem Resolver
Construction
Maintenance Planning
Communication
Equipment Operation Experience (specify the equipment)
Proficiency with Blueprints, Manuals, and Schematics
Attention to Detail
4. Experience section
Your Work Experience section should make up the bulk of your resume. This section should include your relevant job titles, companies that employed you, and the dates you were employed.
The bulk of your Heavy Equipment Operator resume should be the Work Experience section. While this section should include your relevant job titles, employers, and the dates you were employed, it should also highlight your accomplishments and key skills. Don’t forget that employers are looking for more than just a driver and operator; they also prefer employees who understand their machines, are focused on safety, and have well-hones soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and good communication. For example, let's dissect two bullet points from the example above: • Supported technicians in equipment maintenance and repair. While many of the sample resume’s work experience details describe the type of equipment the candidate operated in previous jobs, this statement focuses on other aspects of the operator’s role. Specifically, the applicant highlights both teamwork and leadership, as well as a proficient understanding of equipment maintenance needs. • Maintained documentation for areas such as orders, activities, schedules and employee performance. In this example, the applicant focuses on other important aspects of the operator’s job that involve properly documenting activities on the worksite. The statement effectively showcases an understanding of the need for proper documentation, as well as organizational skills, time management, and a commitment to work quality.
Let’s wrap it up!
Standout resumes will include a resume summary, a traditional reverse-chronological layout, and the skills and experience relevant to your job target. This resume example shows how to include those elements on a page. It’s up to you to insert your personal compelling qualifications.
Keep your resume format easy to scan by both humans and computers; our resume template is designed by our experts to satisfy both audiences. And be sure to include your own skills, achievements, and experiences. Job-winning resumes are resumes that successfully market you, leading recruiters and hiring managers to want to learn more!
Finally, emphasize your interest with a customized cover letter. When writing, remember that the resume and cover letter should support each other. Check out our cover letter tips and examples for more advice.
Didn’t get the specific answers you were looking for on this page? Hire a professional resume writer to get the advice you need to land your next job.
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