If you've been working in public transportation, your job opportunities in that field have hit a wall thanks to the coronavirus. The latest government figures report nearly 682,000 bus drivers in the U.S., about 370,000 taxi drivers and chauffeurs, nearly 2 million heavy truck drivers and almost 35,000 train engineers. These numbers show how many people it takes to keep Americans moving — but they also reflect what can happen when America comes to a stop because of COVID-19.
Still, the skills that these workers have are critical now in the U.S., and current and former transportation workers can translate their experience and abilities into jobs with other employers.
Transferable skills to emphasize on your resume
Whether you drove a taxi, bus or train, you have hard skills, technical skills and even soft skills, such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving, that can be used in many different jobs. These "transferable skills" — the abilities and experiences that are useful across industries — can help you stand out from other job seekers.
By emphasizing these skills on your resume, you help an employer envision you putting those skills to work for them, and it will make you more competitive against other job seekers. Here are some hard, technical and soft skills and relevant training or certifications that you may have gained during your time in public transportation that you should consider adding to your resume:
Hard skills: Railroad conductor technology, competent driving skills, geographic knowledge, vehicle maintenance
Technical skills: driving large vehicles, geographic knowledge, safe driving practices
Soft skills: customer service, empathy, teamwork, flexibility, communication, problem-solving
Certifications and training: Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) Certificate, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), California Special Driver Certificate, Federal Railroad Administration Conductor Certification
These industries are hiring people with your skills:
If you were a bus driver, chauffeur, taxi driver, truck driver, transportation supervisor, medical driver, transportation security officer, or train engineer, you might for qualified for one of these roles:
- Truck driver (for example, a truck driver for Walmart)
- Shipping courier (for example, a driver for FedEx)
- Food delivery driver (for example, a driver for InstaCart or Dominoes)
- Grocery store stocker (for example, at Publix)
- Bus driver (for example, for an assisted living facility)
- Hearst driver (for example, for a funeral home)
How to apply for these roles and what you’ll need:
In person:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- Identification, such as a driver’s license or passport
Online:
- A current email address and phone number
- A resume
- A brief cover letter
How to find these jobs in your community:
Do I need a resume during the COVID crisis?
Many employers like grocery stores and shipping operations need workers fast and are hiring by the hundreds. Many are waiving the requirement to have a resume. Still, it's best to be prepared since employers may have various requirements.
In addition, you may also need a cover letter. For the roles highlighted on this page, your cover letter should be brief, targeted to the job and employer and not simply a repetition of your resume. It should include a few short paragraphs on who you are, what you can offer and what attracted you.
Below, we’ve provided a sample resume for you to review.
Text resume example: A delivery driver applying for FedEx driver role
Name: Christopher Leary
Address: Fairfax, VA 22032
Email: example@example.com
Phone number: 555-555-5555
Summary Statement:
Responsible delivery driver with an incident-free driving record of 20 years seeks position as a driver for FedEx. Extensive trip planning, geography and DOT regulations knowledge. Detail-oriented with strong skills in organization, time management and communication.
Summary of Skills:
- Customer service oriented
- Dependable, punctual
- Safety conscious
- Efficient and accurate
- Problem solver
- Clean driving record
- Valid commercial driver’s license in Virginia
Work History
Delivery driver
Macy’s
Fairfax, VA
05/2004–02/2020
- Delivered merchandise to local store branches
- Operated company vehicle safely and only for company business
- Coordinated routes with efficiency and service in mind.
- Kept accurate records to ensure merchandise delivered to correct store, department and receiving clerk
- Used company delivery technology to record delivery of goods
- Adhered to all company policies and government regulations.
Delivery driver
A-1 Automotive
Fairfax, VA
05/2004–05/2000
- Worked in-store to stock shelves as well as delivery driver
- Maintained customer service standards by being friendly to all customers and working to ensure satisfaction
- Notified management of inventory needs
- Prepared daily deliveries and routes
Education
Fairfax High School
1999
Licences & Certifications
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Fleet-safety Certified
LiveCareer Resume Builder example: A delivery driver applying for FedEx driver role
