Forklift Operator Resume Template for MS Word

Your summary statement is where you introduce yourself to employers, since it will be at the top of your resume and the first thing hiring managers see. Make a good first impression by highlighting the skills and experience that best match the job for which you’re applying. You can do this by quoting some of the important phrases or keywords from the job description and explaining how you fit the requirements.

Summary statements should be brief and to the point, including no more than three sentences or three bullet points. It’s a great place to introduce the following information:

• Your professional job title and years of experience

• Two to three of your most relevant skills

• Accomplishments or expertise gained on the job

Read over our forklift operator resume template for Word for more help writing a strong summary statement, and review these examples for more ideas:

Example 1

Forklift operator with five years’ experience in warehouse and dock work. Knowledgeable of industry safety standards and protocols. Computer literate and practiced at maintaining shipping and receiving records.

Example 2

Skilled forklift operator with freight-handling experience. Dedicated to maintaining high safety standards. Highly organized and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Example 3

• Forklift operator with seven years’ experience

• Current forklift certification and hazmat training

• Strong record of meeting all shipping deadlines

Example 4

• Dedicated dock worker with two years’ experience in forklift operation

• Impeccable safety record

• Skilled at shipping and receiving, quality assurance and record keeping

The skills section of your resume is where you outline your relevant skills in a way that’s easy for hiring managers to read and understand at a glance. The best way to list your skills is in bullet points, using sentence fragments so your skills aren’t bogged down with unnecessary language. It’s a good idea to include approximately six to eight skills relevant to the job for which you’re applying. Check out our forklift operator resume template for Word and follow these tips for a skills section that will get you noticed:

• List your most important skills first

• Use keywords from the job description to better align your skills with the position

• Use short phrases to make your skills section easier to read

Here are some of the top skills for forklift operators. Use the ones that fit your experience.

• Experienced in maintaining safety protocols and procedures

• Knowledgeable of packing procedures to reduce breakage in transit

• Able to lift up to 75 lbs on a regular basis

• Skilled at maintaining shipping and receiving records

• Able to meet tight production schedules

• Computer literate and proficient in Microsoft Office Suite programs

• Organized and efficient at completing paperwork

In the work history section, you can get a bit more detailed about your accomplishments on the job. Think of this section as the area where you prove the claims you made about your abilities and experience in the summary statement and skills sections. Read over the forklift operator resume template for Word and then follow these guidelines to create a strong work history section.

• Use concrete numbers and metrics whenever possible to quantify your accomplishments

• Include five to eight bullet points for each of your former positions

• Present your work history in reverse chronological order, with your current position first

• Use active verbs to describe your duties and accomplishments

Here are some examples of potential entries for your forklift operator work experience section:

• Maintained perfect safety record, with zero accidents over three years on the job

• Met all production schedules and performance goals

• Implemented new packing and shipping procedures that decreased breakage by five percent

• Developed detailed records of all incoming and outgoing shipments

The education section is crucial for some positions and less important for others. Your education section may not seem especially important for a job as a forklift operator, but there may be certain requirements for different levels of employment. Additionally, you may be required to hold specialized certifications or training. Read over the education section in the forklift operator resume template for Word and follow these best practices for writing a strong education section:

• Include certifications, licenses, training and volunteer work relevant to the position

• List your most recent education first

• If you completed coursework but did not earn a degree, state that you took coursework in a particular field and list the college or university

Example 1

Certification: Hazardous Material Handling and Disposal – 2015

State Certification Board – Los Angeles, CA

Certification: Forklift Operation – 2011

Los Angeles Workforce Commission – Los Angeles, CA

Example 2

Certification: Forklift Operation – 2014

OSHA Outreach Training Program – Chicago, IL

Coursework in Machine Technology – 2013

Great Lakes Community College – Chicago, IL