Crane operator resume

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Key skills for a crane operator resume

Terms that job ads ask for and ATS filters look for. Only include the ones you master.

  • Mobile cranes
  • Tower cranes
  • Overhead cranes
  • Load charts
  • Rigging and signaling
  • Pre-operation inspections
  • Lift planning
  • Steel erection
  • Precast placement
  • Jobsite safety

Tips for your crane operator resume

  1. Put your certification or license near the top, with crane type and expiry date.
  2. List the cranes you operate and their capacities.
  3. Say the projects you work on: buildings, bridges, industrial plants or ports.
  4. Mention complex lifts: steel, precast, blind lifts or tandem lifts.
  5. Include rigging and signal person training.
  6. Add your safety record.

Crane operator resume summary examples

Adapt these examples with your real details: years of experience, industry, tools and certifications.

Experienced

Crane operator with 12 years of experience running mobile and tower cranes on commercial construction. I operate hydraulic cranes up to 200 tons, read load charts, plan lifts with the rigging crew and place steel and precast. Certified for mobile and tower cranes with no incidents.

Moving into operating

Rigger and signal person with 4 years of experience on construction sites who recently earned crane operator certification. I know load charts, rigging and lift planning. Looking for my first crane operator role.

Other job titles

Search for them too and use the one in the job ad on your resume.

  • Mobile crane operator
  • Tower crane operator
  • Overhead crane operator
  • Crane operator trainee
  • Rigger
  • Heavy equipment operator

How to write a crane operator resume step by step

  1. Write a short summary

    Three or four lines with your experience, crane types, capacities and certifications.

  2. Detail your experience

    In “Experience”, add the company, projects, cranes and the type of lifts.

  3. Add certifications and licenses

    In “Certificates”, list your crane certification or license with type and expiry date, plus rigging training.

  4. Highlight your skills

    In “Skills”, include crane types, load charts and lift planning.

  5. Tailor your resume to the job ad and download it

    Paste the job ad into Beatjob: the AI improves the wording with the keywords your experience backs up. Then download the PDF.

More resume examples

Frequently asked questions about a crane operator resume

Do crane operators need a certification?

In construction, OSHA requires employers to ensure each operator is trained, certified or licensed, and evaluated. Certifications from accredited testing organizations are valid for five years.

Do I need a state license?

Some states and cities require crane operators to be licensed, which involves a skills test and a written exam.

How do people become crane operators?

Most have several years of experience in a related job, such as rigging, and train on the job for several months.

Sources

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Crane operator resume: examples and tips | Beatjob