Heavy equipment operator resume

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Key skills for a heavy equipment operator resume

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

  • Excavators
  • Bulldozers
  • Backhoes
  • Wheel loaders
  • Motor graders
  • Earthmoving
  • Trenching
  • Grade reading
  • GPS machine control
  • Equipment maintenance

Tips for your heavy equipment operator resume

  1. List the machines you run and their size.
  2. Say your field: site work, roads, utilities, mining or demolition.
  3. Describe your work: excavation, trenching, grading or loading trucks.
  4. Mention whether you work to grade with GPS machine control or stakes.
  5. Include your CDL if you haul your own equipment.
  6. Add your apprenticeship and safety training.

Heavy equipment operator resume summary examples

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

Experienced

Heavy equipment operator with 10 years of experience in site work and road construction. I run excavators up to 50 tons, dozers, loaders and graders, and work to grade with GPS machine control. I handle daily maintenance of my machines. CDL Class A.

Entry-level

Construction laborer with 3 years of experience on utility projects who completed a heavy equipment operator program and has run mini excavators on trenching jobs. Looking for my first operator role.

Other job titles

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

  • Equipment operator
  • Excavator operator
  • Dozer operator
  • Construction equipment operator
  • Operating engineer
  • Plant operator (UK)

How to write a heavy equipment operator resume step by step

  1. Write a short summary

    Three or four lines with your experience, machines and type of projects.

  2. Detail your experience

    In “Experience”, add the company, projects, machines and tasks.

  3. Add certifications and licenses

    In “Certificates”, list your CDL, apprenticeship, operator training and safety courses.

  4. Highlight your skills

    In “Skills”, include each machine, GPS systems and maintenance.

  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 heavy equipment operator resume

Do heavy equipment operators need a CDL?

Construction equipment operators often need a commercial driver's license to haul their equipment to jobsites. State laws vary.

Do operators need a special license?

A few states have special licenses for operators of backhoes, loaders and bulldozers.

How do you become a heavy equipment operator?

A high school diploma is typically required, and many operators complete a 3- or 4-year apprenticeship.

Sources

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Heavy equipment operator resume: examples and tips | Beatjob