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The transportation industry involves everything from delivering goods by ground, water and air to getting people from one place to another. It’s a field that offers a wide range of opportunities from entry-level positions to senior-level jobs, with the emphasis on attention to detail, customer service, and collaboration.
Get inspired with our transportation resume examples, and follow our expert tips to create a resume that gets you places.
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How to build your resume for a transportation career
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there’s growth and plenty of opportunities in transportation. Employment for package handlers, freight, stock and material movers is projected to grow 3% over the next decade, while opportunities for truck and delivery drivers are expected to increase by 5% by 2029. To get the right details into your resume and take advantage of these opportunities, follow these examples and tips.
Career Track: Packaging
Packaging covers designing, organizing, and distributing packages for storage, sales and other uses. This career track offers plenty of job opportunities for fresh graduates and experienced candidates, from packaging technicians to packaging engineers.
Packaging Technician $37,097 Median Salary
Resume Format
Functional Resume
As this job emphasizes skills and training rather than tons of experience, consider using the functional format for your resume, which highlights skills and qualifications rather than work experience.
Summary statement tip
Your summary statement presents you and the top skills that make you the best fit for the role. Keep your summary short and address particular requirements from the job description. For example, if the potential employer is looking for someone able to work flexible hours, you could write: “Resourceful packaging technician with the ability to work flexible hours. Strength to lift 80-pound packages and provide equipment maintenance.”
Skills to feature
- Equipment operation
- Quality control
- Documentation
- Data entry
- Health and safety regulations
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Quick thinking
- Resourceful
- Excellent verbal and written communication
Get to the next level
To move ahead in your career path, look to do the following:
- Earn a degree or complete a training program in packaging science, packaging engineering, logistics or a related field.
- Gain knowledge in design software for 2D and 3D packaging.
- Train or get hands-on experience in CAD, ArtiosCAD and SolidWorks.
- Look to feature examples of projects or processes where you exceeded expectations, and demonstrated initiative and leadership.
- Give examples of work responsibilities where you display time management, communication and interpersonal skills.
Associate Packaging Engineer $59,824 Median Salary
Resume Format
Combination Resume
If you have a couple of years of experience in packaging, go with the combination format, which features a balance of skills and work history that show professional growth. Emphasize shop floor knowledge as well as experience coordinating with marketing teams, and designing and testing products.
Summary statement tip
Blend your work experience and top skills together to describe your areas of expertise. For example, “Committed Associate Packaging Engineer with 3 years of experience finding creative solutions and creating 3D product designs. Skilled in customer service, documentation and data entry.”
Skills to feature
- Proficiency in 2D and 3D packaging
- SolidWorks and AutoCAD
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Good presentation skills
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Project management
- Problem-solving
- Analytical skills
Get to the next level
Feature more responsibilities and managerial duties in your resume that show you’re ready to advance, and gain expertise in these areas:
- Advanced degree or training in mathematics, automation, economics, supply chain management or a related field.
- Examples of projects or processes where you contributed to changes that improved efficiency, or a company’s bottom line.
- Demonstrate ability to handle several projects at once, and demonstrate team leadership.
Packaging Engineer $84,993 Median Salary
Resume Format
Chronological Resume
We recommend the chronological format for more advanced positions such as this one, as the layout focuses on your work history, organizing it in reverse-chronological order to show your career progression. Show off your facility with tracking and managing projects, maintaining standards and technical know-how such as component printing techniques.
Summary statement tip
Emphasize your experience in your summary, along with some top skills and achievements. For example: “Solutions-driven Packaging Engineer with over 10 years of experience in process enhancement and development. Clear communicator, decision-maker, and problem-solver.”
Skills to feature
- AutoCAD expertise
- Budget management
- Excellent communication skills
- Leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Project management
- Attention to detail
- Root-cause analysis
- Multitasking
- Assessments
- Data analysis
Get to the next level
Enhance your resume with these achievements and responsibilities:
- Participation in complex, important projects that contribute to a company’s bottom line.
- Experience in product development, manufacturing management or quality control work.
- Mention any awards or recognitions you’ve received for your achievements.
- Advanced degree, certification or specialized training in business management, leadership or marketing strategies.
Career Track: Transportation Supervision
Transportation supervision covers the execution, control and coordination of shipments, including tasks such as managing budgets, organizing schedules and routes, ensuring that vehicles are safe and meet legal requirements, and ensuring that drivers know their duties.
Flatbed Driver$61,954 Median Salary
Resume Format
Functional Resume
Functional resumes fit first-time job seekers or candidates who are new to a particular career. This format breaks skills into major categories (e.g., “Transport Skills,” “Soft Skills”), so feature interpersonal abilities as well as technical qualifications, such as a commercial driver’s license.
Summary statement tip
This section is your chance to sell the potential employer on who you are and what you can provide as an employee. In three to four sentences, emphasize key experiences and skills that fit what the job calls for. For example, if the company is looking for experience in hauling cargo, you could write: “Licensed Flatbed Driver with experience hauling cargo for distances of over 500 miles, and ensuring safe deliveries.”
Skills to feature
- CDL or other driving certification
- DOT medical card
- Experience operating hydraulics and recovering vehicles
- Vehicle maintenance
- Coordination
- Critical thinking
- Collaboration
- Safety and security
- Positive attitude
- Customer service
Get to the next level
To move forward in your career growth, look to add the following to your resume:
- Advanced training in transportation logistics or related field
- Demonstrate a record of reliability, excellent time management and organizational skills
- Further training and experience on different types of vehicles, such as forklifts
Transportation Lead$72,418 Median Salary
Resume Format
Combination Resume
A combination resume is ideal if you want to emphasize both your abilities and work history. Use this format if you have a few years of transportation experience you can highlight, in addition to your ability to coach team members, handle budgeting and scheduling, and prioritizing simultaneous tasks.
Summary statement tip
Your summary should consist of a few lines that serve as an “elevator pitch” — a brief overview of your best, most relevant skills and experience. For example: “Energetic Transportation Lead with 5 years’ experience overseeing team of 30 delivery drivers and dispatch associates. Well-versed in developing strong relationships with brokers and carriers.”
Skills to feature
- Baggage inspections
- Emergency response
- Security experience
- Hazards knowledge
- Coordination
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Vendor management
- Cost analysis and management
- Thrives in fast-paced environments
Get to the next level
If you’re looking to move up to a managerial position, look to feature the following in your resume:
- A degree in business management or a closely related field
- Further training or certification in transportation, logistics, supply chain management or related area
- Proven track record of maintaining travel logs and identifying travel routes
- Projects or responsibilities that show your ability to lead others, and manage processes efficiently
Transportation Supervisor $98,610 Median Salary
Resume Format
Chronological Resume
For jobs that lean towards extensive work experience, go with the chronological format, which emphasizes work accomplishments and career progress. Show off your managerial skills as well as technical knowledge such as being proficient in AS400 or Road Net.
Summary statement tip
Hook a hiring manager with this section by presenting a rundown of your best qualities and work experience, For example: “Reliable Transportation Supervisor offering expertise in navigation and routing. Offering over 10 years of experience evaluating and optimizing transportation systems.”
Skills to feature
- Operations support
- Data analysis
- Trend assessment
- Fleet management and logistics
- Timeliness
- Coordination
- Customer service
- Interpersonal skills
- Team leadership
- Budgeting
- Schedule management
- Process optimization
- Organizational skills
- Mathematical capabilities
Get to the next level
If you’re aiming to elevate your career, look into showcasing the following in your resume:
- Advanced degree in business administration or related field
- Job responsibilities and projects that display your leadership and ability to innovate
- Proven experiences in leading and overseeing shipping and receiving operations
- Logistics expertise
Recommended transportation resume templates
Give your resume the right look for a professional transportation job using these templates.
Structured
Add a dash of color while maintaining a professional look with this original, clean design. Your contact information is front and center, with your information well structured by slick dividing lines.
Acclaimed
This popular template features an eye-catching monogram next to your name. The layout makes your extensive work history easy to navigate, with bold titles headlining each section.
Remarkable
This design features headers in clearly delineated boxes for quick scanning, resulting in a clean and straightforward layout that’s easily customizable.
Transportation resume FAQ
How do you format your resume based on your career level?
As you can see from all the resume examples above, the best resume format for you will come down to your experience.
Recent graduates or people with less than two years of experience should use the functional format because it organizes your skills and qualifications. It essentially lets employers know that even though you may not have a lot of experience, you possess all the right skills to contribute to the company.
Mid-level job-seekers or candidates switching careers with transferable skills should use the combination format. This hybrid perfectly balances your skills and work history to show the employer both.
If you’re a candidate with more than five years of work experience in the same field, then the chronological format is perfect for you, as it focuses on showing your entire work history and accomplishments.
What skills should you consider for a transportation resume?
- Microsoft Word and Excel
- Physical strength
- Physical stamina
- Quality control
- Equipment knowledge (forklift, pallet jack, conveyor belts, wheel rollers, etc.)
- Data analysis
- Route planning
- Decision-making
- Attention to detail
- Knowledge of local freight codes
- Adaptability
- Loading and unloading
- Strong communication
- Sales
- Reliable
- Mathematics
- Analytical thinking
- Warehouse management
- Project management
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Leadership qualities
- Multitasking
- Commercial awareness
- Knowledge of government regulations
- Logistics software
- Friendly
- Problem-solving
- Solid knowledge of supply chain management
- Excellent organizational skills
- Budgeting and cost
- Positive attitude
- Knowledge of accident procedures
- Patient
What certifications and training are useful for a transportation resume?
A lot of companies train new recruits on the job. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, most transportation roles only ask for a high school diploma, but there are also opportunities for candidates who don’t have one.
The only requirement across-the-board that’s needed to work in transportation is to have a driver’s license, but some roles may also favor:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL)
- Senior Professional in Supply Management Certification
- Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI)
- Hazmat Certification
- Certified Public Fleet Professional (PEP)
- Professional Port Manager (PPM)
- Safety Certification for Transportation Project Professionals
- Certified in Transportation, Logistics and Distribution (CLTD)
- Certified Equipment Manager (CEM)
