Heavy Equipment Operator CV Samples & Guide for 2025
Heavy equipment operators are extremely important in many workplaces. Here’s how to include your heavy equipment operation skills in your professional CV.
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Why use heavy equipment operator CV examples?
Especially when it comes to construction sites, several important individuals ensure that the site works effectively. One of those people is a heavy equipment machine operator. However, even a hands-on worker like a heavy equipment operator, still needs writing tips to create their CV. Here’s how to use a heavy equipment operator CV sample to create your CV.
What to highlight in a heavy equipment operator CV?
Your skills are always going to be paramount in a heavy equipment operator CV because that’s what you worked for. However, it’s also a good idea to highlight the specific heavy equipment that you’re used to operating. You may see any of these in a heavy equipment operator CV:
- Bulldozers/Dozers
- Excavators
- Backhoes
- Construction equipment
- Forklifts
- Tractors
- Dump trucks
- Bobcat tractors and skid steers
- Front-end loaders
- Compactors
- Scrapers
- Water trucks
Because there are so many different types of heavy machinery, it’s a good idea to mention the ones you’re equipped to manage.
The structure of a heavy equipment operator CV
Your skills are always going to be paramount in a heavy equipment operator CV because that’s what you worked for. However, it’s also a good idea to highlight the specific heavy equipment that you’re used to operating. You may see any of these in a heavy equipment operator CV:
- Bulldozers/Dozers
- Excavators
- Backhoes
- Construction equipment
- Forklifts
- Tractors
- Dump trucks
- Bobcat tractors and skid steers
- Front-end loaders
- Compactors
- Scrapers
- Water trucks
Because there are so many different types of heavy machinery, it’s a good idea to mention the ones you’re equipped to manage.
H2: The structure of a heavy equipment operator CV
Your CV structure will depend largely on your CV format. The CV format is extremely important as it guides a recruiter through your CV template. The chronological format is most common, but if you have less experience, you might want to use the functional format or combination format. Here are the headings you’ll include with any format.
Contact information
Your CV header typically just includes your contact information. Feature your full name, location, phone number, email address and any job networking profile links. You can use a CV builder to show you how to create the CV header along with your other CV design elements.
Professional summary or career objective
A professional summary or career objective is a short paragraph that highlights the best parts of your CV. While a summary is a straightforward overview, a career objective also includes a specific objective you want to achieve.
Skills
In your skills section, you should include any skills you have that are related to a heavy equipment operator job. Here are a few skills you might include as bullet points on your CV:
- Reading blueprints
- OSHA
- Preventative maintenance
- Sticking to safety regulations and safety procedures
- Troubleshooting problems
- Backfilling
- Equipment maintenance
- Managing tool working order
- Working with hand tools
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Work ethic
These skills can be critical in setting you apart from other job seekers. You’ll see both soft skills and hard skills in a heavy equipment operator CV example, as they’re both important for proper functioning on a construction site or similar work environment.
Work history
In your work experience section, you should include as much relevant experience as you have within the last 10 years. Even if you don’t have experience specifically running heavy equipment, you may have gained experience in a similar job. Some job titles like project manager, may also be considered relevant to your job search.
Education
The education section for a heavy equipment operator may be extensive or less so, depending on the exact position. If you have any awards or have earned a diploma you can list them here. If you have more than that — for example, a college degree or a trade school licence you received after going through a training school — list those achievements instead. If you have any degrees from university, list them prominently in your education section.
Do’s and don’ts for a heavy equipment operator CV
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when you are writing your heavy equipment operator CV:
Do:
- Spotlight all of your skills, not just the operation skills. Many people can operate heavy equipment, but it’s important to show that you have a monumental skill repertoire.
- Write a professional CV for any position you’re trying to get, including traditional heavy work positions like heavy equipment operators. A hiring manager will review your qualifications on your CV.
- Include as much as 10 years of experience in your CV. You can include experience past 10 years t in your LinkedIn profile.
Don’t:
- Refer to yourself exclusively as a heavy equipment operator. Use titles that also express your actual skills, like forklift operator.
- Include your grades in your CV. It’s typically not relevant. All a hiring manager needs to know is whether you’re allowed to work at their location and highly qualified.
- Include any negatives or mistakes that you’ve experienced as a heavy equipment operator. Your CV should be a place where you only talk about the positives of your work experience.
FAQ: Heavy equipment operator CV examples
Have questions? We’re here to help.
Do I need to include a cover letter for a heavy equipment operator application?
A cover letter should always be considered an important part of any application, including a heavy equipment operator application. When you’re looking for a way to stand out from other job seekers, your cover letter allows you to talk directly to the hiring manager and discuss your qualifications. Plus, it gives you a chance to ask for a job interview. You can use the CVHelp cover letter builder to create your cover letter.
How can I write a heavy equipment operator CV without a lot of experience?
A heavy equipment operator usually needs more skills than experience. However, to get your licence for heavy equipment, you likely need some amount of on-the-job training. That type of training which often comes in the form of internships can be great to include on your CV, as it shows that you’ve used this heavy equipment on the job.
How do I change my heavy equipment operator CV to apply to different jobs?
Applying for multiple jobs usually means changing up your CV every time. If you apply to hundreds of jobs using the same CV, you’re less likely to get a call back than if you apply to just a few dozen jobs with perfectly tailored CVs. The best way to start this process is with CV keywords. Look through the job description to find CV keywords that you can include in your experience section.
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