Truck Driver Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a truck driver provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving complying with DOT and driving long distances. For a successful truck driver application, you'll want to submit a professional resume that showcases your relevant skills. In this article, we'll outline how to write a winning resume to boost your chances of success in your truck driver applications.
This complete guide to a truck driver resume will equip you with the tools you need to compete in your applications. You'll find valuable tips on writing a resume that best showcases your unique skills and achievements. There is also extensive guidance on how to structure your resume to match the job description, and to reflect your experience levels to impress HR specialists and employers. Continue reading to find the best truck driver resume tips from careers experts at Jobseeker.
What to include in a truck driver resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your truck driver resume, while there are also a few optional sections. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
While the content and format of your resume may vary depending on your experience levels, it's important to always include the following sections:
Resume Header
A truck driver resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Be aware of the amount of space your resume header takes up. You don't want your contact details to take space away from the main content of your resume, so keep this section as brief as possible.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Gianna Phillips
gianna.phillips@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
linkedin․com/in/gianna–phillips123
Resume Profile
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as a truck driver.
Alternatively, you could use this section to reference your objectives and ambitions, and how this role would fit into your career journey.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for truck driver roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. See below for some great examples of what to include in your truck driver resume summary.
Experienced Commercial Truck Operator with over 4 years of expertise in long-haul and short-haul trucking, proficient in operating a variety of heavy-duty vehicles. Demonstrated ability in route planning, cargo handling, and adherence to safety and regulatory standards. Proven track record of timely deliveries, excellent customer service, and maintaining vehicle upkeep. Holds a valid CDL with endorsements for hazardous materials and tanker operations. Strong communication skills and a commitment to ensuring efficient and safe transportation of goods
Truck driver with some experience in driving different trucks for various distances. Familiar with planning routes and handling cargo while following rules. Known for delivering on time and keeping vehicles in good condition. Has a license for special materials and tankers. Good at talking to people and focused on moving goods safely and efficiently
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your truck driver resume summary.
Skills
The skills section is one of the main ways to show employers you've got the skills required for truck driver roles. Whether your skills include route planning, attention to detail or any other useful skills for the role, you'll want to list them here. Again, include any skills that match those listed in the job description. Focus particularly on technical skills required for truck driver jobs and transferable skills that show your qualities as a truck driver.
How to include hard skills on your truck driver resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for truck driver jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in a truck driver resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a truck driver resume.
- Cdl license
- Route planning
- Vehicle maintenance
How to list soft skills on your truck driver resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to truck driver roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. Aim to include approximately five soft skills that reflect the skills listed in the job description.
An effective truck driver resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Time management skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Attention to detail
Educational Achievements
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a truck driver.
It's not usually necessary to have a degree for jobs as a truck driver. Nevertheless, it's still crucial to list your highest or most relevant educational achievements. These might include HAZMAT Endorsement, and other certifications or courses that highlight your vehicle maintenance or gps navigation.
List your relevant qualifications in reverse-chronological order. Add the name and level of the award, the institution, its location (if this isn't obvious from the name) and your dates of study. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
Additionally, mentioning any leadership roles or any societies and clubs you participated in while studying shows proactivity and initiative.
Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2017 - 2020
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
Certifications and Training
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a truck driver resume:
- CDL Class A, 2022
- HAZMAT Endorsement, 2022
- Tanker Endorsement, 2022
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a truck driver position. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Commercial Truck Operator, January 2022 - Present
Rolling Thunder Logistics, Cincinnati
- Safely delivered over 500,000 miles of cargo with zero accidents or violations, demonstrating exceptional driving skills and safety compliance
- Reduced fuel consumption by 15% through efficient route planning and eco-friendly driving techniques, saving company costs and reducing emissions
- Consistently achieved 98% on-time delivery rate, enhancing customer satisfaction and reliability in logistics operations
Commercial Truck Operator, January 2022 - Present
Rolling Thunder Logistics, Cincinnati
- Drove long distances to deliver goods, ensuring timely arrivals and customer satisfaction
- Maintained vehicle cleanliness and basic mechanical upkeep for optimal performance
- Collaborated with team members to improve delivery processes and efficiency
In the graphic above you can see a great example of what to avoid when writing your resume work experience section. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Hear from experts:
If you have limited formal experience, highlight other achievements, like completing training programs, certifications, or successful personal projects. (1) Present this information in a clear and concise format with easy-to-read sections and plenty of white space. (2)
Optional Sections
As well as the main sections of a truck driver resume, optional sections can help you prove your credentials to employers. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Including your hobbies and interests can be a valuable way of showing your key skills and qualities. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Experience
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your truck driver resume. Write your volunteer section in a similar format to your work experience, including your role, the organization name, relevant dates and the details of your contribution.
References
It's relatively unusual to include references in a standard truck driver resume, but they are required occasionally. Check the job advert to see if you'll need to add references to your resume. Be sure to prepare your referees in advance, so they've agreed to provide a reference and are ready to be contacted.
References are available upon request.
Best action words for your truck driver resume
Add strong verbs to your work experience section to show the hiring manager the impact you made in your previous roles. Add strong verbs from the list below to create a greater impact with your work experience section.
- Operated
- Navigated
- Transported
- Delivered
- Maintained
- Loaded
- Unloaded
- Inspected
- Secured
- Coordinated
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Sample resume for truck driver positions
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example truck driver resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
221B Baker Street, Chicago, IL
•
gianna.phillips@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/gianna–phillips123
Experienced Professional Truck Driver with over 5 years of safe and efficient driving. Proven track record in long-haul and short-haul deliveries, specializing in timely and secure transportation of goods. Skilled in vehicle maintenance, route planning, and compliance with DOT regulations. Strong focus on customer satisfaction and safety standards. Holds a valid CDL with endorsements for hazardous materials and tankers.
Professional Truck Driver
2020
-2022
RoadMaster Logistics (Toledo)
- Safely logged over 1 million accident-free miles across diverse terrains and weather conditions
- Received "Driver of the Year" award for exemplary service and punctuality, recognized by the National Trucking Association
- Achieved 98% on-time delivery rate, ensuring client satisfaction and maintaining a stellar reputation for reliability
Cdl license
Route planning
Vehicle maintenance
Time management skills
Problem-solving abilities
Attention to detail
CDL Class A
HAZMAT Endorsement
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a truck driver resume
- Kick off your truck driver resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Make your truck driver resume short and to-the-point. A length of one page is ideal for junior roles, while two is acceptable for senior applications.
- Use a clear, professional resume format to make your document as accessible as possible, including a readable font and appropriate headings, margins and line spacing. This will make your resume easier for recruiters and hiring managers to read.
- Tailor your resume to make it as relevant as possible to the role you're applying for. Consult the job description and adapt your resume to reflect the required skills and experience.
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't add hobbies and outside interests unless they help you prove a skill required for the role.
- Don't use passive language - steer away from phrases like 'I was asked to' and use action words instead.
- Don't list unrelated work experience unless you can show you used skills that are valuable to the job you're applying for.
- Don't lie or exaggerate the details of your truck driver career or education, as this can backfire later in the recruitment process.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When drafting your truck driver resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Adopt a traditional structure for your resume, such as a reverse-chronological format or a functional format. These are likely to be the easiest layouts for ATS software to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Use concise language to keep the length of your resume to between one and two pages. This will make it easier to scan for ATS applications.
For help crafting a winning resume, read our in-depth career blog and review our resume examples for inspiration.
Frequently Asked Questions about a truck driver resume
Accompanying your resume for truck driver applications, you'll want to produce a cover letter that similarly leaves a positive impression on hiring managers.
Firstly, think about whether you want to write a full, formal cover letter or whether a brief email to introduce yourself and draw attention to your resume will suffice.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the truck driver role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue with you.
You can create a professional cover letter in just a few simple, easy-to-follow steps using Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates.
As an experienced truck driver, you'll want your resume to showcase all of your relevant experience and achievements. You may wish to include a longer-than-average work experience section in your truck driver resume, to emphasize your career experience to date and showcase relevant achievements in work. Your truck driver resume could also include optional sections that demonstrate your experience levels and reputation in your industry. These could include, for example, awards, achievements and successful projects.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your truck driver applications. Resume headlines are also helpful for the ATS stage of the recruitment process, as they can help you reference the job title and one or two keywords for the role. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Aspiring Entry-Level Truck Driver
- Experienced and Reliable Truck Driver
- Experienced Senior Truck Driver
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have experience in your chosen profession, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format might be the way to go. This showcases your relevant skills and achievements in your work experience section.
Key takeaways for your truck driver resume
The key to a strong resume is to showcase your relevant skills and achievements through your work experience and other activities. Select a resume format that suits your experience levels and the job you're applying for, and make sure you tailor your resume for each application.
Using the professional resume templates and resources of Jobseeker can help you create a great-looking resume that stands out from other applicants. Sign up today and follow the simple steps to get started. Whether you're a junior or senior candidate, a professional cover letter can help to grab the attention of the employer. Jobseeker's cover letter examples were created by careers experts to provide useful tips and ideas for your cover letter.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
