For industrial roles, hiring managers spend less than a minute on each resume. They are looking for a small number of concrete signals — and most resumes bury them. Here is what to put front and centre.
Lead with certifications and licences
WHMIS, forklift licences (counterbalance, reach, walkie), Working at Heights, food-safety training, driver's licences — these belong near the top, not at the bottom. For many roles a certification is the first thing a recruiter filters on.
Show reliability with numbers
Attendance and consistency matter more in industrial work than almost anything else. If you had strong attendance, say so. If you hit pick targets, name the number: "maintained 99% pick accuracy on RF scanner" beats "responsible for picking orders".
Keep the format plain
- One page if you have under ten years of experience.
- Simple headings: Certifications, Work Experience, Education.
- No photos, graphics, or columns — applicant systems and busy recruiters both prefer plain text.
- List physical capabilities relevant to the posting (e.g. comfortable lifting 50 lbs, standing for full shifts).
Match the posting's words
If the posting says "shipping and receiving", use those words rather than "warehouse duties". Recruiters search resumes for the terms their client used.