The basic structure
Recruiters read from the top down and stop on whatever is concrete. Keep it to one page if you have under ten years of experience, two pages if you have more.
- Name, location, phone number and email at the top
- A short profile summary of three to four lines
- Experience listed in reverse chronological order
- Education, certificates and licences
- System skills, languages and driving licence
Write results, not duties
"Responsible for the warehouse" says nothing. "Responsible for receiving 400 pallets a week with 99 per cent delivery accuracy" says everything.
Include figures wherever you have them: volumes, lead times, the number of people you managed, systems you worked in.
Template for a skilled/trade role
For roles in warehousing, production, assembly and installation, we want to see licences and certifications early: forklift licence, ID06, hot work permit, scaffolding certification, electrical authorisation.
List them in their own block directly after the profile summary so they don't get buried further down the document.
Template for an office/administrative role
For administration, finance, customer service and support roles, system skills are what sets candidates apart. Name the systems precisely and state how long you've used them.
It's also worth adding a line about the type of organisation you thrive in – it speeds up the matching process.