Stop Losing Dock Jobs to Resume Mistakes
Learn the exact fixes that turn a generic dock worker CV into a hiring managerâs favorite.
Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances
Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples
- Hiring managers see it as lazy and nonâspecific
- ATS ignores vague language and skips the resume
- Fails to showcase the unique skills needed on a busy dock
- Replace the objective with a concise professional summary
- Highlight years of experience, equipment you operate, and safety record
- Include quantifiable results such as âhandled 1,200 pallets weeklyâ
Objective: Seeking a position as a dock worker where I can utilize my skills.
Professional Summary: 5+ years of dock experience operating forklifts and reach trucks, consistently achieving a 99% onâtime load rate while maintaining a zeroâincident safety record.
- Doesnât differentiate you from other applicants
- ATS looks for action verbs and measurable outcomes
- Hiring managers want proof of impact
- Begin each bullet with a strong verb (e.g., coordinated, expedited)
- Add numbers: volume moved, shifts covered, safety scores
- Show results: reduced loading time, improved accuracy
- Loaded and unloaded trucks. - Operated forklift. - Followed safety procedures.
- Loaded and unloaded up to 150 pallets per shift, reducing turnaround time by 12%. - Operated forklift and reach truck with 0% damage incidents over 3 years. - Trained 4 new crew members on OSHA safety protocols, achieving a 100% compliance audit score.
- Safety is a top priority on docks; missing credentials raise red flags
- ATS often filters for certifications like OSHA 10 or forklift certification
- Employers may assume you lack required training
- Create a dedicated Certifications section near the top of the resume
- List each certification with issuing organization and date
- If you have onâtheâjob training, note it with brief description
Skills: Loading, Unloading, Teamwork
Certifications: - OSHA 10âHour General Industry (2023) - Certified Forklift Operator â ANSI (2022) - Hazardous Materials Handling â Completed InâHouse Training (2021)
- ATS may fail to parse information if the layout is complex
- Hiring managers skim quickly; cluttered resumes get discarded
- Inconsistent fonts or spacing look unprofessional
- Use a clean, singleâcolumn format with standard headings (Summary, Experience, Certifications, Skills)
- Stick to a legible font like Arial 10â12 pt
- Save as PDF or DOCX; avoid tables or graphics
[Large header graphic] Experience: âą Dock Worker â XYZ Co. (2019â2023) âą ResponsibilitiesâŠ
Dock Worker Resume Professional Summary ... Experience Dock Worker â XYZ Co. | Jan 2019 â Present - ... Certifications - ... Skills - Forklift, Reach Truck, OSHA 10, Inventory Management
- Replace generic objective with a keywordârich summary
- Convert every duty bullet into a quantified achievement
- Add a Certifications section with OSHA 10 and forklift credentials
- Use a singleâcolumn, sansâserif font and save as PDF
- Include dockâspecific keywords: cargo handling, pallet jack, dock seal, inventory reconciliation
- Swap objective for summary
- Add numbers to each bullet
- Insert Certifications section
- Standardize headings and dates
