Whether you’re applying for a trade, healthcare, or logistics role — these tips apply to everyone.
Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds on a resume. One page for under 5 years experience, two pages for more. Remove everything that doesn’t support your application.
3–4 sentences at the top that describe who you are, your key skills, years of experience, and what kind of role you’re looking for. This is your 30-second pitch.
“Managed a team of 12” is stronger than “managed a team.” “Reduced downtime by 30%” beats “improved efficiency.” Quantify your achievements every time you can.
Especially critical for trades, oil & gas, and healthcare. Put your certificates in a dedicated section with the issuing body and expiry date where applicable.
Mirror the job description language. If the posting says “pipeline inspection” — use those exact words. Applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for keyword matches.
Start every bullet with a strong verb: Operated, Managed, Installed, Supervised, Reduced, Delivered, Achieved, Coordinated. Avoid passive language like “was responsible for.”
List your hard skills explicitly — machinery, software, tools, languages, techniques. For trades: name the equipment. For healthcare: name clinical skills. Be specific.
Name, phone, email, city/state, and LinkedIn (if applicable) should all be at the very top. Recruiters shouldn’t have to hunt for how to reach you.
Stick to one font, consistent spacing, clear section headers. Avoid tables, graphics, and columns — many ATS systems can’t read them. Simple is always better.
A single typo can cost you an interview. Read it forwards, then backwards. Have someone else check it. Use spell check. A clean, error-free resume signals professionalism.
The difference between a callback and silence often comes down to these details.
- Use a professional email address (firstname.lastname@gmail.com)
- List work experience in reverse chronological order (most recent first)
- Include specific certifications with issuing body and date
- Use industry-specific keywords from the job posting
- Save and send as a PDF to preserve formatting
- Include your location (city & state/province minimum)
- List measurable achievements alongside responsibilities
- Keep employment gaps explained with a brief note
- Match your LinkedIn profile to your resume
- Update your resume for every application
- Use an unprofessional email like “cooldude99@…”
- Include a photo (in North America — not standard practice)
- Add your full home address (city & state is enough)
- Use generic phrases like “team player” or “hard worker” without proof
- List every job going back 20+ years — 10 years is usually enough
- Use tiny fonts or dense walls of text
- Include references directly on the resume — “Available on request” is fine
- Use multiple colors or decorative graphics
- Lie or exaggerate — background checks will catch it
- Send as a Word doc unless specifically asked
A well-structured resume makes it easy for recruiters to find what they need in seconds.
Full name, phone number, professional email, city & state/province. Add LinkedIn URL if your profile is up to date.
3–4 lines summarising your experience, key skills, and career goal. Tailored to the specific role you’re applying for.
Hard skills specific to your trade or industry — tools, equipment, software, techniques, languages. Keep soft skills brief.
Reverse chronological. Each role: job title, company, dates, location, and 3–5 bullet points of achievements and responsibilities.
Critical for trades, healthcare, oil & gas, and logistics. Include cert name, issuing body, and expiry date. This section can make or break an application.
Degree/diploma, institution, year of graduation. For experienced workers, this section can be brief — your experience matters more.
Notable projects, large contracts, or standout achievements that didn’t fit neatly into work history. Great for construction and engineering roles.
If you’re bilingual or multilingual — include it. Especially valuable for roles in multicultural worksites or client-facing positions.
Generic resume advice doesn’t always apply to skilled trades. Here’s what matters in your field.
List every trade certification, Red Seal endorsement, or equivalency. Name the equipment you’ve operated. Mention project sizes (e.g. “$50M commercial build”). Include union membership if applicable.
Include H2S Alive, CSTS, First Aid, WHMIS, BOSIET and any other safety certifications with expiry dates. Mention offshore/remote experience. Note whether you have TWIC card (USA) or equivalent.
Always list your license number and state/province of registration. Include clinical specialties, patient volume, and EMR/EHR systems used. Note any agency or travel nurse experience separately.
List your CDL class and endorsements (USA) or DZ/AZ licence (Canada). Note clean driving record. Include HAZMAT certification if applicable. Mention dispatch software experience (McLeod, TMS, etc.).
Name the machinery and equipment you’ve operated. Include Lean/Six Sigma certifications. Mention shift patterns you’ve worked (rotating, nights). Include any safety record milestones (e.g. “2 years incident-free”).
List your forklift licence type and any WMS software you know (SAP, Oracle, Manhattan). Include pick rates and accuracy percentages if you have them. Note counterbalance vs reach truck experience.
Edit the placeholder text below directly in your browser, then print or save as PDF. Works on all devices.
+1 (555) 000-0000
yourname@email.com
City, State / Province
linkedin.com/in/yourname
|
Key Skills
Technical Skills
Skill 1 Skill 2 Skill 3 Skill 4 Skill 5 Skill 6 Equipment / Tools
Equipment 1 Equipment 2 Equipment 3 Equipment 4 Soft Skills
Leadership Communication Problem Solving
Certifications & Licences
Certification Name
Issuing Body — Expiry: MM/YYYY
Certification Name
Issuing Body — Expiry: MM/YYYY
Certification Name
Issuing Body — Expiry: MM/YYYY
Certification Name
Issuing Body — Expiry: MM/YYYY
Languages
English
Native / Full professional proficiency
Language 2 (if applicable)
Conversational / Professional
References
Available upon request |
Professional Summary
Experienced [Job Title] with [X] years in [industry]. Proven track record in [key skill 1], [key skill 2], and [key skill 3]. Known for [key strength] and a strong commitment to safety and quality. Currently seeking [type of role] in [location/industry] with a reputable employer.
Work Experience
Job Title
Company Name
Month Year – Month Year | City, State
Previous Job Title
Previous Company Name
Month Year – Month Year | City, State
Earlier Job Title (if applicable)
Earlier Company Name
Month Year – Month Year | City, State
Education
Diploma / Degree / Trade Qualification
Institution Name — City, State | Year of Graduation |
1 page for under 5 years experience, 2 pages for more. Never go to 3 pages unless you’re applying for a very senior role. Recruiters spend seconds on each resume — make every line count.
No — not in North America (USA and Canada). Photos are not standard practice and can actually create bias issues. In India, photos are more commonly included. Follow local norms.
Always PDF unless the employer specifically asks for Word (.docx). PDF preserves your formatting perfectly across all devices. Use our print-to-PDF feature on the template above.
Yes — at least tweak your summary and skills section to match each role. Mirror keywords from the job description. Many companies use ATS software that filters resumes by keyword before a human ever sees it.
Be brief and honest. A short note in the work history section is enough: “Career break — family responsibilities” or “Contract work / freelance period.” Recruiters understand gaps — unexplained ones raise more questions.
Yes — our recruiters review your profile and provide feedback as part of our service. Register for free, upload your resume, and your dedicated recruiter will advise on how to improve it for the roles you’re targeting.
Register free with Raya Workforce and let us match you to employers across USA, Canada & India who are hiring now.
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