Sanitation Worker Resume Examples and Template

Sanitation workers collect, transport and dispose of garbage and waste. When you look for a job as a sanitation worker, it's important to read the job description carefully and use it to create a unique resume that helps distinguish you from other candidates. Learning how to compile your information to create an effective sanitation worker resume is a crucial part of the application process and may increase your chances of earning an interview. In this article, we explain the steps you can take to write a sanitation worker resume that accurately includes your most relevant qualifications and provide two resume samples to guide you in writing your own. When you're ready, you can upload a resume file or build an Indeed Resume to apply for sanitation worker jobs. To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file.

How to write a sanitation worker resume

Here are the steps you can take to write a sanitation worker resume that best highlights your background:

1. List your contact information

At the top of your resume, write your full name, and consider bolding the letters to help prospective employers learn who you are more quickly. Below your name, add your phone number and email address so employers have two ways of contacting you. While it's not necessary to include your full mailing address, naming the city and state where you live can help you localize your job search by showing employers you reside in the same area. Related: What Does a Good Resume Look Like?

2. Provide a professional summary

Writing a professional summary can help you summarize why you're an ideal candidate. In two to three sentences, discuss why you're qualified to be a sanitation worker and mention the number of years you've worked in the sanitation industry. You can also discuss your relevant skills and achievements to give employers greater insight into the type of employee that you might be and what you can offer. Related: How To Start a Resume (With Examples)

3. Outline your experience

Think about your professional experience working in the sanitation industry and create a section of your resume that lists the relevant positions you've had that illustrate your abilities to do the job effectively. Be sure to list your work experience in reverse chronological order, so employers can see your career progression and review your recent positions. Consider using action verbs when mentioning the specific tasks you had, and try to discuss your primary achievements in each role. You can also use bullet points to highlight what your primary duties were to make it easier for employers to review your experience. Related: Q&A: Years of Experience on a Resume

4. Add your skills and certifications

In addition to including your work experience on your resume, it's important to list any skills or certifications you have to give employers insight into your ability to perform the tasks that the position might require. While the specific skills you list as a sanitation worker might differ depending on the employer and your experience level, it's important to include ones that highlight your expertise in collecting, separating and depositing waste. Certifications can be a useful way to prove your skills and potentially even impress employers. If you have any, be sure to list them in a separate section. Related: The Best Job Skills To Make Your Resume Stand Out

5. Include your education

Most employers require that sanitation workers have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. In the education section of your resume, you can prove to employers that you meet their educational requirements by listing your academic credentials and the name of the school you attended. Even if you're applying to a job posting that doesn't contain specific educational requirements, providing your academic credentials can help employers better gauge your qualifications.

Tips for writing a sanitation worker resume

Here are a few additional tips to consider when writing a sanitation worker resume:

Include keywords

Keywords are words or phrases that describe specific abilities, skills or traits that the employer wants. You can typically find them in the job posting. Try to include as many keywords as possible to enhance the quality of your resume and demonstrate that you did you're aware of what's preferred in a candidate. Related: How To Use Resume Keywords To Get an Interview (Includes Tips and Examples)

Use a professional font

Use a font that's easy to read, like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri. This can help make your resume appear more professional. It's also important to ensure your font is a reasonable size, so employers can easily review it without straining their eyes. Make sure the style and size of your font are consistent throughout your resume.

Include soft skills

Soft skills are the traits that enable sanitation workers to interact effectively with others. They're important because they help employers determine whether you're able to solve problems on your own and foster a positive work environment. Listing certain soft skills on your resume, like communication, adaptability or work ethic, can help you further appeal to employers. Read more: Soft Skills: Definitions and Examples

Proofread carefully

Be sure to proofread your resume carefully before you send it to employers. This can help you demonstrate your attention to detail by removing unnecessary words and spelling or grammatical mistakes. While there are many types of proofreading software available to you, it's also beneficial to have someone who knows you read through your resume to give you feedback and find errors that you may have missed. Related: 27 Proofreading Tips That Will Improve Your Resume Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.