A firefighter’s resume should highlight their relevant qualifications, training, and experience. Young firefighters can list other jobs and volunteer positions, while experienced firefighters should prioritize relevant training and experience. Relevant certifications and licenses should also be listed. Keep the resume to one or two pages and avoid listing references.
The content of your firefighter resume will vary based on your education and past experience. The best resume will highlight your most important and relevant qualifications for the job you are applying for; therefore, it’s best to think of a firefighter resume as a living document that will change depending on the job you want. If you’re a new firefighter, you may not have many qualifications to list, so your education and training, as well as any previous work experience, will likely be the most relevant and important information in the document.
More experienced firefighters will want to include years of service, special training, awards, and recognition they have earned over the years. A firefighter’s resume will include more information, but it’s important to remember that you should limit your resume to one or two pages. Furthermore, the information becomes too confusing and overwhelming for a potential employer to sift through. There are several ways to prioritize information: for young firefighters who are tearing the industry apart, it’s sometimes best to organize the resume chronologically; more experienced firefighters, however, should try to prioritize resume information by posting the most relevant training and experience first.
If you’re a young firefighter who has little or no fire experience, don’t be afraid to list other jobs you’ve had on your resume. While these jobs may not be directly related to the job you’re applying for, it’s always good to show prospective employers that you’ve developed a solid work ethic and know what it’s like to work in a structured work environment. Your firefighter resume should certainly show the volunteer positions you’ve held as well, especially if they relate to fires, medical services, or even military experience.
Be sure to list all relevant certifications and licenses you hold. Employers will look for candidates who have passed the appropriate exams and have participated in various types of training such as first aid training, CPR, advanced emergency medical training and all relevant fire training. If you hold a commercial driver’s license (CDL), remember to list that as well, in addition to any training you may have that focuses on operating heavy equipment. Some people list references directly on the resume, although this may not be necessary. Employers often ask for references directly.
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