Now that you know what a standout firefighter resume should look like, it's time to start updating your own. Here are the steps to take to make your resume competitive:
Include a professional Contacts section
Your contact information is the first thing the reader sees. Include all essential details so that the hiring manager can get in touch. Here's what to include:
- Your full name - first and last name, no nicknames
- Cell phone number
- Email address - keep it professional with your first and last name, and avoid "funny" emails
- Location - as a rule, your city and zip code are enough
- LinkedIn profile or personal website - if you have a professional online profile, attach a link to it.
Double-check any contact information before sending a resume. You don't want a situation when a recruiter cannot get in touch because of a wrong digit in a phone number!
Write a compelling resume summary
A resume objective or summary works as an introduction to your resume. They should succinctly present your qualifications, strengths, and achievements to the potential employer. Keep this section to 2-4 sentences, and include details that can grasp the attention of the recruiter.
Entry-level firefighters should use an objective. This section summarizes your educational background and where you're headed in your career, as well as shares your passion for the profession.
For an experienced firefighter, a resume summary is the best fit. It highlights your professionalism, a track record of success, and unique skills that help you stand out. When you're writing a wildland firefighter resume for a leadership role, use a summary as well.
Describe your experience concisely
Your Work Experience section is the biggest asset of your resume. The best firefighter resume examples are very detailed about the experience and achievements. In this section, you should describe all relevant jobs and projects.
For each job you had, include the organization's name, your job title, and start-end dates. Include 5-6 bullets with your specific responsibilities. However, simply listing what you did before is not enough to impress the busy recruiter. To make your Experience section shine, follow these guidelines:
- List jobs in reverse chronological order. It will keep your resume structured and help the reader quickly locate the needed information.
- Learn about the U.S. Fire Administration’s history, values, and goals. This simple step will convey interest and commitment, and will help you stand out both when writing a resume and when attending interviews.
- Use keywords from the job description. As you write a firefighter resume, highlight specific requirements in the job posting and insert the target words and phrases into your resume. Thus, you will easily pass the ATS (applicant tracking system). Examples of keywords are handling emergency calls, providing medical care, basic life support, or managing fire equipment.
- Use action verbs. Words like Operated, Coordinated, Maintained, Resolved, and Achieved highlight your contribution and initiative.
- Add numbers and percentages. They will prove you're qualified for firefighter jobs and are result-oriented. Plus, achievements will give you an edge over other applicants. Examples: prevented a 130 acre fire and saved 20 structures, handled up to 15 calls a week and provided medical care to 20 individuals on average.
If you have limited professional experience, emphasize continuous training and volunteering positions. You can format a volunteer firefighter resume the same way and list unpaid projects as real jobs, describing your responsibilities in handling firefighting equipment and fire prevention.
Describing your experience to employers is not an easy task! If you're looking for a certified professional resume writer to help you out, your search ends here. At ResumePerk, we have resume writers with 2+ of experience in writing public and private sector resumes. The writer will focus on your strengths, adjust your resume to your target fire department job, and use an attention-grabbing template that gets you noticed.
Put your education into spotlight
In this section, outline your formal education (such as a high school diploma or a college degree) and any additional training, certifications, and licenses.
As a rule, firefighters must have a high school diploma, a driver's license, and physical fitness. Yet, if you have a college degree (for example, in Fire Science) or studied in a fire academy, it is definitely a plus. If you attended college, put your college degree at the top, listing the college name, your degree, and graduation date.
Capitalize on certifications and training
Under your formal degree, you can include any additional training. The best firefighter resume samples use this format for better readability. Certifications show your commitment to professional growth and development, and can make up for the lack of experience.
Top firefighter certifications for resume
- Firefighter I Certification
- Fire Officer I Certification
- Fire Prevention and Safety Certification
- Emergency Medical Technician EMT Certification
- Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
- Hazardous Materials Technician Certification
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
- First Aid Certification.
List skills
Relevant firefighter skills help you bypass the applicant tracking system. Plus, they catch the eye of the human hiring manager, showcasing your qualifications as a firefighter or emergency medical technician instantly. Our template has the Skills section at the top, which is the recommended structure if you want the reader to quickly notice your skills.
As a firefighter, mention physical stamina, critical thinking skills, and medical skills to prove you're qualified. Add a few soft skills to make a holistic impression on the recruiter.
Here are some skills to add to your firefighter resume:
- Fire safety
- Handling medical emergencies
- Firefighting techniques
- Advanced life support
- Conducting rescue operations
- Hazardous materials handling
- Emergency response vehicles
- Enhancing team efficiency
- Community outreach
- First aid
- Physical stamina
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving
- Mechanical skills
- Work under pressure.
Format professionally
After you've completed writing a resume, take your time to format and organize it professionally. Even the tiniest details can contribute to that first impression! Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Use clean and professional resume formatting. Or, download our template - paste your information and download the ready document. Our template is optimized for a firefighter, firefighter paramedic, emergency medical technician, and similar roles.
- Ensure consistent punctuation. If you use a period after each bullet statement, make sure the period is everywhere.
- Proofread before sending. Typos in firefighter resumes can turn off and show your poor interest in the job. Double-check the document to avoid any grammar or spelling issues.
Write a firefighter cover letter
60% of employers expect to receive a cover letter with a resume. A cover letter allows you to prove your skills in emergency medical services, and fire suppression, and show passion for working in a fire department. Include a few relevant skills there as well. Keep your letter to 3-4 paragraphs - it is enough for senior firefighters and entry-level candidates to provide their career highlights.