A firefighter job may not be the most sought-after one, but it definitely garners admiration in the society. Firefighters risk their lives to protect people and property. The necessities for the job are good physique, stamina, ability to lift weight and a certification in firefighting. To showcase skills, experience, and education, you will need a firefighting resume as well.
Writing a resume is not that difficult as it is thought to be. Once you have decided the structure or format of the document, all you need to do is, fill it with relevant content. Just as you would direct the water pipe at the spots engulfed in fire, similarly, each section of the resume must catch attention of the reader. You need to just pay attention to what is included in each section, and create a precise resume that is clear and legible for the prospective employers to comprehend. Include the following sections in the resume.
Whether it is a chronological format or a functional one, the first section must always be about the basic information. In this part, write your full name, permanent residential address, contact number, and a professional email address so that hiring managers can easily contact you. While this much information is considered to be sufficient for the first part of your document, you can also consider using acronyms of certifications which are relevant to the designation you are applying for.
Beneath your short introductory part, comes the objective or summary section. Freshers must include an objective statement. They need to include job traits and skills to handle the entailed responsibilities. For experienced candidates, it would be wise add a career summary that speaks volumes about abilities. Write around 3-4 lines such that it piques the interest of the employer/hiring manager.
In the next part of your document, write down notable points that talk about your essential qualities. When you are applying for a firefighting post, it is necessary to add specific keywords in it. These include mentioning points related to your knowledge of the safety procedures, ability to handle the tools and equipment, familiarity with the procedures to be followed in case of serious emergencies, etc. You can also mention soft skills, ability to work in a team, and knowledge of the federal safety rules.
Once you have sparked the interest of a prospective employer with your brief skills and introductory summary, it is now time to prove your claims in the work history section. Write down experience in bullet points. Show how you handled emergency situations, saved lives and property. It can include points like evacuated 50 + people from a factory's workshop, provided first aid services to the victims, gave a testimony in the court for false alarms, or performed thorough investigations of the site. Depending on your role and experience, this section's highlights can vary. While writing, make use of appropriate action verbs for a greater impact. To make an impression, add figures, percentage, and official names of the location to give a clear idea of the responsibilities handled in prior positions. Mention your designation, name of previous employer, the time you have worked with them, and key accomplishments.
In the bottom part of the resume, mention your education. It is not about what grades you have obtained in the academics, but they would just like to know if you fulfill the basic criteria. Hence, include your highest degree, probably a master's or bachelor's degree in fire science, or any other relevant field, the university you have received it from, and the year in which you completed it.
The above-mentioned sections only form the basic outline of a resume. In addition to this, your document can also have certain miscellaneous sections like certifications/license, training, workshops, professional affiliations, or even awards/special accolades. Once you have completed creating the draft, check it for grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Take help of a third person as he/she will be able to point out mistakes you might have overlooked. Proofread it twice or thrice to remove unnecessary information, and ensure the length of the document is not beyond 2 pages. We are sure by following our guidelines, you will be able to write a perfect resume to market your skills like a professional. To help you more, we also have a few firefighting resume samples below that will give you a kick start in creating a customized resume.