Rigger resume template
A clean starting structure with example content grounded in what riggers actually do day to day, not generic filler. Download and replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details.
Which resume format should you use?
Reverse chronological
You have a steady work history. This is the format almost every recruiter and ATS expects by default.
Functional
You're changing fields or have gaps in your employment. Leads with skills rather than a job-by-job timeline.
Combination
You're early career or have worked consistently but for only a few employers. Blends a skills summary with a shorter chronological history.
This template uses the reverse chronological format: the one most riggers should default to, since most Australian recruiters and ATS software expect it.
Professional summary
Rigger with a current High Risk Work Licence and experience across construction and mining. Skilled in reading crane load charts, calculating sling angles and directing crane operators by radio and hand signal. Known for careful pre-lift checks, clear communication and keeping structural steel and precast panel erection on program.
Key skills
- Reading and applying crane load charts
- Sling angle calculations
- Slinging and securing loads with correct hitches
- Directing crane operators using hand signals, whistles and two-way radios
- Inspecting and tagging slings, shackles and chain hoists
- Erecting and bracing structural steel and precast panels
- Worksite safety management and hazard control
- Reading plans and specifications
- Plant and equipment operation
- Hand and power tool work
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving
- Written communication
Experience: example bullet points
- Inspected and selected slings, shackles and chain hoists for each lift, tagging defective gear and removing it from service before it reached the hook.
- Slinged and secured loads at correct angles and hitches, reducing load swing and helping crane crews place steel and panels on the first attempt.
- Directed crane operators by hand signal and two-way radio on blind lifts, keeping the load path clear of workers and structures.
- Erected and braced structural steel and precast panels, aligning each piece so follow-on trades could start without delay.
- Checked load weights against crane charts and confirmed safe working loads with the operator before every lift, catching overload risks early.
- Maintained rigging equipment and completed pre-start checks, cutting downtime from gear breakages on site.
Education
Certificate III in Rigging or a state High Risk Work Licence (RB, RI or RA class as applicable), often completed through a traineeship. A White Card and working at heights training are commonly required.
Keywords an ATS is likely to scan for
Applicant tracking systems match your resume against terms in the job ad before a person ever sees it. Only include the ones that actually apply to your experience, but if a term below matches something you've done, use the same wording the job ad uses.
- High Risk Work Licence
- RB class
- RI class
- RA class
- Basic Rigging
- Intermediate Rigging
- Advanced Rigging
- Certificate III in Rigging
- WorkSafe Victoria
- SafeWork NSW
- WorkSafe Queensland
- WHS
- Australian Standards
- AS 2550
- load chart
- sling angle
- dogman
- rigger
- crane operator
- lift study
- SWMS
- JSA
- tag out
- structural steel erection
- precast panel
- White Card
- Working at Heights
Getting past ATS screening
- Match the specific skills, certifications and terms used in the job ad, not just your own wording for the same thing.
- Keep formatting simple: no tables, text boxes, columns, headers/footers or graphics. Parsers frequently drop content placed in these.
- Submit as .docx or PDF unless the job ad specifies otherwise.
- Use standard section headings (Experience, Education, Skills) rather than creative alternatives.
- List your core skills and technical competencies in their own section so a keyword scan can find them instantly.
This is a starting point, not a guarantee of interviews. Tailor every bullet point to your own real experience and the specific job ad.