Lineman Resume: Example & Template (Apprentice & more)

Are you ready to light up your career as a lineman? Hold on to your hard hat because we're about to take your resume from a blackout to a power surge.

Whether you're a master or an apprentice, we’ll give you the tools you need to make the recruiter spark with excitement as they read your lineman resume!

This guide will show you: 

• A lineman resume example better than 9 out of 10 other resumes.
• How to write a superior lineman resume that will land you more interviews.
• Tips and examples of putting skills and achievements on a lineman's resume regardless of tenure.
• How to describe your experience on a resume for a lineman to get any job you want.

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Considering similar jobs too? See related articles:

• Electrical Engineer Resume Examples
• Construction Resume Examples
• Mechanic Resume Examples
• Maintenance Resume Examples
• Maintenance Technician Resume Examples
• Electronic Technician Resume Examples
• Cable Technician Resume Examples
• Electrician Resume Examples
• Handyman Resume Examples
• Welder Resume Examples
• Job Resume Examples for All Professions

Lineman Resume Example

That’s electric! See how to write your own lineman resume here:

1. Prepare Your Lineman Resume Format

As a lineman, the job requires a specialized skill set and knowledge of electrical installations to keep the power flowing. Keeping up-to-date on the latest technologies, working as a team, and physical endurance are all musts on a proper lineman resume—make sure you’re ticking all those boxes.

Lineman is a job that offers really promising prospects, stability and money-wise.

But, let's be real, looks matter in this business too. And that goes double for the looks of your resume:

• Add your current contact info at the top of the resume header.
• As for some tips regarding structure, divide your resume into sections, and add plenty of white space to give your reader some space to breathe.
• Present your experience correctly. For linemen, the reverse chronological format is a bet safer than your harness.
• Thefont choice for your resume also matters, so avoid anything too crazy. A simple pick like Cambria or Arial at 11 or 12 pt is definitely a good one.
• How long should a resume be? We say: one page, but if you've got a lot of experience under your tool belt, you can flex with two pages.

Read more: Modern Resume Templates That Work

2. Write a Lineman Resume Objective or Resume Summary

The problem you’ll most likely encounter as a lineman isn’t about writing the resume. It’s about them wanting to read through it in the first place.

Just like birds are attracted to shiny objects and flashy colors, HR reps need to be captivated by an impressive resume profile.

If you have 2+ years of experience as a lineman, write a concise resume summary that highlights your electrical system prowess, states your strengths, and highlights your proudest achievements.

Conversely, if you're switching careers or just starting out, go with a bold resume objective that describes your skills and knowledge while demonstrating how they could be applied to a lineman job to enhance the company. By focusing on your transferable skills, you're bound to make a lasting impression.

Read more: The Right Way to List Strengths on Your Resume

3. Describe Your Previous Lineman Work Experience

OSHA guidelines are your bible, but they lack any info on describing work experience on a resume for a lineman.

Worry not, we’ve compiled all you need to know about that in this list of tips below:

• List your job title, the company name, and the duration of your employment for each position.
• Use bullet points to describe past duties and responsibilities. You can brag a little, just don’t go overboard and pretend you’re Kanye.
• Any recruiter will sleep when reading a boring resume. The remedy for that is a nice electric shock to keep them awake. Do it by using numbers next to accomplishments and starting sentences with action words.
• To prove you’re ready and dedicated more than John McClane in Die Hard 2, tailor your resume to fit the specific requirements of the job you're applying for. If they want a “power line technician,” make sure you highlight your experience in that area.

Read more: How Far Back Should a Resume Go (How Many Years to List)

4. Get the Most Out of Your Lineman Education Section

You need to show that you're not just another Joe Schmo with a toolbox. What would one such individual do? Probably skip out on the education section.

That’s precisely what you’re not gonna do.

Your formal lineman training program is an asset in itself. So if you’ve been climbing poles up for more than 5 years, list your completed program, the school you attended, and your year of graduation.

And if you’re more of a rookie, it’s a good idea to fill in extra details by including information such as relevant coursework,extracurricular activities, or internships completed as part of your educational journey.

Pro Tip: Training a lineworker from a rookie to a highly skilled professional often takes around 12 or more years. Training and education are huge parts of the profession—that’s why your school achievements matter!

Creating a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide and use content from Certified Professional Resume Writers to have a resume ready in minutes.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

5. Prove Your Amazing Lineman Skillset

Take a look at this sample list of great lineman skills:

Lineman Skills for Resume

• Climbing Poles
• Working at Heights
• Electrical Equipment
• OSHA Regulations
• NEC/Other Electrical Codes & Standards
• Hand & Power Tools
• Organizational Skills
• Professionalism
• Electrical Distribution Systems
• Reading Blueprints
• SCADA
• Proper Use of PPE
• Splicing & Terminating Cables
• Grounding
• Communication Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Time Management
• Safety-Oriented
• Positive Attitude
• Physical Endurance
• Working under Pressure
• Troubleshooting Electrical Problems
• CMMS Familiarity
• GIS Mapping Software

A list like that looks good on its own, but it won’t do you any good on a resume.

First off, nobody will even believe you’re not BS’ing if you just list all of that and say you’re great in that many areas.

There’s a better way to turn up the amperage of your lineman skills section:

• Start by making a list or spreadsheet of all your skills, including hard skills,soft skills, and technical skills.
• Next, scope out the job opening and read between the lines to find out what the employer is looking for in their ideal lineman. These are the magic keywords you're after.
• Match any keywords from the job ad to the skills on your list, and make sure they get featured on your resume. This will make you look like a superhero lineman, a “Lineman of Steel,” if you will.

Read more: Essential Skills to Impress Employers

6. Add Extra Sections to Your Lineman Resume

Great application so far. But it’s not enough. You’ve got a slinky-level grip on the recruiter so far.

We need you to get them fastened and feeling more secure about hiring you like you’ve got six belt hooks on them.

They need to see you’re not just a “power line construction man working” kind of deal from Getty Images.

Electrify them by adding extra sections to your resume, like so:

• Lineman certifications and licenses
• Language skills
• Hobbies and interests
• Personal projects
• Volunteering work
• Freelance gigs

Read more: Good Things to Include on a Resume

7. Attach a Cover Letter Alongside Your Lineman Resume

Not attaching a cover letter is like tripping over a live power line—very likely a fatal accident for your career prospects.

Cover letters are a definite must in many industries, and linemen are no exception. If it’s been a while since you had to write down anything else than the specs of a system you were running maintenance on, check out these cover letter tips:

• Think of yourcover letter structure ahead of writing.
• Likewise, plan your cover letter length in advance, aiming for about 3 to 4 paragraphs and one-page maximum.
• Don't be afraid to do some online research or make a call to find out whom you should be addressing on your cover letter. Using a generic greeting like “To Whom It May Concern” is like using the wrong size wrench for the job.
• Make sure your cover letter opening is catchy, attention-grabbing, and personal.
• Share a few major accomplishments and/or express your admiration for the company in the body.
• Finish strong by highlighting why you're the best fit for the job and suggesting an interview.

Pro Tip: Don't forget tofollow up with a message a week later. It shows you're really amped up to tackle the job head-on.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Have you ever applied for a lineman job and had immediate success? Did my advice surprise you? Tell me your story in the comments. Questions are also welcome!

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