Mining Resume: Tips for Entry-Level Applicants

Applying for jobs in the mining industry can be a real headache, right? Crafting the perfect resume is like pulling teeth, and don’t even get me started on those resume writers who charge an arm and a leg. But getting your resume past an ATS doesn’t have to be that hard.

Enhancing Your Resume with No Experience

Even if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can still include keywords to help get your resume through the applicant tracking system. Mention that you’re safety-focused multiple times throughout your resume and cover letter. It’s surprising how many resumes don’t mention safety when applying for a mining role, which shows a lack of understanding of the industry’s dangerous nature.

Other keywords to include: can-do attitude, able to pass random drug and alcohol testing, physically fit, able to work 12-hour shifts in harsh conditions, great work ethic, positive attitude, and willingness to learn.

What Do ATS Scan For?

Keywords

Keywords are your golden tickets. These are the specific words and phrases lifted straight from the job description. If the job ad mentions “safety” or “project management” multiple times, make sure these terms pop up in your resume too. It’s all about speaking the same language as the job posting.

Skills

The skills section is where you showcase what you’ve got. Use bullet points to make a list of all the relevant skills. List the skills mentioned in the job ad, both hard (like basic mechanical skills or operating equipment) and soft (like teamwork and problem-solving). Make them easy to spot – the ATS is on the hunt for these terms.

Qualifications, Tickets and Licenses

Got specific qualifications ,tickets or licenses? Most jobs, especially in mining, require these, and the ATS will be checking to see if you have them.

List all of your tickets, licenses, and qualifications under one heading in bullet point format. ATS love this simple, easy-to-read format. Here are examples of what you might include:

• Trade qualification
• Driver’s License
• Work Safely at Heights
• Confined Space Entry
• High Risk Work Licence
• Crane Ticket
• Dogging, Rigging tickets
• Forklift license
• HR license
• Coal Board Medical
• Standard 11
• White card
• VOC (Verification of Competency)
• Site inductions
• Training Transcripts
• RII ticket

Make it clear and easy to read by putting your qualifications, tickets, and licenses front and centre on the front page of your resume.

Experience

The ATS will be scanning for job titles, experience, dates, and duties. This can make it tricky to highlight relevant experience and get past the ATS when applying for entry-level mining jobs. If you have a background in retail, defence, office work, or another field that doesn’t directly translate to mining, focus on highlighting your transferable skills. This approach shows how your previous experience makes you a strong candidate for the mining industry.

Highlight Transferable Skills

Teamwork

Talk about any experience you have working in small teams. In mining, you’ll be stuck with a crew for weeks at a time, so fitting in and getting along matters. If you’ve worked in hospitality or retail, mention how you get along with all sorts of people and work well together. You won’t like everyone, but you need to show you can fit in and work with all kinds of characters in this industry.

Attitude

Explain how you stay motivated, handle tough situations, and get things done without complaining. Share examples of how your positive attitude helped you and your team succeed, showing you can keep morale high and stay productive, even when things get tough.

Long Shifts

In the mining industry, the shifts are typically 12 hours. Any job where you worked long hours shows your ability to handle extended work periods without compromising performance or safety.

Night Shifts

In mining, you’ll be working both day and night shifts. If you have experience working night shifts, make sure to highlight it, showing your adaptability and ability to maintain productivity during unconventional hours.

Challenging Conditions

Highlight roles where you have worked in demanding environments, extreme heat, wet weather, noisy, remote or working away from home. Mining sites can be hot, dusty, and full of flies, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C. Demonstrating your resilience and ability to cope with tough conditions will show you’re cut out for the mining environment.

Formatting

Clean, clear formatting is your best friend. Use headings, bullet points, and a consistent structure. Avoid fancy fonts, images, or charts – they can confuse the ATS. Stick to Arial or Calibri font, 10 and 12 pt, keep the layout straightforward and easy to read. Break your resume into clear sections with bold headings for easy navigation.

Contact Information

Double-check that your contact details are correct and complete. The ATS needs your name, phone number, and email address to push your resume through to the next round. One small mistake here can mean missing out on an opportunity.

Got a story to share? Reach out to us! Scroll down to leave a comment below.