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Freight handler skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical freight handler skills. We ranked the top skills for freight handlers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 27.6% of freight handler resumes contained basic math as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a freight handler needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 freight handler skills for your resume and career

1. Basic Math

Here's how freight handlers use basic math:

Verified product and quantity using basic math skills.
Documented labeling information and size of pallets by using basic mathematics.

2. Pallets

Here's how freight handlers use pallets:

Unloaded Semi Trailers- Operated forklift machine- Separated products on pallets
Unload trucks using propane forklift*Shrink wrap pallets*Light housekeeping

3. Math

Here's how freight handlers use math:

Worked with excel spreadsheets to perform attrition for the stock room using math skills on a daily basis.
Make out reports, do math, and use the computer in order to record daily events.

4. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how freight handlers use hazardous materials:

Handled hazardous materials and general commodities.
Provided tracking and documentation for the movement and transfer of Hazardous Materials in compliance with Federal and State regulations.

5. Manual Equipment

Here's how freight handlers use manual equipment:

Assisted in receiving material by removing from truck and using manual equipment such as hand truck or pallet jack.
Assist in receiving cargo by removing from truck by hand, or manual equipment.

6. Hand Trucks

Hand trucks are also known as a dolly or a two wheeler is an L-shaped, box moving, handcart. The hand truck has two big wheels on one side of the base and has a small ledge that holds the object to be moved. The hand truck is operated manually and has a handle that a person can use to load the boxes into the base and then unload it. It balances the weight of the objects and makes carrying heavy boxes easier.

Here's how freight handlers use hand trucks:

Used various equipment, such as rider electric pallet jacks, pallet jacks, hand trucks and forklifts.
Initiated the use of a specially designed hand truck to move hand freight more efficiently.

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7. FedEx

Here's how freight handlers use fedex:

Picked small auto related parts in warehouse, packed orders, then shipped to customer using UPS or FedEx systems.
Ship order via FedEx on a daily basis and perform an inventory and cycle count when needed.

8. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how freight handlers use logistics:

Contracted with logistics and hot shot organizations to move oilfield equipment from manufactures to end users and rig sites.
Handled logistics and all freight, Stocked and tagged, Cashier, Walked the floor

9. Tractor Trailer

Here's how freight handlers use tractor trailer:

Unload furniture off tractor trailers and place them inside the warehouse at a specific location or place them on another trailer.
Stack cargo in locations such as transit sheds or tractor trailers, using pallets or cargo boards.

10. Unload Trailers

Here's how freight handlers use unload trailers:

Operate forklift/Load and unload trailers/Customer service/Rigging.
Ensured lights were functioning to unload trailers, all equipment was off dock and plugged into the proper battery chargers.

11. Electric Pallet Jack

Here's how freight handlers use electric pallet jack:

Lift truck, order picker, forklift, electric pallet jack, and pacer unit.
Trained and certified new employees on electric pallet jack and pacer machines.

12. Forklifts

Forklifts refer to a powerful industrial truck used to move and lift materials over short distances.

Here's how freight handlers use forklifts:

Loaded and unloaded freight trucks, scanned the freight as it came in and drove the forklifts which carried the freight
Operated forklifts, roll clamps, regular clamps, barrel lifts, and rod loaders to facilitate loading.

13. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how freight handlers use customer service:

Develop and maintain excellent customer service for internal and external customers.
Maintain excellent customer service with internal and external customers.

14. Work Ethic

Here's how freight handlers use work ethic:

Demonstrated excellent work ethic while often working long strenuous hours.
Work ethic must be fast.

15. SIT

Here's how freight handlers use sit:

Certified on Crown Reach and Sit Down, Six plus years on Swing Reach and Order Pickers
Load ground and air shipments onto designated trailers using sit down forklift.

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List of freight handler skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a freight handler resume and required skills for a freight handler to have include:

Basic Math
Pallets
Math
Hazardous Materials
Manual Equipment
Hand Trucks
FedEx
Logistics
Tractor Trailer
Unload Trailers
Electric Pallet Jack
Forklifts
Customer Service
Work Ethic
SIT
Capstone

Pallet Repair
Safety Procedures
Warehouse Maintenance
Ti-Hi
Delivery Vehicle
RF Scanner
Unload Trucks
Groceries
Customer Orders
Forks
Unload Product
Semi Trailers
Load Trucks
Inbound Freight
Computer System
Clamp Truck

Safety Rules
Load Freight
Quantity Verification
Scan Gun
Sales Floor
Hazmat
Semi Trucks
Load Trailers
Safety Regulations
Production Sheets
Inventory Control
Restack Product
Freight Trucks
Freight Shipments
Stock Shelves

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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