Summary. We reviewed real candidate profiles to learn the best path to become an operator. We'll guide you through the education, experiences, and skills hiring managers look for in an operator.

  • Common job titles before becoming an operator include cashier, customer service representative, and sales associate.

  • Hiring managers expect an operator to have soft skills such as communication skills, visual ability, and mechanical skills.

  • Once you have all the required skills and experience, it takes an average of less than 1 month of job training to become an operator.

  • Getting a certification as a OSHA Safety Certificate will help you to earn more as an operator.

  • To become an operator, you typically do not need formal education.

How to become an Operator in 6 steps:

  • Step 1: Explore operator education
  • Step 2: Develop operator skills
  • Step 3: Complete relevent training/internship
  • Step 4: Get operator certifications
  • Step 5: Research operator duties
  • Step 6: Prepare your resume
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Key Steps To Become an Operator

  1. Explore Operator Education

    If you're interested in becoming an operator, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 22.4% of operators have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 1.9% of operators have master's degrees. Even though some operators have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

    Operator Degrees

    High School Diploma

    40.5 %

    Bachelors

    22.4 %

    Associate

    19.6 %

  2. Develop Operator Skills

    It'll be a good idea to develop operator skills before applying for a job. Here are some skills commonly requested in operator job descriptions:

  3. Complete Relevent Training/Internship

    Operators spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. During this time, new operators learn the skills and techniques required for their specific job and employer. The chart below shows how much time it takes to gain competency as an operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real operator resumes.

    Average Amount Of Time At Training

    None

    Less than 1 month

    1-3 months

    3-6 months

    6-12 months

    1-2 years

    2-4 years

  4. Get Operator Certifications

    Certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for this position. They can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a certification, having one may help you stand out in an application. Plus, the process of getting a certification can teach you new skills that you can bring to your work. We determined the most common certifications for operators. The most common certification is OSHA Safety Certificate , but Forklift Safety and Inspector is also frequently seen in operators resumes.

    1. OSHA Safety Certificate
    2. Forklift Safety and Inspector
    3. Operator Certification
    4. EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA)
    5. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
    6. Certified Operator Class IV
    7. Chemical Process Operator Certificate
    8. Certified Safety Professional (CSP)

    More About Certifications

  5. Research Operator Duties

    When you decide to become an operator, It's important to know what duties and responsibilities are required for this position. Some common responsibilities are a part of most operator jobs. Here is a list of the main duties that define the role:

    • Assist in developing the company s short and long term training plans and managing yearly ammunition allocation.
    • Assist and manage the extrusion process of polyester raw material in pellet or chip form to produce finish rolls of plastic.
    • Manage day-to-day transportation and logistics services for multinational account base.
    • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
    • Job require basic math skills: fractions and decimals.
    • Ensure safety of all equipment during production in compliance with strict OSHA and safety regulations.

  6. Prepare Your Resume

    Finally, when you already have checked the skills and responsibilities for this role, you can start creating your resume. Everything that goes into creating a perfect resume can take hours, days, or even weeks. No worries, we created a resume builder to make this process as easy as possible with tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and a summary.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Operator Resume templates

    Build a professional Operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Operator resume.

    Operator Resume
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    Operator Resume

  7. Apply For an Operator Job

    With your ready resume, it's time to start searching for a new job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

    Operator Jobs

  8. How To Become an Operator
    How To Become an Operator Career Overview