After 14 years in the FIFO mining industry and countless resumes crossing my desk as a supervisor, I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, and the downright confusing.
Here’s the brutal truth: most FIFO resumes get rejected in under 30 seconds. Not because the candidates aren’t qualified, but because they’re making simple mistakes that scream “inexperienced” to recruiters.
Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the 10 most common resume mistakes I see – and how to fix them.
1. Using a Generic Resume Template
Your office job resume won’t cut it in mining. FIFO recruiters want to see specific certifications, tickets, and safety training front and center – not buried on page 3.
The Fix: Create a FIFO-specific resume with a dedicated “Certifications & Licenses” section right at the top. Include your HR license, FIFO medical, working at heights, confined spaces, and any other relevant tickets.
2. Forgetting to List Your Roster Pattern
Recruiters need to know if you’re available for their roster. Are you 2 weeks on/1 week off? FIFO or DIDO? Day shift or night shift capable?
The Fix: Add a “Availability” section listing your preferred roster, willingness to relocate, and any restrictions. Example: “Available for 2/1 or 8/6 rosters, Perth-based FIFO, all shifts”
3. No Safety Focus
In mining, safety isn’t just important – it’s everything. If your resume doesn’t mention safety, you’re already out.
The Fix: Include your safety achievements. “Zero LTIs in 3 years,” “Safety representative for 2 years,” “Completed advanced risk assessment training.” Make it clear you take safety seriously.
4. Vague Job Descriptions
“Operated machinery” tells me nothing. What machinery? What capacity? What outcomes?
The Fix: Be specific. Instead of “Drove trucks,” write “Operated CAT 789D haul trucks, moving 240 tonnes per load, averaging 12 loads per shift in iron ore operations.”
5. Missing Keywords
Most large mining companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for specific keywords. No keywords = automatic rejection.
The Fix: Mirror the job ad. If they mention “excavator operation,” use exactly that phrase – not “digger driving.” Include terms like: heavy equipment, load and haul, shutdown maintenance, roster-based, autonomous operations.
6. No Numbers or Metrics
Anyone can claim they’re productive. Prove it with data.
The Fix: Quantify everything. “Maintained 98% equipment uptime,” “Trained 15 new operators,” “Reduced fuel consumption by 12% through efficient driving techniques.”
7. Irrelevant Work History
Your 5 years at McDonald’s in high school isn’t helping your excavator operator application.
The Fix: Focus on relevant experience. If you’re transitioning to mining, highlight transferable skills like shift work, safety protocols, machinery operation, or team leadership. Keep irrelevant jobs to one line or remove them.
8. Poor Formatting
Recruiters scan resumes in seconds. If yours is a wall of text, it’s going in the bin.
The Fix: Use clear headings, bullet points, and white space. Keep it to 2-3 pages max. Use a clean, professional font (Arial or Calibri, 11-12pt). Save as PDF to preserve formatting.
9. No Contact Information (or Wrong Info)
I’ve seen resumes with no phone number, old email addresses, or numbers that don’t work. If we can’t reach you, you can’t get hired.
The Fix: Put your contact details at the top: current mobile, professional email address, and location (city/state). Double-check they’re correct. Use an email like john.smith@email.com, not partykingJohn99@hotmail.com.
10. Typos and Grammar Errors
One typo might be forgiven. Multiple errors tell me you don’t pay attention to detail – a red flag in an industry where mistakes can be fatal.
The Fix: Proofread three times. Use spell check. Read it backwards. Get someone else to review it. Consider using Grammarly. No excuses for basic errors.
The Resume That Gets Results
Here’s what a winning FIFO resume includes:
Section 1: Header
- Name, location, phone, email
Section 2: Professional Summary
- 3-4 lines about your experience and what you offer
Section 3: Certifications & Licenses
- HR license class, FIFO medical, all relevant tickets
- Safety qualifications
Section 4: Work Experience
- Most recent first
- Company name, location, dates
- Role and key achievements with numbers
- Equipment operated, production metrics, safety record
Section 5: Education
- Relevant qualifications only
- Trade certificates, apprenticeships
Section 6: Availability
- Roster preferences, shift capability, location
The Bottom Line
Your resume is your first impression. Make it count.
I’ve hired hundreds of people over my 14 years in FIFO, and the candidates who get through always have one thing in common: their resume shows they understand the industry.
Fix these 10 mistakes, and you’ll instantly stand out from 90% of applicants.
Want a free resume review based on real FIFO recruitment standards?
Email support@thefifoinsider.com with the subject line: FREE REVIEW
(Limited to 10 spots)
The FIFO Insider provides practical FIFO resources, resume guidance, and site tested advice backed by 14 years in mining. I currently screen resumes and recruit for site roles, so everything here reflects what actually gets people hired.
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