Working on a farm can be physically demanding, but it’s rewarding work! Depending on the type of farm, your work responsibilities will be very different from one job to the next. As a farm worker, you may also experience seasonal changes and weather conditions that can impact your work. While this can make work more interesting, it also means that you need many different skills or specialise in a range of different areas. Your CV is the best place to document your professional strengths. At CVapp.ie, we’re here to help you create a job-winning CV and put your best foot forward with potential employers!
We offer a professional CV builder, with expertly-designed CV templates. In this guide, we’ll cover the following topics:
- How to create a farm worker CV
- The best format for a farm worker CV
- Advice on each section of your CV (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Our top CV layout and design formatting tips
In just about 15 minutes, you will have all the tools you need to create a winning farm worker CV!
How to create a powerful farm worker CV
Before you begin writing your farm worker CV, you’ll need to know what sections to include! Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The CV header
- The CV professional summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- Thee CV skills section
- The education section
Choosing the best CV format for a farm worker
If you began your career as a farm worker and have continued to work in the field, your best choice is the reverse chronological CV format. In this format, your employment history section is organised from your most recent professional experience to your least recent professional experience—-no more than 10 years maximum, and be sure to only include relevant job positions where possible!
Since recruiters tend to like it best, we highly recommend sticking with this format. Most of the time, this format makes it easy for recruiters to find the information they’re after. It also helps if you apply for a job online: many employers implement Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which scan and upload your CV into a software application. The ATS is typically set up in reverse chronological order and will, as a result, favour CVs that are in this format.
CV summary example
A professional summary also known as a CV summary, highlights the professional value you have to offer potential employers. As a farm worker, you have 4-5 sentences to outline why you’re the ideal candidate for the job role you’re applying for. How many years of experience on a farm do you have? Do you have any outstanding awards that are relevant to the farming industry? Do you have any specialisations or passion for a particular area of farming? Don’t be afraid to share these in your CV! In this section, choose one or two strengths and expand upon them, describing how your talents and skills can contribute to the position. Remember to keep this section brief – you can always expand upon your career in your cover letter! We have a ton of tips to help you create powerful cover letters on our website, but for now, check out our example below to learn how to create a compelling CV professional summary!
Dedicated, driven and disciplined Farm Worker proficient in carrying out day-to-day tasks and long-term projects on farms. Adept in the use of farm equipment and machinery, and skilled in a variety of farming procedures. Committed to being a positive, flexible, and adaptive team member. Skilled in soil preparation, animal handling and crop cultivation.
Employment History Example
Your employment history section should do more than just list job titles and responsibilities. It's essential to convey your professional experiences in the farming industry in a way that highlights why you're a great candidate for the role you're applying for. By highlighting your successes and providing tangible examples, you can make your employment history section more compelling and engaging to potential employers. So, how do we do that?
- List your professional experiences and use bullet points to highlight any key roles and responsibilities you had. Don’t stop there: try your best to demonstrate how these experiences can help you fulfil the requirements listed in the job description!
- Ensure your CV is tailored to your employer. You’ll need to have a good understanding of what employers are looking for, so the job description is your best friend! Tailored CVs nearly always do better than generic CVs, so be sure to include keywords and phrases to combat the pesky ATS where possible. ATS, or Applicant Tracking Systems, use algorithms and other criteria to rank your CV. CVs that don’t have any keywords from the job description are more likely to be rejected!
Farm Worker at Fitzgerald Farms, Ennis
March 2017 — Present
- Raised livestock and monitored their health, resulting in increased animal health and higher yields
- Assisted in the development and implementation of efficient work processes and procedures
- Monitored environmental conditions to ensure optimal growing conditions
- Harvested and packed fresh produce quickly and efficiently according to customer specifications
Farm Hand at Dairy Group Dublin, Dublin
February 2013 — March 2017
- Applied fertilizers and other chemicals in accordance with safety regulations
- Provided assistance with animal births, including birthing and newborn care
- Diagnosed and treated livestock-related illnesses, resulting in a 20% decrease in mortality rate
- Installed fencing to secure the property and keep livestock safe
Farm worker CV skills example
The skills section in your CV is a chance for you to showcase your strengths that are relevant to the role you're applying for. If you're applying for a farm-related position, it's important to include skills such as proficiency in using farm machinery and knowledge of harvesting procedures. These skills can help you stand out to employers who are looking for candidates with practical experience in the field.
Remember to thoroughly read the job description and tailor your CV accordingly. Look for specific requirements and desired skills mentioned in the job posting, and highlight those in your skills section. By doing this, you can demonstrate to employers that you have the qualifications they're seeking, which can increase your chances of securing an interview.
Check out our example of a great farm worker skills section below:
- Experience with Farm Machinery and Equipment
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Team Building Skills
- Knowledge of Crop Cultivation
- Animal Handling
CV education example
While advanced education, such as tertiary degrees, are not always a requirement for jobs in the farming industry, some employers might be looking for candidates with a degree in agriculture or other related fields. Be sure to read over the job description to ensure you have a good understanding of what employers are looking for! In this section, you should list any degrees, qualifications or certifications you may have. Additionally, you can also include honours or awards that may be relevant to recruiters.
Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science, Institute of Technology, Tralee
September 2008 — June 2012
CV formatting
While formatting can be fun, it’s important that your CV layout is professional and practical. Formatting can have a huge influence on how employers perceive you, so it’s important that you choose balanced fonts and headings and have a great text to white space balance.
When browsing the CVapp.ie CV library, you’ll find a wide range of professional CV templates in four different categories – that’s right, we have something for everyone!
And while it’s great to personalise your formatting, but keep these points in mind:
- A pop of colour can help you stand out, but ensure that the colour selection is professional and practical
- Margins shouldn’t be too small, or you risk employers discarding your CV before they even get to read it!
- Use sensible fonts and font sizing: employers must be able to read your CV
- ATS often avoid scanning headers and footers, so don’t put important information into your headers. Headers and footers may not be scannable by ATS, so don’t put vital information!
Lastly, don’t forget to proofread your CV. Fortunately, CVapp.ie has an in-buitl spell-checker to help you out! Simply start typing, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Key takeaways for a farm worker CV:
- The reverse chronological CV format is nearly always the best format
- Outline your top professional strengths in your CV summary.
- Don’t forget to tailor your CV or each new job application
- Use the CVapp.ie CV builder to make formatting easy and effective
CVapp.ie is here to take you to the next level in your career. Check out the CVapp.ie website for more professional career resources!