How to List Your FIFO Experience on Your Resume

When it comes to writing a resume, your work experience can make or break your chances of landing an interview. However, if you’ve spent a significant portion of your career in a FIFO (Fly-in, Fly-out) role, you might be wondering how best to present this unique experience on your resume. FIFO work presents challenges and opportunities that are different from typical office or traditional site-based jobs, and if you want to stand out in the job market, you’ll need to highlight the right skills and experiences.

Listing your FIFO experience on your resume isn't just about mentioning the role you held and the dates of your employment. It’s about showcasing how the skills, work ethic, and resilience you developed during your time in FIFO environments can be valuable to potential employers. Whether you’re applying for a new FIFO job or a role outside of the FIFO industry, you’ll need to demonstrate how this experience adds value.

Understanding the Importance of FIFO Experience on Your Resume

Before diving into the specifics of how to list FIFO work on your resume, it’s essential to understand why it’s so important. FIFO jobs are physically and mentally demanding. Workers are often away from home for weeks at a time, living in remote locations, and working long, sometimes grueling shifts. This requires an impressive range of skills such as time management, adaptability, self-reliance, and an ability to perform under pressure.

When you’re writing your resume, you want potential employers to see these qualities right from the start. FIFO experience can demonstrate that you are:

• Resilient: Able to thrive under challenging and isolated conditions.

• Adaptable: Comfortable working in remote environments and with diverse teams.

• Reliable: Dependable when working long hours, often with minimal supervision.

• Self-sufficient: Capable of managing your own routine and wellbeing while living away from home.

• Team-focused: Experience working in tight-knit teams, often on high-stakes projects.

  
  

Your FIFO experience can be a strong asset, so it’s important to list it in a way that appeals to employers in your industry, whether or not they are familiar with FIFO work.

How to Position Your FIFO Experience on Your Resume

The first decision you’ll need to make is where to place your FIFO experience on your resume. For most jobseekers, work experience is listed in reverse chronological order—starting with the most recent role and working backward. If your FIFO experience is the most recent, then it should be placed at the top of your experience section.

If you’re transitioning into a different industry and your FIFO experience isn’t directly relevant to the role you’re applying for, you can still include it. However, focus on transferable skills that will resonate with the employer. For example, the ability to manage high-pressure situations, work with limited resources, or collaborate across diverse teams is valuable in almost any sector.

Emphasise Relevant Skills and Achievements

When writing about your FIFO role, avoid just listing your job responsibilities. Instead, highlight the skills you gained and the achievements you made during your time in the role. Think about how these can transfer to the job you're applying for. For example:

• Problem-Solving: FIFO roles often require workers to think on their feet, come up with creative solutions, and tackle issues with limited resources. If you’ve solved significant problems during your FIFO time, be sure to mention this.

• Time Management: FIFO work often involves long hours and tight deadlines. Being able to manage time effectively is a crucial skill. If you managed to complete a complex task or project within a given timeframe, that’s a significant achievement to highlight.

• Adaptability: With changing rosters, remote locations, and new teams regularly, adaptability is key in FIFO roles. Showcase your flexibility and willingness to embrace change, especially in high-pressure environments.

• Health and Safety Awareness: FIFO roles, particularly in the mining, construction, and oil & gas industries, often require workers to adhere to strict health and safety regulations. If you have experience ensuring compliance with safety protocols or conducting safety audits, this will stand out to many employers.

  
  

Example:

Instead of simply stating your duties as a FIFO worker, such as “Worked on a mining site in a team,” you might say:

“Managed a team of 10 in the safe and efficient operation of machinery, ensuring compliance with all health and safety regulations. Achieved a 15% improvement in operational efficiency during a 4-week rotation by streamlining communication and implementing a new reporting system.”

This not only highlights your responsibilities but also the impact you made during your time in the role.

How to Tailor FIFO Experience to the Job You’re Applying For

When applying for a new job, tailoring your resume is critical. Even though FIFO experience is valuable, you may need to adjust how you present it, depending on the job.

• If Applying for Another FIFO Role: If you’re applying for a similar role, emphasise your experience in similar conditions. Highlight your capacity to work under pressure, your ability to work in isolated and remote environments, and your technical expertise. Use specific examples of times when you overcame challenges or made improvements to your worksite or team.

• If Transitioning to an Office or Management Role: If you’re moving from a physically demanding FIFO role to a more office-based or managerial position, focus on the leadership, time management, and communication skills you’ve gained. Emphasise how your experience managing your own well-being, coordinating teams, and dealing with time pressures can apply to a more traditional office environment.

  
  

For instance, in a management role, you might mention your ability to:

• Lead a diverse team under pressure.

• Implement strategic improvements based on onsite observations.

• Report progress and issues effectively to senior management in high-stress environments.

  
  

Tailoring your FIFO experience to the job you’re applying for is about showing that the skills and strengths you’ve developed are transferable to new environments.

Include Your FIFO Schedule and Location if Relevant

When listing your FIFO roles, consider including the schedule and location of your rosters if it’s relevant to the job. This can give potential employers an understanding of your working conditions and the scope of your responsibilities.

• Schedule: Many FIFO roles require workers to adhere to strict schedules. If you’ve worked with a challenging roster, like 2 weeks on and 1 week off or night shifts, mentioning this can demonstrate your flexibility and ability to work in a variety of conditions.

• Location: The remoteness or specific location of your FIFO worksite can also add context. For example, if you worked in a particularly challenging location like a remote island, a mining town, or a high-altitude site, this highlights your ability to cope with isolation and extreme conditions.

  
  

Example:

“Worked in a high-risk environment at a remote oil rig for 6-week rotations, overseeing a team of 8. Ensured operational safety and maintained site operations 24/7 in challenging weather conditions, successfully meeting all project deadlines.”

Don’t Forget About the Extras

FIFO work often involves more than just the tasks on your job description. Consider including any additional certifications, training, or accomplishments that you gained during your FIFO experience. This might include:

• Certifications: First aid, confined space entry, working at heights, or other industry-specific training.

• Awards or Recognition: Any achievements such as “Employee of the Month” or team recognition for outstanding performance.

• Travel: If you’ve worked FIFO in international locations, this could be a valuable addition, showcasing your global experience and adaptability to different cultures and conditions.

  
  

Final Thoughts on Listing FIFO Experience

Listing FIFO experience on your resume can set you apart from other candidates, especially if you highlight the unique skills and qualities that make you well-suited to the role. FIFO workers possess a range of transferable skills that can be invaluable to any employer, whether it’s the ability to work in a team, meet deadlines under pressure, or manage time and resources efficiently. By focusing on the results you've achieved, and tailoring your experience to fit the job you’re applying for, you can make sure your FIFO experience shines.

Remember, it's not just about the job you’ve done—it’s about showing how the experience and skills you gained can benefit your future employer. So, when you’re writing your resume, think beyond just listing job duties. Instead, focus on the value you’ve added and how that aligns with the job you're aiming for.

If you need assistance creating an impactful FIFO resume and cover letter, contact Adrienna, your Perth Resume Writing Specialist, at 0423 686 904 or email hello@adriennasresumes.com