When writing a CV, it is important to structure your writing in a way that keeps an employer interested and engaged. To do this, we have provided a guide for the best way to structure a Class 1 HGV Driver CV and what skills and experience to include in it.
If you need them, use our CV writing tips as guidance, you can pair these tips with this CV template tailored to HGV Driver job applications.
1. Start with a personal statement which will briefly outline your experience, skills, education and qualifications.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Next, you will need to separate your education, qualifications, skills and work experience so that your CV is easy to read and important information can be found quickly.
4. Show your employer a little more about you by writing down some hobbies and interests.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Class 1 HGV Driver
Your personal statement is the first thing an employer or recruiter will read; it will need to stand out against other candidates to be considered for the next steps. When writing a personal statement, you should briefly describe the skills, qualifications and employment history that are relevant to the job you’re applying for and discuss why you will be an asset to the company at your current skill level.
Class 1 HGV Driver Personal Statement Example
“Owing to the skills and knowledge I have gained as a Driver’s Mate, I have extensive knowledge of loading and unloading vehicles, performing vehicle maintenance checks and route planning. I currently hold a valid driver’s licence and an HGV licence, and I have experience driving HGVs from my time as a Driver’s Mate.
I also have valuable customer service skills as my time as a Shopfloor Assistant where I often had to interact with customers.
I think my current skills will work well with the job your company has advertised, and I am eager to learn more about this position and how I can strengthen your company.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Class 1 HGV Driver CV
An ideal candidate will have experience in a similar line of work but as long as there are some transferrable skills there are a few avenues to take to become an HGV Driver. Here we will talk about which jobs to include in your CV.
Which Jobs to Include
When talking about your employment history, it’s worth mentioning any jobs that required driving as these will provide the most useful skills for your application. This can include roles such as taxi driving or food delivery, which require route planning, vehicle maintenance and customer interactions.
Any previous experience driving HGVs will be a benefit to your CV.
Class 1 HGV Driver CV Work Experience Example
You should bullet point your employment history to describe your skills in more detail. Be sure to start each bullet point with your position, the company you worked for, and how long you worked there.
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Driver’s Mate at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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Being a Driver’s Mate gave me great insight into route planning, as I was tasked to assist the driver in finding the fastest and most efficient route to a destination.
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I am capable of loading and unloading vehicles with the correct form, and I have been required to speak to customers when necessary to deliver their packages.
Key Skills & Qualifications for an HGV Driver CV
An employer will want to know that your skills and qualifications match what they’re looking for, so make sure you only mention relevant skills that will assist you in the job you’re applying for.
Important Skills for a Class 1 HGV Driver
A Class 1 HGV Driver is expected to have several technical and interpersonal skills. These skills will be outlined in the job description, but it is important to have proficient driving abilities, a strong understanding of road safety regulations and vehicle checks, communication skills and time management skills.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Class 1 HGV Driver
A Class 1 HGV Driver must be over the age of 18, hold a valid driver’s licence and have a licence or provisional licence for a Category C+E HGV. These prerequisites, along with Driver CPC training and medical examinations will be essential for the job.
Depending on the level of experience the job description requires, entry-level HGV jobs may offer this training as long as you already have a valid driver’s licence. For more information about Class 1 HGV Driver jobs, you can check out our guide on becoming an HGV driver.
Additional Content to Boost Your Class 1 HGV Driver CV
To give an employer a sense of your personality outside of work you can also include hobbies and interests that have given you a relevant skillset. It is also helpful to add references to your CV; in case an employer would like to know more about you from a manager or mentor.
Hobbies & Interests
When adding hobbies and interests, make sure they are relevant to the job you are applying for. Things like an interest in mechanics could benefit your CV when talking about vehicle maintenance and you could use it to reinforce your interest in the job.
References
If you have any notable achievements from your past work experience it is useful to mention senior staff who recognised your potential. Make sure you ask permission from the manager, senior or mentor that you intend to add as a reference, and make sure that their information is correct.
How to Make a Class 1 HGC Driver CV Stand Out
When applying for a job as an HGV Driver, you will want your CV to stand out over other applicants. Make sure the information you provide is relevant and correct, as any false information could be questioned during an interview.
Use positive language when you write and talk about why your skills and qualifications will benefit the company, it is important to have confidence in your abilities.
Write down any notable achievements such as high productivity, promotions, or praise from senior staff because of a good use of your skills.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid adding irrelevant experience into your CV to pad it out. If it isn’t of interest to an employer, they won’t want to read it.
Though an employer will be interested in relevant hobbies, don’t write down too many, as the main focus should be your work experience and skills.
Make sure to check your CV for spelling and grammatical errors.
Class 1 HGV Driver CV Example
You should now be able to successfully write a CV for a Class 1 HGV Driver job, but we also have a template that you can download to guide your written CV. Take a look at our free CV template and see how it can assist you when writing your CV.
