Air traffic controller Resume: Free Example (2026)

Use this example as a starting point, then customize details to match the job posting.
The sample focuses on clarity, relevant certifications, measurable outcomes, and concise bullet points that show operational responsibility and safety focus.

Place your name, city and state, phone number, and a professional email at the top of the page.
Include your current license or facility rating if space allows, for example FAA CWO or MATF, so hiring managers see qualifications immediately.

Write a 2-3 sentence professional summary that highlights your years of experience, the type of facility you work in, and your core certification.
Example, "FAA-certified air traffic controller with five years of tower and approach experience, proficient in traffic sequencing and emergency coordination, focused on maintaining safe and efficient operations.

List active certifications first and show licensing details with dates and issuing agency.
Include facility endorsements, radar or approach ratings, and any recurring training such as radar lab or simulator sessions so a recruiter can verify credential currency quickly.

Organize work experience in reverse chronological order and show facility, location, dates, and role.
For each job include 3 to 6 bullets that focus on actions and measurable results, for example traffic volume, reductions in separation errors, or response time improvements.

Use action verbs and concrete metrics when possible, such as sequencing, coordinating, or reducing delays.
Example bullets, "Sequenced an average of 120 IFR departures per day during peak periods while maintaining zero separation incidents," and "Coordinated emergency response for aircraft diversion, reducing average reroute time by 18 percent.

Keep the skills section focused and relevant by listing technical skills and soft skills separately when space allows.
Include radar operation, phraseology, traffic flow management tools, conflict detection, teamwork under pressure, and clear radio communications.

Note your highest level of education and any specialized training such as FAA Academy courses or simulation programs.
Add dates for recurring training and list any instructor or evaluator roles to show leadership and mentoring experience.

Stick to a single clean font, one inch margins, and clear section headings so dispatchers and hiring managers can scan quickly.
Keep the resume to one page if you are under 10 years of experience, and use consistent bullet formatting and verb tense for readability.

When applying to a tower role emphasize local traffic control, ground movement, and runway incursion prevention experience.
For approach or en route positions highlight radar separation, coordination with adjacent sectors, and experience managing higher traffic complexity.

Pull keywords from the job posting such as radar, separation, IFR, VFR, traffic flow management, or emergency procedures and add them naturally to your experience bullets.
Use verbs like coordinated, sequenced, monitored, communicated, and diagnosed to describe technical and leadership actions.

Run a quick scan for spelling, consistent date formatting, and correct facility abbreviations before submitting your resume.
Use plain text or a simple PDF for ATS compatibility and avoid complex tables or multiple columns that can confuse parsing software.

Header with name and contact, professional summary, certifications, work experience, skills, education, and training is an effective order for most applicants.
Place the most relevant certifications and a short list of measurable accomplishments near the top so a recruiter sees qualifications at a glance.

If you are newly certified focus on simulator hours, internship shifts, FAA Academy training, and any instructor evaluations or scenario performance metrics.
Emphasize reliability, safety mindset, and quick learning with examples of responsibilities you handled during training.