Resume Tips for Ag Professionals: Cultivating a Winning Resume

Agriculture is one of the few industries where your work ethic, practical knowledge, and track record in the field can speak louder than your credentials on paper — but you still have to get the paper right.

Whether you're a crop consultant with 20 years under your belt, a recent ag grad eyeing your first management role, or somewhere in between, your resume is the first thing standing between you and the conversation you actually want to have. Here's how to make it work harder.

Lead with what makes you specific

Generic resumes get generic results. The ag industry is relationship-driven and results-oriented — your resume should reflect that. Before you write a single bullet point, ask yourself: what did I actually accomplish, and for whom?

"Managed crop production operations" tells a hiring manager almost nothing. "Managed 4,200 acres of corn and soybean production across three locations, reducing input costs by 11% through precision application" tells them everything they need to know.

If you can put a number on it, put a number on it.

Tailor it every time — yes, every time

It's tempting to send the same resume to every opening. Resist that. Ag employers range from regional co-ops to multinational input suppliers to family operations looking for a trusted manager — and they're not all looking for the same thing.

Read the job posting carefully. Match your language to theirs. If they say "agronomic consulting," use that phrase. If they're emphasizing precision agriculture technology, make sure your experience with those tools is front and center — not buried on page two.

Applicant tracking systems are real, and they're scanning for keywords before a human ever sees your resume. Give them what they're looking for.

Get specific about your technical experience

In agriculture, the details matter. Don't just list "equipment operation" — name the equipment. Don't just say "familiar with precision ag tools" — name the platforms. Operators, agronomists, and sales professionals all have different technical footprints, and a hiring manager in this industry will notice vague language immediately.

The same goes for crops, livestock, geography, and scale. There's a significant difference between managing a 500-acre diversified operation in the Corn Belt and running logistics for a large-scale irrigated potato operation in the High Plains. Own your specific experience — it's an asset, not a limitation.

Don't overlook soft skills — but don't just list them either

Every resume in every industry claims "strong communication skills" and "team player." Those phrases have been so overused they've lost all meaning.

Instead, show it. "Coordinated with agronomists, lenders, and equipment dealers to execute a major drainage tile project on schedule and under budget" demonstrates communication, collaboration, and project management without ever using any of those words.

Agriculture runs on relationships — with landowners, with customers, with co-workers who depend on you at 5 AM during harvest. If you've built and maintained those relationships effectively, find a way to show that on the page.

Include credentials that carry weight in this industry

Certifications like Certified Crop Adviser (CCA), Certified Crop Consultant (CCC), or state pesticide applicator licenses aren't just checkboxes — they signal professional commitment and domain credibility. If you have them, make sure they're visible. If you're working toward one, it's worth mentioning.

The same goes for industry memberships, cooperative board involvement, or any leadership roles in organizations like Farm Bureau, 4-H, FFA alumni, or commodity groups. In a relationship-driven industry, those affiliations tell a story about who you are and how you show up.

Keep the format clean and the length honest

One to two pages is the standard. If you're early in your career, one page is plenty. If you have 15+ years of relevant experience, two pages is fine — but earn every line.

Use a clean, readable font. Keep your formatting consistent. Make it easy to skim, because that's what most hiring managers will do first.

And proofread it. Twice. Then have someone else read it. A typo on a resume is a small thing that creates a big impression.

A resume gets you the conversation — not the job

The best resume in the world is just a door opener. What closes the deal is how well you can back it up in a conversation, demonstrate your knowledge, and show that you'd be someone worth working alongside day after day.

So be honest. Don't inflate titles or responsibilities. Don't claim fluency with systems you've only touched once. The ag world is smaller than it looks, and your reputation travels.

Write a resume that accurately represents what you bring — and then go prove it.

Looking for your next opportunity in agriculture? Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT specializes in connecting ag professionals with the right roles. [Browse current openings here.]