Pick a clean, professional template that highlights field experience. For an Exterminator, use a reverse-chronological layout so your recent routes and certifications appear first. That layout reads well and parses easily for applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Keep length short. One page suits entry and mid-career Exterminators. If you have many certifications and long service history, extend to two pages and trim older, irrelevant roles.
Use ATS-friendly fonts like Calibri, Arial, Georgia, or Garamond. Set body text to 10–12pt and headers to 14–16pt. Keep margins around 0.5–1 inch and use consistent line spacing for clear white space.
List standard sections with clear headings: Contact, Summary or Objective, Experience, Certifications, Skills, Education. Put licenses and pesticide certifications near the top so hiring managers see them fast.
Avoid over-design. Skip columns, background images, and fancy icons. Those elements often break ATS parsing and distract hiring managers who scan quickly.
Watch for common mistakes. Don’t use non-standard fonts or tiny text. Don't cram duties without outcomes. Avoid vague phrases like "handled pests" and show results like reduced calls or saved accounts.
Use active verbs and short bullet points. Start bullets with verbs like inspected, eradicated, treated, and trained. Show numbers when you can, such as territory size or percent reduction in repeat calls.