Skip to content
Resume example

Fruit picker resume example

A cueilleur de fruits harvests fruit in orchards or fields during the picking season: strawberries in spring, cherries, apricots and peaches in early summer, then plums, apples, pears and kiwis into autumn.

The day starts early to avoid the heat and to pick fruit while it is firm. You follow the instructions of the team leader on ripeness, size and colour, pick by hand into a bucket, apron or crate, and avoid bruising fruit that will be sold fresh. Depending on the crop, you work bent over in the rows, on a ladder or on a picking platform. Pay can be by the hour, and output is tracked closely. Many pickers also work a few days in the packing station, sorting and grading fruit before shipment.

Resume example

[First name Last name]

Fruit Picker | Cherries, Apricots and Apples, Several Seasons

[City] · [phone] · [email]

Profile

Fruit picker for [x] seasons in orchards in [Region]. I pick cherries, apricots and apples to the grading set by the grower, work on ladders and platforms, and help in the packing station when the weather stops the harvest.

Experience

Fruit picker, orchard, [Region]

[month year] to present

  • Picked cherries and apricots by hand to the colour and size grading set by the grower
  • Worked on ladders and platforms in line with the farm's safety rules
  • Moved to the packing station on rainy days to sort, grade and pack fruit
  • Stayed for the full season, from first cherries to the end of apricots
  • Showed new pickers the grading criteria at the start of the season

Resume headlines

  • Fruit Picker | Cherries, Apricots and Apples, Several Seasons
  • Seasonal Fruit Picker | Strawberry Fields and Packing Station
  • Experienced Picker and Team Leader | Orchard Harvest, Quality Checks

Summaries for your profile

Entry level

Student available for the summer season in [Region], used to physical work from [sport or previous job]. I want to work a full picking season and can start early in the morning.

Experienced

Fruit picker for [x] seasons in orchards in [Region]. I pick cherries, apricots and apples to the grading set by the grower, work on ladders and platforms, and help in the packing station when the weather stops the harvest.

Career change

Office worker taking a seasonal break to work outdoors, with one previous apple harvest in [Region]. I am reliable, used to repetitive tasks done carefully, and available for the whole season.

Tips

  • Keep the CV to half a page: growers read quickly and want dates and crops.
  • List the fruits you have picked and the regions, as each crop has its own technique.
  • Give your exact availability dates, from start to end of the season.
  • Mention if you have a vehicle or accommodation, since farms are often far from public transport.
  • Add packing station or tractor experience, which lets the grower use you on rainy days.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Sending a long CV full of unrelated experience.
  • Not giving availability dates.
  • Forgetting to mention a vehicle or how you will reach the farm.
  • Leaving out previous seasons because they seem unimportant.

Working as a fruit picker in France

Fruit picking is open without diploma in France and is usually done under seasonal contracts, often declared through the simplified agricultural employment form (TESA). Social security for farm workers is managed by the MSA. EU citizens can work without formalities, while other nationals need a work authorisation, such as a student residence permit within its hours limit or a seasonal worker permit. Hours and minimum wage rules apply as in other sectors. Search for « cueilleur », « cueilleuse », « saisonnier agricole », « ramasseur de fruits » or the crop itself, like « cueillette cerises ».

Your job search, on autopilot

Start my fruit picker job scan

JobFast searches the major job boards for listings that fit you, scores each one out of 10 and prepares a tailored CV and cover letter. You review, you approve.

Start for free

No credit card · No account to get started

Frequently asked questions

Do I need experience to work as a fruit picker in France?

No. Many growers train beginners on the first day, showing them which fruit to pick and how to handle it. Experience helps you get hired early and keep a good pace, but reliability and availability for the whole season matter just as much to the grower.

Which regions hire fruit pickers?

The Rhône valley and Drôme for apricots, peaches and cherries, the south-west for strawberries, plums and kiwis, the Loire valley, Limousin and the south-east for apples and pears. Seasons follow the crops, so some pickers move from one region to another through the year.

Is accommodation provided?

Sometimes. Some farms offer housing, mobile homes or a camping space, often for a small charge, while others hire only people living nearby. Check this before applying and say clearly on your CV if you have a vehicle or your own accommodation.

More resume examples