How to Optimize Your Resume for Mechanical Engineering Jobs

As a staffing firm specializing in recruiting for mechanical engineer jobs, we see a lot of resumes. It’s shocking how many extremely qualified and talented individuals present themselves with poor-quality resumes. Spending a little more time on crafting a great resume can help you land a lot more interviews, where you can then impress an interviewer face-to-face.

Why You Need a Great Resume

Your resume is your first point of contact with an employer. On average, according to The Motley Fool, 40% of hiring managers spend less than a minute viewing each resume. This gives you only 60 seconds to make a great impression. You need a resume to make the hiring manager stop and think, “Wow, we need to get this candidate in for an interview.”

Resume Tips to Land a Mechanical Engineering Job

There is no perfect formula for creating a resume. Each hiring manager is unique, and they will all have a different preferred style. However, every hiring manager is expecting a resume to deliver enough information for them to build a picture of who you are and whether you are suitable for mechanical engineering jobs. It is also a good idea to edit and personalize your resume for each role. Here are three top tips to remember when building your resume:
Include details of your work history and skill sets that are relevant to the specific role you are applying for.
Demonstrate you have the necessary skills and experience. Show how you will add value to the company.

Write a Personal Statement

Include a personal statement at the top of your resume. This should be short, sweet and to the point, completely relevant for the mechanical engineer job you’re applying for. For example:
“A mechanical engineer with seven years’ experience and proven track record in learning new design, delivering projects on budget and on time. A communicative and enthusiastic team player who contributes ideas and listens to teammates to utilize everyone’s skills. Familiar with technical software.”

Employment History

Below your personal statement, list your job history. Include all other mechanical engineer jobs you have had and list your current role at the top. Include your job title, company name, dates of employment, and location. Add a small paragraph or a few short bullet points about the accomplishments you achieved in each role and how you helped the company.

What to Include

It can be tempting to include as much information as possible on your resume. You often think that the more you tell a potential employer the more chance you have of being hired. However, this is not the case. Highlight the most pertinent aspects of your career to show how you have added value to your previous teams. Include positives such as the level of responsibility you had in projects and how you specifically helped your team achieve its goals. Leave out any information that is not relevant to the job you are applying for.

Your Mechanical Engineer Skills

You will want to dedicate an entire section of your resume to your skills. Include both your soft and hard skills. List the most relevant skills first and demonstrate proof that you have this skill. For example, in a mechanical engineer job, relevant and desirable skills may include:

Problem solving: You will spend a large chunk of your time solving problems for clients
Communication: To effectively work with colleagues who may not be trained engineers
Creativity: A part of your role may involve designing and developing products
Mathematics: You will need a strong mathematical aptitude to excel at any mechanical engineering job

Education & Qualifications

Employers will want to know what qualifications you hold. For most mechanical engineer jobs, a bachelor’s degree in engineering is desirable. Be sure to include this on your resume if you have it. Add the most recent and relevant qualifications and then work backward. You often don’t need to include high school education because it is inferred by your degree.

Winning Resumes for Mechanical Engineering Jobs

An excellent resume is crucial to landing interviews for the best mechanical engineer job. Take a little bit of extra time and craft a resume that does you justice. Include only relevant information and be sure to add a personal statement and employment history, and list all your relevant skills. For a confidential discussion about your career, and to discover the very best mechanical engineering jobs in your area, contact Mac Incorporated today.