How to Write a Mechanical Engineering Resume This Year

Mechanical engineers are always in demand, but to outdo the competition, write a compelling resume by adding these hard and soft skills and using these tips.

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Mechanical Engineering Resume Example

Recommendations for Writing a Mechanical Engineering Resume

Although it seems like mechanical engineering jobs are offered everywhere you look, actually landing one is not that easy. You need to create an eye-catching resume that will make your recruitment process as easy as possible. In this article, you will find out:

What exactly the role of a mechanical engineer is
Which skills you must list on your mechanical engineer resume
How to write the best possible resume with tips and examples

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What Is a Mechanical Engineer?

Mechanical engineers design, manufacture and test various power-using and power-producing machines, from generators and gas turbines to air-conditioners and escalators. During your job search, you may see mechanical engineer postings for these job titles:

Mechanical design specialists
Design engineer
Product design engineer
Automotive engineer
AutoCAD technician
Product development engineer

What Are the Key Skills to Feature on a Mechanical Engineering Resume?

The skills section of a mechanical engineer should feature both soft skills and hard skills. Soft skills may include:

Problem-solving skills
Attention to detail
Teamwork
Project management skills

Hard skills for a mechanical engineer resume may include:

AutoCAD and other programs for technical drawings
Microsoft Office
Mechanical Skills
Mathematics
SolidWorks
Programs for designing prototypes

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Four Steps To Write a Captivating Mechanical Engineering Resume

Create a professional resume that will target a specific job

The perfect resume will be tailored for the job posting you are applying to. Different jobs may require different proficiencies and technical skills. Mechanical engineering can have a variety of specialty fields, such as automotive engineering or mechanical design. During your job search, creating a new resume for each job can enhance your chances of being called for an interview. The ResumeHelp Resume Builder can help you create a new resume in just minutes.

Optimize your resume with appropriate key words

Use key words from the job description to describe your technical skills and work experience. Your workflow may have been different at a previous job, but matching key words to describe your tasks can help the hiring manager see how you would be a good fit for the position. The hiring manager may use an applicant tracking system (ATS), a software that automatically sorts resumes. Your resume will have a much higher chance of making it through the ATS process if you optimize it for key words. The following terms may be referring to the same elements that may overlap in some areas. Optimize your resume by using the words as they are in the job posting. Here are some optimization examples:

Mechanical design of new products vs. product design
Microsoft Office vs. Microsoft Excel
AutoCAD prototypes designer vs. CAD engineer

Ditch any unrelated work experiences

Try to keep your work experience related to the field of mechanical engineering. The exception is if you don’t have many years of experience in the field. In this case, use the experience you have but tailor it to the job posting. This may be internships, volunteer experience, or academic work. Draw a comparison between your day-to-day tasks in your previous work and the job you are applying for.

Keep your resume short (one-page max)

You can use your cover letter to personalize your job application further for the hiring manager. Keep your resume to one page so it is easy to read. Use bullet points to describe tasks, responsibilities, and key technical skills. If you find it difficult to fit all of the professional experience or projects you want to display on your resume, you can always include a link to your LinkedIn profile. You can place your LinkedIn information with your other contact information at the top of your resume in the header.

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FAQ: Mechanical Engineering Resume

Q: How do I write a mechanical engineering resume if I have no experience in the field?

If you don’t have many years of experience, you can still write a great mechanical engineering resume. When applying to an entry-level job, you can highlight mechanical engineer skills you may have learned in school or internships. When listing your skills and experiences, use key words from the job posting. Items you can add to your resume that will impress recruiters are:

A bachelor’s degree, such as a bachelor of science, in a related field
Technical skills and proficiencies
Certifications for relevant programs such as MATLAB or AutoCAD
Volunteer work experience
Mechanical design projects you contributed to

Q: What must a mechanical engineering resume include?

A mechanical engineering resume should include the following seven sections:

Contact information in the header at the top of your resume
Resume summary or resume objective
Soft skills and hard skills
Experience section
Education section
Achievements and awards
Certifications

You can customize each section according to the job posting of the position you are applying for.

Q: What are some of the top examples of a mechanical engineering resume?

It can be helpful to look at examples of complete resumes for mechanical engineering jobs when writing your own. You can get inspiration for format and content from mechanical engineering resume examples. Recruiters will be comparing your resume to others in the same field, so it’s helpful to have a basis for comparison. Here are some examples of engineering resumes from ResumeHelp.

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