Mechanical Engineering Resume Sample

If you’re looking for a steady, high-paying career, then mechanical engineering is a great field for you to consider. Job prospects for mechanical engineers are expected to grow 9% in the next decade, and salaries sit comfortably above the national average.

So nailing down the perfect gig should be a cinch, right? Not exactly.

Mechanical engineering is also a highly competitive field, and hiring managers are looking for candidates who fit specific criteria.

There’s no need to worry though. If you follow these four essential writing tips, you’ll quickly learn how to craft a compelling mechanical engineering resume — one that gives you the edge you need to land your dream job.

1. Open with a Convincing Resume Objective

Good mechanical engineering jobs are highly competitive, so your application is likely one of hundreds to hit any given hiring manager’s desk.

To get the best possible odds, you need to put the most convincing parts of your resume up front. Adding a brief, polished resume objective to your mechanical engineering resume is one of the best ways to stand out from the crowd and land more interviews.

A strong resume objective should state your:

• Title or profession
• Level of experience
• Relevant qualifications
• Desired position / role

A good resume objective should be succinct, and clearly communicate your skills and qualifications to potential employers.

2. List Specific Hard Skills

Mechanical engineers have to be versed in a wide array of software and technology to perform effectively. Employers will be looking for these hard skills, so listing them in your resume is crucial.

Companies will often streamline the job search process by having a program automatically filter out candidates. These programs are referred to as applicant tracking systems (ATS), and they work by searching for specific keywords to determine if a resume is worth moving to the next stage of the hiring process.

Therefore, including a diverse collection of specific skill keywords in your resume is critical to increase the chances that your application receives the attention it deserves.

3. Quantify Your Experience

Backing up your accomplishments with hard numbers is key if you want to impress the hiring manager and make a good first impression.

Adding quantifiable examples to your bullet points will help the hiring manager understand the range of your previous responsibilities, and give them a better idea of what value you bring if hired.

Here are three ways our sample applicant backed up her accomplishments with hard numbers (the quantified parts are bolded):

1. Production

Planned and executed blueprints and technical drawings for state-of-the-art high-capacity cooling systems, increasing industrial output by 4%.

2. Management and teamwork

Work with a team of 12 to design, build, and install a wide range of cooling equipment for use in industrial food preservation systems.

3. Organization

Researched new materials and production techniques, writing and distributing 2 reports annually to the engineering team.

Quantifying your bullet points is one of the best ways to demonstrate your accomplishments in a digestible, compelling manner.

4. Don’t Undersell Your Soft Skills

While emphasizing your hard engineering skills and experience on your resume is crucial, don’t underestimate the importance of soft skills when it comes time to apply to jobs.

Communication skills, leadership abilities, and attention to detail are highly sought-after employee traits — especially for anyone applying for management-level positions. These characteristics are also valuable for mechanical engineers, so be sure to leave space on your resume to emphasize at least one (if it’s an area in which you excel).

The Next Step

By following these expert mechanical engineer resume tips, you can stand out from the crowd and secure the perfect job.

If you’re looking for more direction, we have a full slate of resume samples in a wide range of industries (including other engineering examples).

And if you’re looking to make your job search even easier, check out our easy-to-use resume builder. It helps anyone put together a stellar resume in less than five minutes.