First of all: Realize that good engineering resumes take work, lots of it. Here are 4 things you need to start doing right away to create a resume that will allow you to get the job of your dreams.
1. Only List Skills That Match The Need
A few years ago, I received a resume for an engineering design job. The engineer told me technical sales were one of his strengths... Another applicant wrote on his resume that he had expertise in writing software for databases... Do you think I called them in for a design engineer position? Of course not!
I believe a lot of engineers would save time and get a job much quicker if they simply understood the job posting before they applied. The best way to really know if the job is for you is to ask questions.
Questions about the needs of the employer, the skills required, the type of job duties, the products or services you will be expected to support, to name a few. The big questions about the job you are applying for will make all the difference and often remove any doubt that you are the candidate for the job. Because once you answer those questions, you will be able to write your resume in a way that completely grabs the employer!
The good news is most questions will be answered right on the job posting.
Skill Set
- Do you think you could hit the ground running on this job? Why?
- What do you bring in terms of skills that meet the employer's need?
- Do you think that the skill set they are looking for is reflected in your resume?
- What does your resume tell the employer about how YOU can meet their need?
Relevant Experience
- Are you an experienced engineer? At this stage in your career, do you think you would be a good fit for the level of responsibility required?
- Are you a recent graduate? If so, how do you plan on selecting course work and project work that makes you stand out to meet the needs of the job?
- Do you have any concerns about aspects of the job posting?
- Do you have skills and experiences that are important to you but absolutely irrelevant for this employer?
Interviewing
- Do you think you can interview well for this position?
- Are you confident you can talk to the key points on the job posting? Are they in your resume?
- Are there any topics in the job posting that make you more comfortable? Others that make you nervous?
- You must focus your resume on the skills and experiences that make you stand out for THIS JOB. Imagine you are going to an interview, the resume should hit all the needs of the job... and hit no skills that are irrelevant.
These questions are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more questions you MUST ask yourself before applying. Take the answers... and modify your resume to address the answers. You will be on your way to an interview call.
When was the last time you completed a project or any achievement at work? The employer is going to review your resume not just for keywords they will be looking for examples of when you really put some time and energy into applying the skills you claim you have! Never underestimate how much a clear example of your engineering experience can grab the attention of the hiring manager. This is especially true in engineering. Here are some ideas:
1. Use action words for achievements. Wow the employer with a clear statement of achievement. Don't say "I participated in the design of XYZ... that ended up receiving an achievement award", say instead "I designed, prototyped and tested XYZ... this product got my department an internal achievement award..". This tells the employer you took initiative, owned the design and made it work. It also talks about results and impact to the bottom line.
2. Don't just list skills, tell them how you used those skills to get results. For example... Make sure you list your software skills in the resume. But you must also write about how you used them! Don't write only this "Proficient in Microsoft Powerpoint". Consider this instead: "Used advanced skills in Microsoft Power point to create a presentation for all engineers in the business unit on the benefits of using the DFT process. Management selected the presentation to be shown at the annual all hands meeting." Wow, now that's a result. Write about how effective you are with the tools, not about how you know how to use them. Your hiring manager cares about results and your ability to produce them.
3. An engineering resume with a twist. Imagine the engineering manager is reading your resume, a few seconds is all you have... So be creative. Remember there are other resumes on that desk. Make sure you are strong in your message. If you do not believe in yourself, your prospective employer certainly will not. So be confident in your resume, without being arrogant. Tell them about the great things you have done, the results that you impacted, the positive value you brought. Do not dwell on how many projects you participated in or where you were and who you worked with. Tell them what you did and how you contributed to results that are measurable.
Is your resume a job history? NO!
The objective of your resume is to portray your background, talent and skill set in a way that tells the engineering hiring manager you are worth an interview. Why would they call you? Because you look like someone that would bring him or her value. You would help the organization with your good works.
However there is one thing that will kill your interview prospects quicker than anything else... Inconsistent job progression. You must show a progression that is logical and complete.
While it is OK to have gaps in employment they should be clearly explainable (went on a charity trip, maternity leave, started a business for a while, etc)...
Don't leave any red flags and hanging questions in your resume. Large gaps, constant job switching, several career changes are major red flags for engineering managers... If necessary address them with the cover letter.
The moral of this story? Your resume should clearly show a career progression that shows consistency and reliable behavior. If you have bumps along the road, explain them.
Probably the most profound way to impress the engineering manager is to pay attention to detail.
Absolutely no typos, inconsistent formatting, bad font selection, illogical flow of the resume... Many people underestimate the impact of a well formatted resume with clearly written content and error free writing.
This short document is all you have working for you to get an interview. Make sure it is perfect!
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