The ultimate guide to writing a mechanical engineer resume

A career as a mechanical engineer gives you many opportunities for professional growth and development. From collaborating with a team to develop new products to conducting industry research on the latest methods and tools, there is a lot that goes into working as a mechanical engineer.

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In this guide, we will teach you how to perfectly encapsulate your mechanical engineering experience on a resume. Keep reading to learn all about:

• Choosing the best resume format for your experience as a mechanical engineer
• Writing a resume summary that showcases your accomplishments
• Selecting key mechanical engineering skills that demonstrate your expertise
• Describing work experience with specific and quantifiable details
• Listing your mechanical engineering education properly on a resume

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1. Choose the best resume format for your experience as a mechanical engineer

The first big decision to make when crafting a mechanical engineer resume is which format to use.

Generally, the reverse-chronological resume is the standard format expected by mechanical engineering employers. This format focuses on work experience primarily, listing your most recent job first and working chronologically backward from there.

However, if you are a recent graduate or otherwise lack relevant work experience, the reverse-chronological format may not suit your needs as well as an alternative format. In this case, consider using one of the following less-common formats:

• The functional resume: Functional resumes focus on education, skills, and unpaid experience rather than formal work experience. This format is well-suited for recent or soon-to-be graduates who have a high level of academic experience but a limited work history.
• The hybrid resume: Hybrid resumes combine elements of both functional and reverse-chronological formats, spreading the focus of the document out evenly between all sections. This format works well for applicants who are changing career paths or have large gaps in their employment histories.

Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.

2. Craft a resume summary that showcases your accomplishments

Your resume summary is a short statement that starts off your resume. Typically between one to three sentences in length, this summary should focus on your very best skills, experience, and accomplishments.

The purpose of the resume summary is to grab the attention of potential employers. In just a few sentences, you should convey the value you provide as an employee and what types of accomplishments and key abilities you bring to the table.

To demonstrate how to write an effective summary, we have included a weak example below, followed by a correction and explanation.

Why is this incorrect?

In this example, the applicant includes some key details about their experience and specialized expertise. However, rather than describing themselves as “experienced,” they should include the specific years of experience they hold, as well as include greater context around the leadership position they worked in.

Remember – you should aim to show experience through quantifiable details rather than simply telling an employer vague facts.

Why is this correct?

In this corrected example, the applicant is far more clear with the details they provide. Rather than simply stating they held a leadership position, they give much greater context about the type of position and project they worked on, including a key accomplishment of increasing productivity by a significant percentage.

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3. Select effective mechanical engineering skills that demonstrate your expertise

Including a skills section on your resume is a great way to briefly include your specific areas of expertise that may have been overlooked in your summary or work experience section.

Additionally, your skills section can provide excellent talking points during interviews, as well as give a potential employer a broader overview of you as a professional. As such, it is crucial to only include skills you can expand upon in an interview if asked.

When selecting your skills for your resume, aim to include a variety of both technical and interpersonal abilities. This will show employers that you understand that people skills (interpersonal) are just as important as learned skills (technical).

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4. Describe your work experience with specific and quantifiable details

Your work experience section on a resume should always encapsulate both your previous responsibilities and on-the-job accomplishments with as many specific details as possible.

When choosing which descriptive bullet points to use, choose to include information that is quantifiable and shows clear value to employers. The person reading your resume should be able to easily skim through this section and gain a good understanding of your professional experience.

5. List your mechanical engineering education properly on a resume

The general standard educational requirement to become a mechanical engineer is a bachelor’s degree. This level of education will earn you entry-level positions, as well as some higher-level positions if you have adequate experience.

Of course, if you have any higher degrees than a bachelor’s, these can help make your resume more competitive and eye-catching to employers. Make sure to always list your highest degree first in your education section!

6. Include relevant extra sections in your mechanical engineer resume

Including extra sections in your mechanical engineer resume can provide valuable information that sets you apart from other candidates. 

These sections allow you to showcase additional qualifications, accomplishments, and relevant experiences that demonstrate your expertise and potential contributions to prospective employers. By strategically incorporating these extra sections, you can provide a comprehensive and well-rounded representation of your capabilities as a mechanical engineer.

One such extra section to consider is Professional Affiliations and Memberships. This section highlights your active involvement in professional organizations related to mechanical engineering.

Another valuable extra section is Publications and Presentations. If you have authored technical papers or delivered presentations in your field, this section allows you to showcase your thought leadership and expertise.

Adding these extra sections not only provides additional depth to your mechanical engineer resume but also demonstrates your proactive engagement in your field and showcases your ability to contribute to the industry's advancement.