CAREER FOCUS
Building a Competitive Resume That Gets Noticed
Expert tips on turning your engineering experience into a compelling resume.
Written by Robin L. Flanigan
MECHANICAL ENGINEERS should look at their resumes the way they view their job deliverables—by understanding the goal, gathering information, and clearly communicating that information.
This is crucial because the job market for mechanical engineers is strong, which means competition is strong. About 18,100 openings for mechanical engineers are projected each year on average through 2034, projects the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
But stay optimistic.
“Opportunities can be lying in areas where you least expect them,” said Todd Jacks, manager of the engineering department at Missouri-based Wiegmann Associates.
Jacks offered these tips for putting together an authentic, attention-grabbing resume.
Research the Company
Candidates who do their homework on a potential employer can become more appealing by tailoring descriptions of previous job experiences.
Jacks presented this example: For a project management role that requires attention to project schedules, describe a time at a past employer where you were able to deliver a result accurately and on time.
Use Quantifiable Metrics
Swap non-specific bullet points with explicit details. Rather than stating vaguely that you “implemented procedures,” for instance, emphasize that you increased sales by 120 percent from one year to the next, or increased your field of labor productivity by 50 percent, Jacks suggested.
“That’s more concrete and tangible and shows that someone really wants to contribute to the company, not just coast by,” he explained.
Don’t Exaggerate
If candidates try to oversell themselves on a resume, “I’m going to be able to sniff that out in a 45-minute to one-hour conversation,” Jacks said.
It may not readily be apparent whether you went to one robotics team meeting or spent months (or years) on designs, construction, and competitions, but everything listed “leads me to better interview questions, so I can learn more about the potential candidate,” Jacks added. “Whatever you put on there better be worthwhile and have some substance to it.”
Skip the Fluff
On the flip side, inserting unnecessary details to make a resume look more packed, and therefore more appealing, is just as risky as embellishing them. So read over the final version carefully.
“If the candidate reviews their own resume and questions whether or not to include information, that should be a sign that the potential employer may feel the same way,” Jacks said.
Any questionable information should be left out.
Consider Hiring Someone to Help
“Every single day I see a new recruiting company looking to find their candidates the exact job they want but don’t have right now,” Jacks said.
This may add some pressure to the resume-writing process. The good news, according to Jacks, is that most college campuses have programs or services that help with crafting resumes.
Out of school? Weigh the benefits of working with a recruiting expert or resume writing service, which can help with preparation and writing, industry insights, and access to unadvertised positions.
Above all, assess your ability to produce an impressive resume honestly.
“If you don’t put any effort into it, what else are you not going to put any effort into?” Jacks asked.
“If the candidate reviews their own resume and questions whether or not to include information, that should be a sign that the potential employer may feel the same way.”
—Todd Jacks, engineering department manager at Wiegmann Associates
Use AI Wisely
Speaking of effort, should you use AI to help write your resume?
While some employers will toss a resume aside if there’s suspected evidence that any part was written using AI, Jacks doesn’t mind if a candidate uses the technology to brainstorm ideas.
Just be aware that the final product needs personalization, not generalities. Instead of mentioning you’re familiar with a mix of software programs, include you’re proficient in AutoCAD, for example.
AI-generated content that doesn’t reflect your unique experience and voice, or that spits out inconsistencies, will be a red flag and a likely cause for disqualification.
So will any resume that’s not proofread, so don’t skip that critical step.
“If someone uses AI to make their resume top-notch—as long as everything is true—I’m not sure I’d be able to tell the difference, so I’d be all for it,” he said.
Something is Better than Nothing
Especially for those recently out of college (although this applies to anyone who doesn’t yet have mechanical engineering work experience), it’s important to include responsibilities required at any job, as many skills will translate well in the ME field.
When Jacks asked why a resume had no mention of work experience, some candidates bemoaned past positions in a warehouse or restaurant, thinking that history would not impress a recruiter searching for specific skills in the mechanical engineering field.
But listing those things would show “they weren’t sitting around doing nothing,” Jacks said. “It also shows somebody’s character if they’re out there trying to make ends meet while trying to find a job they want. I’m hiring a person; I’m not just hiring an employee.”
Robin L. Flanigan is an independent writer in Rochester, N.Y.
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