Mechanical Engineer CV [Full Sample]
Here’s a full Mechanical Engineer resume sample, which we wrote for a client recently.
About the Mechanical Engineer Role
Engineering is a hot field today, as one of the four STEM pillars. With many different disciplines, it is also a complex and varied one. In Singapore, one of the more ‘popular’ specialisations I’ve seen more frequently is that of mechanical engineering. Even within this specialisation, a lot of sub-specialties exist too – one could be an AutoCAD specialist/designer/drafter, project manager, structural analyst, cross over into mechatronics, etc. This makes it particularly important to position your profile properly, and give the correct insights into your skillsets and abilities.
Mechanical Engineering covers very diverse technical areas. This field of engineering involves the design, manufacturing and operations of practically all structures with moving parts, from minute microelectromechanical sensors to heavy equipment and aircrafts.
Some of the major areas where the services of mechanical engineers are vital are in power systems, energy, air conditioning, automation, automotive, facilities maintenance and many others. Mechanical engineers are sought after in almost all manufacturing industries, in the energy and transportation sectors, and even in buildings where facilities are installed.
Prospective employers will most naturally prefer multi-faceted candidates who can handle most mechanical engineering activities. But in reality, it is difficult to find one who has the complete mechanical engineering disciplines and experience. It is important, therefore, for an applicant to differentiate himself from the rest of the competition and specify his areas of strength and his potentials to be able to take on more roles than he has previously experienced.
What Hiring Managers Look For in Mechanical Engineer Resumes
- Problem Solving Skills: Engineers are expected to be able to find creative technical solutions to problems they are presented with, in the course of their work. Cite your effective application of your analytical skills in projects or assignments you led or were involved in. You’d have noticed this in the sample – note how I talked about his problem solving abilities and skills in the executive summary. Whenever possible, substantiate these with concrete examples and projects you have worked on. In this case, I wasn’t able to include any, as John wanted to keep them confidential. Be sure to note your company’s confidentiality clauses too, when talking about your projects.
- Quick Thinking Ability: Aside from good analytical skills, potential employers also look for candidates who can think on their feet. Engineers are expected to provide immediate action to avoid disruption of operations such as in production lines or services such as in air conditioning or elevators. It will be to your advantage to show employers you have this skill, in your resume.
- Leadership: Many of the activities you will undertake as a mechanical engineer in the company will need to be accomplished with and through other people. Show through your resume how you demonstrated your coordinating skills and leadership skills.
- Being Innovative: A dynamic mechanical engineer challenges the status quo and initiates innovations to the existing process. List the engineering projects you managed, if any, and the innovations you introduced with the improvements to the company’s operations they resulted in.
- Proofread and double or triple-check your CV. Engineers are expected to have a good eye for detail, and to be accurate and precise. You cannot afford to make any mistakes – no formatting errors, no careless spelling/grammar slip-ups, etc. Those reflect poorly on the CV and hence the candidate – from the employer’s point of view, if a candidate makes basic errors on his/her CV, what’s to prevent them from making similar errors in their actual work? Your CV is the first impression you make. Don’t waste it!
- List down and describe all the skills relevant to the position you apply for, including the certifications related to your technical skills, such as, CAD, machine shop fabrication, welding, refrigeration, and materials processing.
- Also indicate in your resume the equipment you have worked with, such as, generators, motors, boilers, air handling units, chillers, elevators, heavy equipment, kilns, presses, etc.
- Do not assume that all the readers of your resume are engineers. They are not. Avoid the use of too many technical jargons.
Mechanical Engineering Job Opportunities
- Join LinkedIn groups or follow companies you wish to work for to keep abreast with new job openings.
- Alternatively, you can reach out to these headhunters in Singapore to learn about any vacancies they may be trying to fill out.
Job Hunting Tips from our Resident Headhunter
- Create a winning cover letter and send it along your resume. The cover letter will serve as an introduction about yourself and is a great venue to answer the question “Why should we hire you?”
- Be active on social media, particularly on LinkedIn. Make sure to create a strong online profile that represents you and you professional experiences. Here’s our comprehensive guide on writing a great LinkedIn profile.
Before You Go… Common Questions about Mechanical Engineer Resumes
What should I put on my resume for mechanical engineering?
It’s important that you include all your experience on your resume, both professional and education. You’ll want to summarise this in an executive summary at the top of the CV. And finally, add any additional info and references at the bottom of the page.
What are basic mechanical engineering skills?
There are many basic mechanical engineering skills needed that you can include on your resume. This includes things like site management, quality control and workplace safety.
What is the best resume format for mechanical engineer?
As with most resumes, we recommend that you use a reverse chronological format for your CV. This is the most common, and hiring managers are accustomed to reading them. You can also consider a Functional Resume or a combination of the two – check here for more about resume formatting.
Be sure to download this resume sample, which uses our tested-and-proven resume writing techniques, as a guide for your own CV. Best part is, this sample is available for free 🙂
And before you start sending out applications, send us your resume for a free CV feedback analysis from our team. We’ll review your CV in detail, share personalised feedback on its strengths and weaknesses, and show you how you can improve it.
Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys road cycling, diving deep into biographies, and devouring copious amounts of dumplings.
- Teacher Resume Sample - February 25, 2024
- Software Engineer/Software Developer Resume Sample - February 24, 2024
- Oil & Gas (Engineering) Resume Sample - February 23, 2024