Since technicians work in a variety of fields solving problems of all sorts, your technician resume needs to clearly articulate what you do and why you're the right fit for the employer's job posting. You'll need to quantify your skills and experience to prove that you've got what it takes for the job at hand. Luckily, Resume.io is here to help. Our 300+ resume examples are designed for job seekers in all fields and at all stages of their careers. This guide, along with the corresponding technician resume example will show you how to:
- Choose the correct format for a technician resume sample
- Write each of the essential sections that make up a strong resume
- Create a summary that captures the essence of what you do
- Choose a design and layout that adds to your professionalism
What does a technician do?
Technicians are people who work to solve problems in the areas of development, manufacturing, sales, construction, inspection, and maintenance. Technicians utilize scientific, mathematical, and engineering principles to make advancements and improvements. In order to be considered a strong technician, you should possess strong communication and reading comprehension skills. Read more on how to write your impressive technician resume below.
In 2020, the median annual pay for mechanical engineering technicians was $58,230 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many technicians can enter the field with relevant high school coursework or an associate's degree from a local community college.
Looking for more resume inspiration? Check out these other related engineering resume examples and get inspired:
- Facilities Engineer resume sample
- Electrical Engineer resume sample
- Engineering resume sample
- CNC machinist resume sample
- Agricultural Engineer resume sample
- Health and Safety Engineer resume sample
- Research Engineer resume sample
- Process Engineer resume sample
- Project Engineer resume sample
- Structural engineer resume sample
- Mechanical Engineer resume sample
- Civil Engineer resume sample
How to write a technician resume
A technician resume should contain many of the sections found on most resume samples:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
A technician resume should highlight a candidate’s ability to assess processes, evaluate solutions, and problem-solving. You should be able to work well as part of a team and individually. Technicians need to be able to communicate well and collaborate with engineers and scientists. An effective technician resume showcases your ability to handle complex issues, and offer solutions that enhance processes or devices. Your resume should focus on relevant work experiences, as well as expertise. Technicians should be able to properly diagnose issues and make changes to solve problems.
The scrupulous eye of the hiring manager is likely not the first hurdle your technician resume sample will encounter. Many medium and large companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS to scan resumes and filter out candidates before their applications are even seen by human eyes. Luckily, you can take this into account when writing your resume by following these tips:
- Read the job description carefully and look for any skills or duties that are particularly emphasized by the employer.
- Place these "keywords" in the appropriate resume sections using the exact wording from the job description.
- Make sure to use common section headings like "Education" or "Employment History" so that both human and robot readers can find what they're looking for.
While it might seem tempting to stuff your resume with all sorts of keywords regardless of if they're true for you, a hiring manager will likely be put off by this practice and will send your resume to the bin.
Choosing the best resume format for technicians
The best resume format for a technician will likely depend on the amount of experience you have and your area of expertise. If you've been working in the field for a number of years, you'll likely want to use the reverse chronological resume format. This structure begins with your current (or most recent) job title and works backwards to include all relevant experience in the last ten years. This is the best format for those with a linear career path who want to show the skills they've learned in other related positions.
If you're just starting out as a technician or have a highly-specialized skill set, you may want to consider the functional resume format. This option begins with an "Experience" or "Skills" section that outlines your strongest abilities without necessarily attributing them to an employer or position. You can also create a hybrid resume format which combines elements of the functional and reverse chronological structures.
You can find plenty more of engineering resume examples in our collection, including our facilities engineer resume example, civil engineer resume example and process engineer resume example.
Resume summary example
The resume summary offers an example of your skills, achievements and previous experience without being weighed down by all the details. These 3-5 sentences are a chance to show the employer why you're the best fit for their company and encourage them to keep reading the rest of your attributes. Make sure to offer concrete information like your number of years of experience, any relevant degrees or certifications or specialized knowledge that the employer mentions in the job description.
The summary is also a chance to speak directly to the employer and capture your tone of voice in your resume while remaining professional at all times. Highlight your biggest accomplishments and attributes here. Remember to use as many powerful action verbs as you can. A desirable technician candidate is a strong analytical thinker with vast experience in problem-solving. Highlight your proudest career accomplishments and attributes here. See how this is done in the summary from our technician resume sample.
Experienced and dedicated technician with over six years of industry experience, assisting engineers and other professionals in improving machinery and processes. Adept at evaluating systems, identifying issues, and offering solutions to problems. Bringing forth a proven track record of performing preventative maintenance to ensure the safe and smooth running of electrical systems, I addition to working on diagnosed issues. Possesses a strong understanding of electrical codes and best practices and a commitment to teamwork and excellence.
Employment history sample
If you're using the reverse chronological format, the employment history sample is where you'll list your previous work experience. In addition to the job title, dates worked and location, you'll want to create bullet points that expand on your responsibilities and achievements. Look for examples of numbers and concrete details to help quantify your contribution to the company and show a potential employer what you could accomplish for them. Focus on the most relevant and impressive positions and accomplishments. Remember to use powerful action verbs and mention job specific roles. Check out our resume example below for more insight into the employment history section.
- Worked as a leading Engineering Technician responsible for evaluating 100+ products.
- Handled project launches and worked to solve manufacturing challenges.
- Served as the main liaison between team units regarding technical consultation and production perspective.
- Trained managers, team leaders, and technicians on the proper handling of equipment and initiating design changes.
- Upheld the highest standards for safety compliance in the workplace.
- Handled preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and problem-solving tasks
Technician resume education example
While technicians aren't required to have advanced degrees, an associate's or even a bachelor's degree in your resume education section can go a long way in showing your interest and commitment to the field. List the name of your degree, the school, location and dates attended here. You can also include an expected graduation date or GPA (if higher than a 3.0) if still a student.
The education section is also a great place to mention certifications or awards related to the field. Any honors or distinctions should be noted here as well. If you hold a degree higher than a bachelor's, you may leave out your high school. Here's the education section from our technician resume sample:
- 2001-2005 Detroit High School, High School Diploma Detroit, MI
- 2005-2009 Northeastern University, Bachelor of Engineering Boston, MA
CV skills example
Skills are at the core of your work as a technician, so they should also be featured prominently on your CV. The CV skills section generally takes on a bullet-point format so it's the best place to add abilities and knowledge that can be summed up in a word or two. Make sure to review the job description and pick out any skills or technical knowledge that are particularly emphasized. Make sure to add these skills to your CV in order to help pass the ATS. Below, you'll find the skills section from our technician resume sample.
- Knowledge of Electrical Codes
- Blueprint Reading
- Excellent Communication Skills
- Knowledge of CAD/CAM Software
Resume layout and design
While deliberate writing is essential to any great resume, the layout should never take a back seat. Technicians may not need to use flashy colors or icons to convey their expertise but there are still a few rules of good design to create a resume sample that stands out.
One of the most important aspects of a great resume layout is an attractive header. This section at the top of the resume highlights your name, contact information and any other vital details so that a hiring manager can contact you if they'd like to schedule an interview. Check out the header on our resume example for an idea of how to format your own. A neutral color scheme and strong sense of organization are best for a technician resume, but that doesn't mean your design needs to be complicated. Check out our simple resume templates for an easy way to begin your own.
- Add a visually attractive header to increase the chances of the hiring manager noticing your application
- Use a 11 or 12 point font size.
- Leave a strong balance of white space to text to avoid visual fatigue.
- Use more than two different font styles on your resume
- Create a resume longer than one page
- Forget to proofread before submitting
Key takeaways
- Your technician resume sample should specify the type of work that you do and show an employer how you would fit into their company.
- The essential resume sections can help you make sure you haven't left off any vital pieces of information.
- Reverse chronological is the best resume format for technicians with at least some level of experience.
- Don't forget to add keywords from the job description to help you beat the ATS resume scanners.
- A great resume design can go a long way. Use a template to help give you a head start.