Resumes can be a challenge for even the most skilled engineers on the market. The good news is you already have the skills top employers are looking for. Here are some key tips to help you craft a stellar resume that gets the attention it deserves.
Highlight Key Skills
The first line of defense for recruiters is often search engine optimization. Many applicants are put through a software program that searches for the key words, skills and abilities an employer is looking for. Pay attention to those key words. When putting together your engineering resume, remember to include computer languages you know, the types of projects you’ve been involved in and the kinds of solutions you helped to innovate throughout your career. Think about what the hiring manager is looking for from your resume, and put it front and center. This is your chance to brag a little, so don’t be shy.
Keep It Simple
Resumes need to be short and sweet to show readers exactly what they’re looking for in less than 10 seconds. If your resume is too long, you run the risk of losing the reader’s attention. Instead of simply listing all the skills and experience you have garnered over the past decade or two, focus on the most relevant information that will help win you the job. If a chronological format isn’t cutting it for you, try a skills-based format. Bring those real-world engineering experiences front and center so employers know what you bring to the table.
Always Customize
Rather than creating one resume and blasting employers with a document that is a poor representation of what you can bring to a position, take the time to fine tune your resume. Highlight key qualifications and skills for the position. Make sure you are highly relevant to their search to make it to the next step in the hiring process. And don’t be afraid to break the mold when it comes to resume formats. Hiring managers like a fresh look to a resume, just make sure it’s simple and easy to read.
Do What Makes Sense for You
At the end of the day, your resume should be a representation of the great work you have done and what you can bring to a new job. Try out a few different resume formats to see which one presents your career in a more compelling (and concise) light. Remember that the average employer looks at a resume for just a few seconds before deciding whether to follow up with a candidate. So, whatever you choose, make sure it gets the point across quickly and effectively.
To see what else you can do to make your engineering resume shine, contact a recruiter at Verum Technical today.