If you’re looking for a manufacturing job, an updated manufacturing resume is essential. Potential employers need to know how experienced you are and what skills you have. Before applying, look at your resume and make sure it’s recent and relevant. Your resume will serve as a key impression for potential employers.
In this article, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about updating your manufacturing resume.
Why Should You Update Your Manufacturing Resume?
Hiring managers are busy. It doesn’t matter if they’re looking for a new CNC machinist or an electrical engineer. When you apply for a job, the employer may only look at your manufacturing resume for a minute. You don’t have a lot of time to make an impression.
That’s why it’s important to stand out. An old resume filled with outdated information isn’t very helpful. Your resume is like an advertisement showing how great a candidate you are. All of your best skills, experience, and awards should be on display. This is especially important for skilled manufacturing professionals, as it’s essential to showcase the different technologies and processes that you’re proficient in.
How Often Should You Update Your Resume?
Skilled professionals should plan to update their manufacturing resume a few times a year. This is a recommended practice, even if you’re happy with your current job.
If you’re actively trying to snag a new manufacturing job role, it’s wise to create multiple resumes tailored for each job that you’re applying for. Highlight your leadership experience if you’re looking at management roles, like a Production Manager or Quality Supervisor. Focus on your certifications and technical expertise if you want to be an engineer.
All of your professional achievements should be listed on your resume. If you recently took a class or completed a project that shows your talents, you may want to update your resume. Managers always find it helpful to hear about how you’ve utilized or refined your skills, and listing it on your resume will serve as a convenient talking point in an interview.
A resume update is also needed when the information is no longer relevant. If you’ve been in the professional workforce for ten years, there’s no need to list your high school GPA. That information is useful when you’re trying to find your first job and want to show what a hard worker you are.
How To Update Your Resume
To update your resume, read through every section and make sure that it contains the correct information. Your goal is to sell yourself to employers in a short amount of time. Here’s what to do:
1. Add Fresh Content
Think about everything you’re doing: your current job, your side gig, your certification class. Manufacturing roles often need applicants with specific skills. When you include all of your latest and best accomplishments, you give the hiring manager a chance to see that you’re the best fit for the job.
Pay attention to your summary or objective statement as well. This is a small blurb at the top of your resume that describes who you are. If you’re switching careers and applying for robotics roles, make sure your resume summary doesn’t still say that you’re an effective warehouse associate. Your summary is your first chance to get noticed.
2. Reorganize & Prioritize Key Info
Organize your resume so the most important information is listed first. If you’re a new worker with little experience, it’s fine to list education and volunteer work first. Your goal is to show that you’re reliable and can be trusted with responsibilities.
However, suppose you’re already deep into your manufacturing career and are looking for a change. In that case, your education is far less important. You can list it at the bottom of your resume or not at all. Information like your volunteering history, blog site, etc., are also details you may want to remove.
You can also reorganize how you list your past jobs. There’s no rule that says your work history has to be listed in chronological order. If you’re applying to be a machinist, other roles in a factory or warehouse should be listed before your stint as a gardener.
If everything is organized the way you want, you may still have a problem if there’s too much information. Generally, your resume should be one page. If yours is longer, try to get rid of the least important data points.
3. Proofread & Polish
Now that your resume has all the right information, it’s time to proofread. Make sure every word is spelled correctly and that your sentences flow. Read your resume aloud or let someone else review it to see if something sounds off.
Finally, pay attention to how your resume looks. Is the font clear and easy to read? Is the spacing correct? These are minor issues, but they can make you appear unprofessional.
If you want a career in manufacturing, creating an up-to-date resume is just the first step. Check out our Career Path section for a deep dive into different jobs. This can help you discover what roles you’re interested in. If you already know what you want to do, head over to our job board to find fresh listings or schedule a talk with our Career Coach. We can connect you to manufacturing jobs that fit your skills and experience level.
Ready to find your dream job? FactoryFix has the tools you need.
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