Resume Writing for Engineers

Here's a great resume writing tip that I got a few years ago. Don't just list your projects for each job you've had, like this:

• Major overhead crane overhaul, some +250 tons (35 cranes): $2.2M

Instead, point our YOUR role in the project and specifics that YOU contributed to make the project a success:

• By effectively scheduling my team's work, I was instrumental in accomplishing a major $2.2M overhead crane overhaul on time and within budget.

Now it's about YOU instead of some impersonal project.

Good Luck!

Y'know as a contractor I've always wondered...

I usually describe my roles as *contributing* *assisting* *aided* etc. partly because I am a contractor - and careful what I want to say about previous employers.

Perhaps I have "been hiding my light under a bushel"; and on a similar note - since contractors are expected (in my mind) to pick up pencil and turn out work on Day 1, I also tend to under-pitch my technical capabilities - generally we can explore other capabilities in the phone interview - unless I don't get that far.

Hmmmm

I spent 16 years at GE. My first manager discouraged use of the words "contributed," "assisted," etc.. on performance reviews. He said "break it down to what YOU did." I thought that was good advice.

If you say you "assisted" with a project, it could mean anything from "I did most of the work on the project by myself," to "I was responsible for getting the coffee." The person reading it has know way to know which is the case.

Hi Steve,

I strongly dis agree with your first manager,

You always contribute even if you are a or the project manager, its a teem work instade of one man show.

its my opinion & I work for Rolls.

Regards

Dinner or Breakfast?

Just a couple of questions?

1. 1 page or 2?

2. For a person with decades of experience how far back do you go?

10 years? 20 years? 30 years?

I have heard different opinions and would like to hear yours.

thanks.

It Depends on the amount of experience and the number of positions and companies you have been with. If you keep your resume detailed and to the point try to keep it near 10 years of experience per page.

If you would like to further explore this in more detail, feel free to send me a private message. I'd be happy to help.

If you keep your resume detailed and to the point try to keep it near 10 years of experience per page.

This recruiter I talked to said it doesn't pay to put more that 10 years on a resume, Quote, "Thats 10 years ago for christ sake, no one cares about what you did 10 years ago".

I have an opinion on that, but I'll pass for now.

p911

Excellent points and I try to preach these exact points to some degree to the techs I run into for building a resume.

Most of them have and are API inspectors and their resumes reflect a totally different, but essential style for working Refinery TAs.

In reality I have several resumes, each highlighting a specific set of responsibilities, including one that is 17 pages long for use when I have to go out and interpret a code for a young and new receiving inspector on a job site.

One should start out with the basic office styles and build on that, or better yet, hire someone who knows the specific industry being applied to.

Keep up the great work.

Hello Jake,

The resume writing tips are very useful.

* Would you concur with Steve Q on the definitive role in a project being detailed along with your bulleting format?

* Would you include photographs to enhance your resume? Could this hurt you in light of privacy concerns?

* When you are long in the tooth, do you tailor your resume with relevant experience to the open position solely? Would you sprinkle in some off-topic experience to add some depth and how much would be good?

Thank you for the opportunity to get some insight into what works on resumes.

Hi KER,

I would request you kindly show us one specific BEST resume you have come across or if you can draft one so that we can suggest youngsters to follow your guidelines. I am atleast too old (Retired) for preparing Resume for myself.

Further I would suggest if you can indicate the type of Engineers more in demand in these days of economic recession so that new comers can pursue their profession in that field.

Regards,

Suresh Sharma.

Useful tips.

Many people copy from standard formats and it looks funny reading those resumes.

For example.

The resume starts like this-

OBJECTIVES- To take up a challenging portfolio in your organization and to prove my skills.

Imagine how funny it looks ,when the job applied is for a LECTURER post in an Institution, which won't be calling for that much super challenges, just expecting one to be good at teaching as the first priority.

Definitely good tips.

But one has to be wary, these are tough times out there and people are there to make money not so much place you.

A recruiter called me and informed me about a position opening in the food and dairy industry that his client has hard time to fill, that I would match up very good. he mentioned that I should think about polishing up my resume a little.

I was also thinking this and had contacted prior what I would call a professional resume writer in the area to upgrade it. He said he also had a contact (Marge) that would do it and would pass my name along. He would be sure this would be the clincher.

Marge contacted me, we talked and I asked what the price would be, she said that would be hard to say until she saw what I had, fair enough I said and sent her my resume.

Marge return and said it would be about $250.00. That I felt was pretty steep. I contact the person in my area and had her do it.

Over view the of the resume I had bullet points and only listed dollar amounts of projects I managed over $250,000.00, the larger projects being $1.2 Mil as well as bottom line savings on projects that was brief but specific that was directly related to me. The rest of the bullet points was process equipment. CIP's, pasteurisers, Ultrafiltration equipment, process piping. A sampling cross section of some of the process equipment from the milk intake right to packaging as well as my input to the organization.

The recruiter contacted me twice and asked if I talked to his contact (Marge). I felt he seemed more concerned about that than filling position. I told him I did, the next time he called I told him I decided to have one in the area do it. He sounded disappointed, I sent my resume to him for this opening, and before the morning was over he emailed me back that his client no longer has the opening.

p911

Strange reversals, Phoenix911, many a twists betwixt the cup and the lip.

In spite of worthy presentations, selections and approval formalities, many times the joining becomes vague. It is true in both cases like the employer changing his decision and mind or the employee not willing to join.

Here in INDIA after the slow down, many fresh students, who got Campus selection from reputed companies are waiting for months and years. The recruiters simply say " It will get delayed" and never said " Go and look for other options".

It is wiser to get additional options in stead of relying on a single option.

It is true in both cases like the employer changing his decision and mind or the employee not willing to join.

Not only that, but when quotes look like they will be turning into orders. Employers gear up to at least check what is available for potential employee aplicants. Here in the U.S. (at least in the state of Wisconsin, I understand an employer can not present or advertise a job opening that is not there yet.) But it happens, or there are ways around it, but basically it happens. I don't see anything wrong with that.

It is wiser to get additional options in stead of relying on a single option.

That is true, kept a diversity as well as a open mind.

I felt that I may have been too narrow minded, or thinking it was my resume or myself that was too closed minded. But I have learned to follow a gut feeling if things are not just right. To ask questions, and probe farther. If there is something else it will come out to confirm it.

p911

I've been looking for a while.

I took a shot @ a new business & quit my long time gig. The venture failed, for a bunch of different reasons.

I'm sort of in between, being too old to work 60+ hrs & blindly follow.

No alphabet soup [degree] or time formally being in charge

I was always the one the boss went to for advice & was in charge on an interim basis, while the next moron was hired. I stuck was in my best interest, short term.

I moved a ways out of town.

So there are obstacles.

The biggest seem to be the 1st line of defense [recruiters, hr...]

When I finally get to the interview stage, I'm not willing to embellish or tone it down.

Same on my resume.

If that keeps me from taking a gig, where all sides aren't happy, so much the better...

Recruiters just want to make a placement, that's how they make their commission. I'm lied to by recruiters on a regular basis. I've lived in the area & know about most of the employers [or know someone who does].

HR people have little to no understanding of technical matters.

Good technical people are usually smart & independent, not exactly the traits HR is looking for.

They don't mind smart, independent bugs em.

Garthh:

I do not know if you are on LinkedIn or not.

http://press.linkedin.com/

We have several NEast Ohio Manufacturing type groups on LinkedIn.

We are currently testing the waters for a (non engineering type) , and I had only to go to one local meeting to network (they had a meet and greet-~200 people showed up- two weeks ago) and then started looking at these people and other talent on LinkedIn. (People post their background and what they are looking for.)

We're in no rush, but we have a nice selection of "options" based on our LinkedIn 'kicking of the tires.' We may "happen " to meet some of these folks one way or another and get an impression before we even post an opening. So we will have a list before we have a list. If you establish a solid reputation with the folks in your field, they can hand carry and counsel the HR types.

milo

Thanks Milo,

I did join at one point... I didn't bother to complete after they were hitting me up to upgrade. Since you recommend it I'll give it a shot.

I've gotten burned out, as I've been doing the job hunt thing for 2+ years [business resuscitated for about 9 months] on & off, had probably 30 interviews of various degrees of seriousness. I've gotten very close more than once.

I'm frustrated,as I can't always get to the next level [interview with the department manager] on the careers I would be suited for & enjoy. I'm not your typical candidate & I know there is a organization that would be able to use the multitude of practical skills I posess...

I've been pretty much sticking with career builder, monster & craigslist[short term]. I down to 2 versions of resume objective & chronological, I sometimes still tweak a bit. I've had as many as 7.

I'll give it a shot.

Thanks again Milo,

Garth

Hey. 1) The online stuff is supplementary. The real networking is with people that you know. I've been there myself. I would write a list of everybody I know who knows my work ethic , capabilities, and experience, former bosses, customers, colleagues, coworkers, etc.. EVERYBODY! 2) Then, I would work the list, first by email, then phone and then coffee at someplace neutral. I would just tell them that you are still looking, and that you would really be pleased if they learn of anything if they would contact you. 3) The online services you mention are great if you are a 20 something with killer web skills. HR doesn't look online for experienced hands or what they refer to in around the water cooler as 'greys'. And you need to get in behind HR anyway. 4) A couple contacts a day, Every week day. Weekends off. 5) I never upgraded to LinkedIn paid services and I'm doing fine. 6) Is there a non profit nearby that could use your talent a day a week? That will expand your network and possibilities.7) And since you are a strong contributor on this forum, Why not start a blog about your search online. You just might come to someone's attention with that ... 8)Go get'em. milo

I'm still a bit in flux, I'm starting to make connections in my new community & have been eyeing up some local non-profits. I'm gaining a reputation as being able to do quite a bit with meager resources.

part of my deal is that I haven't historically been a very social creature, especially in my long time career. Working at night in a predominatly spanish speaking environment, left me quite isolated but very observant.

actually I have a blog I share with a few others, it's called Bath Breaking Technique

Thanks for the support Milo

Hello Garthh,

IMO age does have something to do with it.

Head hunter makes money by placement but remember, when things are tight businesses would rather hire direct. It is considerable cheaper. The charge rate can be 1.6 times the pay given to the worker.

Recently I had received a call from a head hunter TES (Temporary Employment Services) as she put it to update my status because she knew I was working on my own as an interim.

She knew this because I told her from the contact I had with her months ago that a company approached me to assist them. So she would not doubleup would'nt aproach the same company. One question she asked me was where and what I was doing currently,

I said this to her because I though it was beneficial to show I was at least employable. I Didn't give her specifics, but I told her I was doing process equipment for the food and dairy such as process piping. My biggest fault is I am trusting, when they get me a contact even though the business would up front asks me directly if we can work something out (Without the placement service) to work direct. I do not do this and expect the same. This was on a Thursday.

On the following Tuesday I was in the companies waiting room, waiting to talk to the president about a project (process oven) we were working on. And this guy comes in introduces himself that he's from TES, and wants to talk to the president. Even though the president was standing right there the secretary told him he's out of the office. So he went on to explain that his company supplies quality engineers and designers for process piping and equipment for the food and dairy. And gave a list of his customers.

At first I had mixed emotions, but wanted to say, hey I'm looking for work can you help me. Christ I'm so naive

Well the secretary said they do nothing of the sort and that they just do assembly work and get our drawings from the customer. We don't even want to get into that she said. The salesman looked shocked like someone sucker punched him in the gut and left.

As soon as he walk out the door, the secretary lead me into the presidents office, I greeted the president as I walked past him.

As I was sitting at the conference table, I told the president I was waiting on a phone call to get back with some quotes on the project we were working on. He said great, And right after that my cell rings, president wasn't quite ready and gave me the ok to answer it.

Well this caller introduced himself from TES, which pissed me off, and asked what I've been up to. I said, "I am working at a company, in fact one of your guys was just in here" . He said that was him, I then said why didn't he turn around and say hello to me, because I was right behind him. Dead silence on the other end, then asked what I was doing, I told him I was working on a process piping job. "Huh " he said.

I told him "Yah they got a lot of work here." He then had the guts to ask me for the name of the contact. I told him I'll get back to him.

I should have told him that the president was standing right next to the secretary when he was blown off. And that he had his chance to ask him then.

I feel better now.....

But I am going through the same as you I'm a little more younger (49) but I had HR come out and say they are not used to people that had their own business that are willing to work for someone else again.

Do what you can and do what you have to, at least what you are comfortable with.

good luck,

p911

Dude we're the same age

I love when I get a call from a recruiter, trying to pitch me a job I've already applied for direct.

I'm in the middle too much or too little...

I know what you mean, having been the owner, makes me more likely to bolt & try again [in their eyes]...

I'm upfront about the fact that I'm not gonna be working different shifts with in the same pay period or doing crazy rotation schemes. I don't mind any shift, or weekends. I just can't be bouncing around, I get disoriented & [even more] pissy.

On the other hand most employers can't imagine that I would actually be on time & make sure the very best hours of my day would be spent on the task at hand...

Everyday I don't work at a regular job makes it less likely someone will hire me, for one.

Admittedly I'm not gonna take just anything, I know what the expectations are gonna be even if they're not willing to be honest. I'm all for teamwork, the employer's are obligated to do their part & not just mouth the words.

The bottom line is if product or services aren't going out the door, money's not being made.

Dude we're the same age

sorry to hear that.

I know what you mean about swing shifts.........I'm not 30 years old any more.....or 45 for that matter. Stamina just not the what it was....

I don't mind taking a cut in wages, I have done that in the past with the agreement for a evaluation which all the time until recently the employer always made an adjustment for what I originally ask for. Sometimes slightly better.

I don't mind this because employee's are an investment and an employer can get burnt (bad investment) by investing in a substandard employee.

But knowing your value, I decided to hold the course and try not to undersell myself.

I had a good life so far as far as being employed and doing the things I love. That I am holding for something that fits me and I'd be satisfied in. Things happen for a reason. Just don't know what it is yet.

Hey,

I resemble that remark...

Hi Phoenix,

Look to my comment No.12. This is the reason I asked Mr.Keir to suggest best Resume. Till date I am awaiting his reply.May be he is too busy in recruiting people..

Suresh Sharma.

Hi Suresh,

It's a long holiday weekend here.

KER will be back in his office in a few hours.

Suresh,

I apologize for not responding as soon as I should. To show and help with resume writing for college grads and entry level engineers will have a different format compared to an experienced engineer based on lack of experience. The best way to edit a resume is to consult with someone personally with previous experience in the field they are interested in pursuing. This will help with key words and overall career direction. I would highly suggest college grads to find a Career Mentor! :)

Questions or concerns feel free to send me a private message.

Thank you!

Hi Ker & Grath,

Thanks for replying.I got your point.

Suresh Sharma

Where do you put job trainings on a resume and how should they be formatted (I'm guessing bulleted)? Or do they go in the cover letter? e.g. AEE's Fundamental of Energy Management, SME Certification as a Green Manufacturing Specialist, Energy Efficiency at WWTFs, Fundamentals of Low Impact Development, Green Chemistry, Hazardous Waste Inspection techniques, OSHA 10 hr General Industry Safety and Health, OSHA HAZWOPER 8 hr, etc.

Thanks! That helps out quite a bit. Especially, since I have decided to finally pursue my PE license and will need that included on it.

Because I work in a contract capacity, my resume' is out there all the time. It is forwarded to perspective companies along with several others by an agency whom I have selected to represent me. So, it is important to me that my resume' stands in the best light. It is a single-page because I believe that those who read it understand what it is that I do. I only need to convey the level of competency to which I am trained and and have experience of.

It is not easy to select the best words or phrases that not only are straightforward but also take up the minimal amount of time and space.

I would like to see this discussion continue because I believe it is one of the most important tools that we have at our disposal to secure a position or work.

Tropicalspeed, your comments are appropriate, especially the one page format. You asked to see this discussion continue, so I will explain how my organization is currently finding candidates for two professional openings that we will be filling shortly.

My organization is currently looking at filling one or two staff positions. I can tell you from my CURRENT PERSONAL EXPERIENCE that the resume will be the second thing that we look at. THE FIRST IS THE CANDIDATES PROFILE on LinkedIn. We are not advertising, we are networking, and we are using LinkedIn to find people whose profiles match our position. and we are looking at their websites, blogs, contributions to news discussions etc.

As potential hires, we have a one in a million chance of getting an employer a resume ahead of others; On linked in employers can see what's available ahead of the need. We've already found several great looking candidates, and been able to precheck their references by talking to folks in our shared network where we already have a strong relationship. As far as I'm concerned, the resume these folks bring to the interview will be an honesty check and nothing more- if they change a lot of stuff in order to "stand out" or MARKET themselves and it conflicts with what we already have from LinkedIn, well, thats something to consider, too.

www.linkedin.com

milo

"Guess who just learned how to put html paragraph breaks in when using his macbook safari on CR4?"

Good day Milo, hope alls well.

I like to say somethings about linkedin. I have an account but not much on my profile. You still have to be wary, because peoples profile are administrated by..... themselves. And with network contacts that may never have met. And the profiles can be a stretch if not.... an actual all out lie.

On a blog I posted about a year ago, I talked about this pseudo engineer. I recently looked him up on linkedin and his profile was down out lies. I bring this blog up because recently things happened at this same company which I am again involved in and will vindicate my actions with this for a lack of a better word "Dick-head" of an pseudo engineer, of which I will be posting shortly the results.

So with that being said, when hiring one must verify...always.....when dealing with a key position. Take nothing for granted........especially honesty.

And Linkedin is only a tool, and a tool is only as good as the person who knows how to use it.

Good day,

p911

Agreed. AGREED! But as an employer, I am able to use the LinkedIn info and verify before I even meet Mr. Dickhead. And The only contacts I will check will be those that are mutual and that I trust.

In the end, anything can be filled with dishonesty. My point about Linked In is that I am looking at candidates even before they know it, and can check / verify before they know it.

The resume, in my opinion, has become secondary to one's profile online is my point. And it becomes a way to confirm/ validate.

Good luck with mr pseudoengineer. Look forward to your story.

milo

Very good, having been in a position to hire as you already know, if there is something not quite right. inconsistencies will appear.

And its always good to be prepared.

p911

Hi Jake, It has been sometime since the last posting on this blog so I thought I'd try and resurrect it.

That is a good point where you emphasized the importance of creating a document that can be visually scanned and not written like a boring book.

Can you share with us some other important points such as;

1. Is it important to include a summary at the beginning?

2. In what order should the sections be laid out, i.e., Employment History, Education, Certifications, Professional Development?

3. Is it necessary to include any personal information and how detailed should it be?

4. What is the best layout for the header and what should it include?

5. Are dates for employment and education necessary?

I ask these questions of you because your position makes you an expert and I believe you can give us all valuable insight regarding this. And, we all appreciate you taking time out from your busy schedule for this.

Any website or sources with more tips on writing engineering resumes? I find it difficult to use general resume websites to write an engineering resume..just doesn't seem the same.

use the Golden Rule as your best writing guide.

If you have ever been a manager hiring others, then you will have solid experience in trying to match interviewees with your job requirements.

so when writing your targeted resume's, take a good hard look at your targeted job description. It doesn't have to be pretty, although that helps. What is most important is that you communicate your qualification for that job descriptiion. It could be just a list. I have done that twice. I have a general resume, and then if the employer posts a detailed job description, I make a two column table (in Word), and provide a direct answer to every requirement in it. it works. Content before Format.

Also, I"ve been asked (once) to provide a 'handwritten' pdf document as a cover letter. I complied, and found that I was the only applicant who did so, and subsequently put myself at the top of the list, and was contacted that day.

1) Golden Rule - Think about what you are doing. You are offering a service.

2) Pay attention - Give the customer exactly what they ask for.

3) Follow up. - be a good service provider.

so the best resource is 'within'.

Chris

Hi, i understand your problem , you just need a sample engineering Resume or Resume format to write your resume according to the Engineering Resume http://www.resumeformat.org/Resume/engineering-resume/