Tip #3: The Resume

Here are some tips I have picked up so far. A resume is one of the key elements of success in being an engineer and landing your dream job.in an engineering job search. An effective resume must grab the attention of the reader quickly.

Background
The good engineers are good at getting the basics of their projects and experience down on paper. However, most engineers are not as good at showcasing their talents on paper. I will provide you with 10 tips from my experiences to help you make your engineering resume get you the interview you want.

Format
There are two big differences for formatting: Chronological versus Combination. With chronological, everything is set up in reverse time order. Combination is a balance between skills, achievements, and employment history. I prefer combination because it allows the resume to highlight projects that define the work you have done.

Objective vs. Summary
I believe you should always write an objective even if the company does not ask for one. With the objective you can show the company that you understand what the job is asking for and that you want it. Some people believe that instead of objective, you should provide the reader with a brief summary which touches on the requirements of the kind of job you are applying to and how your skills and experience meet those requested by that position.

Put the most important information first
In most cases, your previous work experience will be the most important part of the resume, so put it at the top. When describing your experience or skills, list the the ones most relevant to the position you are applying to.

Add a Project List
Depending on your engineering specialty and years of experience, you may find that a dozen or more key projects might have to be included on your resume. I haven't done this yet, but many people are talking about how this will help your resume.

Use Power (Buzz ) Words
Buzz words are scanned for nowadays by some companies to separate those worthy of human contact from those that will be shredded. The computer is fed a list of words that it should look for on any given resume. The resumes with the correct buzz words are passed onto the human resource department. Thus, a great strategy that is extremely important is finding these power words or verbs that match the level of position you want. To achieve this, you must tailor your resume to every position you apply for.

Make absolutely sure your document is error free
An error in a resume can often be the killer between two closely matched candidates.

Find a balance between wordiness and lack of detail
Employers need to know the details about your work history and engineering experience, but they don’t need to know everything.

PDF vs. Word Format
I always sent my resume out as PDF file unless the company specifically asked for a Word Document. I did this because I assumed that my resume would be viewed on a computer screen rather than on a piece of paper. PDF files look more professional and if the interviewer needs to see a hard copy your resume can still be printed out.

Think “accomplishments” rather than “job duties”
What made you stand out from the crowd with your previous experiences? How did you come up with a way to do things better, more efficiently, or for less cost? This type of thinking will put your resume at the top of the list.

Sell the Benefits of Your Skills
Sell what you can bring to the company and what makes you stand out.

Keep it positive
A resume is just a way to sell your to the company. Remember to always focus on what the company wants, people who can contribute, have a positive attitude, are enthusiastic, and have successfully performed similar job skills in the past.

There you go. I hope my tips will help you land that dream interview!