The demand for vehicles is on a steady rise which means there will always be a need for a reliable automotive technician in the job market. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment rate for automotive technicians and mechanics is projected to grow at a rate of 2% from 2022 to 2032.
Just like a vehicle, your automotive technician has a lot of moving parts. In this guide, we will help you write a resume that can be tailored to fit any automotive technician position. We will take you through the different steps to highlight your professional strengths and achievements which will eventually result in a successful job search.
How to Write an Effective Automotive Technician Resume?
It is futile to dive into the job application process for an automotive technician role with a sub par resume. In a highly competitive job market, it is essential to possess an automotive technician resume that represents your professional qualifications to its full potential. Here are some key pointers to keep in mind while you make your automotive technician resume.
- Ensure that your automotive technician resume is brief and not longer than one-two pages.
- List your professional history in a reverse chronological order.
- Avoid writing in the first person and start every sentence with an action verb while describing your past work experience.
- Stick with bullet points while describing your past roles and achievements.
- List your academic background in a reverse chronological order.
- Proofread your automotive technician resume thoroughly before the final submission.
Choose the Right Resume Format
Choosing a suitable resume format for your automotive technician resume depends on your professional circumstances and preferences. There are mainly three types of resume formats- chronological, functional and hybrid. Each of these formats have their own strengths and you should choose a suitable one depending on your professional experience, skills and the specific job you are applying for. Let's take a look at these in more detail.
Chronological Format
This is the most commonly used and widely accepted resume format. The chronological format largely focuses on your work history and lists your previous jobs in a reverse chronological order starting with your most recent job.
This format is perfectly suited for candidates with a strong and consistent work history in a singular professional field. This format works the best when your most recent work experience is relevant to the latest job that you are applying for. It is also highly favoured by hiring managers and recruiters as it highlights your career progression in an efficient manner.
Functional Format
The functional format mainly focuses on your skills and qualifications rather than your work history.
This format works best for candidates with a non traditional employment history. The functional format helps cover up employment gaps, change in careers very efficiently.
Hybrid Format
The hybrid format, as the name suggests, is a product of combining the key elements of the chronological and functional resume formats. It provides the opportunity to give equal importance to your skills and past experience as an automotive technician.
This format works wonders for candidates who are relatively new to the workforce with some experience and a list of skills they have attained in their professional journey. It is a versatile format that can be used by all professionals regardless of the stage of their career they are in.
The Structure of Your Automotive Technician Resume
The structure of your auto technician resume will depend on the format that you pick. Every format will contain these essential sections, however the order might change depending on the resume style you pick. These key sections provide a hiring manager with a complete overview of your skills, experience and professional accomplishments. The following key components need to be present in your automotive technician resume.
- Header
- Resume objective
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
Make a Professional Header
The header section is the top most part of your resume that contains your contact information. It is one of the easiest sections to write but make sure to not make any mistakes. This is the information hiring managers require to get in touch with. Include the following details in the header section of your automotive technician resume.
- Full name
- Job title
- Phone number
- Email address
- LinkedIn Profile (if available)
Write an Intelligent Professional Summary
A resume summary or resume objective is a great way to encapsulate your key qualifications, experience and career goals in a concise and intelligent manner. It should not be more than 2-4 sentences long.
It is advisable to begin with an adjective that best describes you followed by your job title. Then touch upon your key experiences mentioning the number of years of experience you have being an automotive technician. Highlight some of your professional achievements that are relevant to the job that you are applying for. Make a strong closing statement showcasing the unique values and skills that are relevant to the job and the automotive industry.
Detail Your Past Work Experiences
This section is representative of your entire professional journey as an automotive technician. Hiring managers and recruiters will be scanning this section to measure your suitability for the role. It needs to be well-organized and carefully structured. It is important to align your experiences with the job requirements that the employers are on the lookout for.
The most effective way to make an experience section for automotive technician jobs is by listing your prior work experiences in a reverse chronological order. This helps portray your career timeline in a professional manner.
Start detailing your previous jobs with mentioning your job title, name of the company, the location and the exact time period of your employment.
Strictly use bullet points to highlight your primary duties and responsibilities for every job. Start each sentence with a powerful action verb like maintained, supervised, organized, initiated etc. Do not just restrict to duties, but also mention any notable accomplishments you made in your professional history. It is always better to emphasize your quantifiable achievements that can be backed by specific metrics and examples.
Highlight Your Relevant Skills
The skills section is where you can showcase your key skills and expertise as an automotive technician. This section should contain your technical aptitude as well your soft skills. A balanced skill section that contains your soft and technical skills will surely set you apart from other candidates. We recommend organizing your skills in bullet points and in order of relevance. Here is a list of some of the top skills for an automotive technician position.
- Advanced automotive diagnostics
- Repairing vehicles
- Preventative maintenance
- Oil change
- Proficient in latest automotive technologies
- Electrical vehicle maintenance
- Management skills
- Communication skills
- Customer satisfaction
Mention Your Educational Background
The minimum educational requirement to become an automotive technician is a high school diploma. Make sure to list your educational qualifications starting with the highest level of education you have received. Include these three important details while listing your academic history.
- Degree earned
- Name of the institution
- Graduation Date
Even though there might not be a requirement for a higher level of education, relevant training programs and certifications can go a long way in building a credible image in the eyes of hiring managers. If you have certifications like Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) or any other relevant degree make sure to highlight them in this section.
Automotive Technician Job Description
An automotive technician maintains, diagnoses and repairs customer vehicles of all kinds. The job description section of a job posting will contain the exact skills and qualifications that the employer is looking for. Each job description will different depending on the employer's requirements. Here are few of the common specifications given by an employer to fill the position of an automotive technician.
- Regular servicing, maintaining and repairing vehicles.
- Utilizing diagnostic equipment to identify the main issues with the vehicle functionality.
- Explain repairs and resolutions taken and provide excellent customer service.
- Perform routine maintenance work like oil change, replacing brake pads etc.
Pro Tips to Customize Your Automotive Technician Resume
It is necessary to customize your resume before every job application. One generic resume wont work for all the jobs that you apply for as every company has their specific set of job requirements. To be seriously considered for automotive technician jobs, you need to have a resume that aligns with the needs of the employers. Here are some of the simple measures you can take to customize your automotive technician resume.
Review the Job Description Carefully
Read the job description given by the employer meticulously and highlight the key phrases and requirements that align with your professional experience. This is your biggest guiding factor on which key details should be given precedence in your automotive technician resume.
Use Keywords
Incorporate the essential keywords used by the employer in their job ad into your resume. Most employers have started using applicant tracking systems that are designed to search for specific keywords increasing your chances of passing the software and landing an actual interview.
Tailor Your Resume Sections
Customize your resume summary, skills and prioritize your work experience to only include details that are relevant to the specific job that you have applied to. Make sure to use the exact same keywords and phrases that have been used by the employer in the job posting.
Address Specific Job Requirements
If the job requirements mention specific requirements like experience with a certain model of car or truck, then highlight your experience with the same. This will prove that you have carefully read the job description and are fully-equipped to meet the employer's needs.
Customize Your Automotive Technician Cover Letter
If you choose to complement your resume with a cover letter, then ensure that it adequately elaborates and expands on the carefully customized content of your resume. A cover letter essentially helps break the ice between an employer and yourself. Take advantage of that and use this document to showcase your suitability for the automotive technician job.
Proofread and Edit
The final step before you submit your resume is to proofread and edit it multiple times. This is an essential process which will help you fine tune your resume and eliminate any formatting and grammatical errors from it.
We hope that you found this article helpful and are now ready to tackle your resume like a certified professional resume writer. If you would like to research more and feel the need for more assistance, then please browse through our huge list of resume examples and templates that can enhance your resume writing. Happy job hunting!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should an automotive technician put on their resume?
An automotive technician resume needs to highlight the candidate's key skills and qualifications to prove their abilities and eligibility for the position. The main sections that need to be covered in a technician resume are as follows.
- Header
- Professional summary
- Work Experience
- Skills
- Education
What is the appropriate length for an automotive technician resume?
The suitable length for an automotive technician resume is one-two pages long.
What are the top skills for an automotive technician?
The top skills for an automotive technician are a mix of both soft and hard skills that are required on the job. Here are some of the most valued skills for this job.
- Vehicle inspections
- Automotive repair
- Routine service and maintenance
- Welding
- Brakes service
- Suspension Tuning
- Oil change
- Parts replacement
- Electrical systems
- Problem solving
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Time management
- Strong work ethic
