With the demand for production workers off the charts, now is the best time to create the perfect manufacturing technician resume and land your next position. You'll need to showcase your relevant skills and the right qualities for this detail-oriented role. Luckily, Resume.io is here to help. With 350+ job specific resume examples and writing guides, we're an expert resource for job seekers at all stages of their careers.
This resume guide, along with the corresponding manufacturing technician resume example will cover the following topics:
- What does a manufacturing technician do?
- How to write a manufacturing technician resume (tips and tricks)
- The best format for a manufacturing technician resume
- Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
- Professional resume layout and design hints.
What does a manufacturing technician do?
Manufacturing technicians are responsible for the physical development of a product. They can work in any industry that requires manufacturing ranging from the manufacturing of airplanes to the manufacturing of a kitchen utensil. A manufacturing technician should possess both technical and mechanical skills that make them adept in the manufacturing process. Manufacturing technicians can either work alongside a machine-produced component, providing assistance when necessary, or they can assemble parts entirely by hand. An ideal candidate holds a vocational certificate in a training program geared toward manufacturing technicians. A higher education degree is not required to attain this type of position. The candidate should demonstrate knowledge of equipment maintenance, as well as the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
There's never been a better time to get your resume out there – manufacturing workers are in high demand! In fact, as the older workforce retires, there's estimated to be a shortage of 3 million manufacturing workers in the U.S.
*Source: Bain
How to write a manufacturing technician resume
The very first step in writing a great manufacturing technician resume is understanding what sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- The resume header
- The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The resume skills section
- The education section
A manufacturing technician should showcase a variety of qualities that prove their qualifications when dealing with the manufacturing process. Experience with power tools, excellent math and reasoning skills, and respect for safety guidelines and regulations are some important examples to consider. It is important to remember that the work environment of a manufacturing technician is different than most. You might be working independently in a loud factory-like place for most of the day. The ideal candidate works well independently and has the energy needed to stand or be alert while operating machinery for most of the work-day. A winning manufacturing technician resume should highlight excellent reasoning and mathematical skills.
Choosing the best resume format for manufacturing technicians
When it comes to choosing the best resume format for your manufacturing technician resume, you have a few options. If you have some previous experience in the field or in related work, the reverse chronological resume format is the most logical choice. This format focuses on an employment history section where you'll be able to list your past jobs starting with the most recent and working backwards through ten years of experience (or as much as you have.) This format is preferred by hiring managers and ATS resume scanners.
If you have highly specialized skills or are making a career change, you may consider the hybrid or combination resume format which starts with your skills section followed by a shorter employment history. The functional resume format may also be an option for recent graduates. You can learn more about each of these structures in our guide to resume formats.
A great format will not only help you impress the hiring manager, it will also increase your chances of clearing the Applicant Tracking Systems or ATS built into most online application portals. These algorithms scan resumes for keywords (usually important duties or skills from the job description) and pass only the highest-ranking applicants on to the hiring manager for review. Avoid being filtered out by creating an easy-to-read resume with all the important sections and use job-specific language throughout.
Resume summary example
The resume summary offers you a chance to speak directly to the employer and point their attention to your key skills and qualities. In these 3-5 sentences, make sure to highlight any requirements from the job description that you're sure the employer is looking for. Highlight your biggest accomplishments and attributes here as well.
Remember to use as many powerful action verbs and job specific information as you can. Highlighting your key attributes that effectively showcase your qualifications and accomplishments for this detail-oriented job is crucial. Below you'll find the summary from our adaptable resume example.
Experienced and dedicated manufacturing technician with over six years of industry experience, helping production in major companies to carry on as smoothly as possible. Adept at operating machinery, finalizing and packaging finished products, and maintaining inventories. Bringing forth a proven track record of helping companies increase their productivity by ensuring their machinery is functioning at a high level. I possess excellent team leadership skills and a true commitment to excellence and safety in the workplace.
For more summary examples and writing inspiration, check out our related production resume examples including our material handler resume sample, machine operator resume example, factory worker resume sample, and assembler resume sample.
Employment history sample
The employment history section is the place to list all positions relevant to manufacturing or positions that have transferable duties and/or required skills necessary for a manufacturing technician position. First, create a subheading for your most recent position with the name of the employer, your job title, the dates worked and location. Underneath, add 4-5 bullet points that explain your duties and skills. Remember to use powerful action verbs and mention job specific accomplishments that prove you are an excellent candidate. Use numbers, statistics and concrete details to illustrate your role and the benefit you provided to the company. See our adaptable resume sample below.
- Improved preparation methods of plastics used for cups prior to the production process.
- Worked to maintain safety and efficiency of production by scheduling maintenance tasks and adhering to checklists.
- Maintained the highest standards of expectations and coached others working in a fast paced environment.
- Upheld all safety standards and maintained a clean and organized production room.
- Saved on average 10% of production costs per year by using time management skills and preventative maintenance on equipment.
- Collaborated with engineering team to standardize maintenance procedures.
CV skills example
An outstanding manufacturing technician CV will include a number of important skills that your employer is looking for in a candidate. In order to rise above the competition you must present yourself as a hardworking and detail-oriented individual who works efficiently and with minimal mistakes. Manufacturing jobs often rely on specific hard skills (technical abilities) so be sure to add the skills the employer is looking for here. Even though you work in manufacturing, you're certainly not a robot, so you can also add the soft skills that make you a good team player and a helpful colleague. See our adaptable resume sample below.
- Project Management
- Equipment Safety Practices
- Reasoning Skills
- Equipment Maintenance
Manufacturing technician resume education example
While you may not be required to have an advanced degree, your manufacturing technician resume example should always include an education section. List your diplomas and degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Make sure to include the name of the school, location and dates attended. If you're a recent graduate, you can also include your GPA. If you've completed higher education, there's no need to include your high school. See our education section resume example below.
- 2001-2005 Redding High School, High School Diploma Redding, CT
- 2005-2006 Lincoln Technical Institute, CPT Certification Albany, NY
Resume layout and design
While the layout and design of your manufacturing technician resume shouldn't be overcomplicated, it should be attractive and help present you as a professional. Make sure to leave a balance of white space to text so that the page is not tiring on the eyes. You should also stay consistent with your font styles and sizes. Make your resume stand out by creating an attractive header that highlights your name and essential contact information. You can create a header quickly and easily by using a professionally-designed resume template.
Key takeaways for a manufacturing technician resume
- A great manufacturing technician resume will help open doors in this ever-growing field.
- Create a summary that draws the employer in by offering details of your experience and skills.
- Include a mix of hard and soft skills on your resume and focus on the ones mentioned in the job description.
- A great page design will help you come across as a professional – get started with our adaptable resume sample.
