Hi all,

I'm currently job-hunting and wanted to update my resume summary. My work history and skills are as follows:

• more than 8 years of CADD experience (mainly from course projects, 2 independent contract positions, and just generally working at it during free time at home)
• nearly 2 years of experience in administrative support and customer service (from 2 on-campus jobs)
• currently working as a junior process engineer, for 1.5 years
• interested in positions relating to CAD/CAM/CAE, design engineering, mechanical engineering, and/or process engineering
• interested in working in the CAD/CAM/CAE, HVAC, aerospace, and automotive industries
• interested in opportunities in the civil, electrical, and chemical engineering industries (because sometimes these guys look for MEs)

How can the above be best written into a resume summary? My current resume summary is:

Detail-oriented mechanical engineer with more than 8 years of experience in computer-aided-design and drafting (CADD). Effective at combining creative thinking with logical design ideas to develop solutions to challenging problems in both self-managed and team-based projects.

Nearly 2 years of experience in administrative support and customer service. Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; proven success at interfacing with upper management, staff, and peers.

Interested in positions in the computer-aided-design/manufacturing/engineering (CAD/CAM/CAE), aerospace, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), automotive industries, as well as new opportunities in civil, electrical, and chemical engineering.

Thanks in advance.

Hi arv1in,

Your summary looks excellent and I love that you always put so much thought into it.

The only part I would change is the last paragraph. It's great for a resume that will be posted on Monster, but if you are targeting a specific position, only include the relevant industry (so if the company is HVAC, take out aerospace, automotive, etc.).

Fantastic job on this!

Thanks Ms. Isaacs,

Are you saying I should keep it as it already is? I would like to include my process engineering experience into it, but I'm not sure if 1.5 years is enough to make it noteworthy.

The last paragraph is a part of the summary that I use for my LinkedIn profile, and thus my resume...but I'll make the necessary changes.

Thanks.

Hi arv1in,

The best approach is to study job ads for positions you're targeting and see if process engineering experience is desired or required. If so, I wouldn't discount your 1.5 years of experience -- you can add a sentence that includes this skill and possibly one or two examples of techniques used (e.g., lean/Six Sigma concepts) or related tasks and accomplishments.

Hi Ms. Isaacs,

My current Summary for my resume is as follows:

Mid-level mechanical engineer with a solid educational background and nearly 8 years of experience in computer-aided-design and drafting (CADD), and nearly 2 years of experience in process engineering.

§         Detail-oriented with motivated work ethic and proven success in self-managed and team-based projects

§         Proficient in utilizing engineering tools and technologies such as Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, SDRC I-DEAS, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and MATLAB

§         Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; interfaces effectively with upper management, staff, and peers

Please tell me what you think.

Thanks again.

Hi arv1in,

Your summary is excellent. Here are a few suggested changes to make it even better:

- The first bullet has too many resume clichés (e.g., detail-oriented, motivated work ethic, proven success). Try to streamline this bullet point to make it sound more authentic. Even leading with "Proven success..." will improve the bullet. You can possibly merge this with the last bullet about your interpersonal skills because it ties in with working effectively on team-based projects.

- The second bullet is very good. I would change "utilizing" to "using." Also, maybe say "engineering and office tools..." -- MS Office looks out of place with the engineering programs.

- The third bullet can be merged with the first. I would add a bullet describing the type of ME projects that you've worked on. Give a hint of your accomplishments before the reader moves to your work experience section.

Also, stay with an "implied" first-person voice -- use "interface" instead of "interfaces..." The idea is that you are saying, "I interface with..." (not "I interfaces with..."). Does that make sense?

I hope this helps!

Hi Ms. Issacs,

I totally agree with the clichéd working as you pointed out...a quick Google search actually shows the same words being used on a number of other resumes. Your suggestions do indeed make alot of sense. Here's my summary for the time being with the changes put in place. The parts that are in blue font are what I'm thinking of adding. Please let me know what you think.

SUMMARY

Mechanical engineer with more than 3 years of experience in computer-aided-design and drafting (CADD) and nearly 2 years of experience in process engineering.

§         Proven success in self-managed and team-based projects with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; interface effectively with upper management, staff, and peers

§         Proficient in utilizing engineering and office tools and technologies such as Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, SDRC I-DEAS, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and MATLAB

§         Effective at combining creative thinking with logical ideas to develop solutions to challenging problems in both areas of design engineering and process engineering

As you can see, I've combined the 1st and 3rd bullets. I was also thinking of using the phrase as seen in the 3rd bullet, instead of using the describe the type of ME projects that I've worked on...not only will it save some space in the summary, but it will also give the reader some incentive to go on and read the resume further. Plus, if the reader is interested they can view my LinkedIn profile, where my college ME projects are highlighted, to see what other ME projects I've worked on (my profile link is given on the resume header).

 

 

 

Hi arv1in,

The changes you made are fantastic and I see what you're saying about sparking the reader's interest to learn more about you. I think this would definitely work to grab the attention of hiring managers. I still would like to see some indication of what you've worked on. The last bullet is a good teaser, but it's vague -- I would add at least a hint of the design and process engineering projects you've worked on.

Overall, an excellent summary -- it's well above average compared to others I've seen in your field.

Hi Ms. Isaacs,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm still lost as to what I should put down as my design engineering and process engineering projects.  As for my process engineering experience, I've so far worked on reactors, heat exchangers (both scraped surface and multi-tube), and air classifier mills. I'm not quite sure how to word it to say that I've worked on these equipments and machinery and have a relatively good knowledge of them also. I've included what I have for my resume thus far below.

SUMMARY
Mechanical Engineer with more than 6 years of experience in Design Engineering and nearly 2 years of experience in Process Engineering.
? Proven success in self-managed and team-based projects with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills; interface effectively with upper management, staff, and peers
? Proficient in utilizing engineering and office tools and technologies such as Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, SDRC I-DEAS, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and MATLAB
? Effective at combining creative thinking with logical ideas to develop solutions to challenging problems

EXPERIENCE
Company Name—Location • July 2011-Present
The world's largest processor of micronized polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as well as a leading worldwide manufacturer and supplier of a broad line of specialty wax-based products.
Junior Process Engineer
? Processed polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and waxes into various particle sizes
? Processed oil and water-based compounds, emulsions, and dispersions in accordance with presented formulations
? Conducted pilot plant processing and experimentations
? Performed Quality Control (QC) laboratory testing in order to assure that products met specifications
? Established and maintained excellent interface with the Production, Engineering, Quality Control, and Maintenance Departments
? Trained and supervised new, in-coming production personnel and ensured daily production requirements are carried out in a safe and efficient manner
? Performed calibration and troubleshooting of equipment to ensure processes operated at optimum level in regards to quality and output
? Conducted total productive maintenance (TPM) of machinery and equipment in order to eliminate downtime and reduce production costs
? Compiled and updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
? Observed, measured, recorded, analyzed and reported process and experimental data
? Evaluated and monitored the efficiency, output and safety of manufacturing processes through observations and measurements as well as by collecting and interpreting data from other technical and operating personnel
? Designed Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) for existing processes and equipment

Company Name—Location • September 2010-October 2010
Entrepreneur with a start-up company specializing in patented men’s fashion accessories.
Independent Contractor-Drafter/Design Engineer
Generated engineering drawings and solid models for men’s bow tie and regular tie knot cover with multiple matching interchangeable jewelry and accessory heads for manufacturability using AutoCAD 2000i and Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
? Created engineering drawings with specifications for tie knot covers, circular and rectangular rings and watch heads, watch bands and bracelets, cuff links, tie bar and tie tack, ear ring stud, and circular button stud
? Produced solid models of circular button stud, cuff link with stem, circular ring, ear ring stud, and tie tack; created assemblies of components 
? Coordinated with employer and provided feedback relating to the overall development of the project
? Successfully completed project ahead of schedule

Company Name—Location • May 2010-June 2010
Entrepreneur with a small start-up business creating an upcoming line of high end pet products.
Independent Contractor-Design Engineer
Created solid models and engineering drawings for pet bed and pet carrier using Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 2.0
? Generated solid models of pet bed’s main wooden frame, in addition to storage drawer, and removable legs; created final assembly of pet bed with its components
? Calculated measurements and specifications from the prototype of double-cabin, mobile pet carrier
? Designed solid models of pet carrier’s main body, as well as oval-shaped doors, door hinges, nuts and screws, door clamp, retractable handle and bracket, wheels, wheel base, and wheel pin
? Created sub-assemblies of major components for pet carrier’s final assembly
? Produced multi-view engineering drawings for each solid model for purpose of manufacturability
? Interacted with employer and presented engineering insight and advice regarding possible improvements related to the aesthetic and mechanical aspects of pet carrier
? Successfully completed both projects on schedule

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), December 2009
College Name—Location

I've included my LinkedIn profile also where my college course projects are highlighted: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/arvin-autar/2b/8a/117

Thanks again.