Must know resume tips for mechanics

Last updated: February 12, 2025
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Eleana Bowman
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Must know resume tips for mechanics
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If you have your sights set on a new mechanic job, you’ll want to have a top-notch resume ready. All industries expect something different from a resume, so customization is a must-have.

A carefully crafted resume can be the difference between you and the hundreds of other candidates.

In this article, we’ll look at what a mechanic does, give you five tips for writing your resume, and show you some mechanic resume examples.

What is a mechanic?

An auto mechanic inspects, maintains, and repairs vehicles. They work on troubleshooting mechanical systems like engines and transmissions but must also be familiar with electrical systems like steering systems and braking.

Some mechanics specialize in certain areas of an automobile. For example, you can find technicians specializing in brake systems, air-conditioning, and front-end work. Most work in auto repair shops.

An automotive service technician has at least a high school diploma. They usually take relevant courses in high school before going on to a postsecondary program in automotive service technology.

These are short, intensive programs lasting around one year.

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With that said, many mechanics are hired without certifications and receive extensive on-the-job training. However, like with any position, formal education will give you a leg up in finding a job and getting a larger salary.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for mechanics was $44,050 in May 2020. With a degree and Automotive Service Excellent (ASE) certifications, you could be in the top 10% of earners, making more than $71,940 annually.

Why you should customize your mechanic resume

You wouldn’t send in the resume you used for a Starbucks barista position to get a job as a mechanic.

Hiring managers want to see a tailored auto mechanic resume that speaks to how you’d perform on the job. It should be as relevant as possible.

Because recruiters spend so little time looking at resumes, you’ve got to catch their attention right away with a strong summary statement. Follow that up with relevant experience!

If they skim your resume and only see coffee shop experience, you can guarantee that you won’t get a callback.

5 mechanic resume tips

Here are five tips to help you overhaul your mechanic resume.

1. Start strong

Lead with a strong summary statement or career objective.

This section aims to highlight your experience and certifications in a short blurb that will prompt the recruiter to keep reading. It should include information that the recruiter is looking for.

You can use the job description to get a sense of what kinds of certifications and experience they want candidates to have.

2. Outline your career progression

Your experience section should be in reverse chronological order and show your career progression. If there are any gaps in your resume, explain that in your cover letter and during the interview.

Try and keep it as relevant as possible. If some of your experience is in another industry, do your best to write transferable job duties.

For example, as a barista, you’ve likely developed amazing time management and customer service skills that will benefit your automotive career.

3. List your skills

You want to show the recruiter that you have the skills they’re looking for. If there are certain machines or skills they list in the job description, include those in your skill list so they can see you’re capable at a glance.

Don’t forget to include soft skills like problem-solving as well.

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4. Include a cover letter

Aside from your resume, most recruiters want to see a cover letter.

48% of recruiters say they’re more likely to read a cover letter now than before the pandemic.

You can use the letter to elaborate on your experiences and education section. Expand on the job duties listed on your resume and go into detail about your accomplishments.

5. Think about keywords

To get your resume past the applicant tracking system, you’ll want to include keywords.

Without keywords, your resume will likely be filtered out and never seen by a recruiter.

To beat the system, just include the language used in the job description on your resume.

Mechanic resume examples

Let’s take a look at two mechanic resume templates for inspiration.

Entry-level mechanic resume sample

Kyle Clemens is an entry-level automotive technician who has just received a certificate of completion in automotive technology but has little work experience.

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Kyle's resume is a perfect example of how to write your resume when you are a new graduate.

His summary lets recruiters know he’s looking for an apprenticeship. He follows that up with highlights, which list his experience and qualifications.

Front-loading your resume with this information is essential, especially when your experience section is lacking. You can impress a hiring manager with your enthusiasm, education, and certifications.

Experienced mechanic resume

Here’s a resume for someone with nine years of experience as a mechanic.

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The career objective is comprehensive, letting recruiters know they have extensive experience on the job, plus certifications.

Because they have so much experience, they don’t need a highlights section. Instead, the experience section does all of the talking.

Aside from their automotive skills, they list relevant soft skills as well.

Mechanics are juggling plenty of responsibilities at the same time, so it’s important to point out skills like time management.

Mechanic jobs hiring today

Take a look at the hundreds of automotive mechanic jobs posted on the Jobcase job board.

Find mechanic jobs on Jobcase.

Ready to start your mechanic career

Once you’ve created a professional resume, it’s time to start applying for jobs.

As long as you follow the tips above, you should have no trouble landing an interview and securing your dream job.

You can find more tips for mechanics looking for a job by visiting our Getting Hired Resource Center.

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