Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Example & Tips

Applying for your first full-time job as a fresh graduate can be a daunting prospect. But fear not, this guide will help you rise to the challenge of writing your entry-level mechanical engineering resume and landing your first industry job. After all, you graduated in mechanical engineering, if you can pass fluid mechanics then writing a resume should be a piece of cake! 

With this guide, you’ll learn the tricks behind writing an explosive resume. You’ll also find a sample resume included.

This guide will teach you: 

• How to write an entry-level mechanical engineering resume that will make you stand out from the crowd.
• Tips and tricks on how best to organize your resume for junior mechanical engineering jobs.
• How to sell your skills and university successes to land your dream job.

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To find out more about related jobs, or writing a resume with no experience, check out the following guides:

• Engineering Resume Sample
• Engineering Student Resume Sample
• Mechanical Engineer Resume Sample
• Industrial Engineer Resume Sample
• Manufacturing Engineer Resume Sample
• Electrical Engineering Resume Sample
• Computer Engineering Resume Sample
• Civil Engineering Resume Sample
• Chemical Engineering Resume Sample
• Best Resume Samples for All Jobs

Sample Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume

This is how to write an entry-level mechanical engineering resume to make you stand out from the crowd:

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume

Mechanical engineers design a variety of machines and components ranging from internal combustion engines or turbine engines to HVAC systems or kitchen tools. If it's mechanical then you can be sure it was designed by a mechanical engineer. Mechanical engineers can work in a variety of industries such as aerospace, defense, or manufacturing. They can even design robots! Boston Dynamics anyone?

Your entry-level resume should highlight the skills and experience you have to get you started with your career in mechanical engineering 

It’s hard getting your resume noticed. In fact, recruiters only spend a few seconds when initially scanning through your resume. So make sure your resume is neatly formatted and follow these key rules:

• Make sure that your contact information is up to date.
• For your entry-level resume, you should slightly modify the chronological layout making sure your education comes first. 
• Use fonts that are clear and legible and make sure the resume is neatly formatted.
• Boast about your GPA or other student achievements.
• Send out your resume in PDF format to keep your formatting intact.
• Consider using a resume builder.

For your junior mechanical engineering resume, you won’t have much experience so stick to a one-page format.

More tips on What a Resume Should Look Like

2. Start your Resume With a Summary or Objective

A resume summary can also be called a resume profile or a personal statement in the UK.

A summary is one of the most important parts of your resume as it describes you in a nutshell.

As a recent graduate your summary should focus on the highlights of your education:

• Mention your key achievements
• Describe your area of expertise
• Boast about any extracurricular success you may have had

You can also add a resume objective if you like:

• Describe the precise area or industry you would like to develop your career in
• Explain which skills you could use in this career path and what you would like to develop

Read more: Resume Starter Sentences

3. Focus On Your Education

As you will most likely not be a very experienced professional you have to make sure you make the best of what you have and make your education speak for you. Your education section should be placed above your work experience section due to the lack of experience you will have. As a recent graduate, your degree is your main asset and will be one of the most important aspects your potential employer will be looking at. Therefore make sure to take the following points into account:

• Start the section by adding the degree you completed and the years you attended university followed by the name and location of your alma mater.
• If you have a GPA you are proud of mention this next.
• List your key achievements.
• Don’t be afraid to boast about what you did, your key achievements should include scholarships, rewards or any important positions you held at university.
• Describe key projects you completed during your degree.

Seeking an internship first? Check: Engineering Internship Resume Sample

4. Make the Most of Your Internships

If you have completed any internships or have previous work experience, you should describe them in the right way.

• Start the section with details of the company you completed your internship at and make sure to mention your role title, the company name, and location, and dates worked.
• Include up to 6 bullet points describing your work.
• Focus on tangible results and numbers where possible.
• Describe what size teams you worked with.
• Take credit for your work and show what projects you worked on.

If you haven’t completed any internships or have no professional experience you can skip this step.

5. Highlight Your Skills

As a mechanical engineer, you need to know a variety of software. You will also most likely know some programming languages. But if only it was as simple as that. There are many factors that employees consider when looking for a potential hire, apart from hard skills.

But if you follow these simple rules you will definitely increase your chances:

• Prepare a list of all the skills you have including software skills, soft skills, hard skills, technical skills. List all the skills you have.
• Choose only those skills that are most relevant to the job that you are applying for and include these on your resume

Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Skills

• Analytical Thinking Skills
• Communication Skills
• Creative-Thinking Skills
• Detail-Oriented Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Problem-Solving Skills
• Programming Skills
• CAD/CAM skills
• Manufacturing skills
• Ansys Fluid Mechanics Package
• Ansys Finite Element Method Package
• Siemens NX
• Catia
• Solidworks
• Python
• C+

Read more: Hard Skills Definition and Best Examples

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6. Include Other Sections in Your Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume

Emphasize any other skills or things you have to offer that could help you make an impression.

• Include your language skills.
• Add any relevant certifications you may have.
• Mention any of your publications or conferences you took part in
• Don’t forget to list some of your hobbies - your personality counts.

Read more: What to Put on a Resume

7. Attach a Cover Letter to Your Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Resume

Writing a cover letter allows you to go into further detail on why you are the perfect fit for the role. Although not all companies require a cover letter, recruiters are much more likely to take your application into account if you attach one.

Write your entry-level mechanical engineering cover letter using the following tips:

• Format your cover letter correctly.
• Make sure your cover letter heading stands out.
• Show your passion for the subject and explain what you would bring to the company.
• Finish your cover letter in such a way as to leave the hiring manager wanting more.

And make sure your cover letter length is just right!

Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job & Mechanical Engineer Cover Letter Sample

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

And that’s about it.

You know about calculus, you know about heat transfer and now you know how to write a junior mechanical engineering resume to get you ahead of the game.

Do you have any feedback to share about writing an entry-level mechanical engineering resume? Let us know in the comments section!

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Sources

• 1. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/mechanical-engineers.htm
• 2. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172141.htm
• 3. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/entry-level-mechanical-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,31.htm