Manufacturing Resumes

While a manufacturing resume is not always necessary for manufacturing occupations, they may be helpful and give candidates competing for positions an advantage to the competition.  For candidates interested in skilled labor, management, supervisory, or administrative careers, resume composition is the deciding factor on whether or not they receive an interview.  While there is a variety of information that may be included in a manufacturing resume, professionals commonly include the following details: 

Identification:
The identification section of a resume should highlight candidates’ name, address, telephone number, email address, and any other methods for them to be reached.  This information should be effectively separated from the body of the resume to ensure that employers can easily contact the candidate. 

Summary or Objective Statement:
It is often possible to completely eliminate a summary or objective statement, depending on the preference of the candidate.  If it is included, it should be utilized in order to express to employers the skills a candidate possesses, or what they must receive from a company in order to accept a position.  Candidates may combine both options, but should be clear and concise, and keep the section between three and five sentences in length.

Educational Background:
Educational requirements vary greatly by specific position applying for, so there are a number of ideas to consider.  For associates with a high school diploma, equivalent certification to a high school diploma, or less, it is often helpful to include pertinent information from the school including date of graduation, or amount of course work completed. 
 
Candidates with additional education such as vocational training, certifications, apprenticeships, or college or university educations should include all aspects such as the name and location of where the training and/or education took place as well as degrees obtained.  Similarly, if no diplomas were obtained candidates should include any classes completed.

Employment History:
Candidates should include all past employment within the previous ten years.  Employer name, company location, and specific title held should be included, but any further elaboration is not required.  It is usually helpful to include specific accomplishments and skills related to each company, but these may be included in a separate section, depending on candidate preferences. 

While identification, education, and employment history are the most important sections on a resume, additional areas may include military experience, certifications, special awards or achievements, special projects, personal interests, or other areas that may relate directly to the position that is being applied for. 

Information may be organized in a variety of formats including functional, chronological, or combination resumes.  Functional resumes focus on the skills and knowledge candidates have accumulated from prior positions, and may be organized in a number of ways.  These formats tend to work best for professionals with spotty work history, or for those making a move into an entirely different occupation or industry.  Functional formats may be difficult to compose, and slightly more difficult for employers to decipher due to the fact that they are not the most commonly used, but are highly effective if composed properly.  Chronological resumes are the most typical, and list all information in reverse chronological order (most recent listed first).  These allow employers to easily create employment timelines, organize employment history, and highlight any gaps in employment.  This format allows candidates the highest ease in composition, because they are basic lists of employment and educational backgrounds.  Combination resumes.  Highlight skills and accomplishments, but maintain reverse chronological order to allow easy readability.  This format is easier than a functional resume, but requires more dedication than chronological resumes.  Each resume is as effective as the other, under specific circumstances; therefore professionals should thoroughly research before beginning composition of their manufacturing resume. 

For more information on composing a manufacturing resume, please visit the following sites:

• Amazing Cover Letter
• Easy Job
• The Resume Center, Inc.
• Right-Writing
• The Advantage

Let iHireManufacturing help get your resume out into the production industry.  We offer resume fax and email blasting for manufacturing candidates to companies in your area for a small fee, or have your cover letter sent out for no charge.