INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Machinist positions are at a 7% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 425,300 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 29,700 to 455,000 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Machinist jobs was $47,040 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $29,240, and the highest 10% more than $69,050.
Our conclusion? The Machinist job market is wide open for candidates.
Top Machinist sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
How to write a Machinist resume experience section
Machinist Resume’s Job Experience Checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
The work experience samples below come from real Machinist resumes that got people hired at top companies. You can use them as an inspiration to build your own resume:
- Set up and ran original equipment manufacturer product (OEM) in the lathe department.
- Drove quality, current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs), continuous cell improvement and 5s practices.
- Maintained production efficiency average of 107.75% running multiple jobs on 2-3 machines and 155.25% set-up efficiency average in concurrence with production.
- Used my mechanical knowledge and training to safety teardown turbo assemblies for requalification
- Ran multiple, programmable machines to produce quality parts for the assembly line
- Experience with assisted breathing devices to be used in unsafe environments
- Contributed to improving the speed and quality of work by helping to develop a more fluent process in multiple areas
- Using and improving my sewing skills to quickly sew and finish certain jobs
- Increasing my comfort level on an industrial sewing machine
- Sewing and repairing riser recliner armchairs and settees.
- Repairing broken and damaged seat cushions and covers.
- Working closely with the upholsterers to ensure an outstanding fit.
- Helping the pattern cutters to lay and cut pieces for seat cushions ready to sew.
- Using and improving my sewing skills to quickly sew and finish certain jobs
- Increasing my comfort level on an industrial sewing machine
- Sewing and repairing riser recliner armchairs and settees.
- Repairing broken and damaged seat cushions and covers.
- Working closely with the upholsterers to ensure an outstanding fit.
- Helping the pattern cutters to lay and cut pieces for seat cushions ready to sew.
- Receiving; skid manufaturing
- Punch Press; small railroad press
- Quality Control; repaired holes that were damaged on skids
- Small Hole Die Driller; drilled various sized holes as specified
- Experience in fitting including machining
- Trade tested and obtained a jouneyman class 1 in fitting including machining
- certificate of apprenticeship
- certificate in machinshop engineering
- fixed pumps at the blast furnace pumphouse
- successfully completed shutdown maintanance activities onthe blower and the blast furnace
- acquired the skills in hydraullic fitting
- refurbished gerboxes (mostly reduction gearboxes)
- In charge of creating and manufacturing Proof of Concept, Proof of Design and Proof of Manufacturing prototypes, which included programming help for production, and assisting outside vendors with processes and samples, as well as gauges and fixures
- Performed tasks directly related to production and prototype parts made of various steels, alloys, plastics and magnetic materials
- Completed jobs following detailed blueprints, customer specifications, internal work instructions and verbal engineering instructions
- Operated powered machine tools such as manual tool room lathes and mills, surface grinders, ID / OD grinders, CNC mills and CNC lathes and related equipment required to meet customer demand
- Utilized various hand tools, precision measuring equipment and associated gauges and tooling
- Designed and made multiple tool holders for turret on CNC lathe, which greatly reduced set-up time and improved productivity
- Greatly assisted in the R&D shop being able to complete Proof of Design and Proof of Manufacturability in the Model Shop
- Contributed in designing & manufacturing pieces for the dental Cut Station used in R&D
- Assisted vendors in manufacturing new products through supplying CNC programs, tooling, samples and custom cutting tools
- Set-up and operate Manual Mills, Cylindrical Grinder, Surface Grinders, and BFW VMC machine with Fanuc MOi Control.
- Manufacturing of Machine Parts according to Engineering drawing
- Inspection the manufactured part by using different type of measuring instruments.
- Hands-on training working with Siemens 840D CNC machines
- Generating NC-Codes using Siemens SinuTrain and manual coding
- Machined an Aluminium bar precisely to the given dimension for the final evaluation
- Perform setup with minimal supervision
- Familiar with HAAS, Fanuc, Hiedenhein, and Siemens controllers
- G and M code programming knowledge
- Proficient with a variety of precision measurement instruments
- Ability to interpret and apply GD&T print measurements to parts
- Proven Team Player
- Able to accurately assess in-process order status and shift-load expectations
- Displays strong critical thinking with regard to machine setups and processes improve overall safety, quality, and efficiency
- Planned stock inventory by checking stock to determine amount available; anticipating needed stock; placing and expediting orders for stock; verifying receipt of stock.
- Loads feed mechanism by lifting stock into position.
- Maintains safe operations by adhering to safety procedures and regulations.
- Documents actions by completing production and quality logs.
- Hands-on training working with Siemens 840D CNC machines
- Generating NC-Codes using Siemens SinuTrain and manual coding
- Machined an Aluminium bar precisely to the given dimension for the final evaluation
- Hands-on training working with Siemens 840D CNC machines
- Generating NC-Codes using Solidworks / Siemens SinuTrain
- Machined an Aluminium bar precisely to the given dimension for the final evaluation
- Planned stock inventory by checking stock to determine amount available; anticipating needed stock; placing and expediting orders for stock; verifying receipt of stock.
- Loads feed mechanism by lifting stock into position.
- Maintains safe operations by adhering to safety procedures and regulations.
- Documents actions by completing production and quality logs.
- Hands-on training working with Siemens 840D CNC machines
- Generating NC-Codes using Siemens SinuTrain and manual coding
- Machined an Aluminium bar precisely to the given dimension for the final evaluation
- Operates CNC machine, Calculates dimensions or tolerances.
- Read blue prints, SOPs and Manufacturing orders and produce parts.
- Inspects the quality of parts to ensure the quality and maintain 5S for better environment and safety.
- Setup machine operation of various CNC. (Mazak, Okuma, Muratec, and Fuji turning cells).
- Program interaction with computer logic controls and commands.
- Verification of product parts to technical requirements with precision measurement tools.
PRO TIP
In writing your Machinist resume, you will no doubt want to list your previous duties - as you should. But steer clear of just listing your duties, instead of your achievements. Make your resume stand out by communicating what you have done, and not merely what the job needed you to do.
Action Verbs for your Machinist Resume
Recommended reads:
Machinist Resume Skills’ Tips & Tricks to Impress Recruiters
Resume Skills Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Skills for your Machinist resume
- Manufacturing
- Procurement
- Assembly
- Servicing
- Commissioning
- Communication
- Attention to details
- Caution
- Organisation
- Punctuality
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Recommended reads:
Machinist Resume Header: Tips, Red Flags, and Best Practices
CHECKLIST For Your Machinist Resume Header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Some companies, states, and countries have non-discrimination policies about what kind of information can be included on your Machinist resume. This might include a photo (which is often included in a resume header and might be on personal web pages you link to). You can always email the company’s HR department to ask about their policies before you apply.
Machinist Resume Summary Best Practices
Checklist: What to include in your Machinist resume summary:
- Years of experience;
- Highlight top 3 skills and proficiencies;
- One big professional accomplishment you’re most proud of, that you can tie with the aforementioned skills;
- Use short, direct sentences - but no more than three - to keep the HRs interested.
Resume Summary Formula:
PRO TIP
Highlight specific past projects that you’re most proud of in your summary. It sets an excellent tone for the rest of your resume. You can talk about all of your former jobs in your work experience section later on.
Recommended reads:
Listing Your Education, Certifications and Courses
Resume Education Section Checklist:
- Ensure your hard skills section (including technologies) are exactly matching the job description.
- Don’t simply list your soft skills. Apply the “show, don’t tell” principle - let your job achievements speak for themselves.
- Find a way to showcase your skills beyond the skills section.
- Your resume’s skill section is important to ATS systems - so don’t skip it.
Top Certifications for your Machinist resume
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
If you hold a certain major and a minor, your majors should be mentioned first.
Machinist Resume: Additional Writing & Formatting Tips
There are three basic resume formats you can choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional resume format;
- Hybrid (or Combination) resume format;
The most optimal format for your particular case will depend on your years of experience, as well as whether you’re switching industries or not.
Reverse chronological resumes are best suited for experienced individuals who are sticking to their industry. The experience section takes a central place, and its bullets contain your responsibilities and achievements, coupled with numbers and results.
Functional resumes are used by less experienced jobseekers or career changers. Note that it’s not a format that recruiters prefer, as most are used to the classic chronological alignment. Instead of a list of job titles, functional resumes focus on your skills, and through what experiences you gained them.
Hybrid resumes are great for both experienced and entry-level candidates, as well as career changers. They combine the best of both worlds - most often in a double column format, where one side of the content is focused on your experience, whereas the other - on your skills, strengths, and proudest moments.
Machinist Resume Summary best practices
Here are more resume tips regarding your layout and style:
- Clear and legible 12p resume font size;
- Use 10’’ resume margins - that’s default for a great resume design;
- Use a one-page template resume length if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- Save your resume as PDF before sending it to the recruiter.
To take it a step further, check out how your resume can stand out without leaning too much on the creative side.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Machinist resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Other sections to include in your resume
Depending on the type of company (corporation or start-up; innovative or traditional), job seniority level and your location, you may want to include more sections to your Machinist resume:
Machinist Resume: How to Make Yours More Creative & Stand Out
When you send your resume to a potential employer, chances are it's the fiftieth one they've seen that day. That's why you need to make your Machinist resume stand out for the right reasons. That means showing your personality, not just your professional experience. Employers are far more likely to remember a candidate who seems like a genuine person and not a robot. Do this by including your passions (which is also a great place to demonstrate skills on a resume), share your favorite books, or even what your usual day looks like.
What Makes a Great Machinist Resume: Key Takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
