Quality control engineer
resume examples
What makes this a great quality control engineer resume sample?
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It’s professional
The branding of this resume is simple and professional. It’s easy to follow and the sections are clearly labeled and organized, allowing the reader to scan for important information with just a glance.
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It’s goal-oriented
As a relatively recent graduate at the beginning stages of her career, this candidate’s resume uses a career objective, which emphasizes her goals for her future professional development.
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It focuses on skills
Although this candidate doesn’t have very much work experience, she has plenty of relevant skills which show her ability to get the job done. Instead of dwelling on experience, she highlights these skills.
What makes this a great quality control engineer resume sample?
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It focuses on experience
This candidate has over 15 years of experience in quality control. Highlighting work experience allows this resume to play to the candidate’s strengths.
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It uses numbers
This candidate doesn’t just tell you what he can do. He shows you by including numerical data that demonstrates the concrete impact of his accomplishments.
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It uses active language
Verbs like “conducted,” “united” and “developed” add a sense of action and energy to the work history section of this resume.
Choose the right resume format for your quality control engineer resume
To land the job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By selecting the right resume format.
- Experienced applicants should consider a chronological resume format to highlight work experience and a strong career progression.
- Applicants with little to no experience should consider using a functional resume format.
- Midlevel applicants with three to five years of relevant experience should consider a combination resume format to showcase a balance of skills and work experience.
Visit our guide to learn more about how to format a resume to highlight your candidacy.
Select an appropriate quality control engineer resume template
While every resume template will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right template.
If your specific quality control field is on the artistic side, try a creative resume template for a bit of personality and flair. Most quality control engineer roles, however, will be more conservative. In those cases, a sleek and pared down modern resume or a simple resume template may be a better fit.
How to write a quality control engineer resume in 5 simple steps
A great quality control engineer resume begins with studying the job description. Then, you’ll need a resume profile that introduces your skills and experience. Next, you’ll explore both of these in detail with a skills section and a work experience section. Your education, certifications and awards come next, followed by any optional sections you decide to include, like hobbies or volunteer work.
Every one of these sections affords you with a valuable opportunity to showcase your strengths. Learn how to tailor each section of the job so employers notice you’re who they’re looking for.
STEP 1
Study the quality control engineer job description
Your quality control resume should be tailor-made to target the role that you’re after. This is both to give it the best shot at impressing recruiters and to help it stand up to the scrutiny of applicant tracking systems (ATS).
ATS screens out resumes based on preset keywords. This helps employers quickly identify qualified candidates, but it can also mean that candidates who don’t take advantage of these keywords can slip through the cracks. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to carefully study the job description. Look for phrases that you can match on your resume to prove that your qualifications align with what they’re looking for.
For example, if the job description for the quality control engineer role you seek asks for a candidate with extensive statistical process control experience, then it’s a good idea to make sure that you use those exact words on your resume. Just be sure not to lie about your qualifications. Only list keywords that accurately reflect your experience and abilities.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Quality control resumes begin with a resume profile. This is your introduction, where you can summarize your career and accomplishments in a few sentences.
Candidates with less experience should use a resume objective. A resume objective is a resume profile that focuses on goals and career development. Applicants with more direct experience should use a professional summary, which places more of an emphasis on summarizing your career highlights and key competencies.
Here are some strong examples for your quality controller resume:
Quality control engineer professional summary example:
Dedicated quality control engineer with eight years of demonstrated expertise in ensuring the highest standards of product quality and regulatory compliance. Proven track record in meticulously inspecting and analyzing products, implementing effective quality control protocols and leading cross-functional teams to drive process improvements. Skilled in data analysis, root cause analysis and the application of industry-specific quality standards. Exceptional attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities and a commitment to continuous improvement. Adept at fostering collaboration and communication across teams to enhance overall product quality and customer satisfaction.
Quality control engineer resume objective example::
Quality control engineer with one year of industry experience, committed to upholding rigorous quality standards and ensuring operational efficiency. Strong analytical thinker capable of identifying root causes of quality issues and implementing effective solutions. Seeking an opportunity to further develop and apply expertise in data analysis, process enhancement and adherence to quality protocols within a dynamic organization focused on continuous improvement and superior product quality.
STEP 3
Highlight your most relevant quality control engineer skills
A resume for a quality control engineer should demonstrate your key skills. No matter your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at your resume skills section to learn about your strengths and decide whether your skill set aligns with their needs.
To give your resume the best chance of standing out, you need to provide a balanced mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are your technical abilities and industry expertise. They are the skills that you’ve earned through training, education and experience. Soft skills, on the other hand, are more like personality traits. Your work ethic, your priorities, your talents and your attitude are all soft skills that can be significant assets. Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two.
Hard and soft skills for a quality control engineer resume
Here is an example of a strong quality control engineer skills section:
- Knowledgeable about industry compliance and quality standards
- Proficient in statistical process control (SCP) and root cause analysis
- Detail-oriented record-keeper with impeccable communication skills
- Dedicated team-player
Pro Tip
Hard skills might seem more important, and depending on the role and the skill they might be, but don’t neglect your soft skills. The right soft skills are the thing that takes you from a good match on paper to the perfect Goldilocks candidate.
STEP 4
Write a strong quality control engineer work experience section
While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.
Your work experience section should include your current and previous roles in reverse-chronological order, featuring a summary of your accomplishments and responsibilities at each role, organized into several bullet points.
Here is an example of a great quality control engineer work experience entry:
Quality Control Engineer, Visiontech Manufacturing
Redmond, WA
October 2021 – Present
- Collaborate closely with production teams to address quality concerns promptly, reducing defect rates by 15% within the first six months of employment.
- Implement statistical process control (SPC) techniques to monitor process variability, analyze data trends and proactively identify areas for process optimization.
- Lead root cause analysis investigations for quality incidents, using techniques such as the 5 Whys to identify and address underlying issues.
- Develop and update quality control documentation, including inspection checklists, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and quality reports.
- Assist in the creation and execution of quality audits, ensuring adherence to ISO 9001 quality management system standards.
- Participate in cross-functional teams focused on continuous improvement initiatives, resulting in a 10% reduction in production defects over the past year.
- Train and mentor new quality control technicians in inspection techniques, quality standards and safety protocols.
Pro Tip
Use action words and numerical data to bring your accomplishments to life.
STEP 5
Showcase your education and training on your quality control engineer resume
Education is a key section for any resume. Quality control engineers usually list a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering or a similar related field. Further education and training may be helpful, and some candidates go on to receive master’s degrees.
How to list your quality control engineer education:
Education
Bachelor of Science: Industrial Engineering
Eastern Washington University – Cheney, WA
Certifications:
- Certified Quality Engineer (CQE)
- Certified Quality Technician (CQT)
Pro Tip
If you have professional certifications or special training, add them to your resume. You can include them in your education section or add a special section to your quality control engineer resume.
Optional sections for your quality control engineer resume
Awards and certifications
Adding accolades to your resume is a smart way to show off your abilities, achievements and qualifications. Awards can serve as third-party validation of your skills and achievements. They show that your work has been recognized and appreciated by others in the industry.
In a competitive job market, having awards sets you apart from other candidates. It can grab the attention of recruiters and hiring managers.
How to list awards on your quality control engineer resume:
- 2021 Outstanding Quality Improvement Award
- 2017 Innovation in Quality Control Award
Projects
Projects are a great addition to your resume because they show you’re capable of using theoretical knowledge in real-world situations. Projects also highlight your proficiency level with different skills. Specific projects can highlight significant accomplishments, such as improving quality standards, reducing defects or enhancing processes. This quantifies your impact and contributions to previous employers.
Tailoring the projects you include to the job you’re applying for can demonstrate that you have experience in areas directly related to the position, making you a more attractive candidate.
How to list projects on your quality control engineer resume:
1. Defect Reduction Initiative
- Led a cross-functional team in identifying root causes of recurring product defects.
- Implemented Statistical Process Control (SPC) techniques to monitor key process variables.
- Resulted in a 25% reduction in product defects and a 15% increase in overall product quality within one year.
2. Process Optimization for Efficiency
- Spearheaded a project to streamline the manufacturing process for circuit boards.
- Utilized Lean Six Sigma principles to identify and eliminate bottlenecks, reducing production cycle time by 20%.
- Achieved a 12% improvement in production efficiency, resulting in significant cost savings.
3. Supplier Quality Improvement
- Collaborated with key suppliers to enhance incoming material quality.
- Conducted supplier audits and implemented corrective actions to address quality issues.
- Increased supplier performance ratings by 20% and reduced production downtime due to material-related issues by 30%.
Languages
In today’s interconnected world, many industries and companies operate on a global scale. Knowing multiple languages can be a valuable asset when working with international clients, suppliers or team members. If you speak multiple languages, showcase this valuable and sought-after asset by listing your languages and proficiency level in an optional languages section.
How to list languages on your quality control engineer resume:
- Fluent in English and German
- Proficient in Dutch
Interests and hobbies
Adding hobbies to your resume is appropriate as long as they’re relevant to the job. They offer an opportunity to show your personality and meaningfully connect with a potential employer. Hobbies can provide a glimpse into your personality and interests, allowing the employer to see you as a well-rounded individual with diverse pursuits.
Some hobbies can indirectly highlight soft skills that are valuable in any profession, such as teamwork (if you participate in team sports or activities), discipline (if you pursue a challenging hobby) or creativity (if your hobby involves artistic endeavors). Just be sure to only include hobbies if they are relevant to the job and showcase something that you want your potential employers to see.
How to list interests and hobbies on your quality control engineer resume:
- Amateur game designer
- Volunteer community organizer
- Avid reader
Add a cover letter
Adding a quality control engineer cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Your cover letter gives you crucial extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.
Learning how to write a cover letter for a quality control engineer is a key step toward giving your resume the best chance of success. Use your cover letter to add extra context to your resume and to explain why your qualifications align with the job.
Study our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.
Or, if you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.
Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.
