It’s understandable to feel a little bit nervous when writing or updating your resume. After all, you’re under some pressure to create a document that can capture the attention of hiring managers within seconds and will pass an Applicant Tracking System, a software program that weeds out resumes that do not contain desired keywords. With this in mind, you can use our machinist resume sample guide and turn to our resume builder as a step-by-step reference toward writing your own resume. With these tools as your disposal, you can create a straightforward layout that draws attention to your most impressive features.

The best length for most resumes is one or two pages. A general guideline is one page with less than 10 years’ experience and more if you’ve been in the profession for a long time. Most hiring managers appreciate the chance to quickly check out an applicant’s top skills and previous experience. Within that one or two-page length, you may choose a chronological, functional, or combination format. Jobseekers stick to a chronological format when they are staying within one industry.

Include a brief summary, work history, skills or qualifications, and education sections. Refer to our machinist resume sample for a good example of this. A functional resume is appropriate for jobseekers switching tracks or starting out. This format focuses on skills rather than work history, including a summary, skills section, and education section. The combination format places equal emphasis on skills and experience.

As you can see in our machinist resume sample, your contact information is best displayed prominently in your header. You have the option of increasing the font size and color of your name, but stick to standard font styles here and throughout the document. After your name, include your phone number and an email address. If you have examples of your work on a website, you may want to include a link to that site. Some jobseekers list their city and state, but you aren’t under any obligation to provide your home address.

One of the best ways to hold the attention of hiring managers is to list accomplishments instead of job duties in the experience section of your resume. In the machinist resume sample, the applicant refers to several duties and then provides specific numbers and outcomes to present accomplishments, such as “in charge of five outbound trucks” and “keeping the freight in good condition.” For each work history listing, include the dates of work, the name of the company, and your official title.

Under the qualifications section of your resume, you’ll list between four and six of your most impressive skills or areas of competency. These skills should be appropriate for the level of work you hope to perform. For example, when applying for a machinist position, you don’t need to list all of the tools you can use, but you should include your ability to use drawing software or to program equipment. Check out our machinist resume sample for some examples of the qualifications you should include.