Every so often, the internet becomes swamped with recommendations that people take a closer look at manufacturing jobs. But often no explanation is given about those jobs—leaving readers with a vague image of someone on an assembly line drilling one bolt into one hole.
In truth, the term “manufacturing jobs” covers operations, finances, supervision, research and development, IT, maintenance, supply chain management, vendor relations, quality control, inspection, Lean manufacturing, change management, design and development, and much more. That is a wide range of potential jobs.
So what exactly makes a manufacturing resume different?
First, specific industry experience may be much more important. Transitioning from one industry to another may be easier for someone in finance (money is money) than for someone in quality control (since regulations differ for different industries).
Second, experience with specific machines or processes may be important. For example, automobile manufacturing is different from medical tubing or semiconductor manufacturing.
Third, many manufacturing positions require special licensing, certifications, or training. The resume should highlight those.
Fourth, many manufacturing jobs these days are global. Therefore, a manufacturing resumes should highlight experience with global operations, travel outside the company, diversity initiatives, or foreign languages may be a big selling point on a resume.
Finally, manufacturing companies are constantly changing. A manufacturing resume should highlight any experience with change: a new process, software, machine, technique, or regulation; new and evolving markets, whether domestic or international; or mergers and acquisitions.
Most of this information should appear in abbreviated form in the resume summary because of its importance. The body of the resume should give more details and examples, focusing on results: “Increased average output by 10% by re-organizing workstations for greater efficiency.”
In other respects, a manufacturing resume should meet the same high standards for any other job in any other industry. Contact Robin’s Resumes® to help ensure that your resume—for a manufacturing position or any other—is of the highest quality.