ENGINEERS/SCIENTISTS

 

        By all means keep your resume interesting. Although it is perfectly accept­able, and often necessary, to have a resume filled with technical terms and jargon, be careful of overdoing the technical terminology. Listing key buzz words, however, will certainly help because human resources people and hiring managers will be looking for evidence of experience in certain areas.

        When you write your resume, use both broad terms and specific terms. If you have spent your last two years working in a highly specialized area, it is unlikely that another employer will hire you to do only that type of work, unless it just happens to be a very hot specialty. In qualifications, for example, you might say, “Ten years experience in ___________, with specialties in ____, ______, ______, and ________. In the job description portion of the resume you might say “Responsible for all areas of _________, including _________, _________, _______, and ______.” In this way the broad term gets embedded in the mind of the employer, as well as the specific areas.

        Although experience with certain technologies is important, it is just as important to reveal that you are good at what you do. When you can truly claim it, indicate that you virtually always complete projects on schedule and within budget. If you designed a product that became a hot seller, mention it. Do not worry that people will think you are claiming you did it all by yourself. Everyone will know that you did it as part of a team. Do your best to bring results into your resume.

        Organizations today are looking for team players who can also work well independently. Show that you have worked as a team member on projects. Then take credit for your individual achievements as well as for the team achievements.

        Quantify results whenever you can. In your job sketches list the objectives or specifications of the product, or research project. Then determine if you met the specifications or goals. Once you’ve determined that you met the specifica­tions, try to quantify some aspect. If you’ve got hard figures, by all means use them, but don’t hesitate to use numbers even if you have to do some estimating.

        Engineering and scientific fields are typically very project oriented. There­fore, in the first paragraph of your job description you would typically begin with an overall description of your duties. Often the remainder of that job description will consist of describing three or four key projects. Most projects will require 2–4 lines to adequately describe them. Don’t try to give all the details of the project. Instead, give just enough information so that the reader will have a reasonably good idea of what the project was about, and then concentrate on results.

 

 

 

 

Electronics Engineer                                                                              Palatino

 

JOHN MYERSBY

9023 York Street

New Westminster, BC V3L453

(604) 271-3157

 

OBJECTIVE: Electronics Engineer

QUALIFICATIONS

      Excellent engineering background including experience with microprocess­ing design.

EDUCATION

      B.S. - Electrical and Computer Engineering, Simon Fraser University (1989)

EMPLOYMENT

Ransey Systems, Vancouver, BC 6/95 to Present

      Senior Engineer - As part of a team of Software Quality Assurance Engineers, evaluate CAD/CAM software and make recommenda­tions for improvements before software is made available to users within the company. Review functional specifications to ensure all portions are testable and fully meet user needs. Analyze test results, identify problem areas, and make final recommendations.

      Performed a cost improvement study which documented savings through the Software Quality Assurance Program of $400,000 annually. Program has eliminated duplication of testing, produced a more organized software development process, and resolved problems at earlier stages.

Mutual Signals, Vancouver, BC 7/89 to 6/95

      Manager of Engineering Services - 4/91 to 6/95. For this firm which designs, sells, and installs industrial and municipal signaling and alarm systems, designed systems and oversaw installations. Analyzed job specifi­cations to determine neces­sary equipment, did takeoffs from blueprints for bids, modified or designed/built equipment, and provided tech­nical support on sales calls. Oversaw installations and tested large systems upon completion. Played a key role in enabling the firm to grow an average of 18% per year.

      Electronics Technician 7/89 to 4/91. Installed and tested systems and did takeoffs from blueprints, as well as supervised technicians at instal­lation sites.