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Your resume is often the first impression a potential employer has of you, and in today’s competitive job market, it can make the difference between getting passed over or being called in for an interview. Employers may review dozens (sometimes hundreds) of applications, which means your resume needs to quickly show what you’ve done and what sets you apart.
This document gives a snapshot of your education, skills, job history and more, all of which employers use to determine if you would be a good fit for their company.
Whether you’re entering the field for the first time or advancing your career, a well-crafted auto mechanic resume helps position you as a serious candidate.
Follow along as we share how to create your auto mechanic resume, as well as how to best include your educational experience from training like UTI’s Automotive Technology program.
Crafting your resume is one of the most important steps to take during your job search. Before an employer has a chance to meet you, this is the first thing they will see.
Your resume is a document that evolves over time — it will change throughout the course of your career as you gain new experiences and achievements. For this reason, it’s important to update it and make improvements regularly. Additionally, your resume should be tailored to the job you’re applying for by highlighting the skills you have that align with the position.
When employers sort through a stack of resumes, you want yours to catch their eye. So how do you accomplish this? Two main factors in creating a successful resume include having the right content and a professional visual layout.
When creating your resume, it can be difficult to know where to start. Here are some basic written elements to be sure to include.
Including your contact information is simple, but this is a step that should not be overlooked. If an employer decides to reach out to you, this is the information they will use, so it’s important to ensure it is correct! Your resume should always include the following contact information:
Your career objective often appears at the top of your resume, and its purpose is to state who you are and the type of opportunity you’re seeking. Including a career objective on your resume isn’t always required. However, a well-written statement can help you catch the attention of an employer. When writing your objective, remember to make it short and concise while including information that would be of interest to the employer. Think of this statement as a hook that will intrigue the employer to keep reading!
Here are a few auto mechanic resume objective examples:
The skills section of your automotive technician resume is one of the areas you can really customize to fit the role you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a lead mechanic role and you have experience leading a team of technicians, you’ll want to include ‘leadership’ in your list of skills. Similarly, if you’re applying for a role where you’ll be working alongside other techs, you may want to include ‘teamwork’ in your list of skills.
When it comes to completing this section, take a close look at the job description of the position you’re applying for. If the skills listed on the job posting match the skills you possess, include them on your resume. When flipping through resumes, employers will be looking for these skills, so doing this will show the employer that you’re a good match for the role.
The education section of your resume is where you can list the school(s) you’ve attended, the year you graduated, the programs you’ve completed and your GPA, if you would like to include it.
Your education section is also where you may include any certifications you possess. In the automotive and diesel industries, certifications are greatly valued by employers, so be sure to highlight them. For example, if you possess ASE certifications and/or your EPA 609, list them in this section.
Additionally, if you don’t have much experience to include on your resume, you can include more information about your education. For example, if you’re a UTI Auto grad, you may decide to include the names of the individual courses you took. Below is an example of how this can be formatted:
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) - Long Beach, CA
Automotive & EV Technology
The experience section of your resume is your chance to provide details about where you’ve worked in the past and how it can be beneficial in your new role. For each position you’ve held, be sure to include the following information:
When listing your experiences, order them starting with your most recent position. If you are currently employed, list the timeframe as the year you started to present (ex: 2016 - present). Similar to your objective, try to keep this section concise while including enough information to give the employer an idea of what your work experience entails.
If you’re a new graduate who hasn’t acquired much working experience yet, don’t panic! It's possible to list personal projects you may have worked on to fill out this section.
If you have passion projects you’ve completed, list the year, make and model of the vehicles to show the diversity of what you’ve done. In addition to giving employers an idea of the skills you possess, it will also show the passion you have for the industry.
If you have less experience to list, focusing on your education section will be the best bet!
In addition to having the right content, the visual appearance of your auto mechanic resume is also important. There are plenty of free templates you can download that set up the formatting for you — all you have to do is enter your content. Microsoft Word offers free resume templates, but there are also a lot of great options on the web:
When choosing a template, remember that simple is best. Stick to neutral colors and make sure to choose a resume with a legible font. Keep in mind that your resume should also be kept to one page in length, if possible. The more concise, the better!
Having a cover letter (CV) can also be important when applying for jobs. While your resume gives a general overview of your experience and accomplishments, a cover letter gives you an opportunity to expand on these things and draw the connection to the position you’re applying for.
Cover letters should be tailored to the specific job you’re interested in. You don’t necessarily have to start from scratch each time; however, you should take the time to customize your letter to highlight what makes you a good fit for the position.
So, what should an auto mechanic’s cover letter include? Here is an auto mechanic CV sample:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am applying for the position of entry-level service technician with your company. My training at Universal Technical Institute in Houston, Texas, will be completed soon, and I plan to return to New York after graduation. My resume is enclosed for your review.
With my previous work experience on electrical systems, I have the skills necessary to contribute effectively to your company. I have my own tools, a valid driver's license, am a fast learner, and I’m motivated to start my new career.
I look forward to meeting you in person to discuss my qualifications. You can reach me at (555) 434-1212. I plan to call you on March 9th to discuss any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
[your name]
When hiring for automotive roles, employers aren’t just scanning for job titles. They’re looking for proof that you can step into the shop and contribute right away. A strong resume helps hiring managers quickly assess your technical ability, training and how well you align with the needs of their team.
In the automotive industry, having applicable, hands-on skills is just as important as classroom learning. Employers want to see that you’ve applied this knowledge in real or simulated shop environments, and understand how to work with tools, systems and diagnostics.
This can include:
Building a strong resume can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re just starting out. That’s where UTI comes in. Through a combination of hands-on training, industry-aligned curriculum and career support, UTI helps students develop auto mechanic resumes that reflect real-world skills employers are actively looking for.1,18
UTI’s Career Services team is available to work with students and graduates to help refine their resumes, give them interview training techniques and prepare them for the job search. This support helps students present their skills effectively and feel more confident when applying for positions.
Do you have a passion for the automotive industry and want to learn skills that will help prepare you for a career as a tech? UTI’s 51-week Automotive Technology program can equip you with the knowledge and skills employers are looking for (that you can also include on your resume).7 To learn more, request information today. You can also enroll to get started!
A beginner auto mechanic resume can focus on training, education, personal projects and skills. Even without professional shop experience, you can still show employers that you’re capable by including your automotive education and technical skills that you possess.
Automotive skills should be listed in a dedicated skills section and supported throughout your experience. Focus on specific, job-relevant skills instead of general statements.
Certifications aren’t required, but they can make your resume more competitive. Including credentials shows employers that you’ve taken extra steps to build your knowledge and skills.
Most auto mechanic resumes should be one page, especially for entry-level candidates or those with only a few years of experience.
Employers look for a combination of technical ability as well as work ethic, consistency and experience in the field (or in a training program).
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois, Inc. is approved by the Division of Private Business and Vocational Schools of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.