To land a job as a quality engineer, the first step is to create a compelling resume that catches the attention of employers.
Get ready to harness the power of quality control, process improvement, and problem-solving skills, as we navigate the intricacies of presenting your expertise on paper.
Whether you're a seasoned quality aficionado or just stepping into the world of quality engineering, this guide will equip you with the tools to showcase your abilities and land that dream role.
In this guide, we will teach you everything you need to know about writing a resume as a quality engineer. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Select a resume format that matches your experience level
- Write a resume summary that impresses employers
- Include key quality engineering skills on your resume
- Describe your responsibilities and accomplishments at previous jobs
- List your educational credentials correctly on your resume
- Elevate your quality engineer resume with relevant extra sections
- Find the best job search resources for quality engineers
1. Select a resume format that matches your experience level
As a quality engineer, you will generally want to select a resume format that highlights your real-life professional experience. The best format for this purpose is the reverse-chronological resume, which focuses primarily on work experience.
In the reverse-chronological format, you will list your most recent job first, working chronologically backward from this point.
However, a format that focuses on work experience is not ideal for all applicants – especially those who have less than a year’s experience within the field. In this case, you can consider using one of the following alternative formats:
- The functional resume: Functional resumes focus on education, skills, and unpaid experience rather than formal work experience. This format is very well-suited by recent or soon-to-be college graduates who have extensive academic experience but limited employment examples.
- The hybrid resume: Hybrid resumes eliminate any central focus, instead spreading the emphasis of the document out more evenly between all sections. This format works well for applicants who have professional experience in other fields who are changing careers, as well as those who are working around gaps in their work histories.
Choose your preferred template and make your resume shine.
2. Write a quality engineer resume summary that impresses employers
A resume summary is a brief introductory statement at the start of your resume. In this summary, you should focus on including information that is highly valuable and eye-catching to employers, such as years of experience and notable accomplishments.
To demonstrate how to write an effective resume summary, we have included a weak example below, followed by a corrected example and explanation.
Incorrect quality engineer resume summary example
Experience Quality Engineer with a background in cosmetics manufacturing. Proven track record of increasing production output through optimized workflows that simultaneously reduce errors. Skills include product quality testing, quality assurance, quality auditing, and deep knowledge of compliance.
Why is this incorrect?
In this example, the applicant is far too vague when discussing their “proven track record.” When describing accomplishments, it is always better to show rather than tell, meaning you should use quantifiable figures and statistics when possible. Additionally, the applicant focuses too much on their various skills – these should be omitted and moved to a dedicated skills section.
Corrected quality engineer resume summary example
Resourceful Quality Engineer with 7+ years of experience with cosmetics manufacturing plants. Specialized in quality assurance and auditing, averaging a 65% decrease in production errors at 3 previous positions. Achieved a 40% increase in production output while maintaining a production error rate of less than 2% in most recent position.
Why is this correct?
In this corrected example, the applicant is much more explicit with the details they provide. An employer reading this will have much greater context around their skills and accomplishments, making them more likely to continue reading the rest of the document due to the impressive achievement detailed in this summary.
3. Include key quality engineering skills on your resume
As a quality engineer, your job will require you to not only have the technical know-how to ensure proper production standards are met but also a strong set of interpersonal abilities to effectively communicate with your company and team.
To show that you possess this full range of abilities, you should include both hard and soft skills on your quality engineer resume. Hard skills refer to your technical and learned abilities, while soft skills refer to your interpersonal ones.
Below are 10 ideas for both hard and soft skills that look great on a Quality Engineer’s resume:
The best quality engineer hard skills to put on your resume
- Process documentation
- Production reports
- Product testing
- Material & equipment inspection
- Developing quality management systems
- OSHA safety standards
- Quality control workflows
- Data analytics
- Improvement recommendations
- Quality assurance consultations
Effective soft skills to put on your quality engineer CV
- Clear communication (both verbal & non-verbal)
- Collaboration
- Leadership
- Critical & analytical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Thoroughness
- Organization
- Time management
- Active listening
- Strict adherence to deadlines
4. Make your quality engineer work experience section stand out
Crafting the ideal work experience section on a resume requires more than simply listing out your responsibilities at a previous job. You should aim to include as many specific and quantifiable details as possible, with an emphasis on key accomplishments that employers will find valuable.
Additionally, to keep this section organized, you should use bullet points to create your job descriptions. Each bullet point should contain one concise sentence and should ideally be no more than two lines of text.
However, for accomplishments that require extra contextual information, an additional sentence or line of text may be acceptable.
Here is an example of a work experience entry from a quality engineer resume
Mac’s Manufacturing, Birmingham, AL
Quality Engineer
April 2019 to January 2022
- Prepared annual product reviews for all basic products, improving production review efficiency by 20%.
- Supervised onsite product testing and performance, providing full performance reviews and recommendations for improvement monthly.
- Implemented 10 new quality assurance procedures, reducing product errors and malfunctions by 35%.
5. List your educational credentials correctly on your quality engineer resume
To work in an engineering position, employers will almost always expect you to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a related engineering program.
However, to make both your resume and yourself as a professional more competitive, you should also consider completing relevant certification programs as well. This is especially important for quality engineers, who may have an engineering degree that is not specialized in quality engineering.
Here is an example of a well-crafted education section on a quality engineer resume:
Education
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
B.S. in Engineering
Graduated: 2016, Magna Cum Laude
Certifications
- Certified Quality Engineer — American Society for Quality (ASQ), 2020
6. Elevate your quality engineer resume with relevant extra sections
In the dynamic realm of quality engineering, standing out from the crowd is essential. That's why incorporating relevant extra sections into your quality engineer resume can make all the difference.
These additional sections provide valuable insights into your skills, achievements, and unique qualifications, helping you leave a lasting impression on potential employers.
One such extra section to consider is "Certifications and Training," where you can showcase specialized courses and certifications that highlight your expertise in quality management systems or specific methodologies such as Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and keeps you ahead of the curve.
Here is an example of how to list extra sections in your quality engineer resume
Professional Affiliations and Memberships
- American Society for Quality (ASQ)
- International Quality Federation (IQF)
Volunteering Experience
- Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity, City, State (2018-Present)
- Assisted in building homes for low-income families, focusing on quality control and adherence to safety standards.
- Collaborated with a team of volunteers to complete construction tasks efficiently and effectively.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail in ensuring the accuracy of measurements and the proper installation of materials.
7. Valuable job search resources for quality engineers
Locating the optimal career opportunity as a quality engineer involves more than just updating your resume. It's important to have a set of reliable job search tools at your disposal. Here are some of the most effective platforms for a quality engineer job search:
- Engineering.com: This niche job board caters specifically for engineers. On it, you can find a multitude of postings for quality engineers across different industries.
- Indeed: As one of the largest job search websites globally, Indeed offers a wide array of quality engineering positions. The platform allows you to filter by location, salary, and job type.
- LinkedIn: This professional networking site doubles as a resourceful job search platform. It offers an extensive range of job postings, including those for quality engineers, and allows you to directly connect with potential employers.
- Glassdoor: In addition to a robust job search feature, Glassdoor can also provide insights into the company culture, benefits, and employee experiences of potential employers.
Harness these resources for a more streamlined, effective job search. Ensure your resume is up-to-date and tailor your applications to fit each specific role. Persistence is key in the job hunt journey, so keep going — your ideal quality engineering role could be just a few clicks away!
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
Quality Engineer Resume FAQ
What key skills should I include in my quality engineer resume?
Highlight technical skills like proficiency in quality control software, knowledge of ISO 9001, and statistical analysis. Also, emphasize soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, and attention to detail.
How should I structure my work experience section?
List your experiences in reverse chronological order. For each position, mention your job title, the company name, the period of employment, and bullet points describing your key responsibilities and quantifiable achievements.
Should I include an objective statement in my quality engineer resume?
If you're a fresh graduate or changing careers, an objective statement can clarify your career goals. If you're experienced, replace it with a summary statement that provides a snapshot of your skills and achievements.
How can I make my quality engineer resume stand out?
Tailor your resume to the job description, use action verbs, and quantify achievements where possible. Also, highlight any awards, certifications, or major projects related to quality engineering.
Do I need to include a references section in my quality engineer resume?
It's typically not necessary to include references on your resume. Most employers will ask for them later in the process if needed.