Mechanic Resume—Examples and Tips (+Skills & Objective)

There are 770,100 automotive tech jobs out there. That’ll shrink by 1% in 10 years, while other careers are growing.

So your auto mechanic resume has to purr like a Ferrari to get a job you’ll actually like.

But don’t fret. It’s not as hard as working on an Audi Allroad. You just need the right parts.

In this guide:

• Mechanic resume examples better than most.
• A strategy for customizing your auto mechanic job description to fit a specific employer's wishes.
• The reason why you can’t just list mechanic skills (and what to do instead).

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Not that kind of mechanic? See these guides:

• Carpenter Resume
• Factory Worker Resume
• Janitor Resume
• Machinist Resume
• Maintenance Resume
• Maintenance Technician Resume
• Mechanical Engineer Resume
• Production Worker Resume
• Technical Positions Resume
• Welder Resume

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples for Over 200 Jobs.

Mechanic Resume Sample You Can Copy and Adapt

An Auto Mechanic diagnoses, and fixes vehicles for customers. They are responsible for installing different mechanical components, repairing faulty ones, as well as performing regular maintenance checks. Mechanics can perform their duties on various vehicles, depending on their specialization.

Here’s how to write a workable auto mechanic resume:

1. Choose the Best Auto Mechanic Resume Format

Bad news:

Most shop managers will torch a sloppy auto or diesel mechanic resume.

Don’t let ‘em do it to you.

Give your resume format a fighting chance with these tips:

Mechanic Resume Format

• Make a one-page resume length.
• Choose a resume font like 11–14pt Cambria or Trebuchet.
• Set 1-inch resume margins and add white space so shop managers can read your work.
• Write resume sections for Heading, Resume Profile, Experience, Education, and Skills.
• Put your job history in reverse-chronological resume form.
• Remember: PDF resumes work great on laptops, tablets, and smartphones.

Expert Hint: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says auto mechanic jobs will drop by 1% in the next decade. To get a job in today’s dog-eat-dog job market, your auto resume for mechanic positions needs a pleasing format and a targeted resume objective.

2. Write an Auto Mechanic Resume Objective or Summary

Congratulations!

The shop manager just bookmarked your resume for mechanic jobs. Why? Because you grabbed him with your perfect auto mechanic resume objective.

See, a resume objective or resume summary shows your best components in brief.

Include:

1. An adjective (hard-working, efficient)
2. “Mechanic” (or “ASE Master Tech”)
3. Years of experience (1+, 4+)
4. Who and how you’ll help (provide excellent service at Marsh Motors)
5. Best resume achievements (99% quality control compliance...)

But—save it until the rest of your resume is finished.

See these auto mechanic resume examples:

Mechanic Resume Summary—Example

Energetic auto mechanic and ASE Master Tech with 3+ years of experience troubleshooting and repairing 3,100+ vehicles. Seeking to provide excellent service at Marsh Motors. Maintained 99% quality control compliance at New River Auto Repair.

Experienced mechanic, skilled in troubleshooting, engine repair, electrical systems, and body work. Performs work with high levels of quality control. A good listener with excellent time management skills.

Whoops!

The second of those mechanic resume examples needs body work. It says you can repair cars. It says your quality control score is high. But—

The first shows 3,100+ vehicles repaired and a 99% QC score.

And what if your knuckles are still scar-free? If you’re a brand new automotive tech, see this entry-level resume for mechanic jobs:

Entry-Level Mechanic Resume Objective

Efficient mechanic skilled in repairs including engine, drive train, electrical, exhaust, and cooling systems. Worked as part-time freelance mechanic for 2 years, growing client list by 30% through positive word of mouth. Repaired an average of 3 vehicles per week.

Entry-level mechanic, highly skilled in performing repairs on all vehicle systems, including engines, electrical, drive trains, and cooling systems. Haven’t yet worked for a shop, but I’ve repaired cars for friends and family at home.

Diagnostics?

The second of those entry-level mechanic resume examples ain’t bad. But “ain’t bad” won’t get you a paycheck. You need metrics like the first example.

3. Customize Your Mechanic Job Description and Skills Section

What mechanic skills belong in your resume?

See this list:

Auto Mechanic Resume Skills

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
Technical Skills	Efficiency
OBD2 Scanner	Time Management
Diagnostics	Verbal Communication
Troubleshooting	Customer Service
Brakes, Shocks	Problem Solving
Electrical, HVAC	Organization
Collision Repair	Dependability
Large Vehicles	Detail Oriented
Work Orders Software	Work Ethic
Own Tools	Patience

But think about it:

If you list all the mechanic skills, they’ll think you’re blowing smoke. Write a customized resume tuned to the job description.

Need the perfect skills to put on your resume? They’re in the online ad. They’re also called resume keywords because they’re the key to getting hired. Find them, highlight them, and put them on your mechanic resume for maximum impact.

Work them in like the first of these auto mechanic resume samples:

This example job wants skills in troubleshooting, foreign, OBD2, and electrical systems.

Mechanic Job Description for a Resume [Sample]

Experience

Automotive Mechanic 

New River Auto Repair 

2016–2019

• Troubleshot and repaired 3,100+ automobiles to date with 93% customer satisfaction and 99% quality control compliance.
• Repaired all makes of foreign and domestic cars, including Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, Nissan, BMW, Toyota, Subaru, and more.
• Used diagnostic equipment to diagnose problems, including OBD2 and proprietary Honda and Subaru tools.
• Diagnosed and repaired electrical, HVAC, engine cooling, and vehicle timing on 1,500+ vehicles.

• Repaired automobiles with high levels of customer satisfaction and quality control compliance.
• Used diagnostic equipment to diagnose problems.
• Repaired HVAC, engine cooling, and vehicle timing on multiple vehicles.
• Performed transmission overhauls, brakes, suspension and body work.
• Worked directly with customers each week.

Oh-oh.

One of those mechanic resume examples has transmission issues. The first works like an OEM part.

To make the second one, we ruined it by stripping out the numbers and matching skills.

Next—

What if you’re a new mechanic?

Resumes with no experience can use freelance work and transferable skills.

See these auto mechanic resume examples with no experience:

Say the job wants collision repair, and customer service.

Entry-Level Hairstylist Resume Job Description [Sample]

Freelance Automotive Mechanic

Blacksburg, VA

2014–2016

• Worked on an average of 10 vehicles per week for 2 years.
• Performed all levels of repairs, including collision repair, drive drain, engine, electrical, exhaust, cooling, and lubrication systems.
• Grew client list by 30% in 14 months through excellent customer service and good word of mouth.

Team Member

Smokey’s Steakhouse

2015–2019

• Worked as a waiter in a busy steak restaurant.
• Swept, mopped, and ran cash register.

Let’s look under the hood.

The first of those mechanic resume samples has never had a mechanic job. But—

Even working on cars for friends and family can help you get an entry-level job.

Expert Hint: If you believe Reddit, auto mechanics hate their jobs, because of flat rate pay and owning their own tools. But a study by PayScale found auto mechanics were actually in the top 10 for job satisfaction. Still, a targeted resume for mechanic jobs can skip you past a lot of horrendous automotive technician jobs.

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4. Tune Up Your Education Section

You don’t need to be an ASE Master Tech to get a job. In that case, do you even need an education section in your resume?

Yes, but—

Install the right parts to land the interview. Do it like this diesel mechanic resume sample:

Mechanic Resume Example—Education

Education

Automotive Repair, New River Community College, VA

2012–2014

• Commended by professors for troubleshooting skills.
• Excelled in diesel engine and collision repair. 

Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, VA

Let’s break that down.

If you know they want a certain mechanic skill, and you can show you rocked it in your education section, go for it.

It’s just one more reason for the shop manager to hire you.

5. Add After-Market Sections to Auto Mechanic Resumes

We’re almost ready to roll out. Let’s make the shop owner notice you.

How?

By proving you’re not just an interchangeable lug.

Here are a few extras you can add:

• Certifications (ASE, Snap-on)
• Freelancing
• Volunteering
• Employee awards
• Foreign languages
• Additional activities
• Hobbies
• Athletics

See these diesel mechanic resume examples:

Auto Mechanic Resumes—Other Sections

Certifications

2019—ASE Master Tech

2020—Snap-on Tools Certification

Additional Activities

• Volunteer member, Knights of Columbus. Raise over $2,500 annually for charity.
• Fix 2+ diesel engines per week for friends in summer.

Additional Activities

• Hunting
• Fishing

Hmm...

Is there anything wrong with hunting or fishing?

Not at all. But it’s better to say you’re in a hunting club or fishing derbies and add even more achievements.

Meanwhile, the first of those auto mechanic resume samples leaves no doubt.

Expert Hint: Learn how to write a cover letter for your resume for mechanic jobs and send it with your resume. When writing it, talk about your understanding of the shop’s needs, then show you’ve done a few things like that before.

Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.

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Key Points

Here’s how to write a mechanic resume:

• Start with a workable auto mechanic resume template. Add your own mechanic achievements to the bullet points.
• Include mechanic skills like diagnostics or lift work. Be careful to add numbers that measure your success.
• Write an auto mechanic resume objective that works like a mini-version of your resume.
• Add other resume sections to your diesel mechanic resume. Use certifications or volunteering to show you’re not a bad hiring risk.

Got questions on how to write good resumes for mechanic jobs? Not sure how to put mechanic on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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