Machine Operator Resume: Examples and Tips

Machine operators are responsible for equipment installation and maintenance, including periodic tests and repairs. To flourish in this role, you should have in-depth knowledge of production procedures, the ability to read schematics and manuals, and proficiency with hand tools.

Use our resume examples and tips to build your effective machine operator resume.

Average Rating

4.3/5 stars with 96 reviews

Machine Operator Resume Example

Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Machine Operator Resume

  1. Summary Gear your summary statement towards the employer’s needs — highlight valuable skills, accomplishments, and work history in a few short sentences, focusing on exceptional abilities such as knowledge of production procedures and the ability to handle specific equipment based on the job you’re applying for.
  2. Skills Examine the requirements for the job position and match required skills with your abilities, such as the manual operation of tools or proficiency with specific equipment (e.g., band saw or hydro press). Don’t forget to include intangible skills vital for the production industry, such as dependability, teamwork, and attention to detail.
  3. Work History Focus on your most achievements from your previous job, and use data and numbers to give weight to your contributions. For example: “Managed seven equipment operators to manage smooth materials movement” provides more detail than “Ensured regular communication with operators for smooth materials movement.”
  4. Education In addition to your highest education achievement (e.g., high school diploma, college degree), highlight any training you’ve had in fields such as supply chain management or heavy machine and equipment operation.

See Why My Perfect Resume is a 5-Star Resume Builder

Find the Right Template for your Resume

Don’t waste time hunting for an attractive resume template — use our employer-ready designs to customize your machine operator resume in minutes using our resume builder.

Essence

This template emphasizes an organized and efficient presentation using two columns, with a shaded header adding a professional look.

White space

This straightforward design uses spacing and color resume fonts to organize sections, making it easy for hiring managers to scan.

Bold

This clean layout highlights the job seeker’s name with a striking mix of colors, with section headings arranged in the left margin for easy navigation.

To find more templates, view MyPerfectResume’s resume templates page.

Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume

  • DO customize your resume for different job applications. Your resume should prove that you’re the right person for the position — and the only way to do that is to tailor each resume you send out to match the specific job you’re applying for. Note keywords and phrases in the job description that spell out what the job needs (e.g., “strong knowledge of CDC Open technology” or “inspecting parts using micrometers, gage pins, thread gages”), and add skills and experiences to your resume that show your strength in these areas.
  • DO reinforce your work experiences with action verbs. For a machine operator job, proven experience goes a long way. Be sure to make your experiences more compelling by using action verbs to describe them, such as “Created fabric and metal products” rather than “Responsible for fabric and metal product creation.” Other action verbs you can use include:
    • Managed
    • Maintained
    • Oversaw
    • Improved
    • Headed
    • Delivered
    • Improved
  • DO incorporate both hard (technical) and soft skills in your resume. Hiring managers prefer well-rounded candidates who possess both technical (hard) and intangible (soft) skills. Make sure you include important soft skills like attention to detail, physical stamina, and multitasking ability, as well as technical knowledge of machines and production procedures.
  • DON’T go overboard on jargon and acronyms. Sometimes incorporating technical terms or acronyms in your resume is necessary, and it might seem like a good idea to save space on your resume, but whenever you can, spell things out. For example: “Proficient in Computer Numerical Control (CNC) lathe machinery.” You can’t count on the person reading the resume to be an expert in the field, so make sure to include an extra detail or two to explain your skills and experiences. Employers will always appreciate clear, straightforward descriptions.
  • DON’T get boastful in your resume. Trumpeting how good you are in your resume, particularly in your summary statement, isn’t guaranteed to get you an employer’s seal of approval. Instead of bragging about yourself, concentrate on presenting your top capabilities and accomplishments using facts. For example, instead of writing “Excellent machine operator with second-to-none skills in preventative maintenance,” write “Diligent machine operator with 3 years’ experience overseeing preventative maintenance for a 100+ person production center.”
  • DON’T make your resume too long. The longer your resume, the higher the chance a recruiter skips over important details about your career. Recruiters only take an average of 7.4 seconds to read a resume, so take full advantage of these seconds by keeping your bullet points and sentences brief and to the point if and focusing only on abilities and experiences that speak directly to what the job requires. Aim for a length of one page.