The Top 5 Mistakes Vehicle Technicians Make on Their Resume (and How to Fix Them)

If you're an automotive technician or mechanic looking for your next role, your resume can open doors - or close them.

Even highly skilled techs miss out on great jobs because their resume doesn’t clearly show what they can do. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common resume mistakes we see in the industry - and, more importantly, how to fix them so you stand out to employers and recruiters.

 

Being Too Vague About Skills and Experience

The Mistake: Writing generic lines like "handled vehicle repairs" or "performed routine maintenance" without adding specific details.

Why It’s a Problem: Hiring managers often skim resumes. If your experience doesn’t jump off the page, you could get passed over - even if you’re qualified.

How to Fix It: Be detailed. Call out the brands you've worked on, the types of services or repairs you specialize in, and any tools or software you’re familiar with.

Example: "Diagnosed and repaired electrical and mechanical issues on Ford and GM vehicles using Snap-on and Autel diagnostic systems."

 

Leaving Out Certifications and Training

The Mistake: Not clearly listing ASE certifications, OEM training, or EV/hybrid credentials.

Why It’s a Problem: Most employers scan for key certifications first. If they’re not clearly listed, you might not make it to the interview stage.

How to Fix It: Create a Certifications & Training section and list relevant credentials, including ASE cert numbers if applicable.

Example:

• ASE Certified Master Technician (A1–A8)
• EPA 609 Certification
• GM Factory Training – Electrical Systems

 

Poor Resume Layout and Formatting

The Mistake: Using cluttered layouts, hard-to-read fonts, or big blocks of text.

Why It’s a Problem: Busy service managers and HR teams need to see your qualifications fast. If your resume is difficult to scan, it could get tossed.

How to Fix It:

• Use clear section headers (Experience, Certifications, Skills)
• Stick to clean fonts like Arial or Calibri
• Use bullet points, not paragraphs
• Keep it to 1–2 pages max

 

Sending the Same Resume Everywhere

The Mistake: Not tailoring your resume to the job you’re applying for.

Why It’s a Problem: Different employers look for different things. If your resume doesn’t reflect their needs, you won’t stand out.

How to Fix It: Before applying, take a few minutes to:

• Read the job posting carefully
• Move the most relevant skills to the top
• Use keywords from the job ad

Customizing your resume doesn’t take long, but it makes a huge impact.

This is also where working with a specialist recruiter like Holt Automotive Staffing makes a difference - we know our clients, their expectations, and the roles inside out. If we think you’re a great fit, we’ll help you refine your resume so it speaks their language.

 

Skipping Soft Skills and Work Ethic

The Mistake: Only talking about what you can fix, not how you work.

Why It’s a Problem: Shops aren’t just looking for technical skills - they want someone dependable and easy to work with.

How to Fix It: Include soft skills such as:

• Strong work ethic and punctuality
• Ability to collaborate with team members
• Customer-facing experience (for mobile/field roles)

Example: "Reliable, customer-focused technician with a proven track record of meeting deadlines and maintaining strong team communication."

 

Final Thoughts

A great resume isn’t about listing every job you’ve ever had - it’s about showing what you do best and why employers can count on you.

With a few targeted updates, you can turn a so-so resume into one that gets results.

Need help fine-tuning your resume? Holt Automotive Staffing's experts can help you stand out to employers across the U.S. - reach out today.