To successfully apply for a Machine Operator job, you must first write a CV that stands out over other candidates. To do that, use our writing tips and this guide to help you with your Machine Operator CV.
1. Start with strong personal statement that will encourage an employer to read more of your CV
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Include a section for key skills and qualifications relevant to the role.
4. You can also include additional information such as hobbies or references, but they’re not as important.
It is important to give your CV proper structure so that it’s easy to read, as this will help you progress to the next stage of the hiring process.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Machine Operator
To write a personal statement, it’s important to know which transferable skills and qualifications you have, as you will need to give a brief description of these skills and your work experience in your statement.
Since this is the first part of your CV that an employer will read, try to make your personal statement no more than 150 words long, you will be using other sections of your CV to go into more detail about your employment history and education.
Machine Operator Personal Statement Example
“Working as a Manufacturing Technician taught me many skills including the safest ways to use manufacturing equipment. I would often need to perform maintenance on machinery to make sure it was in good working order before use and reduce the risk of the machine breaking down and interrupting workflow.
It was also part of my role to report any issues and discuss production with other workers to make sure the products that were being made were of a high standard.
I am also capable of reading blueprints from the limited exposure I had during my time as a technician, and when I expressed a deeper interest in these details, my senior colleagues were willing to help me learn more.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Machine Operator CV
Some employers will list the kind of work experience they expect a Machine Operator to have; this can be a variety of roles that offer the valuable skills and qualifications you’ll need for the position.
Which Jobs to Include
Include any job that offers experience operating and controlling various machinery, this includes learning and understanding their functions and limitations. Working on a production line, or as a Manufacturing Technician will have these beneficial skills. Apprenticeships are also a good starting point for this line of work, as this will teach proper health and safety and blueprint reading, which are both essential skills.
Machine Operator CV Work Experience Example
-
Machining Technician Apprentice at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
-
During my Machining Technician Apprenticeship, I learned the correct way to read blueprints and schematics of machinery in order to set up and maintain various machines prior to production.
-
I worked on various pieces of machinery, and I had to learn different ways to problem-solve for each so that I could prevent accidents from occurring.
-
It was extremely important to understand the correct health and safety procedures for dealing with different types of machines.
Use bullet points to separate skills and work experience. Use this layout to describe 5-6 relevant jobs you’ve had in this field of work.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Machine Operator CV
When reading through the Machine Operator job description, make sure you have the desired skills and qualifications that the employer asks for. Applying without relevant skills will result in a failed application, but there are many ways to gain relevant skills.
Important Skills for a Machine Operator
A Machine Operator needs a combination of technical and soft skills, such as maintenance and repair knowledge, a familiarity with hand tools, problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication skills.
Read the job description thoroughly to see what kind of skills an employer expects from an applicant and write about the transferable skills you have in your personal statement.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Machine Operator
The qualifications you’ll need may depend on the level of the job you’re applying for. If you’re looking for an entry level position, then a minimum of GCSE level Maths and English is expected, however, higher level positions may ask for a diploma, certificate, or an associate degree in machining or a related field.
Machine Operator jobs can be performed in various fields, including construction and manufacturing, where you might need a CSCS card, or an NVQ in Engineering Manufacture.
Additional Content to Boost Your Machine Operator CV
If you can provide some hobbies and interests that have helped you develop soft skills, it’s worth writing about those now, keep this section short but informative. You might also want to include one or two references at the end of your CV.
Hobbies & Interests
It is useful to mention hobbies that pair with relevant skills, this might include communication skills or some level of fitness. Problem-solving skills and attention to detail are also important for a Machine Operator. These skills can be developed through a variety of hobbies, such as team sports, or fixing cars and other machinery, amongst other things.
References
Leave any references until the end of your CV, if you plan to include them. The people you use in this section of your CV should be colleagues who worked with you and held a higher position within the company, such as a senior, mentor, or manager.
How to Make a Machine Operator CV Stand Out
The best way to make your CV stand out is by listing the skills and work experience that the employer needs without burying it under irrelevant information. Section your CV with headings for each point of interest and use bullet points effectively to separate skills from work experience and qualifications from education.
If your CV is more than two pages long, an employer may lose interest in it, so it’s best to limit the work experience you write about. If you have more than 10 years of experience across more than 5-6 jobs, cut it down to the most relevant roles, and omit anything past that threshold.
Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid sending your CV before you’ve checked it for any grammatical or spelling mistakes. It’s always best to play it safe and ask someone else to read your CV before you send it anywhere to make sure that it is easy to understand, and that everything is spelled correctly.
Machine Operator CV Example
Once you have read our writing tips and this Machine Operator CV guide, you can work on your own CV with confidence, but we have additional resources that may be useful. If you’re not sure how your CV should look, use our free CV template as a guide for the structure and layout of your writing. The templates is free to use, and they’re a good way to elevate your writing.
