How to Write a Marine Mechanic Resume (With Example)

Updated 8 August 2023

A marine mechanic is a skilled professional who performs service and repair work on marine vessels and boat equipment. Gaining employment in this field typically requires technical expertise, so hiring companies may request candidates to supply them with a resume that outlines their professional experience, skills and achievements when applying for a vacant position. Learning how to write an effective marine mechanic resume can help you attract the interest of hiring managers. In this article, we outline a list of steps to help you write a resume for a marine mechanic position and provide a resume template and example.

How to write a marine mechanic resume

Here's a list of steps you may find helpful when writing a marine mechanic resume:

1. Select a format type for your resume

There are typically two major formatting types you can choose from to present your professional information to employers. These are the chronological resume and the functional resume. For marine mechanics who have multiple years of experience, a chronological format is often the most appropriate choice. This is because its major focus is to provide a comprehensive overview of a candidate's work history, detailing their relevant roles, duties and achievements. Additionally, hiring managers usually prefer this resume type, as it can help them identify a candidate's career trajectory and determine how familiar they are with repairing and maintaining marine engines.

Alternatively, if you've recently finished your apprenticeship in marine mechanics, you might have developed some key abilities but have minimal work experience. A functional resume can be an excellent choice for someone in this situation because it focuses more on showcasing your skills rather than your work history. For example, with this format type, you could list major skills you developed during your apprenticeship, such as knowledge of jet engines or customer service skills and then provide a bullet list describing instances where you performed your chosen abilities.

2. Closely read the job description

Closely reading the job description of your desired opening can help you determine what experiences and skills the employer is searching for in a candidate. You can use this information to customise your resume and address specific selection criteria. For example, the hiring company might state that they want a marine mechanic who has experience maintaining propulsion systems. Knowing this, you could provide examples in your experience section of previous situations where you used your knowledge of propulsion systems to repair and maintain diesel engines. Addressing specific criteria in this way can attract the interest of hiring managers.

As you review the job description, it's also a good idea to highlight any keywords the employer has listed. Keywords refer to the technical skills, qualifications or qualities the hiring company desires in a successful candidate. Some keywords on a marine mechanic job description might include fleet management, troubleshooting skills, diagnostic testing, electrical wiring, equipment maintenance, physical strength and customer service. Using identified keywords throughout your resume can help you pass an applicant tracking system (ATS) that a hiring company might use when scanning candidate resumes.

3. Provide your contact details

Next, begin writing your resume by first listing your contact details at the top of your document. This is important because it enables a hiring manager to contact you and arrange an interview if they decide to shortlist your application. Start by writing your full name in a large and bold font. Underneath this, list your phone number, email address and the city and state in which you live. Here's an example of how this may appear on your resume:

Arthur Robinson
0422 134 677 | arthur.robinson@email.com | Perth, Western Australia

4. Include a professional summary

A professional summary is a brief paragraph that's typically two or three sentences long. Its purpose is to provide a hiring manager with a quick overview of your professional experience, skills, achievements and qualifications. When evaluating candidate resumes, this can be one of the first things a hiring manager reads. For this reason, try to use it to address key selection criteria and showcase why you're a good fit for the position.

5. Describe your relevant work experience

The work experience section is your opportunity to showcase your professional experience and show hiring managers why you're a competent candidate who's well-suited for the job's responsibilities. Format this section by listing the job role, followed by your employment dates in the role. Underneath this, write the name of the company and the city and state in which you worked. Once you've provided your contact details, include a bullet list that describes key tasks you performed in the position and any notable achievements you want to showcase.

If you're a senior marine mechanic who requires over two pages to fit all your experience, consider condensing your resume by only listing your most relevant roles. This is because hiring managers often skim candidate resumes, searching for the most applicable details. By only providing your previous roles and responsibilities that relate closest to your desired opening, you can capture a hiring manager's interest and prompt them to shortlist your application. For this reason, if possible, aim to keep your resume to two pages in total.

6. List your major skills

Including a skills section allows you to showcase your most desirable hard and soft skills. It also enables hiring managers to scan your resume and quickly identify whether you possess the required skills for the role. If you're unsure about which skills to include, review the job description and highlight any technical or soft abilities the employer has listed. If you have these skills, referencing them on your resume can help you gain the attention of hiring managers.

7. Add your educational achievements

Adding an education section is important because it's where you can list your relevant certifications. This demonstrates to potential employers that you have undertaken training and are capable of performing the job's technical requirements. You can format this section by listing the title of your certification, followed by the name of the awarding institution, such as, Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology, Kensington Vocational Institute.

Resume template for marine mechanics

Here's a template you may find helpful when formatting your resume:

[First name] [Last name], [Degree or certification if applicable]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City], [State]

Professional Summary
[Two to three sentences that highlight years of experience, relevant skills, education or certifications and achievements as a professional.]

Experience

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job title] | [Employment dates]
[Company name] | [City], [State]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Education

[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]

Optional

[Certification name], [Host organisation], [Year of completion or expiration date]

Resume example for marine mechanics

Below is a sample resume crafted using the above template:

Oliver Thompson 0455 665 001 | oliver.thompson@email.com | Perth, Western Australia

Professional Summary
Dedicated marine mechanic with over eight years of experience repairing and maintaining a variety of marine vessels. Highly proficient at performing minor repairs on outboard ship engines and rebuilding diesel engines. Proven track record of managing projects effectively and diagnosing problems with electrical issues.

Experience

Marine Mechanic | April 2017–Current
Wellington Marine Group | Perth, Western Australia

Manage a group of marine mechanics to install machinery and electrical systems on vessels
Follow safety regulations when performing installation work with heavy equipment
Work alongside marine technicians to execute general maintenance tasks relating to propulsion systems
Keep track of inventory lists to ensure all necessary equipment is available for maintenance and repair tasks
Conduct motor performance tests to ensure mechanical systems are operating effectively after maintenance work

Marine Mechanic | February 2014–March 2017
Swan Valley Marine Services | Perth, Western Australia

Conducted diagnostic tests on over 200 engines to determine issues and implement viable solutions
Successfully read and interpreted technical manuals to install and repair diesel motors
Maintained a clean working environment and organised equipment so it's easily accessible for marine mechanics

Education

Certificate III in Marine Mechanical Technology, Melville Creek Vocational School

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

How to Write a Marine Mechanic Resume (With Example)