Check your maintenance technician CV against the job advert
Maintenance adverts look for multi-skilled technicians who keep equipment running. Show the equipment, the faults you fixed and how you kept things safe.
Start with your advert
Every maintenance technician advert is different. The list below is what adverts for this job usually ask for, not what yours does. So start with your advert:
- Read the advert and copy out every "must have" or "essential" line, then the "desirable" ones.
- For each one, find the line in your CV that proves it. If you can't point to a line, that's a gap.
- Fill the gap with something true: a duty, a setting, a qualification or a result you really have. If you don't have it, say what you have that's closest, or leave it out.
Our guide to matching your CV to a job description goes through this in more detail.
What maintenance technician adverts usually ask for
Mechanical and electrical skills
Why they askMany roles want a multi-skilled technician, often with a stronger side.
How to show itSay which side is your strength and what you can do on the other.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Multi-skilled [electrical / mechanical] technician maintaining [type of equipment] in [industry].
Fault finding
Why they askReducing downtime is the main measure of the job.
How to show itGive an example of a fault you diagnosed.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Diagnosed and fixed [type of fault] on [machine], getting the line running again [how quickly, if known].
Planned maintenance and CMMS
Why they askPreventive maintenance and records are standard.
How to show itName the system.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Carried out planned preventive maintenance and recorded work in [CMMS].
PLCs and controls
Why they askManufacturing roles may ask for PLC fault finding.
How to show itName the PLC platform and what you did.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- Fault-found on [PLC platform] controls using [software].
Qualifications and safety
Why they askAdverts ask for a Level 3 or HNC and safe isolation.
How to show itList qualifications and safety practice.
Example lines: fill the gaps with your own facts- [Level 3 NVQ / HNC] in [discipline], [year]; trained in safe isolation and lock-out tag-out.
Only use a line if it's true for you. Swap each [gap] for your own detail: the setting, the number, the tool or the result. If you can't fill a gap honestly, cut that part of the line.
Mistakes that cost maintenance technician applications
- Not naming equipment or industry.
- Leaving out shift patterns if the advert asks.
Questions
How do I show multi-skilled experience?
List mechanical and electrical tasks separately, with real examples of each.