Airforce Operator Resume Examples

Before you begin to write your resume, it’s a good idea to see how others in the avionics industry have prepared theirs. There are many quality avionics resume samples available for your review, and they’ll give you an idea which format best suits you, the kind of information to include, and the professional tone of a well-crafted resume.

As you read further, you’ll see that each section of the avionics resume will be addressed individually, with tips on how to create an image of the ideal candidate for the job and advice on what not to include as well. Each section, beginning with your resume summary, should make the hiring manager want to learn more about you.

Since there are related but separate sectors in the avionics industry, there’s no cookie-cutter formula or a one-size-fits-all resume. Avionics designers will have different qualifications than avionics equipment mechanics, and the same is true for technicians. The differences, however, are more in what’s said than how it’s presented on the page. Every resume should have a basic, logical format, and the following suggested resume sections will not only help you organize your thoughts as you write, but they’ll make it easier for the potential employer to quickly get to know you as they read:

• Contact info (name/phone/email)
• Resume summary
• Work experience
• Skills
• Education

The sections listed above are used in a chronological style resume, which is the most common format and most familiar to hiring managers. If you have no employment gaps and are applying for jobs in your industry sector, this style will work well.

The other often-used resume format is the functional style, which directs the potential employer’s attention to your accomplishments without linking them to specific employers. This style works well for an individual who’s considering a career change, perhaps because of additional education or critical cross-over skills. To focus on achievements, a new section is added as follows:

• Contact info (name/phone/email)
• Resume summary
• Accomplishments (new section)
• Work experience
• Skills
• Education

There’s no right or wrong choice of style, but reviewing avionics resume samples will afford you to opportunity to see examples of both for help in deciding what works best for you.

It’s not true that your resume summary statement is the most important section of your resume, but it is true that its placement, as the first thing a hiring manager reads, is critical. Think of it as the first paragraph of a book they’re considering buying. You want to capture their attention with your quantifiable successes and the skills that you can use to add value to their business.

Before you write, review avionics resume samples for summary statements. You’ll note that they’re usually brief, no more than three sentences, but each sentence says something important. The use of action verbs creates a picture of you doing your job, and measurable results show your positive impact.

Summaries are not written in the first-person voice. Save that for your cover letter. Following are two examples of resume summary statements from different sectors of the avionics industry:

• Aircraft maintenance manager with over 10 years experience formulating cost/performance proposals and maintenance plans. Ensured required manpower, parts and tools were available for maintenance on 32 aircraft in compliance with time lines and budget. Maintained accurate logs of maintenance procedures and inspections of components like landing gear, hydraulic systems and deicers.
• Experienced avionics shop supervisor charged with oversight of 32 specialists conducting inspections, tests, and repairs of equipment like radar, radio and pulse. By effectively coordinating scheduling of specialists, was able to increase productivity by 20 percent while maintaining 100 percent serviceability of 28 aircraft. Maintained a perfect safety record.

By referring to avionics resume samples, you’ll notice that the format for the education section is simple. The hiring manager only needs to see the school attended, school location, and degree obtained. Electronics engineers and designers are usually required to have a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, so if that’s your career path, list that degree first.

Electronic technicians can often enter the field with an associate’s degree. If that’s your highest level of education, it should be indicated, and if a degree is in process, it should be listed with the designation that it’s ?in process.?

Be sure to check the job description to make sure you meet the required education or certifications. In avionics, more than many occupations, certifications are often critical, so you should include a sub-heading called ?Certifications/Licenses? where you’ll list your various certifications, like certifications gained from a Part 147 FAA-approved Aviation Maintenance Technical School or separate certifications for Airframe mechanics (A), Powerplant mechanics (P), or both (A&P). Other certifications are available through the National Center for Aerospace and Transportation Technologies or the Federal Communications Commission.

If it applies to your situation, you may want to include another sub-heading called ‘Military training.’ If you’re former military, be sure to include any training or certifications received during your enlistment.

Even if you haven’t obtained certain certifications at the time you’re applying for a position, if you get the ball rolling, you can list it as ‘in progress.’

No matter which style you’ve chosen for your resume, before you list your experience, refer to the job description to see what kind of experience the employer is looking for. If you’ve done some of the things they want, make sure to list them first.

If you’ve decided to write a chronological style resume, you’re ready to write the work experience section. You’ll notice in the avionics resume samples that the format is simple. Your jobs are listed in reverse chronological order, and each job is a sub-heading that includes the name and location of the company, period of employment, and job title. Beneath each job, you should list 3-6 bullet points of your accomplishments. Put your best foot forward by putting your most significant achievements first. Use action verbs to describe what you did, and do your best to provide quantifiable results.

If you’re using the functional style, this is the point where you insert the ?Accomplishments? section before ?Work Experience.? Under accomplishments, list 6-8 bullet points that describe your most impressive achievements. The advantage, if you’re hoping for a career shift, is that you don’t have to identify the employer or your job title associated with each accomplishment. You just have to sell yourself based on your actions and successes.

When you’ve completed the accomplishments section, you can move on to the work experience section, which, because the details have already been listed, will be a simple list of previous employment.

Since you’re a hands-on professional, it should come naturally to describe your work with action verbs. The idea is to let the potential employer create an image of you as an ideal candidate through your description. Show, don’t tell. Following are examples of action verbs that are associated with the avionics industry:

• Test
• Troubleshoot
• Record
• Adjust
• Repair
• Replace
• Install
• Operate
• Analyze
• Maintain
• Operate
• Monitor
• Identify
• Determine
• Document
• Update
• Fabricate
• Design
• Develop
• Inspect

If you scan avionics resume samples just for verbs you’ll probably find more.

Before you start writing a list of skills, go back to the job description to see what the employer’s looking for, and if you can, give it to them. Be aware that the skills they mention specifically may be the keywords used by an applicant tracking system to cull the resumes. You want to be in the group that gets forwarded to the hiring manager, and understanding the importance of keywords will help get you there.

The format can be a simple list, or you can group skills together by category, and you can see which format suits your particular skills best by reviewing avionics resume samples.

Whether you’re an avionics designer, equipment mechanic or technician, you can probably separate your skills into separate categories. Following is a suggestion of sub-headings for your skills section:

• Technical skills
• Computer skills
• Interpersonal skills

Don’t feel compelled to use the above delineations. Do what’s best for you to represent your skills and qualifications. Examples of skills would be:

• Expertise with modular and circuit elements
• Familiar with multimeters, oscilloscopes, and power meters
• Able to handle personnel management and logistical procedures

Mention any experience with specific aircraft, both military and private. Any computer programs, spreadsheet knowledge, or industry-specific databases should be listed as well.

If you’ve served in a supervisory or shop management position, include those skills that enabled you to create a team environment and encourage productivity.

The consensus, and you’ll see evidence of it in the avionics resume samples, is that the only mention of references on your resume should be the simple statement that they’re available upon request. References included on a resume take up valuable resume space and extend the length of your resume beyond what it should be, which is recommended to be no more than two pages.

When you receive a request for references, you have the advantage of:

• Knowing the potential employer is interested in you
• Being able to give the people on your list a heads-up to be expecting a call
• Asking them to let you know when they’ve been called and the type of questions asked

Before you add the statement that references are available, make sure they are. You references should be former supervisors or managers in either the private or military sectors, and you should be sure you’ve gained their approval before putting them on your list.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11 percent growth for all occupations for the period 2012-2022; however, avionics-related occupations are projected to have slower growth over this period than the general average.

More specifically, employment of aerospace engineers is projected to increase by 7 percent during the 2012-2022 time period, with most opportunities requiring a 4-year degree in avionics engineering or a related field.

Avionics technicians are project to be employed at a 3 percent increase from 2012-2022;
Aircraft and avionics equipment mechanics and technicians at 2 percent; and
Aircraft mechanics and service technicians at 2 percent.

The slow growth in employment is these areas can be attributed to the fact that new aircraft will require less maintenance, airlines can outsource maintenance to specialized shops both domestically and abroad, and increased specialization allows more efficiency.

Those with a bachelor’s degree, an A&P certificate, and familiarity with computers and digital systems will have an advantage in the job market.