3D printing is a versatile and creative skill that can impress potential employers in various fields. However, simply listing 3D printing as a skill on your resume may not be enough to showcase your abilities and achievements. In this article, we will share some tips on how to highlight your 3D printing skills on your resume and make it stand out from the crowd.
The first step to show off your 3D printing skills on your resume is to choose relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise and value. Think about the industry, role, and company you are applying for, and select 3D printing projects that align with their goals, needs, and challenges. For example, if you are applying for a product design position, you may want to showcase 3D printing projects that involve prototyping, testing, and iterating solutions. If you are applying for a teaching position, you may want to showcase 3D printing projects that involve engaging students, creating curriculum, and assessing learning outcomes.
The next step to show off your 3D printing skills on your resume is to describe your process and the tools you used for each project. This will help you demonstrate your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. For example, you can mention the software you used to design, model, and slice your 3D prints, such as Fusion 360, Tinkercad, or Cura. You can also mention the hardware you used to print, assemble, and finish your 3D prints, such as the type of printer, filament, nozzle, or post-processing methods. Additionally, you can describe the challenges you faced and how you overcame them, such as adjusting settings, fixing errors, or optimizing quality.
The third step to show off your 3D printing skills on your resume is to quantify your results and the impact of your projects. This will help you showcase your achievements and the value you can bring to the employer. For example, you can use numbers, percentages, or metrics to measure the success of your 3D printing projects, such as the time, cost, or material saved, the quality or performance improved, the feedback or recognition received, or the goals or outcomes achieved. You can also use action verbs and specific details to highlight your role and contribution in each project, such as designed, printed, tested, improved, or delivered.
The fourth step to show off your 3D printing skills on your resume is to create a portfolio that showcases your work and provides more details and evidence of your skills. A portfolio is a great way to complement your resume and let the employer see your 3D printing projects in action. You can create a digital portfolio using a website, blog, or platform like Thingiverse, Shapeways, or Sketchfab. You can also create a physical portfolio using photos, videos, or samples of your 3D prints. Make sure to include a link or QR code to your portfolio on your resume and make it easy to access and navigate.
Creating a portfolio is massive. Because 3D printing is just as much of a hobby as a profession there is no reason you shouldn't be creating the content and posting it on your own profile like a LinkedIn / Twitter / Instagram or CAD community. Building a relationship with the vendor manufacturers is also an awesome way to gain credibility.
The fifth step to show off your 3D printing skills on your resume is to highlight your learning and your passion for 3D printing. This will help you show your enthusiasm and your willingness to grow and improve your skills. For example, you can mention the courses, workshops, or certifications you have completed or are pursuing related to 3D printing, such as online courses from Coursera, Udemy, or edX, or in-person courses from makerspaces, libraries, or schools. You can also mention the communities, events, or publications you follow or participate in related to 3D printing, such as forums, blogs, podcasts, webinars, or conferences.
If applying for a teaching/technical position, it's important to show that you understand materiality and the ecology of 3d printing. There are many different types of 3d printers from low-cost FDM machines to industry-standard prototyping equipment - having knowledge of many of these shows your versatility and ability to be adaptive to your students' cost/time/budget needs.
What I have done, is to include all my industry certifications, and a link to my printables account where I use that site as a kind-of portfolio. Many potential employers really enjoy that my projects are listed publicly online, and love that my certifications are clearly laid out for the additive industry.