Quality Control Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a quality control, you'll need experience in conducting QC tests and monitoring production processes. To succeed in your applications for quality control roles, you'll need a resume that reflects your relevant skills and experience. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a quality control resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other quality control applicants. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning quality control resume.
Core sections to include in a quality control resume
It's essential to include a few core sections in your quality control resume, while there are also a few optional sections. If you're a candidate without much experience, you may wish to present your resume in a way that draws attention to your most valuable skills. These might not be in traditional work settings, so sections like education, projects, hobbies and skills can be more prominent.
Your resume layout and structure may differ depending on your experience levels, but make sure your resume includes the following:
Resume Header
A quality control resume header contains your name and contact information. Add your first and last name, your phone number and your email address. Include your address or location, but avoid adding any other personal information. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can add the URL to your header so the hiring manager can get a better understanding of your work history and experience. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Christopher Martinez
christopher.martinez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/christopher–martinez123
Resume Summary
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. However, make sure you keep your resume summary short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
The best resume summaries reflect the job description and focus on qualities that are relevant to working as a quality control, while highlighting elements of your personality that make you an ideal candidate. They also quantify the information provided with evidence. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your quality control resume summary.
Good example:
Experienced Quality Control professional with a strong background as a Quality Assurance Specialist. Proficient in developing and implementing quality standards, conducting audits, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Skilled in identifying process improvements, reducing defects, and enhancing product quality. Demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve operational excellence and customer satisfaction
Bad example:
Worked in quality control with some experience in quality assurance. Have done things related to setting standards, checking things, and following rules. Tried to find ways to make processes better and reduce mistakes. Worked with different teams to try to make things work well and keep people happy
Conversely, an ineffective resume summary would include generic, unspecific information on your skills and experience, while failing to provide any useful information on what makes you a unique and interesting candidate. See above for some examples of things to avoid when writing your quality control resume summary.
Skills
The skills section of a quality control resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include non-destructive testing, problem-solving skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a quality control.
Showcasing hard skills on your quality control resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a quality control. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, your hard skills list helps to show employers how competent and experienced you are at key quality control duties and responsibilities. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
If you want to make a strong impression with your hard skills list, focus on hard skills that align with your specific industry expertise, and that reflect the job description. For inspiration on the right type of hard skills for a quality control resume, see below.
- Statistical process control
- ISO 9001 standards
- Non-destructive testing
How to list soft skills on your quality control resume
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for a quality control job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, as the nature of work changes, soft skills are growing in importance, so make sure you include them in your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a quality control resume.
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication and teamwork
Educational Achievements
In your education section, include details of your most relevant quality control qualifications and educational achievements.
Working as a quality control doesn't usually require a degree. Even though a degree-level education isn't a necessity, it's still important to highlight your key educational achievements, including a Six Sigma Black Belt or other courses or training that showcases your statistical process control or ISO 9001 standards.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. Include bullet points to show any specialist modules you studied, awards or exceptional grades and achievements that can set you apart from other candidates. These will all contribute to creating a positive impression on employers.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Quality Assurance, 2017 - 2020
University of Houston, Houston, TX
Certifications and Training
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to quality control jobs. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for quality control roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
See below for some suggestions of relevant certifications for a quality control resume:
- Six Sigma Black Belt, 2022
- ASQ Certified Quality, 2022
- ISO 9001 Lead, 2022
Work Experience
Your resume work experience section is the chance to show your relevant previous jobs and career achievements as a quality control. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
In addition, include a few bullet points under each job, highlighting your key achievements so the hiring manager can see how they led to successful outcomes. Back up each point with evidence to show how you meet the job description.
A good resume work experience section includes your most relevant previous jobs and highlights your key achievements in each role. To make the best possible impression on hiring managers, make sure each entry in your work experience section references skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you added value to each role with quantifiable evidence and outcomes. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Quality Assurance Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Precision Assurance Solutions, Philadelphia
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive QA process, reducing defect rates by 35% and improving overall product quality
- Led cross-functional teams in root cause analysis, successfully resolving 95% of critical issues within 48 hours
- Conducted rigorous audits and compliance checks, ensuring 100% adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements
Bad example:
Quality Assurance Specialist, January 2022 - Present
Precision Assurance Solutions, Philadelphia
- Improved quality processes and enhanced team collaboration for better outcomes
- Led initiatives to optimize product standards and efficiency
- Conducted assessments to ensure compliance with industry guidelines
See above for some of the pitfalls to avoid with your resume work experience section. Poor examples of resume work experience sections tend to be vague and fail to quantify your achievements and the impact you've made in your career to date. They may also focus on responsibilities above relevant skills and how you've used them.
Expert Tip:
Optional Sections
In addition to the core sections of a quality control resume, there are several optional sections you could include to enhance your chances. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. Hobbies can help you show different sides of your personality and make your resume more memorable to hiring managers. They're ideal to include if you're a junior candidate who might lack real world quality control experience. Just make sure any hobbies and interests you include in your resume add genuine insight into your personality, in ways other sections of the resume can't.
Volunteer Work
This section can be valuable for a quality control resume, if you've done any voluntary work that showcases your relevant skills. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a quality control resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best action words for your quality control resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Inspect
- Analyze
- Evaluate
- Calibrate
- Test
- Audit
- Monitor
- Validate
- Document
- Verify
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example resume for quality control applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your quality control resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
0001 Cemetery Lane, New York, NY
•
christopher.martinez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/christopher–martinez123
Dynamic and detail-oriented Quality Control professional with a robust background as a Quality Assurance Specialist. Expertise in developing and implementing quality assurance processes, conducting rigorous inspections, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Proven track record in identifying defects, improving product quality, and enhancing operational efficiency. Strong analytical skills and adept at utilizing various quality control methodologies to drive continuous improvement. Excellent communicator with a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and precision.
Quality Assurance Specialist
2020
-2022
Precision Assurance Solutions (Detroit)
- Implemented a comprehensive QA process leading to a 30% reduction in product defects within the first six months
- Spearheaded cross-functional training programs, improving team efficiency by 25% and reducing error rates by 15%
- Developed automated testing scripts that decreased manual testing time by 40% and increased overall test coverage by 50%
Statistical process control
ISO 9001 standards
Non-destructive testing
Attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
Communication and teamwork
Six Sigma Black Belt
ASQ Certified Quality
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for quality control resumes
Key tips to help you craft a strong resume
- Use action verbs to showcase how you've put your quality control skills to use in your career (e.g. 'inspect', 'analyze', 'evaluate').
- Proofread your resume to ensure it's free from spelling and grammar errors. Even minor errors can make a difference to your chances.
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Keep your quality control resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Order your work experience in a reverse-chronological timeline, starting with your most recent position.
Avoid these common mistakes on your resume
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't use passive language - avoid phrases like 'I was tasked with' and use strong action verbs instead.
- Don't use jargon or business-speak. It can make your resume appear clichéd and harder to read.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't forget to keep your contact information up to date, to ensure the employer can contact you if necessary.
Guide to making your resume ATS-friendly
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to manage their hiring process. They can handle some of the more time-consuming and resource-intensive jobs, such as initial screening of resumes. Employers often receive hundreds of applications per vacancy, and ATS software can quickly and accurately scan and rank resumes based on their likely suitability for any role. When you're writing your quality control resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an ATS-friendly resume:
- Use a traditional resume format, such as reverse-chronological or functional. These will give your resume a structure that's easier for ATS systems to scan.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Use clear headings that break your resume up into readable, scannable sections that match the standard content employers expect from a resume.
- Use design elements that help make your resume more readable. These might include white space, clear, professional fonts and subtle color accents to help certain elements stand out.
- Keep your resume as concise as possible, to make it easier to read, and for ATS software to scan.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
FAQs for a quality control resume
Now that you know how to write a professional quality control resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the quality control role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you're an experienced quality control, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As a quality control with a wealth of experience, you'll want to showcase this in your work history section. Consider going back beyond the standard 10 to 15 years of employment history to show employers your experience levels. Add any optional sections that reinforce your image as a knowledgeable, respected professional in your field. This might include awards and other recognition, successful projects or a dedicated achievements section.
A strong resume headline can give the reader an immediate idea of your suitability for quality control jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a short, snappy heading for your resume including the job title and a reference to your experience, your track record or one or two of your key skills.
See an example resume headline below:
- Junior Quality Control Specialist
- Quality Control and Assurance Specialist
- Senior Quality Control Specialist
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. If you don't have much experience, for example if you're applying for a graduate role or changing careers, you might consider a functional resume format. This focuses on your skills and education above your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key takeaways for your quality control resume
Writing a strong, impactful resume is about using your experience to demonstrate your relevant skills and achievements. You can do this through your work history or other resume sections. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
