The automotive job market can be tough – and your CV is often your first chance to make a great impression. Whether you’re a vehicle technician or a commercial mechanic, a sharp, focused CV is what gets you through the door.
This guide gives you practical, recruiter-approved tips to help you craft a CV that shows off your skills, highlights your experience, and makes you stand out from the crowd.
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Keep It Simple, Clear, and No Longer Than Two Pages
Hiring managers don’t have time to dig through five pages of dense text. They want relevant info, fast.
Tips:
- Use a clean, professional layout with clear section headings.
- Stick to two pages max – or just one page if you’re early in your career.
- Use bullet points to highlight responsibilities and skills.
- Focus on structure: put your strongest experience near the top, and make sure dates and job titles are easy to scan.
A well-organised CV makes it easier for recruiters and employers to spot what makes you worth interviewing – and faster decisions start with clearer CVs.
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Start with a Strong Personal Statement
This 3–4 line summary at the top of your CV should explain who you are, what you do, and what you’re looking for.
Example:
“Qualified vehicle technician with 7 years of experience in commercial fleet maintenance and diagnostics. Skilled in fault finding, brake systems, and MOT testing. Looking for a stable role in a high-volume, fast-paced workshop environment.”
Make it specific and relevant to the job you’re applying for.
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Highlight Your Key Skills Clearly
This section gives employers a quick snapshot of your abilities and strengths. Focus on the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for – both technical and interpersonal.
Make sure to include soft skills too. Time management, teamwork, communication, and the ability to work under pressure are increasingly important in today’s fast-paced workshop environments.
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Be Specific About Your Work Experience
Don’t just list job titles. Explain what you did, what tools you used, and what value you added.
Example:
“Performed routine servicing and diagnostic fault finding on a fleet of 80+ HGVs. Reduced downtime by 15% through fast and accurate repairs. Used diagnostic software including Texa and Jaltest.”
For each role, include:
- Employer name
- Job title
- Dates of employment
- 3–4 bullet points describing your duties and achievements
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Don’t Ignore Short-Term or Contract Work
If you’ve done agency or contract roles, list them clearly. Employers value experience – even if it was short-term.
Example:
“Contract Vehicle Technician
3-month placement at XYZ Dealership – Servicing and diagnostics on BMW and MINI models”
This shows you’re adaptable and in demand.
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Include Relevant Qualifications & Training
Your qualifications show that you meet industry standards and are committed to your trade. Be sure to include any formal training or certifications that apply to the role you’re targeting.
This could include nationally recognised qualifications, brand-specific training, manufacturer programs, or workshop-based upskilling. If you’ve completed MOT training, hybrid/EV modules, or health & safety courses, those are definitely worth highlighting too.
The goal is to show employers that you’re qualified, capable, and continuing to stay up to date in a fast-changing industry.
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Tailor Your CV for the Role
A one-size-fits-all CV won’t cut it. Read the job description and match your experience and skills accordingly.
- Reorder skills or achievements that best match the role
- Use the employer’s language when describing your experience
- Highlight experience with specific vehicle brands if they’re mentioned
This shows you’re paying attention – and serious about the role.
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Use Industry-Standard Job Titles
Employers often skim CVs looking for familiar titles. If your previous roles had vague or unusual names, rewrite them to be clear.
For example:
- “Technician” or “Vehicle Technician” instead of “Workshop Operative”
- “HGV Technician” instead of “Commercial Vehicle Engineer”
- “Service Advisor” instead of “Customer Support Officer”
This helps your CV get picked up by both hiring managers and recruitment software.
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Add References or “Available on Request”
References aren’t always required upfront – but showing you’re open to providing them builds trust.
Tip: Add this line at the bottom:
“References available on request.”
If you have a former supervisor or manager willing to vouch for you, even better – mention their name and role with permission.
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Check Your Formatting and Spelling
Your CV should reflect your professionalism – not work against it.
Final checklist:
- Use simple fonts (Arial, Calibri)
- Save as a PDF unless asked otherwise
- Run a spellcheck – twice
- Make sure formatting is consistent throughout
A clean, polished CV says a lot about your attention to detail – a trait every technician needs.
Ultimately, your CV does the talking before you do. A few smart tweaks can set you apart from other candidates and put you at the top of the shortlist.
Take the time to show off your experience, certifications, and strengths clearly and confidently. And if you’re unsure how to position your experience, a specialist automotive recruiter can help tailor your CV to the right roles – and even connect you directly with employers who are ready to hire.
Need help putting your best foot forward? Get in touch with the team at Holt Automotive – we’ll help you polish your CV and match you with roles that suit your skills, goals, and preferences.
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