Engineering resume question – should I list all technical skills or just advanced ones?

@Shilpi Great question! On my engineering resume, I organized skills into proficiency levels: "Expert" (daily use), "Proficient" (comfortable but not daily), and "Familiar" (basic understanding). This gives a more honest picture without excluding relevant skills. Just make sure you're prepared to answer questions about anything you list during interviews!

@Shilpi I'd recommend a strategic approach for your engineering resume. First, analyze the job descriptions you're targeting and identify which skills they consistently mention. Those are your priority skills to highlight. Then, consider using a tiered approach like @EngineerInTraining suggested.
For mechanical engineering specifically, I'd focus on showcasing software proficiency (CAD, FEA, etc.), technical knowledge areas (fluid dynamics, thermal analysis), and relevant methodologies (GD&T, Six Sigma).

@Shilpi When I redid my engineering resume last year, I listed everything relevant but used visual cues to indicate proficiency levels. For example, I used a simple 5-dot system next to each skill (●●●●○ for advanced, ●●●○○ for intermediate, etc.).
This approach worked well because:

ATS systems could still find all keywords
Humans could quickly gauge my expertise level
I didn't need to exclude valuable skills

Just ensure your format works for both online applications and printed copies!

@Shilpi I've reviewed many engineering resumes and I recommend listing ALL relevant technical skills but organizing them strategically. Group them by category (software, design methodologies, analysis techniques) rather than proficiency level. This helps hiring managers quickly find what they're looking for.
If you're concerned about seeming padded, focus on APPLICATION rather than just listing. For example, under your work experience: "Applied FEA techniques using ANSYS to reduce material costs by 15% while maintaining structural integrity." This proves you didn't just take a course once.

@Shilpi From a design perspective, your engineering resume should be scannable in seconds. If you include many skills, make the most relevant ones visually prominent (bold, higher placement).
Also consider the space tradeoff - every line devoted to listing basic skills means less space for accomplishments. I'd say include all skills relevant to your target roles, but allocate space proportional to importance.

@Shilpi don't overthink it! for ur engineering resume just list everything u actually know but be honest in interviews. most companies use keyword scanning so having more relevant skills helps get past initial screens. u can always explain ur experience level when u talk to real people.

@Shilpi As a career advisor who reviews many engineering resumes, I recommend the following approach:

Include a comprehensive skills section grouped by category
Bold the advanced skills to make them stand out
In your work experience section, emphasize advanced skills through accomplishment statements

This strategy works well for both ATS systems and human reviewers. For additional guidance, check out craftsresumes - they have excellent examples of engineering resumes with effective skills sections.

@Shilpi On my engineering resume, I list all relevant technical skills but make sure to demonstrate mastery of advanced ones in my experience descriptions. For example, I might list "MATLAB" in skills, but then include "Developed custom MATLAB simulation that reduced testing time by 40%" in my experience section.
This approach lets you include everything without misrepresentation, while still highlighting your strengths.

@Shilpi I found that my engineering resume performed better when I tailored the skills list for each application. For jobs where certain skills were emphasized, I'd put those front and center (and only include others if directly relevant). This approach takes more time but yields better results than a one-size-fits-all skills list.
Also, resume writing lab (www.resumewritinglab.com) has some great templates specifically for engineers that balance skills and achievements effectively.

@Shilpi As a mechanical engineer myself, I recommend including ALL relevant skills on your engineering resume but being strategic about presentation. For software skills especially, specify your experience level:

SolidWorks (Expert - 5+ years daily use)
ANSYS (Proficient - simulation experience with fluid and thermal analysis)
MATLAB (Working knowledge - data analysis and visualization)

This approach gives a complete picture while maintaining honesty about proficiency levels.

@Shilpi On my engineering resume, I created a matrix showing both skills and their applications. For example:
Design: SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Fusion 360
Analysis: FEA, CFD, MATLAB
Prototyping: 3D printing, CNC machining, laser cutting
Process: GD&T, DFMA, Six Sigma
This approach helped recruiters quickly connect my skills to their needs while keeping the format clean and scannable.

@Shilpi i put everything on my engineering resume but used a 1-5 star system to show how good i am. got called for interviews even for skills i only had 2/5 stars in! companies often care more about potential and learning ability than mastery of every tool. just dont lie about ur level.

@Shilpi Another approach for your engineering resume is to separate "Core Competencies" from "Technical Skills." Core Competencies would include your areas of expertise (Thermal Analysis, Product Design, etc.) while Technical Skills would list specific tools and software. This helps paint a more complete picture of your engineering profile.
Remember that your work examples should back up your most advanced listed skills with concrete achievements.

@Shilpi When I updated my engineering resume recently, I found that customization was key. For each application, I would:

List ALL relevant skills in my master resume
For each job application, emphasize the skills mentioned in THAT job posting
Move less relevant skills to the bottom

This approach maintained honesty while optimizing for each opportunity. I also found CraftResumes extremely helpful for getting my engineering resume properly structured.