RESUME MISTAKES

Avoid Critical Flight Engineer Resume Mistakes

Turn common errors into hiring advantages with proven fixes tailored for aerospace and FAA‑focused roles.

How This Page Helps
This guide helps flight engineers identify and correct resume mistakes that keep them from clearing ATS filters and landing interviews with airlines, OEMs, and aerospace contractors.
Identify the 5 most damaging resume errors for flight engineers
Learn why each mistake hurts your candidacy
Get step‑by‑step fixes with real‑world examples
Optimize your resume for FAA‑centric ATS systems

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Chances

Each mistake includes why it hurts, how to fix it, and before/after examples

Missing FAA and Industry CertificationsHIGH
Why it hurts
  • Hiring managers can’t verify your compliance with regulatory standards
  • ATS often filters out resumes lacking required certification keywords
  • You appear less qualified than peers who list their certifications
How to fix
  • Create a dedicated "Certifications" section near the top of your resume
  • List all relevant FAA, EASA, and manufacturer‑specific certifications with issue dates
  • Use exact certification titles (e.g., "FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate")
❌ Before

Certifications: Various aircraft maintenance courses completed.

✓ After

Certifications: • FAA Airframe & Powerplant (A&P) Certificate – Issued 03/2021 • Boeing 787 Systems Qualification – Completed 07/2022 • EASA Part‑66 Category B – Issued 11/2023

ATS Tip
Include exact certification names as keywords; avoid abbreviations unless they are standard industry acronyms.
Detection Rules
No section titled "Certifications" or "Licenses"
Missing FAA, EASA, or OEM certification keywords
Only generic phrases like "various courses"
Resumly Tip
Add a Certifications block and copy‑paste the official certificate titles for maximum impact.
Listing Duties Instead of AchievementsMEDIUM
Why it hurts
  • Bullet points become generic and blend with other candidates
  • ATS scores lower when achievements lack quantifiable metrics
  • Hiring managers can’t gauge the value you added in previous roles
How to fix
  • Start each bullet with an action verb and a measurable result
  • Convert duties into outcomes (e.g., "Reduced engine downtime by 15%" )
  • Keep bullets concise—max two lines each
❌ Before

- Performed routine inspections on aircraft systems. - Completed maintenance tasks as assigned. - Documented work in logbooks.

✓ After

- Conducted 120+ routine inspections, achieving a 99.8% compliance rate and reducing unscheduled maintenance by 12%. - Led a cross‑functional team to overhaul propulsion systems, cutting turnaround time from 48 to 36 hours. - Implemented digital logbook entries, improving data retrieval speed by 30%.

ATS Tip
Incorporate quantifiable keywords such as "reduced", "improved", "saved", and specific percentages or numbers.
Detection Rules
Bullets start with verbs like "Performed" or "Completed" without results
No numbers, percentages, or dollar values
Each bullet exceeds 2 lines without clear outcome
Resumly Tip
Swap each duty‑based line for an achievement‑focused statement that includes a metric.
Using Non‑Standard Section HeadingsLOW
Why it hurts
  • ATS may not map unconventional headings to expected sections
  • Recruiters skim for familiar headings and may miss key information
  • Your resume looks unprofessional in a highly regulated industry
How to fix
  • Use standard headings: "Professional Summary", "Certifications", "Technical Skills", "Professional Experience", "Education"
  • Avoid creative titles like "My Story" or "What I Do"
  • Keep heading formatting consistent (bold, title case)
❌ Before

About Me My Journey Work History Learning & Training

✓ After

Professional Summary Certifications Technical Skills Professional Experience Education

ATS Tip
Match headings to common ATS parsers; the exact phrase matters more than styling.
Detection Rules
Section titles differ from industry‑standard list
Headings contain personal branding language
Missing "Professional Experience" heading
Resumly Tip
Replace creative headings with the standard set to ensure ATS can locate each section.
Ignoring Keyword Optimization for Aerospace ATSHIGH
Why it hurts
  • ATS filters out resumes lacking core aerospace terminology
  • You compete against many engineers with similar backgrounds
  • Missing keywords reduces your match score dramatically
How to fix
  • Research job postings for recurring terms (e.g., "propulsion systems", "FADEC", "reliability analysis")
  • Integrate these keywords naturally throughout the Summary, Skills, and Experience sections
  • Use both full terms and common acronyms (e.g., "Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC)")
❌ Before

Experienced engineer with strong mechanical background and maintenance experience.

✓ After

Flight Engineer with 7+ years in propulsion systems, FADEC troubleshooting, and reliability analysis. Proven expertise in aircraft systems integration, FAA Part‑33 compliance, and performance optimization.

ATS Tip
Aim for a keyword density of 2‑3% for top 10 target terms; avoid keyword stuffing.
Detection Rules
No aerospace‑specific terms like "FADEC", "propulsion", "Part‑33"
Only generic engineering language present
Keyword count below 5 for the entire resume
Resumly Tip
Run a keyword scan and sprinkle high‑impact aerospace terms throughout your resume.
Formatting Guidelines
File Types: PDF, DOCX
Sections: Contact Information, Professional Summary, Certifications, Technical Skills, Professional Experience, Education, Additional Information
Naming: FirstName_LastName_FlightEngineer.pdf
Consistency
Length: 1-2 pages (max 2 for senior roles)
Date Format: MM/YYYY
Location Format: City, State, Country
Resume Quality Checklist
  • Include FAA/EASA certifications with issue dates
  • Show measurable achievements for each role
  • Use standard section headings
  • Incorporate at least 8 aerospace‑specific keywords
  • Keep bullet points under two lines
  • Save as PDF with a clear file name
ATS Alignment Guide
Common ATS Systems: iCIMS, Taleo, Workday, Greenhouse
Keyword Strategy: FAA Part 33, propulsion systems, FADEC, reliability analysis, maintenance planning, aircraft systems integration
Heading Format: Use exact headings like "Professional Experience" and "Certifications"
Quick Fix Workshop
Paste the plain‑text version of your current flight engineer resume below:
  • Add a Certifications section with exact titles
  • Convert duty statements into achievement bullets with metrics
  • Standardize dates to MM/YYYY
  • Replace generic headings with industry‑standard ones
  • Insert top aerospace keywords
Download Checklist PDF
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