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You’re a quick scroll-down from the only HVAC resume sample that doesn’t suck or blow.
Here’s the problem:
That HVAC hiring manager is busy.
He’s got sweat stains up his back, asbestos in his hair, and nineteen customers with 150° living rooms.
He’s also got 90 HVAC tech resumes and no time to read them.
You’re in there somewhere like a cockroach in a mile of flexy duct.
You need an HVAC technician resume that stands out like a gold-plated space heater.
That comes down to achievements—and how you show them.
This guide will show you:
Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.
Sample HVAC Resume—See more resume examples here.
Thinking you might drop the snips and make the switch? See these other guides:
1
HVAC resume format is crucial.
With the wrong layout, your resume is like spaghetti ductwork—hard to follow.
Pick a trusted HVAC tech resume layout like the reverse-chronological resume format. It condenses your best moments first.
To economize the page, use white space, big headings, and the best resume fonts.
Finally, save your HVAC sales resume as a PDF. Today’s computers can read PDFs. Plus, they won’t go all moldy in transit like MS Word resumes.
One warning: check the job offer. If it puts a damper on PDF resumes, don’t send one.
Pro Tip: Just getting into HVAC jobs from another career? Use the combination resume format. It pulls in your transferable accomplishments from non-HVAC jobs.
Need other HVAC resume format choices? See our guide: 3 Resume Formats: How to Choose the Best One [Examples]
2
Here’s a bad dream:
You send off 50 HVAC specialists’ resumes. For a week, your phone’s as silent as a duct in shoulder season.
This bad dream comes true because there’s:
So—turn that glance into, “Hey, this girl knows her stuff.”
How?
With an HVAC resume objective or resume summary.
A resume summary wows the HVAC manager with experience. Use it if you were installing ducts back when HFC was just a concept.
A resume objective shows you’re motivated and you’ll work hard. Write one if your experience doesn’t register.
Here’s the secret that’ll get you hired:
Install either with a metric ton of measurable achievements.
These two senior HVAC/R resume examples show how.
The first of our senior HVAC/R resume samples is clogged:
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HVAC tech with solid work ethic and 3 years of experience. Responsible for all duties and HVAC responsibilities at Tri City HVAC and Electric. Skilled in HVAC systems knowledge, installation, and repair. |
Not exactly full of stachybotrys, but it won’t blow in a cubic mile of interview requests.
So—do like the next of our HVAC tech resume examples:
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Hard-working HVAC/R Master Service Technician with 3+ years of experience. Seeking to elevate the customer experience at FlowGo HVAC. Have installed 128 home systems, most as lead tech. Handled 800+ service calls, building strong customer relationships, growing annual revenue 10%. |
That flows. Those accomplishments and numbers heat it up.
Don’t have that kind of experience? See the junior HVAC resume examples below.
If your HVAC experience is still in boxes, write an HVAC resume objective.
In the R22 days, that meant showing passion and a strong work ethic. The next of our HVAC service resume objectives does that:
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Energetic HVAC/R master tech, skilled in sales, repair, installs, electrical work, and HVAC safety standards. Very hard worker, good listener, and I have my own tools. |
She’s motivated. But so are lots of experienced HVAC techs.
Is she doomed?
Nope.
She can add measurable achievements even if she’s never held a ductwork job.
Follow the next of our entry-level HVAC resume examples:
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Hard-working HVAC/R tech, skilled in sales, repair, and installs, seeking to do great work for Tri City HVAC and Electric. Commended by manager as unpaid helper at Paul Pratisnak HVAC for tackling every dirty job nobody wanted. Assisted with HVAC install in 5,000 sq/ft animal shelter. Filled in as apprentice at Johnson Controls. |
Whoosh. You just flew in like Superbender and stole the hiring manager’s tin heart.
But what if you have no experience to put on HVAC tech or HVAC engineer resumes?
That’s up next.
Pro Tip: Don’t have an HVAC license? Apply to local mom ‘n’ pops. They’re more likely to hire you with no degree, and many will chip in for school costs.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
Want an HVAC tech resume objective more powerful than a 20,000 CFM blower? Use the sample HVAC specialist resume up top. Plus, see our guides:
A Resume Professional Summary Statement that Gets Recruiters Hooked
20+ Career Objectives for a Resume - Examples and How-To Guide
3
“Wow, let’s hire this one.”
Your HVAC resume should show the manager you know your way around a leak detector.
But what goes in your resume bullets?
You don’t want more clutter than the World Trade Center’s refrigeration plant.
But you don’t want so few details you could cover them with a squirt of Great Stuff.
So—start with your most recent HVAC job. Add 3-5 resume bullet points.
Use the first of our professional HVAC technician resume examples as your schematic.
One of these sample HVAC install resume experience sections is hot:
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Tri City HVAC and Electric HVAC/R Tech 2016–2018
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Boiling! Those accomplishments with numbers show you’re basically Superman with a psychrometer.
But snip out those achievements and:
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Tri City HVAC and Electric HVAC/R Tech 2016–2018
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That HVAC service resume example isn’t absolute zero, but it’s close.
And if you have no experience at HVAC jobs?
See these entry-level HVAC resume examples.
“Nobody is hiring! I have no experience!”
You’re crying out in the wilderness, but there’s a cure.
You can get experience while you earn money, then trade it for great HVAC jobs.
Do:
No big company will hire an HVAC tech with no experience. So, call the tiny HVAC places in your area. Send each one a resume and cover letter.
Convince them you’ll work very hard. You’ll start so far down at the bottom you’re practically inside the condensate pump.
Do that, and your entry-level resume for HVAC jobs will shine like a newly duct-trucked system.
Our next entry-level HVAC tech resume samples show how.
The first of these entry-level HVAC resume examples has a tiny ΔT:
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HVAC Experience: I’m still trying to find my first job. If you hire me I’ll be very grateful and I’ll work extra hard.
Other Experience:
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Ew. That applicant probably thinks “dry bulb” is an onion.
So—add details like this HVAC service resume example:
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HVAC Experience 2017–2018
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Ding! That applicant knows ventilation systems aren’t just a place for Bruce Willis to crawl around in.
Pro Tip: Having trouble getting HVAC jobs near you? Try starting as an install helper. You won’t need as much experience on your HVAC resume. You can work your way up fast.
Don’t freeze out the employer with boring language in your resume for HVAC jobs. Switch him on instead with action words. See our guide: 240 Resume Action Words, Power Words and Buzzwords to Use (and Avoid)
4
Do you really need education on an HVAC resume?
Every resume needs education.
It’s there like a free Super Bowl ad. Don’t waste the space.
List:
Then plug in achievements that fit the job.
The next HVAC master tech resume examples show the differential:
Both these HVAC resume samples are for a job that needs skills in electrical work, installs, repair, and physical fitness.
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HVAC/R Tech Program Penn Foster Career School 2013–2014
Pleasantville High School 2009–2013
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That’s 50 million BTUs.
Now go plain Jane:
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HVAC/R Tech Program Penn Foster Career School 2013–2014
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Whoops. Not interested in getting hired?
Pro Tip: Should you go to HVAC school? In some states it’s a must. In others, if you’re strapped for cash you can start low on the totem pole. Some employers will then pay for school.
Teach your HVAC resume education section a thing or two. See our guide: How to Put Your Education on a Resume [Tips & Examples]
5
It comes down to this:
If you can show the right skills, you’re hired.
So what’s the big mistake on most HVAC resumes?
They show all the skills.
That’s like tossing 100 duct sections in the basement and hoping the house gets cold. You need to connect them or they won’t do anything.
The professional HVAC service resume examples below show the plan.
Pretend the manager put this in the HVAC job description:
Required HVAC Skills: (1) Installs, (2) Sales, (3) Service
Put those in your HVAC resume skills list, plus a couple.
Then say:
Do that and you’ll expand into the job like spray foam.
Start with the HVAC skills for resumes below.
Here’s an HVAC resume skills list of great keywords for your resume, but—
Source your keywords in HVAC job descriptions online. Pay special attention to the job offer you’re applying to.
Soft Skills | Hard Skills |
Interpersonal Skills | HVAC Systems |
Troubleshooting | Repair |
Communication | Installation |
Collaboration | Electrician Skills |
Physically Fit | Sales |
Customer Service | Controls |
Active Learning | HVAC Safety Standards |
Judgement | Testing Equipment Skills |
Detail Oriented | Tool Skills |
Perceptiveness | Government Regulation Knowledge |
Pro Tip: Writing an HVAC service resume? Include past work that shows your skills with electrical testing equipment and hand tools, plus customer service skills.
Charge your HVAC resume skills section up to 10 million PSI. See our guide: +30 Best Examples of What Skills to Put on a Resume (Proven Tips)
6
“Uh-oh. She’s not certified.”
Do you need a certification on HVAC resumes?
In some states, yes. Even if it’s not required, a certificate is still a good idea.
If you’ve got a cert or license, don’t bury it.
Put it:
Then even if the manager skims your resume for HVAC jobs, he’ll know you make the grade.
Certification
Got other certifications like a NATE cert or EPA 608 cert? Put them in another section below “education.” That way you don’t clutter up your all-important HVAC tech license.
Additional Certifications
Pro Tip: What states require HVAC certifications on a resume? Here’s a handy list of where your resume for HVAC jobs will (or won’t) need licensing.
Want a list of certifications to help boost your HVAC resume? See our guide: How to Include Certifications on a Resume
7
The hiring manager is nodding.
You’ve got experience and education.
But he’s still not calling you.
Why not? He’s not sure if you’re a good employee. So—he’ll look through the 90 other resumes on his desk to see if somebody jumps out.
Jump out. Do it with special "other" resume sections only a few applicants get right.
Let’s take two sample HVAC resume sections.
The first of our HVAC resume examples has a sucking hole:
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Do any of those prove you’re good at HVAC?
Instead, add a heat pump to your resume for HVAC jobs like this:
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Additional Activities
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Toasty. Your professional HVAC resume will make the hiring manager call you in the middle of the night.
Have you gone to conferences? Written articles? Led trainings or taught classes? Those all look great on an HVAC engineer resume or HVAC sales resume.
Pro Tip: Are you writing an HVAC controls resume? In your “other” bullets, show you’re a great troubleshooter. If you’re trying for the sales side, show your people skills.
Not sure what bells & whistles to weld onto your HVAC engineer resume or HVAC master tech resume? See our guide: +20 Best Examples of Hobbies & Interests To Put on a Resume (5 Tips)
8
Some “experts” say you don’t need to send a cover letter with an HVAC resume.
They’re right 60% of the time.
If you’re shooting for 100%, write an HVAC cover letter. But—
A cover letter that says, “Here’s my HVAC tech resume” is trashbound.
Instead, connect to the employer like a heat exchanger.
This short example HVAC cover letter aces it:
I want to work at FlowGo HVAC Inc. for three reasons. You do the best quality work, which means you get more and higher-paying clients, which means you have the best equipment and treat your employees like gold.
The key item for me is “best quality work.” I delivered that for two years at Tri City, handling 700+ service calls and 78 full system installs with 97% customer satisfaction. I’m no stranger to hard work, which is why my manager commended me four times for...
Always end a cover letter with an offer. Try, “Can we set aside some time to discuss ideas to increase your sales by 25% in the next six months?"
Pro Tip: Writing an entry-level HVAC resume and cover letter? Convince the hiring manager you’ll work hard and take every grimy job they toss your way.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Want a great template for your HVAC cover letter? See our guide: How To Write A Cover Letter in 8 Simple Steps (+12 Examples)
9
How do you add contact info to your resume?
Start with:
Like this:
Maci Sciota, HVAC/R Master Tech, maci.sciota@gmail.com, 201-542-6539
For a "professional email address," use john.doe@gmail.com, not TommyBoyCoolzAndHeatsIt239487924@yahoo.com.
Check your social media presence too. If the employer looks you up on Facebook, will he find those Burning Man pics from five years ago?
Pro Tip: In an HVAC interview, be able to talk confidently about concepts like subcooling, superheat, or troubleshooting steps. Be honest when you’re stumped.
A good HVAC resume is like a good-looking install. If it looks nice, everyone assumes the guts are perfect too. Get yours gleaming with our guide: How to Write a Resume that Gets You the Job [+Samples]
Here’s a recap of how to write an HVAC resume that cooks:
Do you have questions on how to write a great resume for HVAC jobs? Not sure how to describe your skills or achievements? Give us a shout in the comments! We’d be happy to reply.
List of top job search sites: online boards, search engines, and employment websites plus 15 niche alternatives. With expert advice on finding a job fast.
The way you structure your resume could mean the difference between landing an interview and rejection. But do you really know how to organize your resume in the most effective way?
The key parts of a resume are your contact information, resume profile, work history, skills, and education. You can add extra elements such as languages or certifications.