Are you interested in a position as a civil engineer? Civil engineering is a highly competitive field, so it's important to craft a CV that demonstrates your talents and attributes.

Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned civil engineer, a great CV can give you an edge in the job market. If you're looking for ways to make your CV stand out, we have some ideas.

Here's a guide to writing a strong CV for civil engineering jobs.

What Is a Civil Engineer CV?

A civil engineering CV or resume is a document listing your skills, education, qualifications, and experience for a position as a civil engineer. Civil engineers must have a high level of technical skills and knowledge to perform their jobs.

It's important to highlight these skills and a solid understanding of the principles and job requirements of a civil engineer. This means you should include your skills and education as well as relevant certifications for employers to see.

A successful CV sells your competence in your field and gives you a better chance of moving forward through the hiring process.

How to Write a CV for Civil Engineering Jobs

If you're wanting to advance your civil engineering career, your CV should take centre stage. If you're new to the industry and willing to pursue different positions, consider creating several CVs for each.

If you're already established in the industry, be sure to include evidence of your advanced expertise and excellent reputation in your particular field.

Include Your Name and Contact Information

At the top of your CV, include your name and the contact methods the employer can use to reach you. Typically, this means your phone number and email address.

If you have a professional website, online portfolio, or networking profile, be sure to include it. Listing your full address is optional for CV writing. You can choose to list just the city and state if you prefer.

Your email address should be professional. Make sure all details, including your phone number, are correct.

Choose a phone number you have constant access to so you won't miss a call from a potential employer. They may call to schedule an interview or ask additional questions about your qualifications.

Describe Your Career Goals and Experience

A professional summary is optional, but it's a good way to introduce yourself and your qualifications quickly. A professional summary can be just a sentence or two long.

You can use the summary to state your top skills and credentials. To make it more personal, include the company you're applying to and the position you're seeking.

List Your Work History

If you have worked or are currently working as a civil engineer, your employment history is the main content of your CV. Begin with your current or most recent position.

Name the position and list your job duties with bullet points. Stick to five or six duties for your current or most recent position. For older positions, it's okay to list fewer duties.

The goal is to include job duties that demonstrate you have the civil engineer skills for the job at hand. For each job listed, include the company, job title, employment dates, and location.

Introduce each job duty with an active verb. Take the time to browse the job duties of the position you're seeking. Using similar language in your CV can help employers envision you working for them.

Many employers use scanning software to search for keywords in CVs. Including language from the job description can be a plus for your resume.

Discuss Your Skills

Next, list key skills and abilities. This may include technical skills, including math, technological, and engineering skills.

Experience with engineering software may be desirable for some employers. This is another place to consider referencing the job skills of the position you're applying for.

You may want to categorise your abilities by hard or soft skills. Although soft skills may not seem relevant, they demonstrate your ability to function effectively in the work environment.

Consider adding six to eight skills for each category. Examples of hard skills include:

  • Computer-aided design (CAD)
  • Map creation
  • Graphics imaging
  • Competencies in math disciplines
  • Knowledge of materials
  • Knowledge of safety standards
  • Techniques for drawing blueprints

Examples of soft skills include:

  • Organisational skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • People management
  • Dispute resolution skills
  • Communication skills
  • Willingness to travel
  • Fair decision making
  • Critical thinking skills

Include Your Education and Certifications

Conclude the CV with your educational experience and relevant certifications. If you graduated within the past three years, include the graduation date. If not, you may omit the date.

Include certifications that demonstrate professional development and credentials for civil engineering jobs.

Formatting Your CV

Your CV should be well-organised and easy to read. Simple is often the best approach to resume writing.

You can find online templates or create your own using bullet points and sections of bolded print. If you're using software the employer may not have access to, consider saving your resume as a PDF.

Review the employer's instructions for submission. Make sure your CV contains any specified requirements before submitting.

Proofread Your CV

Before you submit your CV, check it carefully for grammatical errors and clarity. Take the time to edit any mistakes.

It's always a good idea to have someone else proofread your CV. It's easy to miss small errors when you're the writer.

Submitting a clean, organised CV shows employers you are detail-oriented and serious about the position.

Writing the Best CV for a Civil Engineering Position

Civil engineering is a tough field to break into, but there are jobs available. That's why you want to craft the best possible CV for civil engineering jobs.

Whether you're just entering the workforce as a civil engineer or you have years of experience in the field, it's important to stand out. You can improve your chances of success with CV writing that demonstrates you have the right education, knowledge, and civil engineer skills for the job.

At SSA Group, we'd love to help you find the right civil engineering position for you. Contact us today to get started.