How to Write a Civil Engineer Resume in 7 Simple Steps

Civil engineers design and manage construction and maintenance for projects such as bridges, buildings, roads and sewer systems. If you're looking for a job where you can employ your engineering skills and city planning or construction interest you, this may be a rewarding career path. When applying for civil engineering positions, a compelling resume can distinguish you from competitors and help hiring managers notice your application. In this article, we describe what a civil engineer resume is, explain how to write one in seven steps, list skills you may include and provide a template and example to use for guidance.

What is a civil engineer resume?

A civil engineer resume is a one-page document that lists your relevant skills, education, experience and qualifications for a civil engineering position. Because civil engineers often employ technical skills and knowledge, it's important that your resume shows an adequate understanding of civil engineering principles and job requirements. This means listing all the necessary information to demonstrate to employers your suitability for the position. An effective resume can increase your chance of moving forward in the hiring process.

Related: What Is a Civil Engineer and How to Become One

How to write a civil engineer resume

Following is a list of steps to consider when writing your resume:

1. Create a template

The first step in creating an effective resume is to select a template. This can help you ensure your resume lists all the appropriate information in a clear and concise manner. You can find a template online or design your own. If you choose to make an original template, it's important that it includes your contact information, a professional summary, your work history, skills, educational background and any relevant certifications you hold.

The order of sections on your resume template usually depends on the extent of your employment history. If you have more than three years of experience in the workforce, the order above is the optimal format. If you're a graduate with less than three years of experience, you may consider moving the education section so that it follows the professional summary. This can help direct the attention of the reader to your most relevant experience.

2. Provide your contact information

A clear contact information section shows professionalism and makes it easier for hiring managers or recruiters handling a large volume of resumes. Start by including your name in a large font at the top of your resume. Beneath it, list your phone number, a professional email address and your location.

If you have one, including a link to your professional website or portfolio can help a hiring manager learn more about you and your previous work.

3. Write a professional summary

A professional summary is a brief paragraph that introduces you, highlights any important information and summarises your career. It typically starts with a sentence that states the type of work you do and the extent of your experience.

You can describe yourself using one or two descriptive adjectives, such as hard working or detail oriented. This is an opportunity to highlight your skills to the hiring manager. Next, include one to three sentences that describe your experience, abilities or career goals.

4. Include work experience

The work experience section is typically a list of approximately three previous employment positions that demonstrate your knowledge, skills and suitability for the position. For each entry, include the title of the position, the name of the company, the location and the dates of employment. You can also include a bullet point list of job duties for each position.

Consider including five bullet points for your most recent position and three for previous positions. These descriptions are a great opportunity to describe responsibilities and accomplishments that align with the job description of the position you're applying for.

Read more: How to Show Work Experience on Your Resume (With Example and Tips)

5. List your relevant skills

Including a list of relevant skills can help a hiring manager or potential employer realise your suitability. When deciding which skills to include, reading the job description and taking note of any specific competencies or requirements can be useful.

It's often beneficial to include a range of abilities to convey the extent of your transferable skills and to help distinguish you from other candidates. This may include skills such as familiarity with specific computer software or the ability to communicate effectively. Consider listing your skills in one or two lines separated by vertical lines to conserve space.

6. Document your educational background

In the education section, you can provide details of your undergraduate degree and the name of the institution. If the date of your graduation is less than three years ago, include the month and year of graduation.

It's important to list any graduate-level education or study abroad experiences as these can help demonstrate your passion for learning, your ability to adapt to new and challenging experiences and your level of expertise.

7. Include awards

In the final section of your resume, list any relevant awards or achievements. This can help distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to fulfil the employer's expectations. Include awards from educational institutions, employee appreciation or workplace awards and other official recognitions.

Ensure you details any professional achievements, such as speaking at a conference or publishing an article in a scientific journal. You can also choose to replace this section with a list of relevant certifications or volunteer work experience that portray your suitability and value.

Related: Listing Accomplishments on Your Resume (With Examples)

Skills to include

When creating a resume, listing a variety of hard and soft skills can help you demonstrate your value. Hard skills are the technical abilities that make you a suitable candidate. The following is a list of hard skills you may consider including:

• computer software

• engineering design

• construction

• familiarity with construction materials

• project management

• budgeting

• documentation

• mathematics

• negotiation

Soft skills are the personality traits and attributes that can help you perform your job well. The following list comprises soft skills a civil engineer may include on their resume:

• focus

• communication

• teamwork

• problem solving

• creativity

• organisation

• adaptability

• leadership

• attention to detail

Read more: What Are Common Civil Engineer Skills? (With Examples)

Resume template for civil engineers

You can use the following template to help you create your resume:

[Full name]
[Phone number] | [Professional email address] | [City, State] | [Professional website]

Professional Summary

[Short statement summarising your professional goals and history.]

Education
[Title of degree]
[Institution name], [Date of graduation]

Work Experience

[Job title], [Start date–end date] [Company name], [City, State]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

[Job title], [Start date–end date] [Company name], [City, State]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

[Job title], [Start date–end date] [Company name], [City, State]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

• [Strong verb] + [job duty] + [impact]

Skills

[Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]

Awards

• [Award or achievement, year]

• [Award or achievement, year]

• [Award or achievement, year]

Related: Example of a Simple Resume That Can Get You Hired

Resume example for civil engineers

You can use the following example for guidance:

Laurel Danson 011-222-3333 | laureldanson@email.com | Perth, WA | LaurelDanson.web.net

Professional Summary

Experienced, professional civil engineer with diverse experience in project management, construction and project modelling seeking an employment opportunity at Landerson V.E. Corporation.

Work Experience

Civil engineer, May 2020–Current Faltun Stover, Perth, WA

• prepare proposals for topographic surveys, geotechnical investigation and bid evaluations

• perform structural and civil calculations for a variety of project elements and structures

• review plot plans, proposals and project documents to understand project scope, requirements and specifications

• work with clients to clarify project needs, timelines and compliance

• create bid evaluations for projects and compare documents to ensure matching specifications and instruction

Civil engineer, February 2018–May 2020 SOU. M FACING Company, Sydney, NSW

• planned, coordinated and led engineering efforts for various assignments and project phases related to oil, gas and chemical extractions

• prepared project award recommendations, technical bid evaluations and subcontract documents

• assumed lead responsibilities over other project engineers and crews

Project manager, May 2016–2018 Sanderburg, Morison and Sons, Sydney, NSW

• managed bid evaluations, project supervision, cost control and project tracking processes

• worked closely with health and safety teams to ensure maximum compliance with safety standards and regulations

• monitored construction tasks to ensure proper completion and safe execution

Skills

Programming | Computer skills | Attention to detail | Teamwork | Negotiation

Education
Bachelor of Engineering
University of Enden

Awards

• Philip Howell Commitment to Progress Award, 2020

• Selected to speak at Civil Engineering in Australia national conference, 2019

• Friends of LEJ Service Award, 2017