Engineering is a vast field and it comprises a wide spectrum of specialties. However, what's good about this complex field is the application of effective resume writing strategies across all its disciplines. So, regardless of the engineering field, you can use the same resume-writing strategies when applying. Of course, what you put on the resume will differ based on your field. The main thing your engineering resume must showcase is your technical skills and experience. For that, you would need to follow these tips for drafting engineering resumes.
Plan before drafting
Every engineering project, no matter how small or big it is, needs to be executed with meticulous planning. So when drafting your engineering resume, plan what should be put on the job application that can ensure an interview ticket. Just like you try to understand the project before embarking on the job, read the job descriptions carefully and completely. Doing so will give a great insight into the requirements of the company. Moreover, it will also help in analyzing whether you're fit for the job or not. And while reading the job descriptions, mark those keywords or phrases to be used in the resume. Incorporating words from the job ad in the resume will make easy for the ATS (Application Tracking System) to pick it.
Don't ignore resume format
One of the essential parts of drafting an engineering resume is the consideration of a resume format. Using the most widely used and accepted resume format is as important as your technical skills and experience. Picking the right one among the three resume formats will be easy in laying out the information the recruiters are seeking. To get a better understanding, refer to resume samples drafted in all the three formats, which are the following:
Chronological: This resume format is the standard one and accepted across all the engineering disciplines. It's useful for those who are in the same field for a long time, and have completed relevant education and hold specific experience. What makes it different than the other two resume formats is the option to provide details about work history in a reverse chronological order. This means the job you're holding currently will appear on the top of the 'Work History' section, and the first job at the bottom or last. Even the education and certifications section will follow the same format where the latest degree or certification will appear first and the previous one last.
Functional: This resume is used when the main focal points are skills and achievements. It's also called a skills-based resume since it provides an option to choose between highlighting what the candidate is good at, and his or her accomplishments matching to the applied job. For work history, only the job titles and employers are listed.
Combination: This resume combines the features of both chronology and functional resumes. In short, you can highlight skills and accomplishments as well as work history. You can list your work history in reverse chronological order as well. It's apt in case you're a beginner or have just a couple of years of experience.
Provide a summary and not the objective
Writing an objective is a passe now. Instead use the summary. When the summary is concise and to the point, it saves the time of the recruiters and also provides a quick insight into the candidate's skills, abilities, and experience. On the other hand, the objective not only takes away a valuable space, but also reduces the chance of selection since most candidates write it in a manner that doesn't relate to the job. However, in case someone is changing his or her career, then it's fine to use the objective.
When adding the summary, ensure that it's interesting and covers the core essence of the job position. So when writing it, use the job descriptions and pick the main points so that it's relevant to the job. And when it does, the recruiters will take interest in reading it.
Here's is an example of the summary written for a civil engineer:
Highly skilled and experienced civil engineer with 7 years of experience in handling all types of infrastructure construction projects from planning to execution. A strong background in following all the applicable codes related to construction, assessing the feasibility of the project, and estimating time and cost for the project completion. Possess a sound track in managing project worth several billion dollars to clients' and government's specification.
Add key accomplishments
As any engineering projects are worth several thousand dollars, and usually time consuming, adding just job responsibilities will not pique the interests of the hiring managers. They are more interested in your achievements and not the type of responsibilities. If you're able to quantify your achievements, it will certainly compel them to take notice. Whether it is the time, cost, or labor that you saved because of your thinking and efforts, explain it by using numbers like this example:
Reviewed and revamped construction process that helped the company in saving overheads by 30% and complete the project before 2 months of expected dates.
Displaying such achievements will work as a proof of your abilities for the hiring managers and they would start devising plans on how to utilize them for their company. Highlighting your achievements is the best way to stand out from the rest of the candidates.
Highlight your hard and soft skills
Engineering is a hard core technical job where precision matters a lot. Any engineering project lacking precision is bound to fail and incur a heavy loss both in terms of money and time. To execute the job precisely, having required hard skills is imperative. The hiring managers are always keen on learning about the applicants' hard skills across any engineering disciplines. So communicating them is vital to get noticed by them. Beside the hard skills, soft skills are also equally important since they help in increasing one's efficiency.
Hard skills for an engineering resume
Soft Skills for an engineering resume
Education and licenses
Education is the foundation of any engineering job, and the licenses are necessary to pursue the respective profession. A bachelor's degree in the relevant engineering field is the first step that helps in landing the job. A master's degree is not required though, but holding one will shorten the career ladder.
For the licenses, it's better to get an idea from the respective state board of engineering since they are essential to practice the profession. Every state has a board that regulates the licensing process for engineers. Get information from that board and pass the respective examination to get certified.
Include a list of projects
Showing the types of projects you have worked on will make the hiring realize that you're capable of handling the kind of projects they indulge in. So don't hesitate to include a list of projects. Based on your specialty and years of experience, the number of projects you've worked on may extend the length of the resume. If that is the case, then use a separate list to showcase projects worked on.
Make the resume perfect
All engineers are expected to deliver a great amount of precision in their jobs. Precision means a lot when it comes to engineering. There is no place for imperfection in the engineering field, no matter how minute it is. Therefore, ensure that the engineering resume is flawless and doesn't have any imperfection. To make it perfect and accurate, edit and re-edit the resume until all the flaws such as grammatical and spelling errors are removed.
So regardless of the engineering field, these engineering resume-writing tips will help you in drafting your resume. Along with these tips, you can also use engineering resume samples from the given links below. Click the link that matches with your engineering field and modify it to your requirement.
Checkout our sample Engineering resumes below :
Gather the more information about civil engineers from our civil resume.
Find more engineering resume examples.
Find more about writing engineering resume:
Don't forget to read our section on engineering careers, which provides information on which engineering career is right now you.
Also checkout the other resume formats for your engineering resume.
For more Engineering Resume Check Out the second page