One CV challenge commonly faced by civil engineers is effectively demonstrating the breadth of their project management skills. Our guide offers tailored insights and examples on how to condense complex projects into concise bullet points that highlight your leadership and organisational capabilities.
- Answer job requirements with your civil engineer CV and experience;
- Curate your academic background and certificates, following industry-leading CV examples;
- Select from +10 niche skills to match the ideal candidate profile
- Write a more succinct experience section that consists of all the right details.
Do you need more specific insights into writing your civil engineer CV? Our guides focus on unique insights for each individual role:
How complex should the format of your civil engineer CV be?
Perhaps, you decided to use a fancy font and plenty of colours to ensure your civil engineer CV stands out amongst the pile of other candidate profiles. Alas - this may confuse recruiters. By keeping your format simple and organising your information coherently, you'll ultimately make a better impression. What matters most is your experience, while your CV format should act as complementary thing by:- Presenting the information in a reverse chronological order with the most recent of your jobs first. This is done so that your career history stays organised and is aligned to the role;
- Making it easy for recruiters to get in touch with you by including your contact details in the CV header. Regarding the design of your CV header, include plenty of white space and icons to draw attention to your information. If you're applying for roles in the UK, don't include a photo, as this is considered a bad practice;
- Organising your most important CV sections with consistent colours, plenty of white space, and appropriate margins (2.54 cm). Remember that your CV design should always aim at legibility and to spotlight your key information;
- Writing no more than two pages of your relevant experience. For candidates who are just starting out in the field, we recommend to have an one-page CV.
One more thing about your CV format - you may be worried if your double column CV is Applicant Tracker System (ATS) complaint. In our recent study, we discovered that both single and double-column CVs are ATS-friendly . Most ATSes out there can also read all serif and sans serif fonts. We suggest you go with modern, yet simple, fonts (e.g. Rubik, Lato, Raleway) instead of the classic Times New Roman. You'll want your application to stand out, and many candidates still go for the classics. Finally, you'll have to export your CV. If you're wondering if you should select Doc or PDF, we always advise going with PDF. Your CV in PDF will stay intact and opens easily on every OS, including Mac OS.
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Use bold or italics sparingly to draw attention to key points, such as job titles, company names, or significant achievements. Overusing these formatting options can dilute their impact.
The top sections on a civil engineer CV
- Professional Summary: It summarises expertise and experience.
- Education and Qualifications: It shows relevant academic credentials.
- Professional Experience: It details job history and civil engineering roles.
- Engineering Projects: It highlights completed projects and achievements.
- Technical Skills: It showcases proficiency in civil engineering software.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical skills, such as proficiency in CAD software, BIM tools, and project management software, as these are pivotal in planning, designing, and managing civil engineering projects.
- Detail your experience with infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, dams, or water treatment systems, to demonstrate hands-on competence and industry relevance.
- Emphasise any professional certifications like Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or affiliations with recognised bodies such as the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), showcasing your commitment to professional standards.
- Feature your understanding of industry-specific regulations and standards, for example, the Eurocodes or British Standards, which is essential for ensuring compliance in civil engineering work.
- Describe your involvement in the entire project lifecycle, from feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments to design, construction, and maintenance, to reflect your comprehensive skill set.
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Making a good first impression with your civil engineer CV header
Your typical CV header consists of Your typical CV header consists of contact details and a headline. Make sure to list your professional phone number, email address, and a link to your professional portfolio (or, alternatively, your LinkedIn profile). When writing your CV headline , ensure it's:
- tailored to the job you're applying for;
- highlights your unique value as a professional;
- concise, yet matches relevant job ad keywords.
You can, for examples, list your current job title or a particular skill as part of your headline. Now, if you decide on including your photo in your CV header, ensure it's a professional one, rather than one from your graduation or night out. You may happen to have plenty more questions on how to make best the use of your CV headline. We'll help you with some real-world examples, below.
Examples of good CV headlines for civil engineer:
- Chartered Civil Engineer | Infrastructure Design | Project Management | BEng, MICE | 12 Years Experience
- Senior Civil Engineer | Highway Development Specialist | Contract Administration | CEng, 8+ Years Field Expertise
- Graduate Civil Engineer | Environmental Impact Assessment | Sustainable Construction | BSc Civil Engineering | 2 Years Practical Training
- Principal Structural Engineer | Bridge Design Authority | Seismic Retrofitting | MEng, CEng | 15+ Years Leading Projects
- Junior Civil Engineer | Water Resources Management | CAD proficient | BEng | Eager to Innovate & Grow
- Lead Geotechnical Engineer | Soil Mechanics Expert | Deep Foundations | PhD, Chartered Engineer | 10 Years Field Dominance
Your civil engineer CV introduction: selecting between a summary and an objective
civil engineer candidates often wonder how to start writing their resumes. More specifically, how exactly can they use their opening statements to build a connection with recruiters, showcase their relevant skills, and spotlight job alignment. A tricky situation, we know. When crafting you civil engineer CV select between:
- A summary - to show an overview of your career so far, including your most significant achievements.
- An objective - to show a conscise overview of your career dreams and aspirations.
Find out more examples and ultimately, decide which type of opening statement will fit your profile in the next section of our guide:
CV summaries for a civil engineer job:
- Seasoned Civil Engineer with over a decade of experience in designing, developing and overseeing large-scale infrastructure projects for renowned urban planning agencies in Europe. Skilfully manoeuvred through complex environmental assessments, securing necessary permits and approvals while consistently delivering projects below budget. Noteworthy achievement: Spearheaded the £20 million Thames Barrier refurbishment, increasing its operational efficiency by 30%.
- Dedicated professional boasting 15 years of progressive responsibility in civil engineering, with a sterling track record in seismic retrofitting and sustainable construction practices. Expert in advanced software such as AutoCAD Civil 3D and Revit. Proudly played a pivotal role in the seismic upgrade of the century-old Hammersmith Bridge, enhancing its lifespan by decades.
- Adept Financial Analyst transitioning to Civil Engineering, fuelled by a passion for sustainable urban development. Bringing forth strong analytical skills, a detail-oriented approach, and a Master's degree in Civil Engineering from Imperial College London. As an analyst, drove a 25% increase in ROI through strategic investment allocations for infrastructure funds, laying a strong foundation for entering the civil engineering field.
- Software Developer making a strategic shift into Civil Engineering after 5 years in tech, armed with a propensity for precision and a deep understanding of complex systems architecture. Graduated cum laude with a degree in Civil Engineering, facilitated the integration of AI into urban traffic systems, reducing congestion times by 40% in a pilot city project.
- Recently qualified Civil Engineer inspired by the transformative power of innovative infrastructural design, eager to apply theoretical knowledge and cutting-edge design software skills obtained through a Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge. Poised to contribute fresh perspectives to contemporary urban development challenges.
- Fresh graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Bristol, aiming to leverage academic knowledge in structural analysis and fluid mechanics. Excited to apply energetic enthusiasm to practical projects and contribute to delivering high-quality, sustainable engineering solutions to modernise and enhance public infrastructure.
The best formula for your civil engineer CV experience section
The CV experience section is the space where many candidates go wrong by merely listing their work history and duties. Don't do that. Instead, use the job description to better understand what matters most for the role and integrate these keywords across your CV. Thus, you should focus on:
- showcasing your accomplishments to hint that you're results-oriented;
- highlighting your skill set by integrating job keywords, technologies, and transferrable skills in your experience bullets;
- listing your roles in reverse chronological order, starting with the latest and most senior, to hint at how you have grown your career;
- featuring metrics, in the form of percentage, numbers, etc. to make your success more tangible.
When writing each experience bullet, start with a strong, actionable verb, then follow it up with a skill, accomplishment, or metric. Use these professional examples to perfect your CV experience section:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Analysed and designed structural components for various projects, ensuring compliance with local codes and engineering best practices, using software like AutoCAD and STAAD.Pro.
- Managed on-site construction activities, supervising operations and ensuring project completion within budget and timeline constraints, while maintaining strict adherence to safety regulations.
- Conducted site investigations to gather project requirements and environmental data, producing detailed reports and site plans that guided design and construction phases.
- Collaborated with architects, contractors, and project stakeholders to develop integrated solutions that balanced aesthetic appeal with structural functionality.
- Utilised advanced hydrological models to design, implement, and optimise sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for various urban developments.
- Prepared and reviewed technical documents, including tender submissions, contract documents, and project specifications, ensuring accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
- Developed cost estimates and project budgets, performing risk analysis to minimise potential financial overruns and ensure financially viable project delivery.
- Implemented innovative construction materials and techniques, contributing to the advancement of sustainable and resilient infrastructure development.
- Led multidisciplinary teams through complex civil engineering projects, fostering effective communication and problem-solving to achieve successful project outcomes.
- Spearheaded the design and implementation of a new stormwater management system, reducing area flooding by 30% and improving local water quality.
- Coordinated with a team of 10 engineers to streamline project delivery times, achieving a reduction in project deadlines by 20% on average.
- Oversaw the development of transport infrastructure projects, leading to the improvement of traffic flow and reducing congestion in urban areas by 15%.
- Managed the £5 million budget of the Bridgewater Causeway Expansion project, ensuring project delivery within budget and a 10% cost saving.
- Implemented sustainable building practices in construction projects, resulting in a 25% reduction in energy usage for completed buildings.
- Led a cross-functional team to enhance the seismic resistance of existing infrastructure, increasing resilience by 40%.
- Developed and applied an innovative soil stabilisation technique which saved approximately 15% in construction costs for rural road projects.
- Played a pivotal role in the acquisition of two major contracts worth over £20 million through detailed proposal development and stakeholder engagement.
- Improved team productivity by 25% through the introduction of advanced CAD tools and continuous professional development workshops.
- Led the structural analysis for a high-rise development, optimising the design for material efficiency and achieving a 20% cost reduction in structural components.
- Collaborated with environmental agencies to incorporate eco-friendly design elements that contributed to obtaining a LEED Gold certification for a new commercial complex.
- Pioneered the use of BIM technology for the company, resulting in a 15% decrease in errors during the construction phase.
- Designed a highway interchange reconstruction project that improved travel times for commuters by an average of 10 minutes during peak hours.
- Instrumental in securing a competitive £12 million funding grant from government bodies by presenting compelling project feasibility reports.
- Instituted rigorous safety protocols that cut worksite accidents by over 50%, fostering a safer construction environment.
- Coordinated with municipal authorities on the development of flood defence schemes valued at £8 million that protected over 500 homes from seasonal flooding.
- Directed the geological survey team, culminating in the discovery of more cost-effective building routes that saved 15% in excavation and material costs.
- Championed the company's transition to utilising drone technology for surveying, doubling data collection rates and significantly reducing project times.
- Orchestrated the upgrade of a 50 km stretch of motorway, improving the infrastructure's lifespan by 25 years and enhancing capacity for future traffic demands.
- Formulated a strategic plan to manage £30 million in assets, which boosted the return on investment by streamlining maintenance schedules.
- Revitalized urban spaces by leading the public realm enhancement project, increasing commercial interest and property values by approximately 20%.
- Facilitated the construction of a major dam project, enhancing water supply to over one million residents and enabling a 30% increase in agricultural output in the region.
- Developed a comprehensive risk assessment plan that reduced potential project hazards by 40%, safeguarding both public health and the surrounding ecosystem.
- Implemented cutting-edge GPS and GIS systems for land surveying, which improved accuracy and efficiency by 60% over traditional methods.
Lacking professional expertise: how to write your CV to highlight your best talents
Don't count on your lucky stars when you're applying for a role, where you happen to have less (or almost none) professional experience. Recruiters sometimes do hire inexperienced candidates if they're able to present their unique value from the get-go. So, instead of opting for the traditional, CV experience section:
- List any applicable expertise you happen to have - no matter if it's a part-time job, internship, or volunteer work. This would hint to recruiters that your profile is relevant;
- Focus your CV on your transferrable skills or talents you've obtained thanks to your whole life and work experience. In effect, you'll be spotlighting your value as a candidate;
- Separate more space for your applicable academic background and certificates to show you have the technical know-how;
- Ensure that within your objective, you've defined why you'll like the job and how you'll be the perfect match for it. Always ensure you've tailored your CV to individual applications.
Looking for more good examples for your first job? We'll show you how other candidates, with less professional experience, have created their job-winning CVs.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
Key civil engineer CV skills: what are hard skills and soft skills
Let's kick off with the basics. You know that you have to include key job requirements or skills across your CV. For starters, take individual skills from the job description and copy-paste them into your CV, when relevant. Doing so, you'll ensure you have the correct skill spelling and also pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. There are two types of skills you'll need to include on your CV:
- Hard skills - technical abilities that are best defined by your certificates, education, and experience. You could also use the dedicated skills section to list between ten and twelve technologies you're apt at using that match the job requirements.
- Soft skills - your personal traits and interpersonal communication skills that are a bit harder to quantify. Use various CV sections, e.g. summary, strengths, experience, to shine a spotlight on your workspace achievements, thanks to using particular soft skills.
Remember that your job-winning CV should balance both your hard and soft skills to prove your technical background, while spotlighting your personality.
Top skills for your civil engineer CV:
Structural analysis
Civil 3D
Hydraulics & Hydrology
Reinforced concrete design
Geotechnical engineering
Project management
Environmental engineering
Road and highway design
AutoCAD software proficiency
BIM (Building Information Modelling)
Problem-solving
Communication
Leadership
Teamwork
Attention to detail
Time management
Adaptability
Decision-making
Innovation
Conflict resolution
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If there's a noticeable gap in your skillset for the role you're applying for, mention any steps you're taking to acquire these skills, such as online courses or self-study.
Education and more professional qualifications to include in your civil engineer CV
If you want to showcase to recruiters that you're further qualified for the role, ensure you've included your relevant university diplomas. Within your education section:
- Describe your degree with your university name(-s) and start-graduation dates;
- List any awards you've received, if you deem they would be impressive or are relevant to the industry;
- Include your projects and publications, if you need to further showcase how you've used your technical know-how;
- Avoid listing your A-level marks, as your potential employers care to learn more about your university background.
Apart from your higher education, ensure that you've curated your relevant certificates or courses by listing the:
- name of the certificate or course;
- name of the institution within which you received your training;
- the date(-s) when you obtained your accreditation.
In the next section, discover some of the most relevant certificates for your civil engineer CV:
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If you have received professional endorsements or recommendations for certain skills, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, mention these to add credibility.
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Key takeaways
Here are five things you need to remember about writing your civil engineer CV for success:
- Sort your experience based on the reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent career items, to showcase how you've grown your career;
- Include within your CV header your relevant contact details, a headline that could spotlight your unique value, and a photo - if you're applying for roles outside the UK or US;
- Decide to use the CV summary, if you happen to have more professional experience, and an objective, if you want to showcase your career goals;
- Within the experience section, write your bullets using action verbs, skills, and success, instead of just merely listing your on-the-job responsibilities;
- Prove your technical skills, using your education and certificates, and your soft skills, with your achievements and strengths sections.
