Navigating the complexities of creating a concise CV that effectively showcases your technical expertise is a common challenge in electrical engineering. Our guide offers tailored advice and practical examples to help you highlight your skills and achievements, ensuring your CV stands out to potential employers.
- Design and format your professional electrical engineering CV;
- Curate your key contact information, skills, and achievements throughout your CV sections;
- Ensure your profile stays competitive by studying other industry-leading electrical engineering CVs;
- Create a great CV even if you happen to have less professional experience, or switching fields.
When writing your electrical engineering CV, you may need plenty of insights from hiring managers. We have prepared industry-leading advice in the form of our relevant CV guides.
Structuring and formatting your electrical engineering CV for an excellent first impression
The experts' best advice regarding your CV format is to keep it simple and concise. Recruiters assessing your CV are foremost looking out for candidates who match their ideal job profile. Your white space, borders, and margins. You may still be wondering which format you need to export your CV in. We recommend using the PDF one, as, upon being uploaded, it never alters your information or CV design. Before we move on to the actual content of your electrical engineering CV, we'd like to remind you about the Applicant Tracker System (or the ATS). The ATS is a software that is sometimes used to initially assess your profile. Here's what you need to keep in mind about the ATS:- All serif and sans-serif fonts (e.g. Rubik, Volkhov, Exo 2 etc.) are ATS-friendly;
- Many candidates invest in Arial and Times New Roman, so avoid these fonts if you want your application to stand out;
- Both single and double column CVs can be read by the ATS, so it's entirely up to you to select your CV design.
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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 electrical engineering CV
- Contact Information is crucial for communication.
- Educational Background showcases relevant qualifications.
- Technical Skills reflect specific electrical engineering expertise.
- Work Experience demonstrates practical industry involvement.
- Projects and Publications highlight tangible accomplishments.
What recruiters value on your CV:
- Highlight your technical proficiency by detailing your experience with specific electrical engineering software and hardware tools, such as PCB design software or PLC programming.
- Emphasise any specialised electrical engineering skills you have, such as power system analysis, circuit simulation, or hands-on experience with electrical installations.
- Showcase relevant projects you've contributed to or led, including your role, the technology used, and the impact or results of the project.
- Include any professional affiliations, such as membership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which demonstrates your commitment to the field.
- Mention any continuous professional development (CPD) courses or additional certifications you've attained that are specific to electrical engineering, such as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or health and safety certifications relevant to electrical work.
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Our checklist for the must-have information in your electrical engineering CV header
Right at the very top of your electrical engineering CV is where you'd find the header section or the space for your contact details, headline, and professional photo. Wondering how to present your the name of the city you live in and the country abbreviation as your address;
- are tailored to the role you're applying for by integrating key job skills and requirements;
- showcase what your unique value is, most often in the form of your most noteworthy accomplishment;
- select your relevant qualifications, skills, or current role to pass the Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessment. Still not sure how to write your CV headline? Our examples below showcase best practices on creating effective headlines:
Examples of good CV headlines for electrical engineering:
- Lead Electrical Design Engineer | Renewable Energy Systems | Chartered PE | 10+ Years
- Senior Power Systems Analyst | HV & LV Networks | IET Member | MSc Electrical Engineering | 12 Years
- Electrical Project Manager | Infrastructure Development | PRINCE2® Certified | Risk Management | 8 Years Experience
- Junior Electronics Engineer | Embedded Systems Design | BEng Hons | Prototyping & Testing | 2 Years
- Principal Signal Processing Specialist | Telecoms & Satellites | PhD | MATLAB Expert | 15+ Years
- Automation & Control Systems Expert | Industrial Robotics | Lean Six Sigma | MEng | 10 Years
Opting between a electrical engineering CV summary or objective
Within the top one third of your electrical engineering CV, you have the opportunity to briefly summarise your best achievements or present your professional goals and dreams. Those two functions are met by either the CV summary or the objective.
- The summary is three-to-five sentences long and should narrate your best successes, while answering key requirements for the role. Select up to three skills which you can feature in your summary. Always aim to present what the actual outcomes were of using your particular skill set. The summary is an excellent choice for more experienced professionals.
- The objective is more focused on showcasing your unique value as a candidate and defining your dreams and ambitions. Think about highlighting how this current opportunity would answer your career vision. Also, about how you could help your potential employers grow. The objective matches the needs of less experienced candidates, who need to prove their skill set and, in particular, their soft skills.
Still not sure about how to write your CV opening statement? Use some best industry examples as inspiration:
CV summaries for a electrical engineering job:
- With over 7 years of experience in electrical engineering, I have honed skills in circuit design and project management, backed by a strong track record of developing energy-efficient electrical systems for industrial clients, including a notable retrofit project that saved a manufacturing plant 20% in energy costs annually.
- Specialising in power systems, my 5-year tenure at a leading energy firm involved overseeing the successful integration of renewable energy sources into existing power grids, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources by 30% and spearheading innovative energy solution projects across Europe.
- Transitioning from a successful 8-year career as a mechanical engineer, I am eager to apply my robust analytical and design skills to electrical engineering, particularly in renewable energy systems, and contribute my experience in complex problem-solving and CAD design from previous groundbreaking aerospace projects.
- Moving into electrical engineering from a 6-year background in software development, where I excelled in creating efficient code for automation systems, I look forward to employing this expertise in embedded systems to streamline and enhance the performance of electrical hardware for smart grid applications.
- Eager to embark on a career in electrical engineering, my fresh perspective, coupled with a recent First-Class Honours degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Warwick, will bring a keen enthusiasm for cutting-edge smart energy solutions and a commitment to rigorous quality assurance testing and innovation.
- As a graduate with extensive theoretical knowledge from Imperial College London in electronic circuits and systems, I am ready to apply my rigorous academic training and passion for renewable energy technologies to an entry-level role in electrical engineering, aiming to contribute to eco-friendly and sustainable power solutions.
Best practices for writing your electrical engineering CV experience section
If your profile matches the job requirements, the CV experience is the section which recruiters will spend the most time studying. Within your experience bullets, include not merely your career history, but, rather, your skills and outcomes from each individual role. Your best experience section should promote your profile by:
- including specific details and hard numbers as proof of your past success;
- listing your experience in the functional-based or hybrid format (by focusing on the skills), if you happen to have less professional, relevant expertise;
- showcasing your growth by organising your roles, starting with the latest and (hopefully) most senior one;
- staring off each experience bullet with a verb, following up with skills that match the job description, and the outcomes of your responsibility.
Add keywords from the job advert in your experience section, like the professional CV examples:
Best practices for your CV's work experience section
- Developed a new PCB design for a consumer electronic device, improving product efficiency by 15% and reducing production costs by 10%.
- Authored technical reports and documentation to support the maintenance and installation of electrical systems, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
- Led a team of five engineers in the development of a solar-powered charging station, which is now deployed in over 100 locations nationwide.
- Engineered power distribution systems for commercial buildings, integrating sustainable energy solutions and achieving a 20% reduction in energy consumption.
- Implemented advanced automation and control systems for manufacturing clients, resulting in a 25% increase in production output and heightened error detection accuracy.
- Regularly collaborated with cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineers and software developers, to refine system integration processes.
- Managed electrical component sourcing for multiple projects, establishing strong relationships with suppliers and negotiating contracts that saved the company an average of 5% on materials.
- Conducted comprehensive failure analysis and troubleshooting on high-voltage equipment, enhancing system reliability and extending equipment lifetime by 30%.
- Stayed abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the electrical engineering field, applying this knowledge to innovate designs and propel the company's technical capabilities forward.
- Initiated and led the development of an energy-efficient power distribution system for large commercial buildings, achieving a 20% reduction in energy consumption over two years.
- Collaborated closely with cross-disciplinary teams to integrate smart grid technologies into existing infrastructures, enhancing system reliability and scalability for a client portfolio including Fortune 500 companies.
- Mentored a team of junior electrical engineers, overseeing their progress on projects and ensuring continued professional development within the company.
- Performed in-depth analysis and troubleshooting of electrical systems in industrial machinery, increasing machine uptime by 35% and reducing maintenance costs by 25%.
- Coordinated with project managers to implement custom control system solutions that fulfilled unique client specifications while adhering to strict budget constraints.
- Enhanced team efficiency by introducing a structured project documentation process, substantially reducing the time taken to onboard new engineers.
- Designed and executed the electrical layout for a new solar power plant, contributing to an increase in renewable energy output by 40% in the region.
- Conducted rigorous safety protocols and quality assurance checks on all electrical equipment, sustaining an impeccable safety record with zero incidents during the tenure.
- Streamlined the procurement process for electrical components, negotiating with suppliers to secure a cost reduction of 15% while maintaining quality standards.
- Engineered novel energy storage systems for consumer electronics, seeing through the product lifecycle from conception to successful market launch.
- Played a key role in securing a lucrative contract through the technical presentation of a custom power supply design tailored to the client's needs, leading to a 10% company revenue increase.
- Identified bottlenecks in the RF testing process and implemented a new procedure that accelerated the quality assurance phase by 50%.
- Pioneered a patented circuit protection technique that was later adopted across multiple product lines, improving product longevity and customer satisfaction.
- Liaised with software engineers to develop and introduce a proprietary diagnostic tool that reduced on-site repair times by 30%.
- Instituted a comprehensive training program for new hires on company-specific electrical engineering practices, elevating team competence and reducing reliance on external consultants.
- Directed the electrical design of a groundbreaking electric vehicle, garnering industry awards for innovation and pushing the company to the forefront of automotive technology.
- Implemented cutting-edge power conversion techniques that boosted battery efficiency by 20%, substantially outperforming industry benchmarks.
- Optimized supplier engagement processes which enhanced the component sourcing workflow, resulting in a 10% reduction in project lead times without compromising quality.
- Orchestrated the installation of electrical systems in multinational data centers, meeting stringent deadlines and contributing to a 99.99% uptime record for hosted services.
- Developed and integrated custom power monitoring solutions that allowed data center clients to track energy usage and optimize their power management strategies.
- Boosted departmental productivity by implementing a peer review cycle, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among the electrical engineering team.
- Assisted in the design of a power line communication system that enabled the introduction of smart meters in residential areas, contributing to enhanced energy management and a reduced carbon footprint.
- Regularly interfaced with clients to refine project specifications and ensure alignment with their strategic energy goals, reinforcing strong client relationships and repeat business.
- Drove innovation by submitting multiple proposals for process optimization, one of which resulted in the adoption of a new hierarchical project management approach that shortened project timelines by an average of 15%.
Writing your CV without professional experience for your first job or when switching industries
There comes a day, when applying for a job, you happen to have no relevant experience, whatsoever. Yet, you're keen on putting your name in the hat. What should you do? Candidates who part-time experience , internships, and volunteer work.
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Include examples of how you adapted to new tools, environments, or work cultures, showing your flexibility.
The CV skills' divide: between hard and soft skills
Of course, you may have read the job requirements plenty of times now, but it's key to note that there is a difference between technical and personal skills. Both are equally relevant to your job application. When writing about your skill set, ensure you've copy-pasted the precise skill from the job requirement. This would not only help you ensure you have the correct spelling, but also pass any Applicant Tracker System (ATS) assessments.
- Hard skills show your technological capabilities. Or whether you'll be a good technical fit to the organisation. Ensure you've spotlighted your hard skills in various sections of your CV (e.g. skills section, projects, experience) by including the technology and what you've attained;
- Soft skills pinpoint your personality and people or communication skills, hinting at if you'll easily accomodate into the team or organisation. Quantify your soft skills in your CV achievements, strengths, summary/objective, and experience sections. Always support your soft skills with how they've helped you grow as a professional.
Top skills for your electrical engineering CV:
Circuit analysis
Electrical design and simulation
Power systems knowledge
PCB layout and design
Control systems engineering
Digital signal processing
Proficiency with electrical CAD software
Microcontroller programming and embedded systems
Knowledge of industry standards and regulations
Troubleshooting and diagnostic techniques
Problem-solving
Attention to detail
Teamwork and collaboration
Effective communication
Project management
Time management
Adaptability
Critical thinking
Creativity
Continuous learning
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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.
Further professional qualifications for your electrical engineering CV: education and certificates
As you're nearing the end of your electrical engineering CV, you may wonder what else will be relevant to the role. Recruiters are keen on understanding your academic background, as it teaches you an array of hard and soft skills. Create a dedicated education section that lists your:
- applicable higher education diplomas or ones that are at a postgraduate level;
- diploma, followed up with your higher education institution and start-graduation dates;
- extracurricular activities and honours, only if you deem that recruiters will find them impressive.
Follow a similar logic when presenting your certificates. Always select ones that will support your niche expertise and hint at what it's like to work with you. Balance both technical certification with soft skills courses to answer job requirements and company values. Wondering what the most sought out certificates are for the industry? Look no further:
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Order your skills based on the relevance to the role you're applying for, ensuring the most pertinent skills catch the employer's attention first.
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Key takeaways
What matters most in your electrical engineering CV-writing process is for you to create a personalised application. One that matches the role and also showcases your unique qualities and talents.
- Use the format to supplement the actual content, to stand out, and to ensure your CV experience is easy to comprehend and follows a logic;
- Invest time in building a succinct CV top one third. One that includes a header (with your contact details and headline), a summary or an objective statement (select the one that best fits your experience), and - potentially - a dedicated skills section or achievements (to fit both hard skills and soft skills requirements);
- Prioritise your most relevant (and senior) experience closer to the top of your CV. Always ensure you're following the "power verb, skill, and achievement" format for your bullets;
- Integrate both your technical and communication background across different sections of your CV to meet the job requirements;
- List your relevant education and certificates to fill in gaps in your CV history and prove to recrutiers you have relevant technical know-how.
