Civil Engineer Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a civil engineer provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving ensuring compliance with codes and designing structural systems. A strong resume for civil engineer applications showcases your skills, experience and achievements and helps you stand out from other candidates. In this article, we'll showcase resume tips and examples that can help you create a professional civil engineer resume that catches the eye of hiring managers.
The aim of this article is to equip you with all the knowledge required to create a resume that positions you to succeed in your civil engineer applications. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your civil engineer resume.
Main elements of a civil engineer resume
A successful civil engineer resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections.
For junior and entry-level civil engineer positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Focus the content of your resume on your soft and transferable skills, and any hard or technical skills you've learned from your studies or career to date. You can also mention any relevant internships, training courses or voluntary roles you've taken on.
If you have some experience as a civil engineer, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. Rather than simply listing your responsibilities in each role, show the impact you made and offer evidence that demonstrates the skills and experience listed in the job description.
As a highly experienced candidate, you'll want your civil engineer resume to showcase your depth of relevant work experience, as well as other achievements. Use a reverse-chronological format and add additional sections to prove you're a strong candidate. Your senior resume will likely be more comprehensive than resumes for more junior roles. You can add extra details about your career, such as awards, publications presentations, professional memberships or certifications.
The order you present these sections can vary according to your career stage, but it's still essential to include each of the following:
Resume Header and Personal Information
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Make your resume header clear, concise and as brief and compact as possible. Consider different layouts that spread the information horizontally across the page rather than using a different line for each piece of information.
Opt for a professional-looking email address based on your name. If your email address could be construed as unprofessional or inappropriate because it contains nicknames or unsuitable language, create a new, more professional email address for your job applications. Always check your contact details to make sure they're up-to-date before you send your resume.
Sean Sanchez
sean.sanchez@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
linkedin․com/in/sean–sanchez123
Resume Summary
Your resume personal profile is a short, concise paragraph to highlight two or three key skills and achievements in civil engineer roles. You may also see this section named as 'resume summary' or 'resume objective'. Resume summaries tend to focus on your career experience, while resume objectives cover your ambitions and plans for the future. In addition, your objective should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for civil engineer roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description.
Alternatively, focus on introducing your career ambitions, and why this role is a good fit, both for you and the organization.
A strong resume summary focuses on two or three key skills and achievements that showcase your suitability for civil engineer roles in a clear, quantifiable way. It also gives an insight into your personal qualities, to help the reader understand why you're a suitable candidate. The graphic below showcases some good examples of what to include in your civil engineer resume summary.
Good example:
Dedicated Civil Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and extensive experience as a Structural Engineer. Proven expertise in designing, analyzing, and overseeing construction projects to ensure structural integrity, safety, and compliance with industry standards. Adept at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, managing project timelines, and utilizing advanced engineering software. Committed to delivering innovative and cost-effective solutions in both commercial and residential developments
Bad example:
Civil engineer with a degree in engineering and some experience in building stuff. Worked on making sure things are built right and safe. Have been part of teams and kept track of project schedules. Used some engineering tools and tried to come up with new and affordable ways to build things for different types of projects
On the other hand, a resume summary can be ineffective if it lacks specific information about how your skills align with the job description, or fails to paint a picture of your unique qualities and talents. The graphic above shows some of the pitfalls to avoid when creating your resume summary.
Employment History
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a civil engineer. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Add some bullet points under each job entry, explaining your achievements in the role, so the reader can see how you contributed towards success for the company. Provide evidence of your impact and make sure each point addresses a requirement listed in the job description.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. See below for some good examples of what to include in your resume work experience section.
Good example:
Structural Engineer, January 2022 - Present
TerraStructures Engineering Group, Philadelphia
- Designed a 50-story commercial skyscraper, optimizing for seismic resilience and energy efficiency, completed under budget by 10%
- Led structural analysis and retrofitting of a historic landmark, ensuring compliance with modern safety standards without altering its appearance
- Successfully managed a multidisciplinary team for the construction of a 1.5 km long suspension bridge, meeting all project deadlines
Bad example:
Structural Engineer, January 2022 - Present
TerraStructures Engineering Group, Philadelphia
- Contributed to various building projects, enhancing overall design and functionality
- Participated in team efforts to improve construction processes
- Assisted in project management tasks for infrastructure developments
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. A poor resume work experience section would typically use vague descriptions of activities in previous jobs, while focusing too much on responsibilities rather than achievements. Failing to focus on the skills and experience that match the job description is likely to harm your chances of success.
Education
The education section provides space to list your highest and most recent academic achievements that are relevant to working as a civil engineer.
A civil engineer role tends to require candidates to have a university or college degree, so make sure you list yours in your resume. A Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering degree or similar is the most suitable for this job, but you could also include any other relevant qualifications that show your structural analysis expertise or GIS data analysis.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
Membership or leadership of any societies, clubs or causes while studying can also make a positive impression on hiring managers. Consider adding these to your education section for more insight into how you used your time as a student.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, 2017 - 2020
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
Hard and Soft Skills
In your skills section, list any skills you've acquired or developed that are relevant to civil engineer positions. Consider adding structural analysis expertise, problem-solving abilities or any other necessary skills for the job. Again, refer to the civil engineer job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Showcasing hard skills on your civil engineer resume
Under hard skills, add any specialist skills you possess that are specifically required for civil engineer jobs. These tend to be technical skills and industry knowledge essential to the position. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your civil engineer job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the civil engineer role. Aim to include four or five key hard skills. If you have space, explain how and where you've used that skill to create successful outcomes in your career. These skills will demonstrate your credentials and show how you meet the job description.
Your resume hard skills list should reflect your unique and specific industry expertise and experience, while also fulfilling the requirements listed in the job description. See the examples below for an idea of what an effective civil engineer resume hard skills list looks like.
- Project management skills
- CAD software proficiency
- Structural analysis expertise
How to list soft skills on your civil engineer resume
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective civil engineer resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Problem-solving abilities
- Effective communication skills
- Team collaboration proficiency
Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Your certifications section is the place to mention any relevant professional civil engineer certifications, licenses or qualifications. Add any official certifications or accreditations that increase your level of qualification and suitability for working as a civil engineer. Therefore, add any professional licenses or certifications, along with valid dates that show they're still valid.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a civil engineer resume:
- PE License, 2022
- PMP Certification, 2022
- LEED Accredited, 2022
Optional Information
There are several additional sections you could add to a civil engineer resume, to improve your chances of success. Choose optional sections from the list below, if they help to showcase your relevant skills and experience.
Personal Hobbies and Interests
Hobbies and interests can be a useful way of showing your skills and experience beyond your work and education. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Voluntary Work
If you're lacking relevant civil engineer work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. List your volunteer job title, the organization you volunteered for, its location and the dates of your involvement, alongside a brief explanation of your responsibilities in the role.
References
References aren't a standard civil engineer resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
References will be available upon request.
Best words to use in a civil engineer resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to make the best possible impression.
- Design
- Analyze
- Construct
- Manage
- Inspect
- Supervise
- Coordinate
- Develop
- Calculate
- Implement
Jobseeker's resume templates were created by careers experts to help you produce a professional resume in minutes. You can also find cover letter templates to complete an eye-catching job application that gets you noticed.
Example of a civil engineer resume
The civil engineer resume example below includes all the sections above, so you can see how a completed resume looks:
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC
•
sean.sanchez@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/sean–sanchez123
Dedicated and detail-oriented Civil Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and extensive experience as a Structural Engineer. Proficient in designing, analyzing, and implementing structural solutions for diverse projects, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. Strong problem-solving skills, adept in using advanced engineering software, and committed to delivering high-quality results on time and within budget. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams and communicate complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders. Seeking to leverage expertise in structural engineering to contribute to innovative and sustainable infrastructure projects.
Structural Engineer
2020
-2022
Pinnacle Structures Inc (St. Petersburg)
- Designed and oversaw the construction of a 30-story commercial skyscraper, enhancing urban skyline and achieving LEED Gold certification
- Led structural analysis and retrofitting of a 100-year-old historic bridge, extending its lifespan by 50 years
- Developed innovative earthquake-resistant design for a major hospital, ensuring operational continuity during seismic events
Project management skills
CAD software proficiency
Structural analysis expertise
Problem-solving abilities
Effective communication skills
Team collaboration proficiency
PE License
PMP Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Quick tips for a civil engineer resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Add your relevant education details, including any high grades such as your GPA or degree result.
- Choose a resume format that's clear, professional and makes your resume as readable as possible. Pay particular attention to the font, line spacing, heading and margins to make your document as easy-to-read as possible for employers.
- Keep your civil engineer resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Mention key skills that show you're suited to the job throughout your resume, as well as in the dedicated skills section.
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use jargon or acronyms that can make your civil engineer resume more difficult to read.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
- Don't use passive language because it can switch off the reader. Adapt phrases like 'the work was completed' to 'I completed the work'.
- Don't crowd your civil engineer resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
- Don't list personal details such as your age, gender or a photo, unless these are necessary for the role. They can lead to hiring bias.
How to make an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When writing your civil engineer resume, a few simple tips can help you pass the ATS stage with a higher-ranking resume, giving you a better chance of success with your applications.
Follow these guidelines to create the best ATS-friendly resume:
- Opt for an established, traditional resume format such as a reverse-chronological or functional structure. These will ensure your resume includes all the necessary details ATS systems scan for.
- Use keywords throughout your resume that reflect the job description, so ATS resume scanners can recognize a strong connection between your skills, and those in the job description.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Utilize a clean, clear resume design that helps make your content more readable. Use simple fonts and subtle color accents and design elements that don't detract from the written content.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
Frequently Asked Questions about a civil engineer resume
As well as writing a professional civil engineer resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Check the job description to see whether a full, formal cover letter is necessary. In some situations, it might be more suitable to simply send a brief email to introduce yourself and accompany your resume.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the civil engineer role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's tried and tested cover letter templates were created by experts to help you make a strong impression with your applications. Follow the simple steps to create a winning cover letter today.
If you have no experience, it's still possible to write a professional civil engineer resume that makes a positive impression on hiring managers. Use a skills-based resume format to highlight your relevant skills and education. This is more suitable for junior or entry-level roles where you might not have much work experience to showcase. Additional resume sections such as volunteer work, hobbies and interests, certifications and internships can all help you showcase your relevant skills. These can be more prominent in your resume if you haven't got a lot of work experience.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for civil engineer jobs. A well-written resume headline is also a way to increase your chances of passing the ATS resume scanning stage, by referencing keywords that match the job description. Write a concise headline including the job title, a reference to your experience or track record and one or two key skills.
See below for an example of a well-constructed resume headline:
- Aspiring Civil Engineer, Entry-Level
- Innovative Civil Engineering Professional
- Experienced Senior Civil Engineering Professional
The resume format that gives you the best chances of success depends on your experience levels, as well as the type of job you're applying for and its seniority level. For entry-level roles, or situations where you're changing to a new career, a functional resume is often the best option. This places your skills and education above your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Takeaways for a winning civil engineer resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
