Environmental Engineer Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as an environmental engineer, you'll need experience in conducting EIA assessments and implementing sustainability practices. A professional resume for environmental engineer applications will showcase your relevant skills and career achievements, to help you stand out from the crowd. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating an environmental engineer resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and 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 environmental engineer applications. The guide will show you practical examples of how to structure your resume to show off your best and most relevant skills and career achievements. It will also show you how to tailor your resume according to the job description and your unique skill set. Read on to learn how to write a perfect environmental engineer resume, from the advice of careers experts at Jobseeker.
Core sections to include in an environmental engineer resume
The key sections to include in an environmental engineer resume are similar to those for any role or profession.
If you're applying for junior, entry-level or graduate environmental engineer positions and you lack work experience, consider using a skills-based resume format to emphasize your skills and education. Furthermore, a junior resume is more likely to focus on soft and transferable skills, as well as relevant training, internships and volunteer roles.
If you have some experience as an environmental 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. Your resume should focus on your career achievements, and the role you've played in successful projects and activities for your employers. Consult the job description for guidance on what to showcase, and provide evidence to support your claims.
For senior environmental engineer roles, you're likely to be competing against highly experienced candidates. Use a reverse-chronological resume format and focus on adding additional information that shows your credentials beyond your work experience. Expect your senior resume to be slightly longer than resumes for more junior roles. This is because you 'll want to add details of professional memberships, awards, publications, presentations and other achievements expected of senior professionals.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header
Your environmental engineer resume header should contain your name and contact details. These include your email address and phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile, you can also add that, to give employers the chance to learn more about your skills and experience. It's not necessary to include a photo or any other personal information. Make sure your resume header is as brief as possible and doesn't take up too much valuable space. Choose a clear, professional design that sets the tone for your application.
Make sure the email address you list in your header is professional-looking and doesn't contain any inappropriate content such as nicknames or unsuitable language. Opt for an email address based on your name or profession, or a combination of both. Finally, check your contact details before sending your resume, to ensure everything's up-to-date.
Lillian Myers
lillian.myers@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/lillian–myers123
Resume Summary
Following your resume header, write a resume summary to introduce yourself and showcase some of your key skills and achievements. Alternative names for this section are 'resume objective' and 'personal profile'. While a resume summary focuses on your career experience, a resume objective covers your ambitions and career plans. Additionally, make sure your resume summary reflects the job description and focuses on qualities that are relevant to working as an environmental engineer.
Alternatively, use this section to emphasize your career objectives and explain how and why this role is a suitable step for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of how to approach your environmental engineer resume.
Good example:
Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and experience as an Environmental Sustainability Specialist. Proven expertise in developing and implementing sustainability programs, conducting environmental impact assessments, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Skilled in data analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement to drive sustainable practices and improve environmental performance
Bad example:
Worked in areas related to the environment with some background in engineering. Have done things involving programs and assessments about the environment. Familiar with rules and regulations and have looked at data and managed projects. Have interacted with different people to try and make things better for the environment
On the other hand, an unsuccessful resume summary is one that mentions irrelevant skills, qualities and achievements and fails to differentiate you from other candidates. In the graphic above you can find some negative examples of how to write a resume summary.
Work Experience
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for an environmental engineer position. 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 successful resume work experience section will always showcase skills and experience relevant to the job description, and how you put each to good use in your previous roles. Offering quantifiable evidence in an environmental engineer resume proves you're a strong candidate for the job, such as client feedback, project outcomes, KPIs or financial results. See the examples below for some ideas of what a great resume work experience looks like.
Good example:
Environmental Sustainability Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EcoInnovate Solutions, Lubbock
- Developed and implemented a zero-waste program, reducing landfill waste by 40% within one year
- Led a team to achieve ISO 14001 certification, enhancing the organization’s environmental management system and compliance
- Spearheaded a renewable energy initiative, increasing solar energy usage by 30% and saving $50,000 annually in energy costs
Bad example:
Environmental Sustainability Specialist, January 2022 - Present
EcoInnovate Solutions, Lubbock
- Contributed to environmental projects, improving sustainability practices and fostering eco-friendly initiatives within the organization
- Assisted in team efforts to enhance environmental standards and promote green policies
- Participated in initiatives to support environmental goals and drive positive change
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education
Under education, add details of any degrees or professional qualifications relevant to environmental engineer roles.
Typically, working as an environmental engineer requires a university or college degree, which you'll need to list on your resume. If you're working in this sector, it's usually a good idea to highlight your Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering degree or other relevant qualifications. Focus on qualifications that showcase your environmental impact assessment or GIS software proficiency.
List every relevant qualification, including the name and level of the course, the name of the school, college or university, its location and your graduation date. If you have space, include some bullet points outlining any specialist areas of study, awards or high grades, so the employer can learn more about your unique skill set and knowledge.
If you took part in any volunteering or you were a leader or member of any university societies, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, 2017 - 2020
Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
Skills
The skills section of an environmental engineer resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include hydraulic modeling techniques, communication skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the environmental engineer job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
How to include hard skills on your environmental engineer resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for environmental engineer positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, it's important to show these skills in an environmental engineer resume as they provide a strong indication of your experience in the sector. Include around four or five key hard skills that are listed in the job description. These skills will help to convince the hiring manager that you're a good fit for the position.
For an effective resume hard skills section, focus on the technical skills that are most essential in the job description, and that match your specific expertise. Some examples of the best hard skills for an environmental engineer resume are listed below.
- Environmental impact assessment
- GIS software proficiency
- Hydraulic modeling techniques
Showcasing your best soft skills
In your soft skills list, include any personal characteristics that make you a good fit for an environmental engineer job. Soft skills tend to be more universal than hard skills, but they're no less important. Indeed, without soft skills, you may struggle to adapt to environmental engineer roles or meet the standards expected of you. So make sure you include several key soft skills on your resume. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
A good soft skills section would include skills that match the job description, and also reflect your key strengths and qualities. See the graphic below for an indication of what to include in a strong soft skills section for an environmental engineer resume.
- Problem-solving skills
- Communication skills
- Team collaboration
Certifications and Training
In your certifications section, list any professional certifications or licenses that are relevant to working as an environmental engineer. These could be official licenses required for the job or certifications that improve your employability. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for environmental engineer roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Read on to see some relevant example certifications for an environmental engineer resume:
- LEED Accredited Professional, 2022
- EIT Certification, 2022
- PE License, 2022
Hear from experts:
Additional Information
If you need to provide further evidence of your suitability for the job, optional sections can be useful for an environmental engineer resume. Take a look at the sections below and add any that help you show how and why you're right for the job.
Hobbies
Listing your hobbies and interests can reveal key qualities that some employers may value. These are particularly useful for your resume if you're short of work experience and need to showcase a particular skill or experience. 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.
Volunteering
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your environmental engineer resume. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on an environmental engineer resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Include a maximum of three professional references, being sure to check with your referees before including them in your resume.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best action words for your environmental engineer resume
Using strong action words to make your resume resonate with the employer. Choose from the list of words below to increase the impact of your work experience section.
- Design
- Implement
- Analyze
- Evaluate
- Develop
- Optimize
- Manage
- Coordinate
- Assess
- Innovate
If you need help creating a resume that impresses HR managers, take a look at Jobseeker's professional resume templates. You can also access beautiful cover letter templates that help your application stand out.
Sample resume for environmental engineer positions
Now we've covered the main sections to include in your environmental engineer resume, let's take a look at how it all comes together in the example below:
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
•
lillian.myers@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/lillian–myers123
Dedicated Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and extensive experience as a Sustainable Systems Engineer. Proven ability to design and implement innovative solutions for sustainable resource management, reduce environmental impact, and comply with regulatory standards. Skilled in project management, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to drive eco-friendly initiatives and promote environmental stewardship
Sustainable Systems Engineer
2020
-2022
EcoLogic Innovators Ltd (Stockton)
- Designed and implemented a zero-waste manufacturing process, reducing waste by 95% and saving $500,000 annually
- Led a cross-functional team to achieve LEED Platinum certification for a commercial building, enhancing energy efficiency by 40%
- Developed a renewable energy integration plan, leading to a 60% reduction in carbon emissions and $1 million in energy savings
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering
2017
-2020
University of Chicago (Chicago, IL)
Environmental impact assessment
GIS software proficiency
Hydraulic modeling techniques
Problem-solving skills
Communication skills
Team collaboration
LEED Accredited Professional
EIT Certification
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Tips for environmental engineer resumes
Tips for best resume practices
- Adapt your resume depending on the job you're applying for. Take a look at the job description and make sure you reference all the required key skills and experience.
- Use a well-structured resume layout that optimizes headings, structure, margins, fonts and line spacing to make your document as accessible as possible to the reader.
- Keep your environmental engineer resume as brief as possible. Aim for one page for an entry-level role, and two pages for more senior jobs.
- Kick off your environmental engineer resume with a strong summary or objective statement that highlights your key skills and achievements.
- Quantify your accomplishments by providing evidence that shows the impact you've made in your career.
Pitfalls to avoid with your resume writing
- Don't use passive language because it's less engaging for the reader. Change phrases like 'the target was exceeded' to 'I helped the team exceed the target'.
- Don't use an unprofessional email address. Instead, opt for a simple email address based on your name.
- Don't add work experience that's unrelated to the role you're applying for, as it isn't likely to help your chances of success.
- Don't include hobbies unless they help you prove a skill or experience that's necessary for the job.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with environmental engineer applications.
Making an ATS-friendly resume
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) help recruiters and employers to streamline their hiring process. They can store and process data, including applications and applicant data, quickly and efficiently. One of the jobs ATS applications are increasingly responsible for is initial candidate screening. The systems can quickly scan and rank resumes based on how closely they match the job description. When drafting your environmental engineer resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Here are a few quick tips for creating an 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.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- 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.
For tips and ideas to help you draft a professional resume to get noticed by employers, read our expert career articles and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about an environmental engineer resume
Now that you know how to write a professional environmental engineer resume, you might also want to learn how to write an accompanying cover letter that makes a similar impact.
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.
A traditional cover letter should follow formal letter-writing conventions and structure, including a header, the recipient's address and professional greetings and sign-offs. For the main body of the letter, open with a short paragraph introducing yourself and explaining your reasons for applying for the environmental engineer role. Follow that with an explanation of your skills and experience and how they're relevant to the position. Close by expressing your gratitude and enthusiasm, and leaving a call to action that encourages the employer to open a dialogue 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.
Even if you have little or no relevant work experience, it's still possible to write an environmental engineer resume that makes a strong impression on employers. 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. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
A resume headline can catch the attention of the reader and give them a strong first impression about your suitability for environmental engineer jobs. A well-constructed resume headline can help your resume rank highly with ATS screening tools by referencing some of the key information from the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Environmental Engineer Enthusiast
- Innovative Environmental Solutions Specialist
- Senior Environmental Engineering Specialist
The best format for your resume depends on two key factors. Firstly, the amount of relevant work experience you have. Secondly, the type of role and its level of seniority. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. If, however, you have relevant work experience in the industry, it's typically best to use a reverse chronological resume format. This highlights your achievements in work, which is probably the most important factor for hiring managers to consider.
Key points for your environmental engineer resume
The best resumes focus on your skills and the value you've added to previous roles, rather than focusing on your duties and responsibilities. Choose the most suitable resume format for your experience levels, and focus on tailoring your resume based on the requirements listed in the job description.
Jobseeker has a wealth of resume tools, including resume templates and examples, to help you create a winning job application. Sign up today to get started. To make the best possible impression with your applications, write a cover letter with the help of Jobseeker. You can also find plenty of expert-designed cover letter examples for inspiration.
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/
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