Civil Engineer Resume: Examples and Tips
A civil engineer is responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of large and small-scale infrastructures. Major duties of this position involve communicating with architects, clients, supplies and contractors to ensure that everything runs smoothly, and performing technical and feasibility studies of sites before beginning construction. A proficient civil engineer should possess analytical thinking, attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Use our resume examples and expert tips to make your civil engineer resume stand out.
Table of Contents
Featured Resume Example: Civil Engineer
Name: BRYAN SOTO
Address: City, State, Zip Code
Phone: 000-000-0000
E-Mail: email@email.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Licensed Civil Engineer with years of experience in performing construction engineering projects. Particular expertise in directing early works, earthworks, concrete works, installation of underground utilities and demolition on green and brownfield projects worldwide. Identifies and addresses challenges during construction and overcomes obstacles. Leader in quality assurance and value engineering. Experienced manager of large and complex projects and supervision of project management personnel, contractors and subcontractors.
WORK HISTORY
Civil Engineer, 08/2017 to Current
Company Name ,City,State
Civil Engineering Intern,
12/2013 to 03/2016
Company Name ,City,State
Drywaller, 08/2008 to 09/2011
Company Name ,City,State
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
Critical-thinking
- Completed complex technical surveys for development of roadway, intersection and bridge construction plans.
- Reviewed and assisted in performing technical bid analysis.
- Controlled engineering activities to maintain work standards,adhere to timelines and meet quality assurance targets
Safety
- Reviewed calculations and analytical data to maintain accuracyof technical reports.
- Determined project feasibility by estimating materials costs and sourcing requirements.
- Tested soils and materials to determine foundation strength.
Communication
- Interacted with state and local agencies to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
- Educated general public through professional presentations and community discussions.
- Recommended and selected new and replacement test equipment to improve research and testing capabilities.
SKILLS
- Estimation accuracy
- Permit applications and laws
- Pressure vessel design
- Municipal design
- AutoCAD proficiency
- Proficiency in concreteconstruction
- Construction management
- Structural analysis
EDUCATION
Master of Arts
Company Name ,City,State
Top 4 Characteristics of a Best-in-Class Civil Engineer Resume
- Summary In a few short sentences, focus on your top skills, experience, and any specialization areas that relate to the specific job. For example, your summary statement could read like: “Dedicated Civil Engineer with 7+ years of experience designing residential and commercial structures, using environment-friendly and cost-effective techniques.”
- Skills Put together a blend of hard skills (like water piping design, AutoCAD or Civil 3D) and soft skills (like critical thinking, time management or decision-making) that are relevant to the job you’re applying to. It’s important to only include skills that address the employer’s specific needs — it will help you look like a better-suited candidate.
- Work experience Show your accomplishments by using quantifiable metrics instead of focusing on mundane tasks. For example, it sounds much more impressive when you write, “Evaluated 200 sites in one month,” or “Managed a team of 85 employees until successful completion of Sky Building,” or “Negotiated with contractors and saved $500,000 for the company.”
- Education List your degree with the name of the school, as well as any relevant coursework, internships or certifications you have completed that will help you look better prepared for the job.
See Why My Perfect Resume is a 5-Star Resume Builder
Find the Right Template for Your Resume
To kick-start your resume creation , use these professionally-designed templates worthy of an civil engineer:
Accentuate
This layout provides a clean, structured look that is easily customizable for different resume formats. The bold-colored header atop is understated yet effective, while the dual-column design effectively emphasizes your professional summary and work experience alongside top skills.
Esteemed
This layout uses accentuating dot graphics that connect through a vertical line, defining each sectional header distinctively. It aligns your name and contact details at the top left to draw immediate focus.
Charismatic
This design uses dual-color to present the applicant’s name and a thick, black line to highlight the contact information. Each resume section includes a colored horizontal line to distinguish between the heading and your information.
For a complete selection of templates, visit our free resume templates .
Do’s and Don’ts for Your Resume
- DO review your resume before submitting it.Reread your document a few times to make sure you’ve taken care of any silly mistakes, and confirm that all the facts that you’ve outlined are accurate. Check if you’ve mentioned all the important details such as job-specific skills, required certifications and achievements directly related to the job role. Our Resume Builder saves you time by identifying any grammatical or spelling errors.
- DO quantify your achievements.As mentioned before, a simple way to differentiate yourself from the competition is by describing your success in quantifiable terms, using numbers, stats and metrics wherever possible. For example, a statement like “Inspected programs supporting real property and contracted support functions” leaves less of an impression than “Inspected programs supporting real property valued at $13M and contracted support functions valued at $500M.”
- DO customize your resume as per the specific job position.No two jobs are exactly alike. Always refer back to the job description to understand the essential requirements and pick out keywords and phrases to utilize in your resume. This will also help you determine which skills and work achievements you should highlight.
- DON’T let your resume run too long.Your resume should only be a page long — unless you have 10 or more years of continuous work experience, in which case it can be up to two-pages long. Make it easier for the hiring manager by getting straight to the point and only writing relevant information. There’s no need to include experiences or skills that have nothing to do with the job.
- DON’T forget to create a compelling “elevator pitch” for your resume.Recruiters browse through hundreds of resumes every day — you need to create the right opening statement to catch their attention. Treat your resume’s summary section as a short and powerful elevator pitch that can spark the recruiter’s interest. Mention the top skills and accomplishments that make you the best candidate for the job.
- DON’T include personal pronouns in your resume.Hiring managers gravitate towards the use of direct statements that start with action-verbs and adjectives. It’s best to avoid referring to yourself using personal pronouns like “I,” “me” or “my.” For instance, instead of writing, “I have estimated the cost for installing a drainage system. I also supervised the installation process of the drainage system,” it’s much more professional to phrase it like: “Estimated cost for installing a drainage system and supervised the installation process.”
Civil Engineer Resume FAQs
- 1.What soft and hard skills should you include in a civil engineer resume?
- 2. How do you include keywords in your resume?
- 3. What is the best resume format for a civil engineer?
- 4. How should you craft your resume if you’re looking to take the next step in your career?
- 5. What civil engineering certifications can you include in your resume?
1.What soft and hard skills should you include in a civil engineer resume?
Ensure that all the skills you mention in your resume are perfectly aligned with your work duties. Below are some examples to be taken into consideration while creating the skills section:
| Technical skills: | Soft skills: |
| Stormwater management | Client relationship management |
| AutoCAD | Risk management |
| Cost estimation | Organization |
| Structural drafting | Analytical thinking |
| Drainage design | Communication |
| Stress analysis tools | Eye for detail |
| Concrete construction | Instant decision making |
| Equipment handling | Risk management |
| Sewer repair techniques | Astute observation |
| Wave diffraction and refraction | Coordination |
| Inspecting nuclear cranes | Collaboration |
| Reviewing drawings | |
| Floodplain maps | |
| Traffic engineering design | |
| Field observation | |
| ETABS | |
| Highway design | |
| Forecasting | |
| Procurement and construction | |
| Site engineering |
| Technical skills: |
| Stormwater management |
| AutoCAD |
| Cost estimation |
| Structural drafting |
| Drainage design |
| Stress analysis tools |
| Concrete construction |
| Equipment handling |
| Sewer repair techniques |
| Wave diffraction and refraction |
| Inspecting nuclear cranes |
| Reviewing drawings |
| Floodplain maps |
| Traffic engineering design |
| Field observation |
| ETABS |
| Highway design |
| Forecasting |
| Procurement and construction |
| Site engineering |
| Soft skills: |
| Client relationship management |
| Risk management |
| Organization |
| Client relationship management |
| Analytical thinking |
| Communication |
| Eye for detail |
| Instant decision making |
| Risk management |
| Astute observation |
| Coordination |
| Collaboration |
2. How do you include keywords in your resume?
We suggest including words and common phrases used in the civil engineering industry because most companies pre-scan resumes electronically using the automated applicant tracking system (ATS).
To determine relevant keywords, browse different job postings to see some of the qualifications and skills that are commonly sought-after. Spread them throughout your resume but make sure not to overdo it either. Some of the relevant keywords for a civil engineer job role include estimating structural accuracy, concrete construction, topographic data and geologic data.
3. What is the best resume format for a civil engineer?
Your years of experience determine the right resume format for you.
Use a chronological format, which features an extensive work history section, if you have eight or more years of experience in the same field. Recent graduates or people with little to no work experience should use the functional resume format because it focuses more on your skills and qualifications than your lack of work experience. If you can showcase relevant skills and have three to seven years of experience, opt for the combination resume format, which offers a blend of both.
4. How should you craft your resume if you’re looking to take the next step in your career?
To move up to a higher-level or managerial position, look to include the following in your resume:
- Move toward taking on more managerial responsibilities, such as consulting with clients and solving junior engineers’ development problems.
- Mention any advanced degree courses, certification or training that you have completed.
- Demonstrate leadership skills while handling a project or training newly hired employees to perform tasks and improve productivity.
5. What civil engineering certifications can you include in your resume?
Strengthen your resume and get an edge over other candidates by mentioning the following certifications:
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Civil Engineering Certification (CEC)
- Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP)
- CEE Online Certificate Program
- Certificate in Wetland Science and Management
- Certificate in Sustainable Transportation: Planning and Livable Communities
Pair Your Resume with a Matching Cover Letter
