15 Resume Writing Tips for Engineers

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When it comes to making a job application, first impressions count - and an employer’s first impression of a candidate almost always comes from the quality of their resume or CV.

This is as true in engineering as in any other industry. Whatever your area of focus, it’s important to ensure your engineering resume is fine-tuned to convey your unique skills, the contributions you’ve made to previous projects and workplaces, and the value you’ll bring to the role if the hiring manager chooses to take your application forward.

With that in mind, here are some of our top resume writing tips for engineers, compiled by Airswift Recruitment Country Manager for Malaysia Nic Taylor.

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	1. Use a reverse chronological order to present your employment history, including accurate dates, company name and position.
	2. Explain any gaps in your employment history.
	3. Ditch the objective statement.
	4. Soft skills often sound like meaningless buzzwords. Avoid listing these skills as they will already be demonstrated in your achievements.
	5. Break down big blocks of text and long sentences using bullet points.
	6. Make sure your formatting is simple and consistent. For example, if you bold one job title, be sure to bold all of them.
	7. Tailor your resume to the advertised criteria or job description. However, don’t lie or exaggerate your experience or skills.
	8. List your relevant computer software competencies. Self-rate, but don’t say you are an expert unless you can hit the ground running. Remember you may be asked to demonstrate your practical skills at interview.
	9. List relevant qualifications and ensure you can provide evidence if required.
	10. List the projects you worked on and use bullet points to explain your responsibilities. Only list projects that are relevant to the job you are applying for and highlight your personal contributions.
	11. Sound credible by providing evidence of your knowledge and skills.
	12. Only list hobbies if they are professionally relevant.
	13. Limit the use of company specific jargon and acronyms so that people from all backgrounds understand your resume.
	14. Make sure your resume has no spelling or grammatical errors. Double check and ask someone else to check as well.
	15. Less is more! Your resume is like the blurb of a book. It should be a short promotional piece to help you secure an interview.

If you’re currently looking for a job in the energy, process or infrastructure industries, we may be able to help. Click the link below to view our current vacancies.