Engineering CV Layout

Author
Discussion

bobski1

Original Poster:

1,855 posts

111 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
Decided that the time is right to start looking for a new role having dusted my CV off over 7years old it looks very dated and in need of a refresh, apart from looking at examples on google and replicating is there a recommended way to format/layout an engineering CV?

Collectingbrass

2,391 posts

202 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
I don't think so, just ask yourself what would you want to see from a CV for the roles you are applying for. When I last did mine (30+ years in construction) I did Employers & Roles with a brief description of responsibilities & achievements against each one then attached a portfolio of projects with values & contract types.

lizardbrain

2,460 posts

44 months

Friday 27th September
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Lots of detail about most recent job, near the top

ALPandy90

82 posts

68 months

Friday 27th September
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Very timely thread, as I am about to begin updating my CV as well.

From my research so far, it looks to be very dependant on the level of role you are applying for. I agree with including plenty of relevant info on your most recent role.

I've got a few headings so far:
  • Name/contact details (note: ensure you have an email address you could share with your grandmother - not fingerblaster69@hotmail.com)
  • Summary
  • Qualifications
  • Experience (summary, key responsibilities, key achievements? for each role)
When I've reviewed CVs myself, I've preferred simple, clean layouts rather than busy and over-styled templates that are available online.

spikeyhead

17,970 posts

204 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
Name and contact details

A paragraph about what you're good at

Quals, only the relevant ones.

Job experience, most recent first, stating what you have achieved


Don't send a CV anywhere without having a conversation with the person you're sending it to.

SturdyHSV

10,224 posts

174 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
ALPandy90 said:
note: ensure you have an email address you could share with your grandmother - not fingerblaster69@hotmail.com
If people aren't capable of realising this sort of thing themselves and need to have it explained to them, they're better off leaving it on there to avoid wasting everybody's time.

GliderRider

2,527 posts

88 months

Friday 27th September
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If applying for a specific position, I go through the requirement of the advertised role and make sure under a heading 'Relevant Experience' that i have a line addressing each requirement for the position. That way the employer doesn't need to look further than the first page to see that I have the skills and experience they are seeking.

shirt

23,457 posts

208 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
Have a session with rog007 on here.

I wouldn’t say his advice is earth shattering (sorry Rog!) but rather changes the way you approach a cv and job application process. I found it very useful. As engineers we aren’t great at sales and marketing and that’s essentially what you’re doing.

essayer

9,618 posts

201 months

Friday 27th September
quotequote all
spikeyhead said:
Don't send a CV anywhere without having a conversation with the person you're sending it to.
This has always been a key factor in every interview I’ve had.. until the last few years. Have a chat and then send the tailored CV while you’re fresh in their mind.

Now it’s almost always behind a wall of Workday-style application sites designed to keep you far away from recruiters. So many jobs take ages to reply, it’s a really awful experience frown

bobski1

Original Poster:

1,855 posts

111 months

Wednesday 2nd October
quotequote all
Cheers for the advice all, started a completely fresh CV layout which I am still working through. Already feels a lot better I do need to start to trim down the content which I might need to engage externally for a review but will start to do some applications and see what the market is like.

I am fortunate that I am not desperate to leave but I would like to be prepared and have an understanding of what is out there and if something does come up that is worthwhile I can take it.

Gastons_Revenge

271 posts

11 months

Wednesday 2nd October
quotequote all
essayer said:
This has always been a key factor in every interview I’ve had.. until the last few years. Have a chat and then send the tailored CV while you’re fresh in their mind.

Now it’s almost always behind a wall of Workday-style application sites designed to keep you far away from recruiters. So many jobs take ages to reply, it’s a really awful experience frown
It's really quite awful, I agree. Multiple rounds of interviews too, one family member in civil engineering has had FIVE (5) rounds for a role they're already in at a competing firm.

rog007

5,778 posts

231 months

Wednesday 2nd October
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shirt said:
Have a session with rog007 on here.

I wouldn’t say his advice is earth shattering (sorry Rog!) but rather changes the way you approach a cv and job application process. I found it very useful. As engineers we aren’t great at sales and marketing and that’s essentially what you’re doing.
I did say it had to be simple if I was to be able to understand it! thumbup

rog007

5,778 posts

231 months

Wednesday 2nd October
quotequote all
bobski1 said:
Decided that the time is right to start looking for a new role having dusted my CV off over 7years old it looks very dated and in need of a refresh, apart from looking at examples on google and replicating is there a recommended way to format/layout an engineering CV?
Delighted to provide some feedback if you want to pass it across

GreatGranny

9,343 posts

233 months

Tuesday 8th October
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OP, what type of Engineering?

Large engineering consultancy (Civils, buildings, M&E etc..) I work for are always looking.

Hybrid working and offices all over the country.

bobski1

Original Poster:

1,855 posts

111 months

Wednesday 16th October
quotequote all
rog007 said:
Delighted to provide some feedback if you want to pass it across
Once I have finished it then yes I will pass it over.

GreatGranny said:
OP, what type of Engineering?

Large engineering consultancy (Civils, buildings, M&E etc..) I work for are always looking.

Hybrid working and offices all over the country.
I am a mechanical engineer specialise in R&D/prototype but happy to try other environments if its worthwhile.

shirt

23,457 posts

208 months

Tuesday 22nd October
quotequote all
rog007 said:
shirt said:
Have a session with rog007 on here.

I wouldn’t say his advice is earth shattering (sorry Rog!) but rather changes the way you approach a cv and job application process. I found it very useful. As engineers we aren’t great at sales and marketing and that’s essentially what you’re doing.
I did say it had to be simple if I was to be able to understand it! thumbup
well i'm very happy to announce after 10mths unemployed [with a bit of contracting here and there] i recently secured a job with your 3 key principles fully ticked off! very much looking forward to my start date on 1st Nov.

totally different industry, very big challenge, but also a very interesting and very 'me' setup. +50% salary over my last role is also something i am more than a bit pleased with.

i would say that thinking about what i wanted, rather than needed, calmed the mind a lot during the more angsty months of unemployment. i realised i would be miserable signing up for more of the same. this made the potential jobs pool much smaller but when i saw ones i liked the look of i was all in.

this opportunity came around from the left field. i didn't even apply for it and my CV was only reviewed after the verbal offer. but i do think the change in mindset was necessary for the 'interview' i had as well as for what lies ahead.

so fee well earned rog. slow burn but got there in the end, thanks a bunch smile