Best CV tips for civil engineering students looking for a graduate job in 2022

by Good Foundations Engineering Tutors

CV Best Practice

It’s crucial to have your CV in good shape when you are applying for graduate engineering jobs. In a competitive market, an average CV is enough to eliminate you from the hiring process at the first hurdle.

This note will step you through the most important things to do when creating your CV.

Formatting

A simple well organised CV will be better able to convey the important information to the employer. The key elements of a simple, well-formatted CV are:

• Simple and repeated font types. Use 1 font type with only 1 or 2 variations (eg increased size, bold) for headings

• Ensure alignment is simple and consistent;

• Horizontal lines can be used as section breaks;

• A short CV is best (2-4 pages);

• Sections should be nicely spaced out and follow a simple reverse chronological order. (personal details - introduction – accreditation/qualifications - employment history – education – interests/other – referees)

Cover Letter

A cover letter should be included that specifically addresses the company and the advertised role. The cover letter should be brief (2-3 short paragraphs) and cover who you are, your engineering background, and why you are applying for the role.

The cover letter can be formatted like a traditional letter and include your name and address in the top right-hand corner.

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Personal Details

Your CV should include your name, email address, and phone number. Other personal details, such as date of birth, nationality, and a photograph should not be included.

Introduction

The introduction to your CV should be one short paragraph that functions as an executive summary. This might cover your degree and any specialisations, your relevant work experience, your goals and engineering areas of interest, and your best skills.