Electrical engineers use the principles of electricity to develop novel solutions to problems. They design, test, and oversee the manufacturing of electrical technology such as computers, cell phones, and navigation systems.
These professionals typically have a wide range of duties such as conducting research, developing products, testing systems, and optimizing manufacturing processes. Electrical engineering is a diverse field that encompasses numerous sub-disciplines -- so specializing in a niche area such as electronics, signal processing, or telecommunications could help you take your career to the next level.
With their arsenal of skills, electrical engineers can find employment in a variety of industries, and the job outlook within the field is quite positive. The US Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) has projected a 5% increase in electrical engineering positions between 2019 and 2029.
Being a great electrical engineer demands excellent problem solving and technical skills. At the same time, you’ll also need to be able to think creatively and collaborate effectively with others. When you’re applying for jobs, your resume needs to show that you have the right skills for the role -- so let’s cover how to write a competitive electrical engineer resume in 2023.
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Electrical engineers are the innovators who design, develop, build and test electrical equipment. Electrical engineers can work on a variety of electrical products, including computers, phones, household appliances, power grids, electric motors, and so much more. An electrical engineer is behind every product that uses electricity. Electrical engineers are responsible for overseeing every stage of a product's development, from design to manufacturing, and beyond.
To become an electrical engineer, you must get your bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field. You’ll need a specific set of hard skills, including knowledge of using programs like autoCAD and MATLAB. Most electrical engineers will have work or internship experience as a CAD technician, junior engineer, or electronic technician. Apart from having the desired hard skills, ideal candidates will also have specific soft skills, including great problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and organizational skills.
AutoCAD is a computer aided design and drafting software. It allows engineers to build concepts for designs digitally. Most engineers use this software every day. To land this role, it’s important that you demonstrate experience using autoCAD effectively. You can also get certifications in autoCAD to bolster your resume.
Obtaining additional certifications that relate to electrical engineering can help strengthen your resume. Some certifications to consider are the CEM (certified energy manager) credential or the CTP (certified technical professional) certificate.
As an electrical engineer, you’ll use your keen understanding of electrical systems to solve various types of problems. Your job could require technical skills such as electrical design, automation, and even programming. Create a skills section on your resume and list your relevant hard skills there so your technical prowess will be readily apparent to any hiring manager.
When you’re seeking a job in engineering, you should make it clear on your resume that you have the specialized training and skills that the role demands. If you have knowledge of MATLAB, AutoCAD, or other engineering-specific softwares or computing languages, it’s wise to list those in a dedicated skills section on your resume.
In technical fields such as engineering, professionals are often measured and evaluated by the results they achieve. Talk about your achievements at past jobs using specific numbers (e.g. “boosted production in design tasks by 18%” or “reduced manufacturing time by 40%”) to show recruiters what you’re capable of achieving for their company.
As an entry level electrical engineer, you're stepping into a vital role within the constantly innovating tech industry. Just like a circuit, every part of this role matters, with every project requiring a keen eye for detail and an unwavering commitment to quality. Companies are increasingly seeking engineers who can seamlessly transition from academia to the professional world, and who can stay on top of rapid technological advancements. When working on your resume, remember to showcase your ability to adapt and learn; these traits are just as important as the technical skills you've acquired during your education.
Here's a crucial note: your educational background should extend beyond simply listing your degree. Detail relevant coursework and the technical skills you've honed. Have you designed a circuit, developed a software, or troubleshooted a system as part of a school project? Include these elements to highlight your hands-on experience.
As an electrical engineer, you'll rarely work solo. You need to show your ability to collaborate and contribute within a team setting. Recount instances from internships, part-time jobs, or group academia projects where your communication or problem-solving skills made an impact. Demonstrating these soft skills in action gives hiring managers a taste of your potential as a team player.
When you first begin your career in electrical engineering, you’ll likely start out in an entry-level position that requires little to no experience. But because electrical engineering is such a specialized field, your odds of getting hired are much better if you have a degree in engineering. Internships and volunteer projects related to electrical engineering also look great on your resume and can make you extra competitive for jobs.
As an entry level job candidate, you probably won’t have much work experience to list on your resume. Focus instead on the skills and experience you do bring to the job, which could include a degree in electrical engineering or relevant coursework such as digital electronics or power system analysis. Your education is one of your strongest qualifications for a potential job, so make sure to emphasize it on your resume.
Any internships where you’ve helped design or develop electronics should also be featured prominently on your resume. Even community projects and extracurricular activities can be valuable experiences to list if they are relevant (e.g. if you were a committee member of an electrical engineering club or you volunteered to help install solar panels on local homes).
As an Electrical Site Engineer, you're responsible for the management, design, and implementation of electrical systems on construction sites. The industry is seeing a growing emphasis on renewable energy and smart technology, so it's essential to highlight your experience in these areas in your resume. When crafting your resume, be sure to emphasize your technical expertise, leadership, and communication skills, as these are highly valued in the field.
In the second paragraph, briefly discuss any certifications or specialized training you've had, such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license or experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software. Employers often prioritize candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to staying current with industry trends and professional development.
As an Electrical Site Engineer, you'll often be tasked with overseeing projects from start to finish. Highlight instances in your work history where you've managed budgets, timelines, and teams to bring a project to completion successfully.
Modern Electrical Site Engineers need to be proficient in various software applications to design and manage electrical systems. Make sure to mention your experience with CAD software, electrical simulation tools, and any programming languages relevant to the engineering field (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
Electrical site engineers specialize in projects taking place at construction sites. They are not only responsible for tasks such as testing electrical systems and fixing problems; they also act as project managers, overseeing all work that’s being done and making sure it’s completed to the necessary standards. Your resume should reflect the unique blend of engineering, project management, and leadership skills that the job requires.
Since there are many niche areas within electrical engineering, you may want to hone your skills within a specific area and focus your resume on those abilities. Make your electrical site engineer resume as relevant as possible by showing how you’ve developed your skills in electrical testing or design (e.g. in previous engineering positions).
Leadership skills are a must for aspiring electrical site engineers. When you choose leadership-specific action verbs to frame your accomplishments (such as “assigned”, “trained”, and “supervised”), recruiters can see evidence of your abilities to lead projects and manage people.
Electrical design engineers are responsible for designing the systems that conduct and carry energy. They may work in a variety of industries on a plethora of products. The electrical design engineer uses software programs and technical skills to design and test systems that will be later implemented in the manufacturing process.
To become an electrical design engineer, start in the classroom. Hiring managers will be looking for a candidate with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. You’ll need specific skills, such as experience using autoCAD and MATLAB. You will also need to demonstrate experience designing and implementing electrical systems. Good candidates for this role will have prior work experience in related roles such as prior roles as an electrical engineer, mechanical technician, or mechanical supervisor. Most importantly, ideal candidates for this role will be innovative thinkers, creative designers, and effective problem solvers.
Since electrical design engineers are responsible for creating effective and innovative designs, it’s important to demonstrate your experience in crafting electrical designs, such as building circuit boards. You can use projects from previous roles or projects you completed during your university studies to demonstrate this on a resume.
Sometimes electrical design engineers will be asked to take a pre-existing design and improve it. This can be harder to do because the engineer needs to work within constraints. It’s important to demonstrate your ability to work with and improve existing designs on your resume.
An electrical design engineer conducts research and creates designs for new electrical systems. They also develop and test these systems, making any necessary changes as they go. You’ll need a strong knowledge of electrical theory and design software for this role, so your resume should highlight your technical skills as well as your educational background.
To become an electrical design engineer, you’ll need to be fluent in computing languages such as MATLAB, and you should also be familiar with design tools like CAD software. Having the right technical skills for the job is essential, so make sure to list your computing and software proficiencies in a skills section on your resume.
While this candidate has an impressive work history within electrical design, it’s worth noting that he or she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering along with a Master’s degree in Electrical Design. Your educational background becomes less important than work experience as you advance in your career, but if you have advanced degrees within a relevant field, don’t skip mentioning them on your resume.
When crafting a resume for a senior or experienced engineer role, the ticket to success is balancing the demonstration of your technical expertise with leadership abilities. With technological advancements shaking the engineering landscape, showcasing your adaptability to new tech trends can impress recruiters. Moreover, as your role will likely require managing teams and projects, your communication, leadership and project management skills should shine just as brightly as your engineering competence. It's also essential to focus on your achievements in previous roles rather than just listing responsibilities; concrete, quantifiable results will make you stand out.
In your skills section, you should prioritize your advanced technology capabilities. The engineering field is increasingly relying on AI and machine learning; if you have experience with these, make it clear. Mention any specific software or tools you're proficient in, as well as any certifications you've earned.
A senior engineer isn't just a technical expert. You're also expected to lead teams and manage projects effectively. Detail your experience with leading projects, including project scope, team size, duration, and the results achieved. If you have any leadership or project management certifications, be sure to include them.
In a senior electrical engineering position, you’ll oversee other engineers and support them in their roles. You’ll be tasked with reviewing, changing, and approving electrical designs, and you’ll also perform some project management. To land this job, use your resume to showcase your exemplary performance at past jobs as well as your outstanding leadership skills.
The best leaders lead by their own example. Show how you have been a leader at past jobs by listing promotions you’ve received. This resume shows the candidate beginning as an assistant electrical engineer, advancing to become a full electrical engineer, and then rising to the rank of manager all at the same company. Promotions on your resume like these ones demonstrate proactivity and professional growth.
Being a leader isn’t always simple, and it takes a special kind of person to do it well. Using action verbs such as “directed”, “managed”, and “oversaw” to discuss your past accomplishments shows evidence of your initiative and tells hiring managers that you can handle the responsibilities of a leadership position.
When you're looking to land a job as an electrician, your resume needs to really spark the interest of the hiring manager. Being an electrician is about more than just technical knowledge; it's about problem-solving, attention to detail, and safety consciousness. Recently, electricians have had to navigate a landscape that includes more technology and automation, so showing adaptability is also important.
A resume for an electrician should showcase your specific skills and experiences in the electrical field. Remember, though, it's in the details of your job that managers find most value. They're not just looking for someone who can do the job, but someone who delivers value and safety to their clients, teams, and projects.
As an electrician, you have a unique skill set that combines problem-solving, technical knowledge, and safety awareness. It's more than just wiring; you've got to be up-to-date with local electrical codes, understand schematics, and be able to troubleshoot under pressure. When it comes to your resume, it's about showcasing your skills, experience, and certifications to potential employers who are likely prioritizing reliability and experience in the trade. On top of that, with the industry trending towards greener solutions, demonstrating knowledge in areas like energy-efficient installations could make a big difference.
Your resume should be a reflection of your hands-on experience and ongoing learning. Given that BLS reports a faster than average growth for electrician roles, it's crucial to stand out by tailoring your resume to reflect the job posting’s requirements and your commitment to safety and quality workmanship.
As an electrician, you're expected to handle a variety of systems. Specify in your skills section which ones you're proficient in, such as residential, commercial, or industrial wiring systems. Be sure to mention your experience with modern energy-saving systems.
Certifications can set you apart, especially in a hands-on job like an electrician. List your journeyman or master electrician licenses, and don't forget about other relevant certifications, like Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training or specialized manufacturer certifications.
Being an Electrician Apprentice is your stepping stone into the trade industry. You're in the role to learn from seasoned electricians, often working on-site, honing practical skills, and becoming familiar with regulations. The industry changes frequently due to new technology and updates to safety codes, so make sure your resume shows you're eager to learn and adapt. When writing a resume for this role, remember you're showcasing your potential to grow into a fully-fledged electrician. It's not about listing a ton of experience - it’s about showing your commitment and aptitude for the trade.
When applying for an Electrician Apprentice role, you should include relevant coursework from vocational or trade school. It demonstrates you have foundational knowledge in electrical theory, coding regulations, and safety measures, which is what potential employers look for.
You must detail any practical skills you've gained, even if it's from non-trade work. Perhaps you've done work that involves dexterity, physical stamina, or problem-solving - these are all transferable skills that can show you're cut out for the physical demands of an electrician’s role.
We interviewed electrical engineering hiring managers at top companies like General Electric, Siemens, and Tesla to understand what they look for in resumes. Based on their insights, we've compiled the following tips to help you create a strong electrical engineering resume that will impress employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
Employers want to see that you have the technical skills and expertise needed for the role. Be sure to highlight your proficiency in relevant software, tools, and programming languages.
Avoid being too general or vague about your technical skills. Instead of saying you have 'programming experience', provide specific examples like the ones above.
As an electrical engineer, your resume summary is an opportunity to provide a brief overview of your qualifications and experience. While a summary is optional, it can be a useful tool to provide context for your resume, especially if you are changing careers or have a lot of experience. However, you should never use an objective statement, as it is outdated and does not provide value to the employer.
When writing your summary, avoid repeating information that is already included in other sections of your resume. Instead, focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the position. Keep your summary concise, no more than a paragraph, and avoid using bullet points.
The work experience section is the core of your electrical engineer resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your technical knowledge and skills to real-world projects and challenges. It's also the perfect place to highlight your career growth and the impact you've had in previous roles.
Follow these tips to write an effective work experience section that will impress hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
When you’re detailing your work history on your resume, you should always include clear and specific bullet points with examples of what you accomplished at past jobs. For maximum effect, those bullet points should always begin with clear and specific action verbs. You’d be surprised what a difference a handful of carefully-chosen words on your resume can make!
The best action verbs for electrical engineers reflect the mix of communication, problem-solving, technical, and creative skills needed for their jobs. Some of these verbs could include the ones on the left.
For more related action verbs, visit Engineering Action Verbs.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
As an electrical engineer, you will be working with numbers and data, and you’ll also be using the principles of electricity to design equipment and systems. But there’s much more to engineering than just math and science: You also need the ability to think logically about problems and devise creative solutions.
Great communication skills are also essential. Electrical engineers often work with team members, clients, and other professionals to help bring projects to fruition. So if you’re applying for jobs within the field, be sure to highlight not only your technical expertise, but also your people skills and your creative problem solving abilities.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Electrical Engineer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Designed and implemented company-wide CAD standards that were used by 300 engineers and saved circuitry design time by 20%.
Diagnosed equipment malfunction for university electrical facility, reducing system error rate by 95%.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
