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An entry-level civil engineer acts as somewhat of an assistant to more experienced engineers. Your main goal in this position is to learn as much as you can from your superiors and slowly prove yourself. Tasks you can expect include doing research, surveying sites, drafting blueprints, creating budgets, etc. You may complete some of these tasks in the office and some may require you to be out in the field.
Civil engineers will need an engineering degree but may also need certifications and/or licenses before they can work. Find out the requirements in your state or country and make sure you are eligible to work before you begin your job search. Here is a strong resume sample.
You are bound to need some kind of license or certification to practice as a civil engineer so make sure your qualifications are clearly listed. Your resume may not be considered if the recruiter cannot tell if you are licensed or not.
You may not have a lot of professional experience so include school projects, activities, and internships to populate your experience section. Concentrate on any projects that included civil engineering.
If you’re applying for entry level civil engineer positions, chances are you’re a recent graduate or career changer without a lot of paid experience. But that doesn’t mean the experience you have isn’t relevant! By emphasizing your experience with educational, volunteer, and personal engineering projects, as well as transferable skills, your resume can explain exactly what makes you a strong candidate for the position.
Volunteer experience can be just as relevant as paid work experience, especially if you’re short on the latter. When including volunteer work, list it the same way you would any other experience, starting with an action verb and focusing on your accomplishments, not job duties. You can put this in a separate volunteer section or alongside your paid work experience.
As a recent graduate, you can make up for a lack of paid experience by including university projects and activities. This can go in a separate projects section or in your education section (which can go at the top of your resume if that’s your most recent and relevant experience). Remember to focus on your accomplishments, using metrics if possible.
As a hiring manager who has recruited for top engineering firms like AECOM, Jacobs Engineering Group, and Kiewit Corporation, I've reviewed hundreds of entry-level civil engineer resumes. Based on my experience, I've compiled a list of tips to help you create a strong resume that will catch the attention of recruiters and hiring managers in this field.
As an entry-level civil engineer, your technical skills and relevant coursework are crucial to showcase on your resume. Hiring managers want to see that you have a strong foundation in the key areas of civil engineering.
Make sure to emphasize:
Avoid simply listing generic skills or courses without providing context. Instead, quantify your experience whenever possible.
A resume summary, also known as a professional summary or summary statement, is an optional section that appears at the top of your resume, just below your contact information. While it's not a mandatory component, a well-crafted summary can be a valuable addition to your resume, especially if you're an entry-level civil engineer looking to highlight your skills and qualifications.
Unlike an objective statement, which focuses on your career goals, a summary showcases your most relevant experiences, skills, and accomplishments. It's a concise snapshot of your professional profile, designed to capture the attention of hiring managers and convince them to read the rest of your resume.
The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you show hiring managers that you have the right experience to excel in the civil engineering role you're applying for. In this section, we'll break down how to write about your work experience in a way that will impress employers and increase your chances of landing an interview.
When describing your work experience, use strong action verbs that are relevant to the civil engineering industry. This helps paint a clearer picture of your contributions and makes your resume more impactful.
Compare the following examples:
Instead, use powerful action verbs like:
The education section of your civil engineer resume should be concise yet impactful. It's an opportunity to showcase your academic achievements and relevant coursework that aligns with the job requirements. Here are some key tips to keep in mind when crafting your education section:
The skills section on your resume is a critical component that showcases your technical expertise and abilities to potential employers. As an entry-level civil engineer, it's important to highlight the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for.
In this section, we'll walk you through the key steps to crafting a compelling skills section that will catch the attention of hiring managers and help you land your dream job.
Here are examples of popular skills from Entry Level Civil Engineer job descriptions that you can include on your resume.
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Entry Level Civil Engineer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more likely you should include it in your resume.
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