Electrical Engineer Resumes to Get Interviews: With Examples

When writing a CV as an electrical engineer, as with any CV, it's essential to find a format and structure that reflects the role while highlighting your strengths and providing examples that highlight your relevant achievements. Electrical engineering is a competitive field with high educational requirements, and a good CV could mean the difference between getting an interview and not. For this reason, delving into the art of writing a CV that employers will notice can help you move forward. 

What do electrical engineers do?

Electrical engineers are experts in designing and building electrical equipment to advance technological outcomes. Examples include motors, vehicles and aircraft, computer systems, navigation systems, and computer hardware. 

Electrical engineers have a unique skill set for developing and improving electrical products. They use their strengths in understanding complicated math and physics to develop and improve these products. 

Tips for creating an electrical engineer CV for the first time

Suppose you are creating your electrical engineer's CV for the first time. In this case, you can collate all that you have learned, the experience you’ve gained, relevant skills, and your educational attainment tailored to the role you are applying for. While you won’t find a right or wrong way to write a CV, the following tips can help you create a CV that meets all electrical engineer requirements. 

Have a role in mind.

You must tailor your CV to the role for which you are applying. Start by having the job description in hand, noting the essential requirements, and paying attention to the ad's keywords. These help you know what you need to write. Throughout your CV, you can demonstrate that you have everything the recruiter is looking for, and using the keywords effectively ensures your CV is ATS-compliant. 

Pick an appropriate format.

The layout of your CV doesn’t always have to be the same. Different industries, roles, experience levels, and educational attainment will play a part in your chosen CV template. 

Electrical engineering is a mathematical, systematic, logical profession, so having a CV that reflects this works well. Keep a professional, simple template with a logical progression. A reverse chronological CV works well for this industry unless you have reasons to choose another, such as a lack of experience. 

Make an impact with your summary.

An effective CV starts with a summary that gives the reader an overview of who you are, your impressive and relevant skills and experience, and what you hope to achieve in your new role. It should be short, snappy, and, as a result, easy to scan. Everything in your summary is a precursor to what is to come in the CV's body. 

Highlight your education.

Electrical engineering is a competitive industry, starting in university, where electrical engineering degrees are considered some of the most challenging in engineering. Electrical engineering requirements include a specific education. Typically, learners complete a diploma program or bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Some recruiters may also request a master’s level degree. 

If you have the necessary electrical engineering qualifications, it’s essential to put them on your CV with additional relevant details of any projects and classes. A recruiter will check your educational attainment as a critical criterion. 

Focus on your accomplishments.

An employer wants to know what you have done that makes you stand out. Listing and categorising your experience is essential, but focusing on your electrical engineering successes is more effective than writing a list of duties. Use the STAR method (S-Situation, T-Task, A-Action, R-results) to list accomplishments and make them stand out. 

Emphasise your skills.

Many workplace and technical electrical engineering skills are necessary for the position, so list these prominently on your CV. You can list them in a focused skills section, but make sure they're also evident in other areas, including the summary and experience section, where you can use examples. 

Writing a CV without work experience.                        

Writing a CV without work experience can be tricky and cause a change in design. Instead of a reverse chronological CV that lists experience above all else, using a skills-based CV allows you to give precedent to a detailed skills section that includes real-life examples and projects outside of professional experience. 

With this approach, you can clarify what you can do, even with limited professional experience. You can also move your education section above the experience section if it's more relevant and recent. 

Electrical engineer CV examples

Before you write your CV, use these examples to help you gain inspiration. You can easily adapt them for the role you’re applying for. 

Example electrical engineering CV structure

You'll want to include some essential sections in your electrical engineering CV. An example outline is below, but keep in mind that you can reorder the sections to suit your needs and add any additional sections, such as certifications, you think are necessary:

Headline

Summary

Professional experience

Education

Skills

Example summary

A summary is the first part of the CV that a recruiter will read, so make sure it draws them in and keeps them wanting to read on:

Electrical engineer with over ten years of experience in electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution. Technically skilled with specific circuit design and Java programming expertise, contributing to developing a large hydroelectricity installation. An experienced team manager with circuit management experience and the ability to lead by example and support team efforts.

Skills section example

Prospective employers are looking for skilled candidates. Relevant skills you might highlight in this section include a mix of technical skills and workplace skills:

Technical skills

• C++ and Java programming

• AutoCAD 

• Circuit design

• Linux

• Electrical measurements

Workplace skills

• Communication

• Critical thinking

• Leadership

• Innovation

• Eye for detail

• Teamwork

Boost your electrical engineer CV with an online degree or course

A well-written electrical engineer CV can help you stand out from the competition. By following these tips, you can create a CV showcasing your skills, experience, and education, making you a strong candidate for any electrical engineering position.

If you’re ready to start writing your CV but would benefit from something more to make you stand out, look at some electrical engineering courses and degrees listed on Coursera to boost your credentials. For example, consider checking out the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering offered by the University of Colorado Boulder to increase your knowledge, skills, and qualifications.