Engineering Your Career: Quick Guide On Writing a Structural Engineer Resume

Engineering has become one of the most sought-after fields in the workforce, and the construction industry makes good use of structural engineers and their work. According to NewEngineer, structural engineering has and always will be in demand, because structural engineers are always needed to ensure buildings and other structures are safe for the public.

So if you’re looking to obtain a job as a structural engineer, you’ll need to construct a winning resume. This column will discuss the following:

• What your job entails

• What employers look for in structural engineer resumes

• The “do’s and don’ts” of writing your resume

Understand The Job

“Structural engineers are some of the most influential faces of the engineering field,” says Kyle Jefferson, a writer at Liahelp and Essay Service. “Structural engineers are responsible for designing and evaluating structures and/or structural systems like buildings, bridges, towers, and so on. These engineers may also be expected to prepare estimates when it comes to budget and materials needed for projects. In short, these engineers need to be a team player, and possess problem-solving skills and critical thinking.”

What Employers Look For

So now that you know what being a structural engineer is about, it’s time to write your resume. With that said, here are four characteristics you’ll need for your structural engineer resume:

1. A summary is a brief overview showcasing the following:

• Top skills

• Work experience

• Qualifications

All three of these factors need to be relevant so employers will take you seriously.

2. Your skills should be a mix of hard and soft skills. Here are some skills to keep in mind when writing your resume:

• Problem-solving

• Budgeting

• Material billings

• Knowledge of AutoCAD and other relevant software

• Interpersonal skills, etc.

Having a mix of hard and soft skills makes you more attractive to hiring managers.

3. Hiring managers also want to know your relevant work history. Here you’ll need to list your work achievements, not daily tasks. Displaying your work history allows hiring managers to see how valuable you are as a potential candidate.

4. While your highest education is still important, you’ll also need to show any certifications, special training and relevant coursework in structural engineering.

What You Should Do

1. Make sure you list your achievements in the structural engineering field. Show numbers and stats when describing your accomplishments.

2. Your resume needs to be job-specific. In other words, your resume must tailor to your desire of becoming a structural engineer. One of the best ways to tailor your resume is to use keywords and phrases that relate to structural engineering. Keep in mind: Hiring managers will most likely scan and toss resumes, so it’s best to catch their eyes instantly with relevant keywords and phrases.

3. Make sure to proofread your resume before submitting it to employers. That means avoiding spelling errors, typos, grammar mistakes and so on. Online resources such as Resumention, Paper Fellows and Big Assignments can help you proofread and refine your resume, especially when it comes to your structural engineering resume.

What You Shouldn’t Do

1. You don’t want your resume to be long.

“As a potential structural engineer for a company, you don’t want to bore hiring managers with too much information,” says Gregory D. Koller, a career blogger at Boomessays and Essayroo. “Hiring managers are mainly concerned about your experience as a structural engineer, so it’s best to create a one-page resume.”

2. Including references in your resume won’t work anymore. Recruiters and hiring managers want to hear about your skills, experiences and achievements as a structural engineer. Hiring managers will let you know when to provide references.

3. Don’t neglect mentioning soft skills. While technical and hard skills are desired in structural engineering, you’ll also need soft skills such as:

• Ability to effectively communicate

• Adaptability

• Time management

• Leadership skills

• Critical thinking

• Organization, etc.

Don’t forget to mention soft skills!

Crucial First Impressions

If you’re interested in becoming a structural engineer, it’s important to make that first impression count with a winning resume. By referencing this quick guide, and ensuring you’re saying the right stuff and doing the right things, you’ll be one step closer to your dream job in structural engineering.

Good luck! 

 

Engineering Your Career