insights How to create an eye-catching Design Engineer CV

1. Showcase your qualifications

If you have just graduated, you’ll know that applying for jobs is a difficult task when the competition is so high. Becoming a qualified design engineer is no easy feat, so make sure to define the fundamental skills you learnt during your degree that will help you become a successful engineer of the future.

If you’re already an experienced professional, evidencing a continual commitment to learning and developing throughout your career in your CV is advantageous, for example becoming a Chartered Design Engineer. Employers want to know that you’re keen to learn new skills and techniques as they become available to improve design services.

2. Format and structure your CV clearly

A well-written and properly formatted CV should never be overlooked. Recruiters are very busy, and typically they won’t spend long on each CV, so you’ll want to make sure yours is eye-catching enough from the start that they’ll want to consider you.

Additionally, recruiters are increasingly using scanning software that automatically picks out key information from your CV. So, if it’s unorganised, long, and hard to scan, it may be overlooked.

3. Evidence your core skills

Common design engineering skills that employers desire include creativity, critical thinking, and project management. However, these aren’t the only skills that the employer will be looking for. They’ll want to know about your soft skills too, for example, if you’re a team player, who collaborates to help the team turn challenges into opportunities.

When it comes to the interview stage, a hiring manager may use your CV to ask questions about your core skills and how you would apply them in the role. Make sure you can give evidence with examples, for instance, demonstrable knowledge of design projects, and relevant knowledge of site operations.

4. Tailor your CV to a specific role

As we’ve already mentioned, your CV is an opportunity to explain why you’re a great fit for the role. A hiring manager is looking for a certain set of criteria to meet so be sure to show how your skills are relevant to that job.

For example, as a Senior Design Engineer, you may need to show extensive knowledge of useful software tools and packages such as CAD, Revit, Civil 3D or InfraWorks which may set you apart from other candidates.

5. Show a willingness to be innovative

The world is growing, progressively becoming more technological, reliant on digital, and moving away from traditional, unsustainable processes. Demonstrating a willingness and flexibility to embrace new approaches to solving some of the world’s most complex challenges in your CV is a great way to get noticed. Engineers at AtkinsRéalis differentiate themselves by building for a greener future, leading the way on our journey to Net Zero Carbon.

Why take your design engineering career to AtkinsRéalis ?

At AtkinsRéalis , and within our brands Atkins and Faithful+Gould, we offer unparalleled opportunities for ambitious and talented individuals looking for a rewarding career both in India, APAC, and around the world. If you believe you have the right skills, experience, and you’re enthusiastic about succeeding, we would like to hear from you.

Find out more about how to get your engineering career started, then browse our available design engineering roles today or sign up to our job alerts so you never miss an opportunity.