Electrical engineer CV sample

Getting that highly prized and well-paid Electrical Engineer position requires a well written and attractive CV.

No matter what industry you are in, you need to have in your arsenal the best possible CV if you’re to stand any change of bagging the interview you’ve always wanted. Right from the start your job application must be a sales pitch that highlights your understanding of the principles of electricity and your experience of designing, developing, and testing electrical equipment and systems.

On this page, we’ve brought together all the resources required to write a stellar Electrical Engineer CV that will push you to the front of the que. Discover how to write one that shows your technical proficiency and reflects your practical experience in the field of electrical engineering. Also, use our advice and extensive library of expertly written examples as starting guides on which to base your own winning one. Combined our advice will make writing a top CV as easy as one, two, three.

By: Iejaz Uddin – Updated 18 November 2024

Page overview:

• Electrical Engineer CV examples
• Guide to writing an Electrical Engineer CV
• CV layout
• Contact section
• Personal summary
• Work experience
• Skills to include in your CV
• Education section
• Hobbies and interests

Electrical Engineer CV samples

Maxine Corry
Address
T: 0044 123 456 7890
E: info@dayjob.com

PERSONAL SUMMARY

Maxine is a natural innovator and problem solver who can ensure that electrical systems aren’t only fit for purpose, but also meet all required specifications. She is a fully accredited Electrical Engineer who experience of being involved in projects from their concept right through to their testing, implementation, and handover. Can carry out preventative maintenance tasks as well as be reactive with regards to breakdowns and repairs.

A team player who can comfortably work as a group with other engineers, architects, and technical staff. Also, a real professional who is committed to keeping up to date with safety requirements, knowledge, and legislation. Does this by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and participating in professional societies.

In her current role she ensures that all proposed designs meet commercial, investment requirements and take into account innovation developments. As part of her duties, she manages and maintains building services, such as lighting, heating, ventilation, and lift systems. With colleagues she has a reputation for delivering exceptional solutions to world-class companies.

Through her career she has worked on innovative projects alongside seasoned professionals with years of experience.

On a personal level she is a superb communicator who can confer with engineers, customers, and others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects and products.

Right now, she would like to join a reputable company that apart from paying its staff an above average electrical engineer salary, also provides future career development opportunities for them.

CAREER HISTORY

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER – Start Date – Present
Employers name – Location
Responsible for working on the design, development and maintenance of electrical control systems, equipment, and machinery.

Duties;

• Coordinating and overseeing the installation and testing of electrical equipment and control systems.
• Operating computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Undertaking all routine tasks in accordance to recognised standards.
• Inspecting and testing electrical installations both on site and off site.
• Conducting regular inspections to ensure that all electrical systems work according to their relevant safety guidelines and regulations.
• Mentoring, training up and supporting junior engineers in order to help develop their skills.
• Building electrical equipment to agreed specifications and quality requirements.
• Filling out daily shift reports and other necessary administrative paperwork.
• Testing out emergency lighting and evacuation alarm systems.
• Investigating and assisting customers on power quality issues.
• Making sure that projects are completed on time and perform as expected.
• Carrying out maintenance and tests to check a device is working properly.
• Attending meetings, writing reports, and giving presentations to managers and clients.
• Confirming a systems and components’ capabilities by designing bespoke testing methods to put it through.
• Evaluating the operational efficiency of electrical systems, machinery, components, and products.
• Improving electrical facilities and systems for commercial, industrial, and utility purposes.
• Developing budgets by accurately estimating labour, material, and construction costs.
• Reviewing contractors’ invoices related to electrical works to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Ensuring compliance with all relevant specifications, codes, and customer requirements.

JOB TITLE – Start Date – End Date
Employers name – Location

KEY SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

Professional

• Responding in a timely manner to verbal and written requests for assistance.
• In depth knowledge and understanding of all relevant health & safety regulations.
• Experience of conducting site visits for inspection and installations.
• Able to methodically and accurately record detailed information.
• Undertaking research into potential solutions to problems.
• Can clearly communicate technical issues to a non-technical person.

Personal

• Strong work ethic with solution driven approach towards obstacles.
• Have a ‘can do’ attitude towards issues that others may find daunting.
• Superb communication skills and able to work equally well with both shop floor and management.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Reactive maintenance
Electrical maintenance
Problem solving
Problem detection
Fault finding
Manual dexterity
Circuit theory
Electrical servicing
Process improvement
Innovation
Installation
Servicing equipment
Mechanical breakdowns

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

University name  –  Degree details              Study Dates
College name      –  Qualifications                Study Dates
School name       –  Subjects / Grades          Study Dates

REFERENCES

Available on request.

Guide to writing an Electrical Engineer CV

Your CV is a reflection of who you are as a candidate, meaning a well written one can vastly increase your chances of getting noticed and picked out.

For a technical role like this you need to demonstrate experience of developing, installing, and maintaining electrical products and systems used in diverse industries. It’s therefore imperative an applicant immediately showcases their deep knowledge of electrical manufacturing processes. That’s not all, in this modern interconnected world it must also show your ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team on projects made up of specialists from other areas.

Employers want to see what you have to offer within seconds, so start selling yourself from the first sentence. Get straight to the point by speaking the language of hiring managers and ensuring your CV is rich in detail and contains role specific keywords from the job advert. The key to success is to align your CV as much as possible with the job description.

Follow the advice in this guide and use the examples on this page to create a tailored CV that best reflects your experience, abilities and future potential.

CV writing tips

Act on the below points to create a picture of yourself as a capable candidate who can design, repair and improve devices powered by electricity.

• Keep it short: Hiring managers only have a few seconds to review your CV, so keep it short and impactful. Only list relevant experiences and focus on what strengthens your candidacy. Exclude unrelated experiences to maintain the relevancy of your CV.

• Target your CV: No two jobs are the same and no two CVs should be the same either. Instead, every one you write should be targeted at a specific vacancy.  The best way to do this is to dissect the job description to find those keywords which describe the experience, skills and qualifications that you have.

• Keywords: Most recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems to filter out candidates whose CVs do not include job-specific keywords. Having the right ones in your CV not only optimise it for an ATS, they can also catch the recruiters attention who often scan a CV looking for specific terms related to the role.

• Proofread it: Before submitting it iron out any creases by giving it a good once over. You want to create an error-free CV and avoid any schoolboy spelling mistakes, typos, or grammatical blunders. Give it a professional and polished look by reading it aloud yourself, using online spell checkers or asking competent friends to read it.

Guide overview:

• CV layout
• Contact section
• Personal summary
• Electrical Engineer work experience
• Skills to include in your CV
• Education
• Hobbies and interests

CV Layout

Hiring Managers are busy people with little time to waste. They expect to find information quickly in any CV they’re reading.

One way to speedily give them what they want is by having a CV layout that is organised, easy to scan and clearly laid out. This’ll allow them to swiftly skim it and pick out key points about you.

To get on that interview shortlist, you need a spot-on CV format which gives a precise snapshot of who you are. Aim to submit a good-looking outline that catches their eye and emphasizes your strongest points.

Read on to find out how to structure each category correctly and competently.

What is a CV layout?
It’s a blueprint of your CV and refers to its structure and organization. A good layout will make your CV visually appealing, easy to read, and professional in appearance.

Why is the CV layout important?
If the formatting is done properly it can significantly impact your job search success. That’s because a reader-friendly layout can make the hiring managers job easier and an aesthetically pleasing one can brighten up their day.

What is the best CV layout?
Employers always appreciate a simple CV template that has a easy-to-navigate layout. Ideally it should be minimalistic in design with neatly organised section that highlights relevant competencies and showcases career progression.

• The best CV format for most electrical engineers’ is the reverse chronological layout which prioritises the candidate’s career history.

The 3 main CV Layouts

Many candidates are unsure of how to structure their CV. That’s because there is no ‘one size fits all’ set CV format. However, there are three main options to choose from, with each one having their individual strengths.

• Chronological: This is the UK’s most commonly used format and is built around a candidates work experience in date order, with the most recent first.

• Functional: A skills based layout that is focused on emphasising your most relevant abilities, expertise and accomplishments, rather than your work experience.

• Combination / Hybrid: A combination of the chronological and functional CV that allows job seekers to showcase their skills, work experience, education, and achievements in equal measure.

CV Length

Remember, quality over quantity.

For virtually all job applications a two-page CV is considered adequate. The only exceptions being for entry level positions, where a single page one is acceptable and academic or senior roles where three pages plus CV’s are fine.

Keep your CV as short as possible by only including that information which is relevant to the position. Do this by researching the role thoroughly to identify the most in-demand skill sets, and then concentrate on these.

Related link: How long should a CV be?

How to keep your CV short

•  Avoid duplication: A great way to shorten your CV and save space at the same time, is by not repeating yourself. This is a mistake many jobseekers make by trying to highlight a specific skill set through constant repetition.

• Focus on recent roles: Another way to cut your CV down to size is by writing more about your current and most recent roles. As opposed to just briefly mentioning jobs older than 5 or 10 years.

CV Contact Section

After reviewing your CV recruiters will want to contact you, this is where to tell them how they can. It’s in your interests to do everything you can to help a prospective employer schedule an interview or request more information.

In the contact information section you’ll give them your name, phone, email and location.

How to list your contact information

• Prominent location: Due to its importance, it sits prominently at the top of your CV, where it can be quickly seen. Under no circumstances should it be buried or hidden in your CV, it needs to be in a place where it can be easily found. Also remember that these details can also be used to contact you for any future suitable job openings as well, so try not to change phone numbers regularly!

• Give recent ones: Some people may change their phone numbers and email addresses, so make sure you include your most recent ones and not outdated or old ones.

• Checking for errors: A missed digit or letter can mean a missed opportunity. Errors in your contact information on a CV can have serious consequences, so double check them.

• Your address: Ensure your location aligns with the job’s requirements. For instance if the requires the candidate to live in London, then show you are based in London or nearby within  commutable distance.

What to include in your contact section

At a minimum you should give at least two different ways of being contacted.

• Your name: Always begin your CV with your full name prominently displayed in a professional manner. Avoid using nicknames or alternative name spellings that will not  match your other documents, it can cause confusion.

• Mobile number: When including this avoid unusual symbols or excessive spacing, as this can make your phone number hard to read.

• Email: Create the right image by using one that demonstrates your professionalism, do not use nicknames or slang in an email address.

• Address: When applying for a remote role there is no need to give your full address. However, for general positions a few words giving your city and country is fine.

• LinkedIn: Including this in your CV gives prospective employers a synopsis of your credentials and another way for them to contact you. Watch out for broken links, non-functioning LinkedIn profiles or outdated portfolio sites.

What not to include in your contact details:

• Age
• Date of birth
• Marital status
• Nationality

Personal Summary

This is an introduction to your CV, where in a few short lines you have an opportunity to sum up who you are and what can do. It’s a snapshot of you as a candidate, where you can give a quick run-through of your best attributes and set the mood music for the rest of your CV.

Writing a compelling introductory paragraph is a great way to make an immediate positive impression. The trick is to write one that engages the reader rather than puts them off and keeps them reading.

Sitting at the top of the page, next to your contact details, it is the first thing a recruiter will read. As such it needs to electrify your CV by being attention grabbing, engaging and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the position.

How to write a personal summary

To write a good opening statement you’ve got to align what you say with what the employer wants. This means you’ve got to understand what the recruiter is looking for in a candidate, something which can be found in the job description.

• Get straight to the point: Don’t waste time, immediately explain why you’re the best candidate for the job.

• Target the vacancy: Avoid writing up a generic personal statement that can apply to any job role. Instead tweak and tailor it so that it targets the requirements of the vacancy you are applying for.

• Include statistics: Further strengthen your credentials by backing up your claims with examples of achievements and statistical proof through figures and percentages.

In your personal summary explain:

• How you plan to contribute to the prospective company.
• The unique value you can bring to their operations.
• How their opportunity matches your career goals.

Related link: How to write a personal summary

Electrical Engineer work experience

Use this section to add value to your application by giving details of what you did in your previous jobs. It’s a place to prove that you’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty to make significant achievements in your previous employment.

Write a thorough summary of your career history to date. Narrate your professional story in a way that highlights growth, expertise, and readiness for the next step in your career. However, whilst acknowledging your past achievements, also emphasize how your previous experiences position you as the ideal candidate for the opportunity ahead.

How to write about your work experience

Shine a light on your ability to handle real-world challenges effectively.

• Chronological Career Overview: Start with your most recent position and work backward.

• Focus on recent jobs: Emphasize your current or most recent role, as it reflects the most relevant and up-to-date version of your skillset. Give more space to what you are doing now and not what you did in the past. Employers want to see the new you, not the old one.

• Keep it relevant: Continually refine and reword what you’ve written to make it as relevant as possible to the job you are applying for. Do this by picking out the required competencies from reading the job advert and skilfully inserting them into what you write.

• Mention your strengths: Showcase key projects you have contributed to or led, detailing your role, the technologies utilized, and the measurable impact or outcomes achieved.

• Use industry jargon: Don’t be vague, name the power system analysis, circuit simulation, or hands-on experience with electrical installations. Mention the variety of tools you’ve used on circuit design, micro-processing, and computer programming.

• Use metrics: Utilise figures and percentages to demonstrate your impact on efficiency, cost savings, or innovation

Related: Work experience in a CV

What employer information to give

• Employers’ name
• Job titles
• Employment dates
• Location

Career Achievements 

Achievements are significant milestones, successes, or contributions you have made in your working life. They can be anything from solving problems, to increasing efficiency, or contributing to growth. If you have any, it’s definitely worth including them.

Examples of achievements:

• Surpassing production targets.
• Completing a project ahead of schedule.
• Reducing costs or increasing profits.

Advantages of including achievements in a CV

Brighten up a dim CV by giving details of any significant accomplishments you’ve achieved in your career. They will provide real world tangible evidence of your contributions to previous employers and show the value you can bring to an organization. By including them you can shift the focus from duties to results and also differentiate yourself from other candidates who have none. Done properly they can impress prospective employers who will see you as an achiever rather than a doer.

How to include your achievements

Present your achievements in a way that is clear, quantifiable, and tailored to the job you’re applying for. Give them credibility by using actual figures to show the scale of your impact, for instance quantify them with clear cut before-and-after comparisons that use numbers, statistics and figures.

Electrical Engineer achievement examples:

• PCB design: Created a new PCB design for an existing consumer electronic device, that improved product efficiency by 20%.

• Project completion: Completed a complex energy consumption project 1 month ahead of schedule and 15% below budget.

• Cost saving: Saved the company £30,000 by finding a cheaper supplier for a replacement piece of machinery.

• IT efficiency: Reduced software deployment time by 20% through the streamlining of coding processes.

Electrical Engineer skills

Leverage the power of your skills by showing recruiters you have the important ones needed to design, develop, and maintain electrical systems and components efficiently and effectively. Give extra voltage to your CV by including the correct mixture of technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills required to succeed in this field.

Draw attention to yourself by making sure all your relevant technical abilities, accreditations, certifications, and training are included in your CV.

How to write your skills into a CV

Think about those competencies that you feel with catch the recruiter’s eye and impress them. These are the ones you need to showcase. Always prioritize those skills mentioned in the job description, this makes it easier for hiring managers to recognize your fit for their position.

• Keep them updated: As a person’s skills are constantly evolving, make sure you include your up-to-date ones.

• Relevancy: Because the subsets of electrical engineering are endless it’s best to focus on relevant ones.

• Place them prominently: The best place to put them is where they are most visible and will be quickly seen. This is usually at the top of your CV as a standalone list, or you can sprinkle them throughout the page as keywords in descriptive sentences.

In your CV show you can:

• Plan and initiate both large and small electrical projects.
• Use specialist engineering and design software to produce plans and designs.
• Participate in the entire development process from the start right through to the final installation.
• Make modifications to electrical equipment based on the test results.
• Install and maintain equipment on site in conditions that may be hot, dusty or cramped.
• Design and analyse electrical circuits and components such as resistors, capacitors, inductors, and semiconductor devices.
• Work on time-sensitive projects, where they must be completed by a specific date.

Areas to focus on when writing an electrical engineer CV:

• Your experience of designing, developing and maintaining electrical systems.
• Highlight your ability to read design specifications and technical drawings.
• Show your ability to conduct tests and draw conclusions.
• Your report writing and presentation skills.
• Explain your ability to develop budgets, estimating labor and material costs.
• Your knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment etc.
• Ability to use the latest specialist design software.
• How you can identify complex electrical problems and then evaluate options and implement solutions.
• The ability to work individually or as part of a team.
• Explain your extensive understanding of electrical and electronic engineering, digital signal processing and telecommunications.

Related: Electrical Engineer skills

Hard and soft skills

Recruiters are constantly on the lookout for the in demand hard and soft skills their vacancies require. These two distinct types of abilities complement each other and are needed to perform your job duties effectively. They both have a place in your CV.

• Hard skills: Technical, job-specific abilities that can be learned through education, training, or work experience.

• Soft skills: Also known as transferable skills, they are interpersonal or behavioural traits that enable individuals to work effectively with others.

Below is a list of hard and soft skills related to the field of electrical engineering.

Electrical Engineer Hard Skills

Technical skills

• Using computer-aided design (CAD) to create schematics for electrical components.
• Can quickly read design specifications and accurately interpret technical drawings.
• Assuring product quality by conducting thorough and reliable tests.
• Have a good understanding of electrical health and safety issues.

Manual dexterity

• Can grasp and manipulate objects through small, delicate, and precise movements.
• Have the good eye to hand coordination needed to carry out tasks that require accuracy.
• Physically fit and able to move, bend, crouch and kneel for long periods of time.

Electrical Installations

• Designing, planning, and producing drawings and estimates for complex metering installations.
• Reading, understanding, and interpreting technical information relative to the role.

Professional

• Ability to perform accurate engineering mathematical calculations.
• Drawing engineering plans manually or with the use of CAD.
• Supervising, mentoring, and training up project team members as necessary.
• Conversant in all relevant electrical theories and applications.

Electrical Engineer Transferable Soft Skills

Personal skills

• Ability to self-manage multiple workloads.
• Can work with people from different countries, social backgrounds, and cultures.
• Punctual, always on time and never letting colleagues down by being late.
• Experience of working with a variety of professional and technicians.

Problem solving

• Overcoming issues by breaking down problems into smaller chunks and dealing with them that way.
• Ability to analyse complex problems and assess possible solutions.
• Identifying the root cause of a problem.
• Not being overawed by the scale of a problem.

Core skills

The skills listed below show recruiters that you can handle complex engineering concepts, theories and problems. Use these keywords and phrases in your CV to demonstrate your knowledge of electrical systems as well as electronic products and components.

• Electrical systems
• Problem solving
• Test installations
• Component testing
• Power Distribution
• CAD Software
• Power transmission
• Safety Protocols
• Electrical installation
• Mathematics
• Time management
• AutoCAD
• Technical reports
• Data analysis
• System Integration
• Estimating costs
• Circuit diagrams
• Maintenance programmes
• Electrical troubleshooting

Education

The education section of your CV tells the recruiter what you’ve achieved in the academic arena.

As the title suggests this is where you list your qualifications, training, accreditations and anything else which shows your commitment to your own professional development. It’s the place to amplify those credentials which directly match the job’s knowledge criteria.

It’s a much underappreciated, underutilised, and underestimated part of a CV, that many jobseekers see as a bolt on at the bottom of the page. However, used properly it can be an impressive addition to any job application, particularly from less experienced candidates.

Why include it

If in the recruitment process, you’re up against equally experienced candidates, then a better academic record can be the deciding factor in beating them. Furthermore, if you education section includes keywords and phrases that match those the job description, then it can help you to pass any Applicant Tracking Software.

Where to place the Education section

This really depends on the relevant electrical engineer qualifications you possess and the job you’re applying for.

For most candidates it’s advisable to place them near the bottom of your CV, below the skills section and above the references. However, if they are very relevant to the role, then you should place them in a more prominent position at the top. Other groups who may want to put them above everything else are those with little or no work experience, such as school leavers and recent graduates.

Don’t exaggerate!

Certain jobs require applicants to have specific qualifications such as a university degree or industry certifications and accreditations. Never be tempted to lie about or amplify your credentials to meet these requirements. This is one area where you can very easily be found out as lying.

Electrical engineer degrees  

For this role you would ideally need a first degree in electrical engineering or a related subjects like: electronics, electromechanical engineering, software engineering, physics or computing.

The degrees should be accredited by a body such as the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or the Institute of Measurement and Control (InstMC). In addition to this you may require relevant accreditation from institutes such as IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).

The golden rule is to put as many relevant qualifications down as you can.

Certifications

Don’t forget to include these. In a highly technical role such as this, an accreditation from a respected organization demonstrates the level of commitment and proficiency that hiring managers look for in candidates. They also serve as proof of your commitment to continuous learning and specialization.

Hobbies and interests

Your interests help to tell a recruiter what you do outside of work. It shines a light on your personal life. So, you’ve got to be careful what you tell them, as you don’t want to give the impression of being arrogant, an anti-social loner or a thrill seeker.

If you’re tempted to include these then avoid uninteresting or unnecessary pastimes that could show you as a loner or just weird. Instead mention team sports and hobbies that require social interaction with others and good communication skills.

You want to create an image that helps you secure an interview. Do this by going beyond just listing them, and instead add depth to your hobbies so as to create the image of an all-round candidate who not only has the necessary skills but also the personality as well.

Reading and studying

These can demonstrate that you are an intelligent individual who is disciplined enough to sit down for long periods to read manuals and learn. When mentioning this be specific and say exactly what you read, whether its factual books or fiction.

Avoid dangerous or time-consuming hobbies and controversial social causes

Employers are not keen on employing staff who could be injured or need lots of time off for unusual activities like parachuting or artic expeditions. It’s also advisable not to mention anything political or religious as you do not know what the affiliations of the reader are. The last thing you want is to create a negative impression of yourself.

References

It’s acceptable and advisable to simply put ‘Available on request.’ rather than the names and contact details of referees. 

Related: Job references