CV Guide: Construction, Architecture and Engineering

We sat down with three of our senior recruiters, each an expert in their sector, to get their insights on what makes a standout CV in construction, architecture, and engineering.

Many construction, architecture, and engineering professionals make job application mistakes, often without realising the impact. Here are the most common errors and how to avoid them:

A well-structured CV should be easy to read and visually appealing. Hiring managers often skim through CVs in seconds, so clarity is key.

If a CV isn’t structured properly, it immediately becomes difficult to read. This is a job application mistake you want to avoid. Employers won’t waste time searching for key information. Your CV should be well-organised, with clear headings and bullet points rather than large blocks of text.

Georgia says, “The way things are laid out need to be clear. They need to be well presented. Font sizes and everything else needs to be well considered.”

Some quick formatting tips:

• Use a clean, professional font: Calibri, Arial, and Helvetica are classics for a reason. Avoid overly stylised fonts, they can be hard to read and may look unprofessional.
• Clearly label sections with bold headings and intential font sizes. For body text, stick to a font size between 10–11pt. For headings, use 12–14pt and make them bold to clearly break up sections.
•  Use bullet points to highlight key achievements, this makes important information easy to scan quickly.

A CV should be tailored to the job you’re applying for. Listing every job you’ve ever had is overwhelming, but excluding key experiences might hurt your chances.

“You don’t necessarily need your first job from when you’re 15,” says Lucy. “Focus on the last 7–10 years of work experience or the roles that directly align with your career path.”

Make sure your experience section includes responsibilities and achievements that align with the job, this is a common area where candidates miss the mark.

Employers want to see real examples of your work. Instead of listing generic responsibilities, highlight specific projects, the scale of those projects, and your role.

“Simply stating your job title doesn’t provide enough context,” says Ash Gray. “Employers want to see what you have accomplished. If you worked on a large-scale infrastructure project, provide details about your contributions, challenges you faced, and how you added value.” Employers need to see the job and how well you performed. This sets you apart from other candidates.

Attention to detail is critical in technical industries like construction, engineering, and architecture—where even small mistakes can have major consequences. That same expectation applies to your CV. A spelling or grammar error might seem minor, but it can signal a lack of care or precision.

“I’ve had clients reject candidates outright because of a spelling mistake,” says Georgia. “If they see one in the CV, they won’t look at them. Doesn’t matter how big they are or how good they are.”

Make it a habit to run your CV through a spelling and grammar tool, use Grammarly or ChatGPT to double-check everything. It’s a quick step that can save you from being overlooked.

Your CV should be a snapshot of your professional journey, clear, direct, and tailored to your industry. Employers want to understand what you bring to the table quickly. Here’s how to make sure your CV highlights your strengths:

• Your education and qualifications should be clearly listed, especially for roles where professional accreditation is essential.
• Include your degree and relevant certifications.
• Clearly state the institution, year of completion, and any specialisations.
• Memberships in industry organisations should be included as well.

Your summary should be at the top of your CV. It should state who you are, your key skills, and what you’re looking for. Think of this as your elevator pitch. Explain your experience, specialisations, and career goals in just a few sentences.

Employers want proof that you can deliver results. List key projects you’ve worked on, providing details on:

• The scope of the project.
• Your role and responsibilities.
• The technologies or processes you used.
• The impact of your contributions.

“Technical roles are all about demonstrating hands-on experience. Simply listing job duties isn’t enough—show the scale of your work and your direct contributions. Having a clear understanding of the work that you’ve delivered is essential,” says Ash Gray.

Each industry has different expectations for CV content and structure. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

• Emphasise health and safety compliance, regulatory knowledge, and project management experience.
• List relevant certifications.
• Outline experience with large-scale infrastructure, residential, and commercial builds.
• Clearly define your role on specific projects and highlight leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

• Showcase design portfolios and include examples/ links to your work where possible.
• Highlight software expertise.
• Ensure your CV reflects strong visual presentation and layout skills, designing a visually appealing CV demonstrates your ability to present work effectively.

• Include technical proficiencies in your engineering CV.
• List professional certifications, including CPEng or relevant accreditations.
• Provide details on complex problem-solving and innovative engineering solutions.
• Highlight major projects, specifying your role, contributions, and the scale of work undertaken.

While this blog focuses on perfecting your CV, you might be wondering, what about the cover letter? We get it. Many companies still ask for one to get a better sense of your personality, communication style, and how well you understand the role. But we also know they can be time-consuming and frustrating to write, especially if you’re applying for multiple jobs.

That’s where we come in. At Grada, there’s no need to worry about writing a cover letter. When you work with us, you simply send through your CV and we’ll take care of the rest. Our experienced consultants will tailor your CV to the role and write a personalised summary to introduce you to our clients in the best possible light.

Want a more detailed review of your CV or help standing out from the crowd? Contact Grada Recruitment today.