How To Write an Electrical Engineer Resume
As an electrical engineer, your resume is critical in showcasing your technical expertise and qualifications in this specialized field. To be successful, you must align your resume with your career goals and the specific role you’re targeting. Aim to captivate potential employers by emphasizing your technical mastery and genuine interest in the positions you apply for. This guide provides expert advice, insider tips, and real examples of an electrical engineer’s resume. Let’s dive in and discover how to create a standout resume highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and potential in the exciting world of electrical engineering.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your electrical engineer qualifications
Use your resume profile to convey the unique value and ambition you bring to the organization. In just 2-3 sentences, capture the attention of employers by providing a snapshot of what you have to offer. Keep it concise and customize it to the position.
Begin by pulling relevant keywords from the job description to incorporate them into your paragraph organically. Focus on featuring your key strengths and achievements in electrical engineering, such as expertise in power distribution systems, circuit design, or renewable energy solutions. Emphasize your experience with industry-specific software, certifications, or successful project completions. Your profile should demonstrate your alignment with the role and position yourself as a standout candidate in the eyes of hiring managers.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Inventive Senior Electrical Engineer with 13+ years of advancement and experience. Skilled at leading teams to research and create electrical design specifications and manufacturing processes. Master’s Degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering from Cornell University.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Electrical Engineer with strong recent experience focused on renewable energy. Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Duke University. Naturally curious, resourceful, and eager to gain and apply new skills.
2. Add your electrical engineer experience with compelling examples
Focus on crafting your professional experience section with accomplishment-driven bullet points to highlight your impact in previous roles. This section should show employers how you put your skill set to use. One powerful way to demonstrate your value is by quantifying your experience. Aim to emphasize your measurable outcomes by mentioning the number of successful projects completed or the percentage of improvements achieved.
As you write, incorporate action verbs to add a dynamic element to your bullet points and bring your accomplishments to life. Start each bullet point with a strong verb to convey your technical proficiency and initiative. This strategy presents a compelling case for your abilities as an electrical engineer, capturing the attention of employers and distinguishing yourself from other applicants.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Electrical Engineer, Sprague Systems, Seattle, WA | December 2014 to Present
- Lead a team of 8 junior engineers to design and deliver power systems
- Review specifications and devise strategies to ensure success of each project
- Create, align, and optimize electrical instrumentation and testing equipment
- Specify and document initial factory settings, and complete product testing before shipment
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Junior Electrical Engineer, Merz Industries, Aurora, CO | July 2021 to Present
- Install and test prototypes, gauge performance, and suggest improvements
- Compare wind system efficiency against competitors and earlier models
- Use AutoCAD to generate detailed design drawings
- Engage industry clients in the benefits of solar electric power
Highlight:
- Co-designed a new wind energy system that eliminated power supply interruptions
3. Include electrical engineer-related education and certifications
Demonstrate your educational background and academic qualifications by listing your degrees, diplomas, coursework, and certifications. Use this section to showcase your proficiency in industry-related subjects and show hiring managers your commitment to learning. Start with your highest level of education and provide the degree name, institution, location, and completion date.
Create a separate section if you hold industry-specific or specialized software certifications. Including these credentials validates your skills and enhances your credibility as an electrical engineer, establishing yourself as a qualified prospect. Format this section similarly, listing the certificate name, issuing organization, and date received.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) – Electrical & Computer, State of Washington | 2018
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [SCHOOL NAME], [City, State Abbreviation] [Dates Enrolled]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering
- RICE UNIVERSITY, Houston, TX | 2016
4. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to electrical engineers
When you include a key skills section on your resume, you provide employers with a clear understanding of your technical competencies and expertise in the field. It’s essential to focus on those directly relevant to electrical engineering and those required by employers. Remember to emphasize soft skills as well; they’re just as important as your technical abilities. Below, we’ve provided some common skills you could include on your electrical engineer resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Analyze and Interpret Data | AutoCAD |
| Circuit Design | Coding Languages: C, C++, Python |
| Communication Skills | Communications and Networks Systems |
| Create Test Procedures | Creative Thinking |
| Critical Thinking | Electrical Power and Energy |
| Electrical Schematics | Electronic Equipment Maintenance |
| Engineering Design | Leadership |
| Linear Systems Theory and Analysis | MATLAB |
| Prepare Operational Plans | Problem Solving |
| Programmable Logic Controllers | Project Management |
How To Pick the Best Electrical Engineer Resume Template
As you begin writing your resume, you must select a template to lay a foundation and provide a visually appealing framework for your content. Your resume needs to look as good as it sounds. The best resume template for an electrical engineer is clean and orderly in design. Simple and professional should be your goal, with plenty of white space for easy readability. It should draw attention to your most relevant professional accomplishments and key skills. Select one that allows for easy customization but maintains font style and formatting consistency throughout the resume.
Electrical Engineer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Ha Eun Lee
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
7665 Fall Terrace, Cincinnati, OH 45678
Profile
Dedicated Engineer with 7+ years’ experience focused on circuit and schematic design and electromechanical repairs. Actively collaborate across functional lines to make steady progress toward project goals and deadlines. Skilled communicator who puts complex engineering concepts in clear terms for clients and product development teams.
Key Skills
- Analog & Digital Circuits
- AutoCAD
- Autodesk
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Electrical Schematics
- Fabrication & Simulation
- MATLAB
- Product Design Lifecycle
- Product Requirements Definition
- Project Management
- Regulatory Compliance
- Signal Processing
- Validation Testing
- Wireless Networking
- Wonderware
Professional Experience
Electrical Engineer, Kando Technology, Cincinnati, OH | August 2020 to Present
- Member of a cross-functional team charged with designing, prototyping, testing, and launching top-caliber products
- Evaluate prototypes and recommend ways to improve the user interface and production process
- Write detailed support documents for internal customers and external production teams
Highlight:
- Suggested a new circuit design that improved battery performance by 18%
Junior Electrical Engineer, Kroemer Industries, Cincinnati, OH | July 2016 to July 2020
- Helped engineering team install, maintain, and monitor various electrical components
- Used computer-assisted engineering methods and design software to find new customer solutions
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Electrical Engineering, Rice University, Houston, TX | 2016
Certification
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) – Electrical & Computer, State of Ohio | 2020
Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for electrical engineer resumes?-
We know it can be challenging to construct your professional experience section. You may run out of words to describe your work accurately. To help you break through this barrier, we've created a list of common action verbs to inspire you. These dynamic words will help you convey the depth and impact of your contributions to engage readers. Consider using some of these action verbs to add clarity to your resume and effectively illustrate your skills in action:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyze | Build |
| Code | Collaborate |
| Communicate | Create |
| Design | Develop |
| Evaluate | Install |
| Interpret | Maintain |
| Manage | Modify |
| Operate | Plan |
| Present | Research |
| Solve | Test |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects overall employment for electrical engineers will grow slower than average, increasing only 3 percent between 2021 and 2031. With about 9,000 new jobs expected to enter the workforce over the decade, professionals can expect a competitive job market in the coming years. That means you'll need to align your resume with the jobs you want to stand out from the crowd.
Especially if you have a specific job in mind, it will be critical to customize your resume to increase your chances of catching the eyes of hiring managers. Carefully review the job description and identify the company's required key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities. Then, align your resume with those requirements by highlighting relevant experience, technical proficiencies, and accomplishments that indicate your fit for the role.
What is the best Electrical Engineer resume format?-
Generally speaking, the most suitable option for electrical engineers is the chronological format. This format showcases your work history in reverse chronological order, providing your career progression and professional growth. It's particularly effective for demonstrating a solid and consistent employment history, essential for engineering roles.
However, there may be instances where a functional or combination format can be beneficial. The functional format is great for career transitions or making up for a lack of work history, as it emphasizes skills. A combination format is another option for those who would rather highlight their skills and work experience, providing a comprehensive overview of qualifications. We recommend you select the format that will best serve you.
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Crafting a cover letter is a great way to help your chances of securing an interview during your job search. The key to making a compelling cover letter is customizing it specifically for the organization you're applying to. Learn how to do this in our electrical engineer cover letter guide. Check out our mechanical engineer and civil engineer cover letter guides for more examples of related occupations.
