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What is an engineering personal statement?

Your engineering personal statement should tell the university all about your strengths, skills, experience and ambitions.

It should also convey your enthusiasm for engineering (either in general, or for a specific branch such as civil, aeronautical, etc.), and what aspects of the subject you enjoy and why.  

Your engineering personal statement will be used by universities to decide whether you are a good candidate to study engineering, and whether they want to offer you a place on their course.

How do I write an engineering personal statement?

It’s a good idea to start your statement with why you want to study engineering at university. Try to pick one or two specific aspects that you like in particular and why they appeal to you.

Make sure you back up everything with examples (always show, don’t tell). You need to convince the admissions tutors that you they should offer you a place on their engineering course over anyone else.

A successful engineering personal statement should be written clearly and concisely, with a good introduction, middle, and conclusion.

For inspiration on how to write your own unique statement, take a look at some of our engineering personal statement examples above.

What should I include in my engineering personal statement?

It’s important to include skills and experience from all areas of your life and try to relate them to hobbies or extracurricular activities if they helped you to build on certain strengths.

Think about how any work experience has benefitted you, and how it might be useful in your degree. University admissions tutors want to know what you can bring to their department and what value you can add.

Engineering also required you to demonstrate experience in highly practical subjects.

For example, for an electrical engineering personal statement, you could talk about your hands-on skills and interests. Have you repaired a radio or television? How did you do it and what did you learn from it?

Make sure you explain with enthusiasm – tutors want passionate students on their course that are really going to make the most of their time at university.

For more help and advice on what to write in your engineering personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
• Personal Statement Tips From A Teacher
• Analysis Of A Personal Statement
• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
• Personal Statement FAQs
• Personal Statement Timeline
• 10 Top Personal Statement Writing Tips
• What To Do If You Miss The 15th January UCAS Deadline.

What can I do with an engineering degree?

There are many career options available to those wishing to study engineering. These include:

• Mechanical / electrical / chemical / aerospace / marine engineer
• Operations manager
• Building site inspector
• Signalling technician
• Metrologist
• Technical brewer
• Boat builder .

However, there are other areas or industries you can choose to work in where an engineering degree would be useful, such as teaching or research. For more information and advice, please see AllAboutCareers and the National Careers Service .

Which are the best UK universities for engineering?

Currently, the best universities in the UK for studying engineering at in 2023 are:

Other top universities for engineering include the University of Strathclyde , University of Manchester and the University of Edinburgh . For more information about UK university engineering rankings, please see The Complete University Guide .

What are the entry requirements for engineering?

If you want to take a degree in engineering you need an A level (or equivalent) in maths. In many cases you also need physics.

Some chemical engineering degrees ask for maths and chemistry instead; some ask for maths and physics; and some ask for all three.

Therefore, it's important to check the entry requirements carefully for any engineering course you are considering applying for.

A level entry requirements range from CCC to A*A*A*, with universities and colleges usually asking for ABB.

Find out more in our engineering subject application guide .

Which is the easiest engineering degree?

Most students would say that although still considered challenging, civil engineering is the easiest engineering degree to obtain.

However, it is still a rigorous course and you will need all the necessary entry requirements to secure a place (as well as a great personal statement !).

What engineering job has the highest salary?

According to the Engineer Salary Survey 2022 , engineers in the manufacturing sector are the highest paid in the UK, with an average salary of £65,340; followed by engineers in the energy, renewables and nuclear sector, who earn an average of £62,709.

The average salary for all engineers in 2022 was £58,108, which compares reasonably well with other professions in the UK, sitting below those in strategy and consultancy, qualified accountants, and those in banking, but above those working in financial services.

Is studying engineering hard?

Engineering ranks among one of the hardest degrees you can do.

The degree requires you to have everything from logic and common sense to a tremendous amount of patience when things don't go your way.

Engineering can be very difficult because you're essentially becoming a “professional problem solver”.

Remember that all engineering fields require a sting grasp of mathematics but some require more than others.

Engineering disciplines like electrical , mechanical , chemical , biomedical , software , aerospace and civil engineering all require very good math skills. However, some disciplines, like industrial engineering require slightly less.

Further resources

For more information on engineering degrees and careers, please see the following:

• What type of engineering should you study?
• Engineering and technology subject guide
• Engineering degrees in the UK
• Engineering and maintenance careers
• What are all the different types of engineering jobs?
• 5 exciting careers in engineering
• Engineering careers advice for school leavers .

Related resources

Engineering vs medicine.

Find out more

Engineering Personal Statement Guide

Applying For An Engineering Degree

Engineering Apprenticeships Guide

Engineering Graduates: What Next?

Engineering Resume for 2024 [w/ Examples & Template]

Whether you’re a mechanical, electrical, civil, software, or chemical engineer, you’re great at solving problems.

And yet, when it comes to writing a job-winning engineering resume, you experience the equivalent of writer’s block.

You know you have the right skills, education, and work experience to land your next dream engineering position, yet you can’t seem to express all that effectively in your engineering resume.

And, for better or worse, a strong engineering resume is a prerequisite to land an interview and, eventually, land your next job.

Well, you actually have no reason to worry! 

Writing a job-landing engineering resume that shows off your professional background is not hard and we’re here to guide you through the process.

So, in this article, we will cover:

Engineering Resume Example

• How to Build Your Engineering Resume (Step-By-Step)
• 40 Skills For Your Engineering Resume

Like the look of the template above? Create your own modern and professional engineering resume in minutes with these easy-to-update templates.

If you were applying for a different position in this field, you might find one of our other resume examples more useful:

• Software Engineer Resume
• Artificial Intelligence Engineer Resume
• Computer Science Resume
• Data Scientist Resume
• Data Analyst Resume
• Data Entry Resume
• Java Developer Resume
• Web Developer Resume

Here are the elements that make this engineering resume example outstanding:

• Reverse-chronological format. This resume format puts your engineering work experience in the spotlight AND is the most popular resume format around the globe.
• Contact information. The engineering resume example above includes relevant contact information, such as the candidate’s email address, phone number, LinkedIn profile URL as well as Skype handle.
• Resume summary. The engineering resume example above includes an engineering resume summary that briefly introduces the candidate and his areas of expertise.
• Achievement-focused work experience section. This engineering resume example includes the candidate's professional achievements, making his engineering resume stand out among other candidates’ resumes.
• Brief education section. In the engineering resume example above, the candidate only mentions his highest degree details, such as his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
• Use of bullet points. The information in this engineering resume example is presented in bullet points to make the resume look well-organized and easy to skim through.
• Relevant engineering skills. The engineering resume example above mentions only engineering-related skills, including computer-aided design and project management.
• Use of additional sections. The candidate included relevant additional sections in the engineering resume example above, such as certificates and field-related interests. 

How to Build Your Engineering Resume (Step-By-Step) 

Now that you know exactly what makes an effective engineering resume, let’s put theory into practice and see how you can create a powerful engineering resume!

Here are the steps to building your engineering resume:

#1. Pick the Right Format For Your Engineering Resume 

Before you start filling in the contents, let’s address how you should format your engineering resume.

Now, there are 3 resume formats you can choose from:

• Reverse-chronological
• Combination  

You’re best off using the reverse-chronological resume format for your engineering resume. 

It’s the preferred resume format among recruiters worldwide, so it’s obviously the safest and most obvious choice for you!

And the best part? It starts off with your most recent - and relevant - engineering work experience, highlighting your achievements and skills first.

Here’s what it looks like:

Next, let’s talk about the resume layout . 

Here are the guidelines for making a great resume layout:

• Pick a professional font style . Choose a font that’s easy to read on a PDF file and use it throughout the length of your engineering resume.
• Choose the right font size. Use 11-12 pts for the body and 14-16 pts for headings in your engineering resume.
• Bullet points. Whenever possible, use bullet points to present the information and make it easy for the recruiter to skim.
• Mind the length. Recruiters shouldn’t go through a 3-page resume to see whether you’re the right candidate, so the optimal length of your engineering resume should be one page (unless you’re a professional with 10+ years on the job, that is).
• Save your engineering resume in PDF format . Unless asked to do otherwise, your best bet is to save your resume as a PDF file to ensure it looks the same on every device and OS.

Use Our Tried & Tested Templates

As an engineer, you should use every opportunity to show the recruiter how innovative you are and your engineering resume is your first chance to do that.

Like most people, you probably tried creating a Word resume… admit it, using 30+-year-old software is the opposite of being innovative.

Think about it. You can spend hours on formatting alone, but in the end, your engineering resume will still look boring and outdated.

Well, what if we told you there is an easy way to save time AND stand out with your engineer resume?

Just use a resume template !

Our resume templates are created in collaboration with professional recruiters, so they don’t just look fresh and modern - they’re also well-organized and easy to scan.

Want to check for yourself?

Here’s how our resume templates compare to basic text-editors resumes:

#2. Add Contact Information

Now that the formatting is out of the way, you can start filling in the contents of your engineering resume.

Let’s start with the basics - your contact information .

You don’t have to invent anything new here - just make sure to avoid making any mistakes (you don’t want the recruiter to think you aren’t capable of successfully providing your contact information - after all, attention to detail is key to being an engineer!).

So, simply include the following details:

• First name and last name
• Professional title
• Phone number
• Email address
• Relevant social media profiles, such as LinkedIn 

Here’s an example of the contact information section:

Sam Edwards

Mechanical Engineer

012-345-6789

[email protected]  

Sacramento, California

linkedin.com/in/samedwards71

#3. Write an Engineering Resume Summary or Objective

After including your contact details, you should add a 2-3 sentence resume summary or objective to your engineering resume to quickly decide that your engineering resume is worth taking a closer look at.

Here’s how to choose which one to use:

• If you have lots of engineering experience , write a resume summary to highlight your skills and achievements.
• If you lack engineering experience , use a resume objective to show your career aspirations and how you can benefit the company.

First impressions matter, so whether you’re writing a resume summary or objective, it must effectively show your professional background or how you can be an asset for the company you’re applying to. 

Otherwise, the recruiter might just move on to the next resume.

So, here’s what an impressive resume summary should include:

• Your position and years of experience
• Your most important engineering skills
• Your top 1-2 professional achievements 

And here’s an example of an eye-catching engineering resume summary:

Driven and detail-oriented Electrical Engineer with 4+ years of experience with the design and fabrication of integrated circuits. Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical thinking skills. Solved a long-standing testing bug at Company X which increased the average testing time by 17%. 

Now, if you don’t have the relevant experience and opt for a resume objective, this is what you need to include to make it as memorable as possible:

• Title of your engineering degree
• Any engineering-related experience
• Your motivation to work for the company

Specifically, it should look something like this:

Enthusiastic Software Engineering undergraduate student looking for an entry-level job at Company X. Experienced with Python, C++, and MATLAB programming languages. Looking to apply coding skills and creativity in educational game development.

#4. Make Your Engineering Work Experience Stand Out

Now, let’s move to the most important section of your engineering resume - your work experience .

First, let’s address the formatting.

Begin with your most recent/current job position and simply do this:

• Start off with the job title. This shows the recruiter what role you had in the company.
• Add company details. Include the name and location of the company you worked at. Optionally, you can briefly describe the company if it’s relatively unknown.
• Include the date of employment. Use the mm/yyyy format to write down how long you worked in each company.
• Add responsibilities and achievements. Use 5-6 bullet points for the most recent jobs, and 2-3 for older jobs.

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about making the most out of your work experience section.

Of course, you want your engineering work experience to stand out among hundreds of other applications, so simply listing your responsibilities isn’t enough.

Luckily, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel!

Here are some tips to perfect your work experience section:

• Tailor your work experience section to the job. If you’re an engineer, your work experience section should show exactly that, so skip the barista job you had in university and use the space for your achievements or to include additional sections instead.
• Focus on achievements over responsibilities. Every civil, electrical, mechanical, or another type of engineer has the same responsibilities, more or less, but it’s your achievements that can really set you apart from the competition.
• Use action verbs to describe your achievements. Power words (e. g. developed, organized, operated, redesigned, assisted…) will spice up your engineering resume.
• Make your achievements quantifiable. Whenever possible, use numbers to drive the point home (e. g. “Led a team of 15 engineers” instead of “Led a team”).

And here’s an example of an effective work experience section:

02/2017 - 01/2022

• Worked with a team of 14 to design, build, and install industrial air compressors.
• Ensured compliance with safety rules and regulations.
• Increased production efficiency by 9% by strategically minimizing production bottlenecks. 
• Planned and redesigned equipment layout to optimize workflow, resulting in a 7% production capacity increase over the span of 3 years. 
• Consistently met the company's needs at 12% under budget.

What if You Don’t Have Work Experience?

Now, if you’re a fresh engineering graduate or haven’t graduated just yet, you likely don’t have relevant work experience.

That’s totally okay - even Elon Musk didn’t have enough relevant work experience at one point in his life.

But the lack of work experience shouldn’t set you back from building a powerful engineering resume!

You probably have more engineering-related experience to choose from than you think - after all, engineering studies typically involve lots and lots of practice.

So, instead of your work experience, consider including your internships, assistantships, academic projects, and merits, or extracurricular activities.

Here’s an engineering experience example:

Electrical Engineering Experience

Teacher’s Assistant for Electromechanics II

University of Bristol, UK 

10/2019 - 03/2020

• Led problem-solving tutorials for 80+ second-year students.
• Created 10+ laboratory assignments for students using MATLAB Simulink and Adam Pluto transceivers.
• Took attendance, made questionnaires, and helped with other administrative work.

#5. List Your Education the Right Way

Nikola Tesla is a role model to many engineers. 

As such, you probably already know he dropped out of university .

Of course, the lack of an engineering degree didn’t stop Nikola Tesla from becoming one of the greatest engineers, but today the situation is quite different.

Most engineering jobs ask for a Bachelor’s degree at the very least, because engineering is a highly technical field, where theoretical knowledge goes hand in hand with your practical skills.

But, even though your higher education is important to the recruiter, let’s face it - they don’t care which high school you went to.

So, instead of wasting space, make sure to only include relevant education details in your engineering resume.

To keep your education section short and snappy, start with your latest degree and include the following:

• Degree title
• University/college/other institution
• Program location (optional)
• Years attended

And here’s an example of the education section on an engineering resume:

MSc in Electrical Engineering

Eindhoven University of Technology

10/2017 - 05/2019

Of course, you can also include relevant education details, such as your academic achievements, the courses you’ve taken, your GPA, projects, etc. - if they add value to your resume, that is. 

#6. List Your Engineering Skills

Skills are an important part of your engineering resume. They testify to your professional abilities, so you should only include the skills which are relevant to engineering.

Now, although engineering is a technical job, you’re also expected to have a variety of soft skills .

After all, no engineer works in total isolation, so communication and teamwork skills are must-haves for most positions.

So, here are some tips to better organize the skills section on your engineering resume: 

• Write your soft and hard skills separately. 
• Your hard skills largely depend on the type of engineering you do (mechanical, electrical, software, etc.), so make sure to customize the skill section to fit your engineering resume.
• If you're unsure which skills to include in your engineering resume, you can always check the job ad and see if you have the skills the company is looking for.

Need more ideas on which skills to add to your engineer resume? 

Check out our list of the 40 most in-demand soft and hard engineering skills!

Write down your hard skills as specifically as possible to give the recruiter a clear idea of your skills. For example, if you’re good at programming, make sure to include all programming languages (Python, C++, PHP, MATLAB, etc.) you know.

40 Engineering Skills to Put on Your Resume

25 soft engineering skills.

• Attention to detail
• Problem-solving 
• Communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Analytical thinking
• Active listening
• Prioritization
• Time management
• Emotional intelligence
• Organizational skills
• Adaptability
• Brainstorming
• Interpersonal skills
• Self-motivation
• Reliability
• Self-management
• Flexibility

15 Hard Engineering Skills

• Mechanical skills
• Project management
• Troubleshooting
• Prototyping
• Machine Learning
• Workflow development
• Web Development
• Computer skills
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Knowledge of applicable laws
• Technical documentation
• Data Structures

#7. Add Your Engineering Certifications & Licenses

Your university diploma is just one part of engineering training, so the next step is to include your engineering licenses and certifications .

This part is especially important if you want to work abroad because each country has different rules on what kind of education, licenses, and qualifications you need to work in engineering.

So, if you’re a certified or licensed engineer, list your licenses and certifications in your engineering resume in reverse-chronological order and include the following:

• Certification/license name
• Name of agency 
• Year of obtainment
• Location (optional)
• Expiration date (if applicable)
• In progress (if applicable, and add the expected date of obtainment)

Here’s an example:

Professional Certificates

Certified Chemical Engineer (2019)

National Certification Commission in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

#8. Make Use of Additional Resume Sections 

Do you still have some space on your engineering resume?

Consider adding any of these additional sections to make your engineering resume stand out and paint the full picture of your engineering experience:

• Conferences , such as International Conference on Sustainable Energy Engineering, International Conference on Internet Technologies and Society, International Conference on Power Control and Embedded System, International Conference on Industrial Engineering, and others. 
• Associations and organizations , such as engineering societies, including your role in them (if applicable).
• Awards , no matter if they’re company-wide or nationwide.
• Publications , such as studies, scientific articles, interviews, etc.
• Personal projects , if any of them are related to engineering.
• Languages , especially if you’re applying to a company overseas.
• Hobbies and interests , especially if they’re related to engineering. 

And here’s what these extra sections should look like on your engineering resume:

Organizations

• Caspian Engineers Society (2018 - Present) - Board Member

Conferences

• Nanotech Eurasia 2021
• Nanotech Eurasia 2019

#9. Attach a Cover Letter to Your Engineering Resume

If you got this far, you’re just a step away from writing an effective engineering resume for yourself!

But before you get to it, there’s one more important element to your resume we need to address - writing a compelling cover letter.

The point of a cover letter is to convince the recruiter that you are the engineer they’ve been looking for. 

Essentially, you need to prove you’re a competent engineer and a great match for the company, its values, vision, and goals.

So, your cover letter is a chance to give a detailed description of your engineering experience and include any important information that didn’t make it to your engineering resume.

But how exactly do you do that?

Actually, it’s quite simple with the right guidance! 

Here’s how to write a job-winning cover letter :

• Include your contact details in the header.
• Address the cover letter directly to the recruiter.
• Grab the recruiter’s attention from the start by including your 1-2 top achievements in the first paragraph.
• In the body of your cover letter, give a detailed picture of your engineering background and explain why you want to work for this particular company.
• Lastly, end your cover letter with a call to action.

Want to make sure your cover letter is flawless? Check our cover letter writing tips and cover letter mistakes !

And here’s an example of a top-notch cover letter : 

Want your cover letter to catch recruiters’ attention? Match it to your engineering resume by picking one of our cover letter templates !

Key Takeaways

By now, you have all the tools and tips you need to write an outstanding engineering resume (and a cover letter, too!).

Before you go, let’s go over some of the main elements of an impactful engineering resume:

• Choose the reverse-chronological format to focus your work experience and make your engineering resume easy to read.
• Write an impressive resume summary if you have plenty of work experience, and an eye-catching resume objective if you lack engineering experience.
• Make your work experience section stand out by quantifying your achievements.
• Show off your unique engineering experience with licenses, certifications, associations, publications, and other additional information that fits your engineering resume.
• Don’t forget to add a compelling cover letter to your engineering resume to prove you’re the perfect candidate and a great asset to the company.

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7 Engineering Resume Examples for 2024

Engineering

Best for senior and mid-level candidates.

There’s plenty of room in our elegant resume template to add your professional experience while impressing recruiters with a sleek design.

Resume Builder

Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.

• Engineering Resume
• Engineering Resumes A-M
• Engineering Resumes N-Z
• Write Your Engineering Resume

No matter what type of engineer you are, you’re rigorously logical with a penchant for numbers.

You shouldn’t also have to be an expert cover letter writer or  resume maker to spotlight your abilities and land your next (or first) engineering job.

Getting started is the hardest part of building an engineering resume. Our seven engineering resume examples are helping engineers get interviews in 2024, so they’re an excellent starting place for inspiration and valuable  resume tips .

Engineering Resume Example

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• Tailor it to each job by mentioning relevant keywords in the  job description  (which genuinely apply to you!) and list the target company by name.
• We recommend limiting the  web developer skills  section to no more than 10 since a long laundry list can be a red flag to employers.

Data Engineering Resume Example

• As a data engineer, quantify the size and scale of the data systems and pipelines you’ve tackled. For example, if you built a data pipeline for streaming data for a consumer app with 500,000 concurrent users, specifically state that.
• Did you help increase revenue, site speed, or reduce manual reporting time?
• By highlighting your business impact, you make it clear to the hiring manager that you’re focused on what really matters to the business.
• Feel like you need a bit more help? See several more  data engineer resume examples  for 2024.

DevOps Engineering Resume Example

• Keep your DevOps engineer resume to one page because real estate is gold.
• Sprinkle your work experience sections with numbers and metrics that quickly make a case for your qualifications.
• Use action verbs like “built,” “created,” and “owned” to show your leadership experience and prove you’ve had a meaningful impact in your previous roles.
• If you’d like additional ideas, we’ve got several more  DevOps engineer resume examples  for 2024.

Engineering Manager Resume Example

• And those are attributes that hiring managers will be quick to notice and appreciate.

Engineering Student Resume Example

• Also, don’t overlook your proficiency in tools like AutoCAD, Python, ANSYS, and so on because they prove your ability to leverage smart tools to improve performance.

Network Engineering Resume Example

• If you’ve worked hard to earn certifications (CCNA, MCITP, etc.), list them in a dedicated “Certifications” section on your network engineer resume. Doing so makes it clear to the hiring manager that you have the required technical skillset.
• This kind of leadership experience can set you apart from the competition.
• Our  network engineer resume examples  for 2024 can also help get you where you’re going with some added insight.

Software Engineering Resume Example

• As a rule of thumb, only include a programming language on your resume if you can whiteboard coding solutions in that language.
• If you’re worried you might miss something and want to see if your resume contains enough metrics, stack it up against our AI-powered  resume checker  for fast fixes.
• Need a little more detail? We’ve got you covered with our  software engineer resume examples  for 2024.

Related resume guides

• Civil Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Network Engineer
• Full-Stack Developer

How to Format an Engineering Resume

How you format your engineering resume can determine whether you get an interview. Your resume needs to be in a logical format that can be quickly reviewed and should include all necessary information. If you leave important details out of your resume, you won’t have the opportunity to prove yourself.

Let’s briefly explore our three best tips for resume formatting for engineers:

• Reverse-chonological, functional, and combination/hybrid formats
• Contact info and header
• ATS & readability

Reverse-chronological, functional, and combination/hybrid formats

Engineering Resume Formats

• It sounds more complicated than it is.  Reverse chronology  means the information listed on your resume begins with the most recent experience. For example, your current job, which you began five years ago, is listed at the top. The job you had before is listed right below it.
• The  functional resume  format focuses on your skill set over your experience. The functional resume is also known as a  skills-based  resume because it focuses on how your skills and abilities qualify you for a job. For example, you could focus on a skill set you’ve used for several jobs. Even if the job were 20 years ago, your experience would still help you today. Using MySQL in your very first job will still be relevant if the job for which you’re applying also requires MySQL.
• The  combination/hybrid  resume format is exactly what it sounds like. You combine the best parts of a functional resume with a reverse-chronology resume. This is done by including a skills section first, followed by your experience. It immediately shows employers your skill set and experience.

Engineering is definitely a field that has plenty of opportunities for career progression. in 2024, reverse-chronology formatted resumes are best for engineers because they show your most recent experience first, as well as an increase in responsibilities over time. Also, this format lets you include more details for more recent positions and less information for older jobs.

Formatting your engineering resume’s header and contact information

You’ll want your header to stand out professionally. Many of the  resume examples  we have show your name in large letters at the top of your resume. We recommend the following:

• Use a font size of at least 16 points.
• Use a Serif font like Times New Roman, Helvetica, or Bookman Old Style.
• Avoid cursive or curly fonts.
• Write your name in bold colors like black or dark blue.
• Avoid overly bright colors like purple or orange.

Also,  include the title of the position you’re applying for  directly under your name. Are you applying to be a DevOps Engineer? A Network Engineer? A Data Engineer? Your future employer should know the position you’re applying for right away.

Additionally, you’ll want your contact information close to your name. Some resume writers put this information directly under their names, but you can also place this at the top of the sidebar. Include the following information:

• Your phone number
• Your email address
• Your city and state
• Links to professional networking sites like LinkedIn or GitHub

When it’s all said and done, your engineering resume header may look something like this: 

Will your engineering resume make it through ATS?

Most employers use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter through resumes. If your resume is hard to read, the ATS could nix it from the system before employers ever have a chance to look at it. For this reason, you’ll want to take the following steps to ensure your resume is ATS-compatible:

• Don’t use charts or images in your resume.
• Use simple, round bullet points; complex graphics don’t make sense to ATS.
• Include keywords from the job listing in your skill set.
• Save your document in .pdf and .docx. 

To save you a headache, we think you’ll love using our  resume builder , automatically ensuring your resume is ATS-friendly.

How to Write an Engineering Resume

Writing your engineering resume may feel daunting. It feels like a lot to take on because a lot rides on it . It can be anxiety-inducing, to say the least. We understand this well, so we’re devoting this section to breaking down  how to write your resume .

Do you need an objective or summary for your engineering resume?

Your objective for your resume is to get a job. If you  write an objective , you’ll want to clearly discuss what type of job you’re seeking. A summary is different. Its focus is to give a brief synopsis of your whole resume. 

Poor resume summary example

Skilled DevOps engineer with 10 years of experience in nodes, infrastructure, and server management. Excellent at time management and saving companies money.

This summary is ineffective because the information can be gathered from other resume sections. It’s a waste of space that could be used for other things. Here are a couple of examples of strong objectives.

Good resume summary examples

Experienced developer with 8 years of experience in full-stack, consumer-facing applications. Wanting to transition to B2B applications to improve interactions between small and medium-sized businesses at a company like OpenEd.

Veteran data engineer with 5 years of experience in B2B applications. Looking to switch to DevOps engineering to focus on improving overall company efficiency by improving applications through user interface.

Both of these examples work because the objective is:

• Cleary written; we know what the applicant wants
• Experience is stated
• Desire for growth and change is appropriate
• A clear motive is evident; the applicant isn’t floundering

Work experience for an engineer

Your most relevant experience should be listed first. We recommend listing two to four jobs that best show your qualifications for the position to which you’re applying. You don’t need to list more than four jobs, nor do you need to list every job you’ve ever worked. The employers who review have limited time, and they want to quickly see what you have to offer.

Writing your engineer bullet points

It’s easy to sink or swim regarding job description bullet points. Check your resume for the following:

• Use action verbs and active language. This includes writing in the present tense and using verbs that show action. “Being” verbs (are, is, was, were) are not your friend here. “Action” verbs (collected, sampled, organized) show strength and a strong skill set.
• Avoid using personal pronouns. Saying “I” is superfluous since the recruiter already knows you’re talking about yourself. Instead, allow the action verb to drive your actions forward (Example: Collected samples of different websites…).
• Punctuation is optional. Either include punctuation  everywhere  or completely omit it.

Not every bullet point is created (or, rather, written) equally. Here are some poor bullet points:

• Designed the EmptyNest app
• Fixed bugs and looked at reviews for future app updates
• Updated the app coding once a month

These bullet points are weak because they don’t provide any information. What is the EmptyNest app? Who’s it for? What functions does the app perform? What kind of bugs did he fix? Why were user reviews important? What kind of coding updates did he make?

While you can’t include every single detail about your work, asking these kinds of questions will get you headed in the right direction. Here are the same bullet points, written strongly:

• Designed an app called “EmptyNest” to help parents transition to children moving out of the home
• Updated app to omit long loading periods for chat features to encourage 32% higher user engagement in the “Chat” feature
• Analyzed user feedback to implement monthly changes to the app, which increased users by 82% over a six-month period 

These bullet points work because they provide details that help recruiters understand the project, demonstrate accomplishment and success, and prove ability through numbers. Metrics are vitally important, so let’s dive into that next.

Quantify your impact as an engineer

For engineers, quantifying your impact is a crucial part of showing your success. The numbers tell the  whole story . While this is daunting, it works in your favor if you successfully implement quantities and qualifications. Try to include metrics in about 60 percent of your bullet points. 

We recommend the following steps to quantify your impact:

• Detected mechanical problems in wind turbines and developed repair methods to prevent loss of more than $7M
• Designed robotic arm to aid in gastrointestinal surgical operations, which cut surgery hours by 80%

Quantifying your impact will show employers how valuable your work is and why they should consider you for their position.

Top engineering skills to include

Including your skillset is essential for any resume. How you present  skills on your resume  is important. You want both your hard and soft skills to show.

Your  soft skills  are the ones you can’t easily show on paper. For example, managing conflict and communicating with others are imperative soft skills. Your  hard skills  include software you’ve mastered and programs you use. It’s easy to show proof of your work.

• Look for keywords from the job ad description. Implement them throughout your resume to pass ATS software.
• Include four to five hard skills relevant to the job.
• Include soft skills  if  they’re highly relevant to the position; you should list fewer of these than your hard skills.
• Limit the skills you share so that your best shines through. Extraneous info is not needed.
• List your skills based on your experience level.

There are countless types of engineers, so you’re an aerospace engineer, civil engineer, chemical engineer, etc., these skills are a broad overview of what will serve you well:

• Math and physics 
• Project management 
• Analytically minded 
• Interpreting blueprints
• Design  
• Data analysis 
• Research 

For instance, if you’re a civil engineer, the skills section on your engineering resume may look like this:

Additionally, software engineering is a rapidly growing, evolving field, and if this is you, here are some of the most sought-after skills:

• Python (Django)
• Java (Spring)
• Ruby (Ruby on Rails)
• PHP (Laravel)
• Javascript (Node, React, Vue, jQuery)
• SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL)
• AWS, GCS, Azure

An engineer’s education and certifications

If you’re an engineer, you’ll have your bachelor’s degree at a minimum. You may even need a master’s degree, and some jobs even require a doctorate.

Education is important to being an engineer. Without it, you couldn’t perform many of the functions of your job. And in a constantly evolving world and workforce, high pressure is placed on engineers to stay at the top of their game. This includes continuing education and becoming certified in new programs as they come out.

Many states have strict requirements regarding continuing education. For example, a certain number of hours of continuing education may be required to keep certifications and licenses. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all requirement. In fact, these requirements can vary by state  and  by the job.

If you’re an Engineer-in-Training, list the following:

• Relevant class projects that will help in an entry-level position
• Internship experience
• EIT Certification
• Your degree and GPA (if it’s at least 3.2)

If you’ve been in the field for less than 10 years, list the following:

• All the relevant experience that should be included for ATS
• List your most recent jobs in reverse-chronology 
• Certifications should be job relevant, like for inspection, design, or reliability 
• Include your degree

If you’ve been in the field for 10 to 20 years, list the following:

• Detailed bullet points with job description keywords to satisfy ATS
• List the jobs that gave you specific experience for this job
• Advanced certifications, such as board certified 
• List your degree

When should you add projects, interests, or hobbies to your engineering resume?

Most engineering jobs don’t provide room for your  interests or hobbies on your resume . The exception to this is for entry-level positions. If you’re a brand-new college grad, you’ll need to list advanced projects from your collegiate experience. Discussing your interests and hobbies through your projects will show passion for your career field and encourage employers to give you a chance.

Listing interests and hobbies can help you nail a job if it’s a close call between you and another candidate. If you’re equally qualified, being a “better fit” for the company could work in your favor. You don’t have to include interests or hobbies, but doing so might benefit you when you’re starting out, especially if you’re looking for a trendy startup that’s likely to care more about cultural fit.

Tailor your engineering resume to each position

We know it would be easier to make one resume that you submit to dozens of different jobs. But this won’t result in success. In fact, you aren’t likely to score any interviews using this method. ATS will weed your resume out for missing job keywords.

You’ll need to tailor each resume to each job you apply for . Some drafts of your resume will be very similar to each other. Others may look quite different. Adjust your bullet points, skills, and objective/summary for each job. While it takes time, your efforts will be worth it!

Edit and proofread your engineering resume

Engineers are perfectionists by definition. Because of this, it’s important to have a flawless resume. This is where editing and proofreading come in. It’s often overlooked because most resume writers just want to be  done . After all, drafting a resume can take  hours , but using our  free resume tool  can save you lots of frustration and time. 

We recommend taking the following steps when editing and proofreading your resume:

• Take advantage of our  resume checker  to make sure your resume is complete and is using the best techniques. 
• Look for mistakes at least twice, preferably thrice!
• Get a second pair of eyes to look over your resume.

Land an Interview & Win Your Dream Engineering Job

Keep the following in mind:

• Format your engineering resume in reverse chronology.
• Include accurate, clear contact information.
• Consider whether you need an objective or a summary. 
• Use action verbs, and quantify your impact. 
• Include your top skills that are  most relevant  to the position.
• List additional info, like education, certs, projects, interests, and hobbies.
• Tailor your resume to the job with keywords from the job ad to pass ATS.
• Edit your resume to catch careless mistakes.
• Use our  resume creator  to start and finish in as little as 12 minutes.

Congratulations on  writing your resume . It’s the first and most important step to getting a job. Without a resume, you can’t submit any applications. But with the right resume and your engineering cover letter complementing it, you can score the perfect job.

Format Tips: Writing An Engineer Resume Summary Statement

In recent years, writing a resume summary statement has replaced the tradition of writing a resume objective. A summary statement introduces you, discusses your skills and briefly describes your relevant career experiences in the context of the engineering job you want. When it comes to selling a unique blend of engineering skills and education, writing a concise summary statement is a good way to get your foot in the door.

What to Include in an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

The information you include when writing a resume summary statement depends on the field of engineering you want to enter as well as your past work experience. If you have a general engineering degree, focus on the experience and skills you have learned that are highly relevant to your chosen subfield of engineering. For example, if you are applying for a job as a mechanical engineer for a large company, mention your strong teamwork skills as well as any experience you have with mechanical projects. If you are applying for a job with an environmental engineering company, highlight your experience with environmental engineering and perhaps mention environmental certifications you have obtained.

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How to Format an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

When writing a resume summary statement, begin with the information that is most relevant to the specific job you want. If you have an engineering degree from a prestigious university, discuss this in the introduction of your summary statement section. Follow up with more information on the soft skills that would make you a good addition to an engineering team. While engineering jobs are highly technical, employers are looking for team players who can complement engineering expertise with strong people skills and organizational ability. Keep your summary statement between four and six lines, and, if you need more room to highlight your skills and accomplishments, create an areas of expertise table underneath it.

Tips for Writing an Engineering Resume Summary Statement

The most important aspect of writing a resume summary statement for an engineering job is focus. Be as specific as possible when discussing experiences that match the job duties of the engineering job you are applying for. If a software engineering job requires you to lead a large team of engineers, don't just mention that you have leadership experience. Specifically mention that you have led a team of 20 IT professionals for a large network security project to demonstrate the scale of your experience.

Examples of an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

Use these examples as a guide when writing a resume summary statement that showcases your unique combination of engineering experience and education:

Proven software engineer with extensive firewall and virus research experience. Excellent technical and communication skills. Dedicated to improving network security and eliminating vulnerabilities. Organized and analytical. Detail- and goal-oriented professional.

Team-focused environmental engineer with a passion for developing new methods of reducing carbon manufacturing. More than 10 years of experience in the industrial manufacturing industry, including project development and planning. Knowledge of environmental law.

Dedicated mechanical engineering student with internship experience in mechanical engineering. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Leadership and integrity. Automotive focus.

Writing a resume summary statement is essential if you want to obtain an engineering position that fully utilizes your unique skill set. The summary statement lets you highlight these skills, from technical competencies to teamwork, in an appealing way.

The advice on LiveCareer may be helpful as you create a summary statement that is tailored to your chosen company and job position.

Be sure to check out more helpful resume formats and cover letter formats !

About the Author

LiveCareer Staff Writer

At LiveCareer, we live and breathe the belief that we can help people transform their work lives, and so do our contributors. Our experts come from a variety of backgrounds but have one thing in common: they are authorities on the job market. From journalists with years of experience covering workforce topics, to academics who study the theory behind employment and staffing, to certified resume writers whose expertise in the creation of application documents offers our readers insights into how to best wow recruiters and hiring managers, LiveCareer’s stable of expert writers are among the best in the business. Whether you are new to the workforce, are a seasoned professional, or somewhere in between, LiveCareer’s contributors will help you move the needle on your career and get the job you want faster than you think.

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How to write a personal statement (for an engineering job)

A personal statement is not a cover letter. It’s an important summary section of your CV. Figuring out how to write a personal statement is a key part of any engineering job application.

It’s not always easy. You need to concisely sum up the rest of your CV – your skills, your personality, even the job you’re looking for – in just a few short paragraphs.

Here’s everything to know about how to structure a personal statement for a job in engineering:

What is a personal statement?

Sometimes called a personal profile, a personal statement is part of your CV that summarises the rest.

A good personal statement will, essentially, sell you. It’s not a supporting statement. It’s not a cover letter. It needs to convince anyone who might hire you that you’re a good fit for the engineering job they have available.

Not all employers ask for one. But if they do, writing a good personal statement gives you an extra opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

For some employers and engineering recruitment agencies, the personal statement is where they’ll start to assess each candidate. This means yours might be make or break time.

Finally, like your CV as a whole, your personal statement should always be carefully tailored to each individual job if you want it to be effective.

How to start a personal statement

One of the worst things you can do in a personal statement is use generic language or the same trite phrases as everyone else. Yet, the start of a personal statement does have a certain expected format to it. The opening sentence should quickly summarise your:

• Years of experience
• Key qualifications, achievements, or expertise

An example of something you might write could be:

Confident project engineer (BSc in Engineering, advanced AutoCAD and MS Office skills) with 6 years experience delivering complex projects for industry-leading companies in the UK and Europe.

How to write a personal statement

Now that the difficult opening is out of the way, it’s time to consider the overriding goal when writing your personal statement.

This is to highlight the place where your skills, experience, and qualities meet the requirements your prospective employer has stated in their job description. The easiest way to do this is to make lists or “mind maps” of both and then compare them.

Because it’s easy to get into the mindset that because it’s your personal statement, it should be all about you. But really, it’s all about what your potential employer wants and how you are going to be able to deliver it.

That’s why it’s so important to carefully tailor each personal statement to each job you’re applying for. Don’t make your statement so generic you can use it to apply for jobs that aren’t very, very similar to each other.

How long should a personal statement be?

Short. A good personal statement will probably only be two or three sentences long. Perhaps a few lines. 200 words at the outside.

In that time, you’ve got to establish your own unique tone of voice and be concise in showing you have what your employer is looking for.

Remember that companies with engineering jobs available may have to go through hundreds or even thousands of CVs. Your personal statement could be your one chance to set yourself apart from all the others.

How to finish a personal statement

If the opening of your personal statement tells the story of where you are and where you’ve been, the best way to finish imagines where you see yourself going.

If you are towards the beginning of your career, you might want to state your career goals. Otherwise, you might want to talk about the kind of company that you want to join. Doing a bit of research on the company you’re applying for and hinting at their descriptions of their corporate culture (where this overlaps with your idea of your dream employer) probably wouldn’t hurt here.

With that, you’ll have covered the past, present, and future in just a couple of lines. You’ll have tailored it to the job and employer you’re applying for. And you’ll have summarised everything that makes you an ideal fit using your own unique tone.

That’s just what you need to write a personal statement that puts your best foot forward.

Looking for your ideal next job role in an engineering field?

Let’s talk about it. Ernest Gordon is a specialist engineering recruitment company. Every day, we place candidates in exciting new roles up and down the UK.

Set up a cost and commitment-free chat about it today. Let’s see where your next career step will take you.

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Writing a Winning UCAS Engineering Personal Statement: Ultimate Guide w/Analysed Examples

Engineering Personal Statement: Why It’s Important

With careers in engineering providing  over 20% of the UK’s total economic productivity and with over one-fourth of its workforce working in engineering fields , it’s no surprise that some of  the best and highest-ranked  engineering schools in the world are located in the United Kingdom. So how do you get a spot in one of the best engineering programmes in the world? You need impressive marks, a good resume, and a stellar engineering personal statement.

Before we get to that, though, let’s back up a little and examine everything it takes to get into a good engineering programme.

Engineering Programme Prerequisites

Before you get ready to apply for an engineering programme at any university, there are  several prerequisites  you need to have met first. While these prerequisites may differ slightly from university to university, the majority of them should remain the same.

Completed Coursework

You must have, at a minimum, at least two A-Levels if you expect to get into an engineering programme. In the most popular programmes, you’ll need at least three, with grades of A’s and B’s in each. The exact entry requirements may vary, but they tend to range from CCC to AAA. Most universities prefer you to have ABB.

Additionally, one of your A-Levels needs to be in maths. A second A Level in physics is also encouraged for students hoping to study engineering at Uni. There are other courses that may be accepted in place of physics, such as other science courses, additional maths courses, or design and/or computing courses, but your safest bet will always be maths and physics as two of your A-Levels. If you don’t have an A-Level in maths, you may be required to take a maths and/or mechanics aptitude test before being considered for admission.

Vocational Courses

If you don’t have the required A Levels, another option you can use at some schools is to substitute vocational courses for them. For example, if you have Level 3 or Level 6 qualifications, you might be able to use these as replacements for the A-Level courses. These qualifications include the following:

• SVQ Scientific, Technical & Formulation Processing (SCQF Level 6)
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering or Construction and Built Environment

It’s important to note that not all universities will accept these as substitutes for A-Levels, so check with each school individually.

Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering

If you’re interested in a biotechnology or chemical engineering programme, the required A Levels are a little different. Universities usually require two A-Levels in science or a Scottish Highers with either biology or chemistry as one of the subjects. Additionally, you’ll also be required to have five GCSEs that include English, maths, and a science.

Scottish Highers

The most common range for entry into Highers is between ABBB and AAAAB. The majority of universities require AABBB. If a university requests an Advanced Highers to supplement Highers, they most often ask for an AA.

Additional Qualifications for Admission

The only true prerequisites for admission into an engineering programme are those listed above, but there are some additional things you may want to have on your application to make it more memorable. These include relevant work or apprenticeship experience, volunteer experience, and personal references.

Applying for Admission

To apply for any undergraduate programme at a university in the UK, particularly an engineering programme, you have to fill out an application through the  UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) . If you’ve ever applied to a college or university in the United States using the Common App, the UCAS is very similar.

It’s a centralised location for applying to a multitude of different schools/courses, and you’ll use it whether you live in the UK or are an international student. The actual name of the application is the UCAS Apply. Once you’ve completed it, you can apply to up to five separate universities (or five separate degree programmes if you aren’t set in your engineering course) simultaneously.

Filling out the UCAS Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: register for the ucas site.

This is a simple setup process. You’ll sign up by setting up a username and password. You’ll create some security questions in case you lose your password, and then you’ll be asked some basic information such as your name, birth date, and other personally-identifying information.

Step 2: Verify Your Account, Sign In & Enter the Rest of Your Information

After verifying that you really did create an account, you’ll be asked to sign in using the username and password you just created. Then you’ll fill in the rest of your personal information, including your residency status. You’ll also be asked about how you plan to pay for university and whether or not you’ll be requesting scholarships.

Additionally, you’ll be asked about any special needs you have or the accommodations you’ll need. If you have any type of criminal record, you’ll indicate that in this section. You can also give permission for an adult in your life – parent, adviser, mentor, guardian, etc. – to have access to your UCAS profile. This gives them permission to talk to university staff about you, your university goals, and anything else of note.

Steps 3 & 4: For UK Residents Only

If you’re an international student, you won’t be required to fill out steps three and four. (Note: Residents of the EU might possibly be asked to fill out step 4.) Section three asks about your national identity, ethnic origin, and occupational background. There are some additional questions in this section that are optional. These ask about your religious beliefs, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

You’ll also be provided with space to discuss your own, personal circumstances, especially as they relate to your ability to pay for and succeed at Uni. This could include information about your parents’ education or background, activities in which you’ve been involved, whether or not you’ve been in care, etc.

Section four isn’t always asked and only appears if questions in the personal details section have been answered a certain way. If they do appear, they’ll be asking about your finances.

Step 5: Choose Your Courses/Universities

In this section, you’ll be able to apply for up to five different courses and/or universities. This is where you choose what programmes you hope to be accepted into. You can only choose five though, so choose wisely.

Step 6: Provide Your Educational History

Here you’ll enter your entire educational history beginning at secondary education. You’ll enter your A-Levels as well as any vocational courses you’ve taken. It’s important that you list all of these exactly right, including the marks you received in each.

Step 7: Employment History

This is where you’ll attach your work resume. This is for paid work only. If you have any volunteer experience or other unpaid work, it’ll be listed in your personal statement instead. You can only list five places of employment, so if you’ve had more than five jobs, choose the five most relevant to the programme you’re pursuing (in this case, engineering).

Step 8: Your Personal Statement

We’ll discuss this in-depth a little later on.

Step 9: Review the Details

Once you’ve completed all the above-listed steps, you’ll have a chance to review everything. Review it thoroughly and make any changes necessary. You won’t be allowed to edit it once it’s been submitted.

Step 10: Personal Reference, Application Fee & Submit

Finally, you’ll need at least one personal reference. This should be from someone who knows you in a professional capacity, either from working with you or having had you in class. You’ll also be required to pay an application fee of £20 if you’re applying to only one course and £25 if you’re applying for multiple courses. Then you’ll submit the application.

Once you’ve submitted your UCAS Apply application, you’re all set. You can track it using the UCAS Tracker to see if your desired universities have received it. Then you wait for the university to reach out to you for more information, an interview, or acceptance.

Writing Your Personal Statement

If you’re applying to an engineering programme, you’ll be required to write a  personal statement  as part of step 8 on the UCAS Apply application. We can’t overemphasise how important step 8 truly is. There are very few universities that require you to write an additional essay or personal statement for entrance into their engineering programmes, so this is your one chance to get it right.

So what exactly should you write about?

There isn’t exactly a prompt for writing your UCAS personal statement. Under this same question – “What should I write about?” – on the  UCAS website , the answer given is simply, “You.” In other words, write about yourself.

The admissions team wants to know why they should give you a coveted spot in the engineering programme over every other applicant. You need to tell them why you want a spot at the university, but you also need to tell them why you  deserve  a spot  and  what it is about you that should make them want to  give  you a spot. This means showcasing your strengths, achievements, and drive to succeed.

In case you need a little more guidance, here are some questions to ask yourself to help you get started:

• Why are you interested in attending university, and what aspects of university life are you most looking forward to experiencing?
• What are your career goals?
• What first interested you in engineering, and what about it continues to interest you?
• What experiences have you had, either in school or in the work environment, that would prepare you for studying at university?
• Was there anything about your earlier education studies you found to be particularly helpful or interesting?
• What do you most hope to gain from your time at the university, and what strengths and positive characteristics will you bring with you?
• What makes you a good candidate for a position at Uni?
• What elements of your future studies are you looking forward to most?
• Have you taken any higher education courses already, received any awards or accolades, or been recognised for outstanding academic or professional ability?
• What can you write about to prove that you’ve researched engineering beyond what you learned in your early education?

If you consider these questions and keep them in mind while writing, you’ll likely cover everything you need to cover to make a good impression on the admissions team. UCAS also provides you with this  personal statement worksheet  to help organise your thoughts and guide your writing.

Standard Engineering Personal Statement Length & Format

One thing to keep in mind while writing your personal statement is that it has to stay within a  certain character limit . No matter how much you have to say, you have to keep it under 4000 characters or 47 lines of text.

While this isn’t an exact word count, that averages out to approximately 500 words, which isn’t a ton of words. It’s about one single-spaced page worth of text. This means that you must be concise. You want to get in all the important information that’ll help your application stand out from all the other applications universities receive, but you have to do it without being too wordy.

Format Requirements

Worrying about the formatting requirements (double-spaced, single-spaced, font size, etc.) is unnecessary for your engineering personal statement because you’ll be typing or pasting it into a text box on the website. As long as your paragraphs are clearly defined and your font is easy to read, you should be fine on formatting guidelines.

However, because you only get 47 lines of text, it’s important that you  structure your paper correctly . This means breaking your personal statement into roughly three sections, with each section answering a specific question. For the sake of clarity, we’ll call these sections the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Now let’s break it down a little further.

A Brief Introduction

The introduction should take up about 15-20% of your personal statement. That’s approximately seven to ten of the 47 provided lines. In your introduction, try to answer the question, “Why do you want to study engineering?” You can talk about the experiences that shaped your love of the subject and the things about it that continue to interest you. You might even touch on why you feel it’s important that people study engineering at all.

Full, Rich Body Paragraphs

Your body paragraphs should make up about 55-65% of your engineering personal statement, or 26 to 30 lines. In these paragraphs, you’ll address the questions, “What have you done that has prepared you for this course?” and “Why do you deserve a spot in the programme?” This is when you go in-depth into your experiences, educational history,  relevant  employment, etc.

Other questions you may want to address in your body paragraphs are:

• How have you cultivated the knowledge you need to succeed in this field?
• What did you learn while preparing for this course?
• Did you receive high marks in the classes relevant to an engineering course?
• Did you win any awards or receive any other accolades?
• What about your life experiences that has fully prepared you not just to enrol in the course but to excel in it?

A Brief Conclusion

Your conclusion should make up between 20-25% of your engineering personal statement, which is roughly ten to 12 lines. Here you’ll sum up your personal statement and bring it to a close. This is where you’ll add in any other extracurricular activities that might not be relevant to engineering but are impressive enough that you want the admissions team to know about them. You can also touch briefly on your future career goals in this section.

Other Things to Remember

One statement – five applications.

One of the most important things to remember about your engineering personal statement for your UCAS Apply application is that you can only write one statement, even though you could be applying to five different courses/universities. This means you don’t want to mention any specific university by name. If you do, the four other universities to which you’ve applied may think you aren’t seriously interested in them and disregard your application altogether.

Additionally, if you’ve applied to study different subjects rather than simply applying to five different engineering programmes, you won’t be able to focus your personal statement quite so much on the field of engineering. Instead, you’ll have to take a much more general approach to writing your personal statement, discussing your strengths in general terms as opposed to how they would apply specifically to the field of engineering.

Proofread and Edit

Do  not  submit your application and your included engineering personal statement without first proofreading and editing your statement. It’s even better if you can ask a  mentor, professor, or trusted friend  to look over it for you before you submit it. Having a fresh set of eyes looking over your paper is a great way to find errors you might have otherwise missed. Proper grammar and writing style are important, so don’t rush ahead without a proper amount of time spent editing and cleaning up.

The Website Will Time Out

Another important thing to remember is that the UCAS website will time out after 35 minutes of inactivity. For this reason, it’s better if you write your personal statement ahead of time in a separate document and then simply copy and paste it into the text box once it’s been fully edited and is ready to go.

Engineering Personal Statement Examples

Example personal statement 1.

“I hope a degree from your University will allow me to transfer key abilities from a place of study into, eventually, a place in industry. After much extended research, my admiration for the engineering innovator, Karl Benz, has been truly established. Commonly regarded as the originator of the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine, his contributions to the vast domain that is engineering are simply colossal. One creation of his that captivated my mind tremendously was the ‘Blitzen Benz’; a vehicle fabricated solely for the purpose of speed. […]

Understandably, I am mindful that the finest engineers must possess a resilient skill-set, which should include the ability to thrive in both collaborative and solo tasks, flourish under pressure and blossom in positions requiring a leadership mentality. Hopefully, a place on this course will allow me to reinforce and augment my previously developed skills whilst allowing me to simultaneously acquire many more essential abilities that will prove beneficial in later life.”

– Read the rest  here

Although this excerpt is a little longer than we usually like to include, we had to include it. It’s just too impressive to ignore. First of all, you’ll notice the author refers to “your University.” This is how you should always speak of the prospective university in your engineering personal statement because it sounds personal, but it doesn’t call any specific school by name, which would alienate the other four universities to which you applied.

Secondly, the author speaks of his admiration for the engineer and inventor Karl Benz. This shows that he’s researched his field of study outside of what he learned in school. It shows he has a genuine interest and passion for engineering, which means he should do well at Uni. The section that’s been removed goes into more detail about the ‘Blitzen Benz,’ using language that shows he has a solid knowledge of the technical terms associated with engineering.

Finally, he smoothly transitions into highlighting his strengths. He mentions many of the qualities that make for a good engineer and then mentions he has those qualities. In the next section, which has also been removed for the sake of brevity, he talks a bit about how he cultivated those qualities. He also says he hopes his time at Uni will help further these necessary qualities in him, and then transitions into talking about his future goals.

It is a powerfully written personal statement that shows the writer to be an excellent candidate for the engineering programme.

Our Verdict:

Example Personal Statement 2

“Engineers build societies. More specifically, mechanical engineers apply fundamental maths and physics laws to construct mechanical devices that we use every day, despite sometimes going unnoticed. For this reason, I would like to pursue a career in engineering, as it is such a key component in societies. It combines my fascination of how things work and the mechanics behind devices, with the ability to apply maths and physics concepts to real-life situations.

Studying Maths Mechanics at A-level has given me experience with calculus and more advanced mathematics, including differential equations, creating a firm grounding for the mathematics I should encounter at degree level. Physics has given me an understanding of fundamental notions and reinforced the mechanical aspects of maths […]”

his is another example of a well-written engineering personal statement. The introductory paragraph, in particular, is superb and covers everything that should be covered. The writer starts by highlighting why engineering is important to society as a whole. In doing so, she also demonstrates a solid knowledge of what engineering is all about.

She transitions smoothly into why she wants to become an engineer and mentions that she has a fascination with both  “how things work”  and  “the mechanics behind devices,”  which are two key elements for a successful engineer. In her next paragraph, she begins talking about her educational history, showing she has the experience and education necessary for a foundation in engineering.

Altogether, she presents herself as someone with passion, clearly defined goals, and a solid foundation that should allow her to hit the ground running when she begins at the university.

Example Personal Statement 3

“My desire to study Engineering stems from the practical application of Maths and Physics to real world situations to enhance and improve them is a field that I find fascinating and perplexing. After partaking in different engineering-based experiences, I learnt how varied and inclusive this subject is, and that is the reason I want to study Engineering at University.”

In contrast to the first two examples, this is an example of a weak engineering personal statement that wasn’t done well. This is the author’s introductory paragraph, and right from the beginning, it fails to paint the writer in a good light. The first sentence is grammatically incorrect and makes no sense as written. The paragraph is also much too short and vague.

Referring back to the common structure of a personal statement, you’ll remember the introductory paragraph should be about seven to ten lines long. This one is about four. It doesn’t have enough information on it, and the information that’s there is too general. It sounds like a child’s version of what an engineer does and why it’d be fun to be an engineer.

The student mentions  “partaking in different engineering-based experiences”  but doesn’t give any examples to back up that claim. Even his reason for wanting to be an engineer isn’t clearly defined. This is a weak, unmemorable statement that isn’t going to impress anyone on an admissions team.

Example Personal Statement 4

“My extra-curricular activities in and out of school have enhanced my ability to lead a group. I joined stem club at the beginning of year 12 and this has contributed to the improvement of my problem-solving skills which has helped me significantly in my maths modules and physics. […] I play the piano […] piano allows me to improve my thinking skills on the spot. My schedule is very busy and challenges me to manage my time carefully […] I am always challenging my own understanding and I believe that I have the right attitude, skills and personality for this degree. I feel that a career in engineering will make good use of my strengths.”

– Read the rest  here

Let’s look again at the typical structure of a personal statement listed above. You’ll see that the conclusion paragraph should be about ten lines long. It’s also a good place to list all the extracurricular activities that aren’t strictly associated with engineering but that you want the admissions team to know about you.

This author wrote a great conclusion paragraph. Although sections have been removed, you can see it’s close to the right length. Additionally, she uses the conclusion paragraph exactly as it should be used, listing all of her extra achievements she wants the admissions team to know. Beyond that, though, she uses these extracurricular activities as another way to show her strengths – strengths that would make her a good fit for any engineering programme.

She mentions having good leadership skills. She also talks about being part of a STEM (science, technology,  engineering,  and mathematics) club. She talks about playing the piano but then adds that her ability to play has improved her on-the-fly problem-solving skills. She talks about work and her busy schedule, but then stresses that this has helped her learn good time management skills.

Instead of just using her conclusion to provide a list of her extracurricular activities, she uses it as another opportunity to casually and naturally highlight her skills. She ends by saying these skills she learned in all these activities will serve her well in her future career as an engineer, which is a great way to end the personal statement on a relevant note.

Example Personal Statement 5

“During my school life, I have enjoyed taking part in sporting events organised by the French charity “Justice au Coeur” […] My extracurricular activities include athletics […] I also attended a scouts’ club in my neighbourhood, and have passed Grade 7 in drama. […]

I am a native speaker of English and French […] I have also studied Latin at my school for six years, and am going to take it as a subject at the French Baccalauréat.

One of my main hobbies is model rocketry. […]

I completed two weeks of unpaid work experience in a WHSmith bookshop in Wimbledon in June 2012. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.”

By contrast, this is an example of a writer who didn’t do a good job of adding in her extracurricular activities. First of all, even though it’s not evident here, this information is listed in this author’s body paragraphs, not her conclusion. These sentences, along with several similar ones that have been removed, make up  four paragraphs  of the body of her engineering personal statement.

She used  four paragraphs  talking about things that have absolutely nothing to do with engineering. She wasted those four paragraphs. All this information is nice information to provide, but it should have all been condensed into one small paragraph at the end of the personal statement.

Instead, she took the paragraphs that should have been devoted to what she’s done to prepare her for engineering and why she deserves a spot in the programme and wasted them on extracurricular activities that aren’t really relevant.

Remember: You only have 4000 characters to write your personal statement, and use those characters wisely.

To Sum It All Up…

The main things to remember when writing your engineering personal statement are to be truthful, be concise, and be authentic. It’s also important that you write a 100% unique, “personal-to-you” personal statement. It’s okay to look at other people’s statements for inspiration or to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t, but there are severe consequences for plagiarism ( here’s a plagiarism-checker you can use ) and cheating, including having your entire application trashed at all the universities to which you applied.

Finally, make sure you dedicate enough time to the process. You want to plan your statement out ahead of time and have enough time to write it thoroughly and completely. It’s also important to save time for the  editing and proofreading stages  after you’ve finished your first draft.

Be specific when talking about your interests, goals, and strengths. Remember, this is one of the few times in life when it is okay to sell yourself. You want to make a good impression, and you want to be memorable. The more easily the admissions team can recall you and your engineering personal statement, the more likely you’ll get a spot in a good engineering programme.

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How to write a personal statement for your first engineering CV

• Early Careers
• CV and Cover Letter Advice

Your personal statement should be one of the first things employers read on your CV. It’s there to grab the attention of the reader and unfortunately, if it doesn’t sell you very well, they may simply put down your CV. The perfect personal statement doesn’t happen on your first try, just know that it has taken some of the best professionals’ years to get theirs right. As you develop your career, your statement and CV will change and get better alongside it. This may seem like a lot of pressure, but we have some tips on how you can get a great personal statement ready for your first CV.

What is a personal statement?

A personal statement is a small professional profile often found at the top of your CV. It’s supposed to be an engaging summary of you, your achievements so far and what you want to get out of your career and importantly the job you are applying for. It’s all about persuasion. You want to have the employer interested enough to keep reading the rest of your CV. Don’t drag it out. It can be hard to compact all of this information into one paragraph, but after practice, it’s doable.

Structure it correctly

It’s always easier to start something when you have a plan and a way of structuring it. Your personal statement shouldn’t be too long, so it’s always a good idea to have an idea of what you want to write before you begin.

Start with who you are – Introduce yourself with your name, your age (if you want to add this part in) and where you are in your career. If you’re a graduate or just finished an apprenticeship, add that in! Employers know that everyone has to start somewhere.

TELL THEM your value – Your CV is not the right place to be modest. You want to be shouting about your value and what you can bring to the company. Look through the job spec for skills they are looking for and add a few of those in to get the reader interested.

Career objectives – They know you’re either fresh out of education or starting a new career path already, so make sure you are talking about your goals. What do you want to achieve and how do you think their company will help that?

The length of a personal statement is important, but this is where the difficulty comes from. You want to include all of the information stated above but keeping it short and concise at no more than 200 words.

You might find it easier to write down everything you think is important to begin with and start taking out things that might not be relevant. It’s often easier to get all of your ideas on one page and work from there. Your statement is there to introduce your CV and the other information on your CV will do the rest of the talking. If you do feel like you have more to say, save it for the cover letter. You don’t have to worry about missing things out if you take the time to write one. For more information and advice on your cover letter, click here.

Your experience

Loads of people like to add a bit of their experience within their personal statement. However, if you don’t have any, it’s best to leave out any work experience that isn’t related to the job you want. You can mention in your statement that you are a graduate or apprentice and go from there. It’s always good to include a few qualifications in there if you lack experience. You can talk about how you want to use this experience to follow the career path that is right for you. Life experience and skills are just as important as work experience.

You can and will change it

Your personal statement is something that will change over time. It will need to be changed and re-evaluated every time you apply for a new job. It’s even good to try and tailor your statement to each employer you send it too.

Don’t worry if you feel like your CV and statement isn’t as impressive as you would like. It will change and grow over time, as you do. It’s okay to take your time and re-write it a few times, it’s all in the practice. One day, you’ll find this part the easiest to write!

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• CV Examples
• Engineering CV: Examples & Personal Statement

Engineering CV: Examples & Personal Statement

Learn how to optimise your engineering CV to the highest tolerances and get the ultimate formula for constructing job-hunting success.

As an engineer you act as the interface between research and reality. You’re the catalyst that helps bring innovation into the real world. Whatever your discipline, your job involves finding the most effective solutions to a problem and achieving the best outcome.

The good news is that you can use exactly the same approach to help you find the best engineering jobs. And you can do that with an engineering CV that’s constructed to the highest standards.

Read on and you’ll see engineering CV examples that will help you implement your own perfectly designed job application. And you’ll discover a simple formula for writing an engineer CV that’ll help you get more interviews than any CV you’ve written before.

Want to save time and have your CV ready in 5 minutes? Try our CV builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ CV templates and create your CV here .

Create your CV now

Engineering CV made with our builder— See more CV examples here .

And if you’re not after an engineering job, we’ve got plenty of other CV writing guides. Read more here:

• How to Write a CV: Professional UK Examples
• Skills Based CV Template & Writing Guide
• What Should a CV Look Like?
• Graduate CV Example & Writing Guide
• Student CV Example & Writing Guide
• Internship CV Example & Writing Guide
• Career Change CV Example & Writing Guide
• Software Developer CV Example & Writing Guide
• Data Analyst CV Example & Writing Guide
• Project Manager CV Example & Writing Guide
• Graphic Designer CV Example & Writing Guide

Engineering CV Template

Jane Brokenshire

Ph: 0777 777 7777

Email: [email protected]

Meticulous and innovation-focused civil engineer with 10+ years of experience in road and rail bridge construction. Highly skilled in project management having worked with teams both in the UK and abroad. Currently, seeking further challenges in large-scale projects. Willing to relocate and eager to develop new skills in line with industry best practice.

Work Experience

Civil Engineer

Securicor Construction Ltd., UK, UAE and China

January 2015–Present

• Managed construction of six motorway bridges from Hangzhou to Yancheng in China as consulting engineer, completing all projects under budget.
• Contributed to internal development of software and sensors to detect shear stresses on cable-stayed bridges, improving safety on eight older structures in England and Scotland.
• Led on design of twin steel truss bridges crossing the Yangtze at Wuhu, winning plaudits from local authorities for rapid and cost-effective construction.
• Collaborated on procurement of bridge maintenance contracts for newly finished structures in Dubai, making a 10% saving on originally projected costs.

Engineering Intern and Associate Bridge Engineer

Sanders & Smythe Project Solutions, UK and ROI

September 2010–December 2014

• Contributed to design and construction of overpasses on a 100-mile-long stretch of the M1 extension.
• Undertook research opportunities into maintenance of cantilever structures using the Forth Bridge.
• Developed project management skills, leading teams of up to 20 maintenance technicians.
• Procured new supply of USM instruments for in-service steel bridges, achieving a 12% cost-saving compared to previous supplier.

BSc Engineering, September 2007–June 2010

De Montfort University, Leicester

• Data analysis. Adept at stress tolerance analysis for new and existing materials to determine optimal construction and maintenance methods.
• Teamwork. Acted as leader and member of multiple international teams.
• Adaptability. Able to develop agile responses to budgetary and time-based constraints.
• Communication skills. Maintained high levels of communication with team members and stakeholders using a variety of channels.
• Design skills. Led on innovative and low environmental impact designs.
• Shortlisted for British Engineering Excellence Awards Design Team of the Year, 2018 and 2019

Now for the job-winning formula for your engineering CV.

1. Choose the Best Format for Your Engineering CV

An engineer uses mathematics and science to solve problems. They help to transform scientific discoveries into commercially viable applications that meet real-world needs. The discipline of engineering is so broad that it’s hard to define exactly what they do. But it’s the intelligent methods that engineers use to solve problems that makes them unique.

So the purpose of your engineering CV is to show that you’re adept at intelligently solving problems in your chosen field. And there’s an established formula for writing your CV that’s the proven method of solving your job search problems. Here it is.

• The best engineering CV format is chronological. It uses your professional experience as its foundation and it’s the format recruiters know best.
• CV structure is essential too, it creates a framework for you to build on. Here’s how to set it up: left-align your text and don’t use justification, leave a double space between sections, make your page margins one inch on each side.
• Following those layout rules creates white space in your CV, and that makes it easier to read and understand.
• Opt for an easily readable and professional font. Solid choices for CV fonts include Trebuchet MS, Didot and Georgia.
• Don’t over-engineer. The maximum length of a CV is two pages.
• And when you’re ready to save your work, use PDF format to keep your layout intact.

Read more: How to Layout a CV: Professional Guidelines and Tips

2. Build Your Engineering CV Personal Statement

Your engineering personal statement, or personal profile, is the first section of your CV. It acts as the introduction to the main body of your CV and in just 3–4 sentences it has to convince the hiring manager to keep reading. The best way to write it is to focus on the following questions.

• Who are you? 
• What can you offer to the employer? 
• What are your career goals? 

All you need to do is answer those questions differently depending on your level of experience. If you’re just launching your career and writing an engineering graduate CV then do this.

• Write a list of all the skills and experience you have. Pay close attention to your education, internships and other work experience.
• Then highlight 3–4 points on your list that match up with what’s required in the graduate job you’re targeting.
• Finally, combine those points with knowledge of the employer and passion for the industry to write your graduate engineer CV personal profile.

If you’re more experienced, then follow this formula.

• List everything that makes you a successful engineer. Take into account the entirety of your professional experience and skills.
• Then refer to the job description for the role you’re targeting, note the experience and skills required, and choose 3–4 points from your list that match.
• Use those points to write an engineering personal statement that’s tailored to the job you’re applying for.

And in both situations it’s best to write this section of your CV last. That way your work experience and skills are already laid out and ready to refer to.

Read more: How to Write a Professional CV Summary

3. Construct Your Engineering CV Work Experience Section

Your work experience section is the linchpin of your CV. If you get it wrong the wheels will come off your job application, so here’s how to make sure it holds firm. 

• List your work experience in reverse chronological order.
• For each role include the following information: your job title, the name of your employer, your dates of employment (use “present” as the end date if you still work there).
• Then write 4–6 bullet points describing the job. Start them with action verbs to make them stand out.
• Don’t just write a summary of your duties. Write about quantifiable and numbered achievements. The most effective way of doing that is to structure your bullet points using accomplishment statements .
• Write a fresh work experience section for every new job application. Make it targeted by reading the job description to see what the hiring manager needs and tailor your work experience to match.

Read more: What to Include in Your CV Work Experience Section

4. Include an Education Section in Your Engineer CV

Engineering is a highly technical field, so it’s essential to show you’ve got an education to match. Your formal education in mathematical and scientific disciplines forms the basis for your professional achievements. Here’s how to get this section right.

• List the name of the university you attended, the full formal name of your degree, and the dates you studied there. If you’re preparing your engineering graduate CV and you’re still studying then include your expected graduation date.
• If you have more than one qualification then follow reverse chronological order and put your most recent attainment first.
• Only include honours if you achieved a first or a 2:1.
• And if you’re a fresh graduate then switch the order of your CV sections and put your education before your work experience.

5. Prove Your Engineering CV Skills

Biomedical, petroleum, mechanical, civil and electrical. Those are just a few of the dozens of fields of specialisation in engineering. Each one demands its own unique set of skills. So which skills are best to include on your CV? Here’s how to choose them.

• Refer back to our faithful cheat sheet, the job description. List all the skills it requires along with any other skills that are relevant to that field of engineering.
• Now list your own skills. Use your work experience and education sections as a point of reference.
• Compare the two lists, note what matches, then select 5–10 of the most relevant skills to incorporate into your CV.
• Include a good mix of soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills .
• And for every skill, write a sentence that shows how you demonstrate it. E.g. Teamwork . Acted as leader and member of multiple international teams.

Here’s a general list of skills that would make a great addition to your engineering CV. Just ensure that you include hard skills relevant to your area of specialisation, too.

Engineer CV Skills Sample

• Attention to detail
• Data analysis
• Design skills
• Lean methodology
• Communication skills
• Problem solving
• Adaptability
• Organisation and planning

Read more: What Skills Should I Put on My CV? Best Examples

When making a CV in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building your CV here .

When you’re done, Zety’s CV builder will score your CV and tell you exactly how to make it better.

6. Bolt-On Some Additional CV Sections

As an engineer, how do you approach your work?

• Do just enough to get the job done.
• Find the optimal solution to the engineering problem at hand, adding every necessary element for a successful outcome.

You chose the second option of course, and your CV is just the same. You can stop with your skills section and you’ll have got the job done but for the optimal solution you need some extra sections. So here are some ideas.

• Languages. Engineering is a profession that will take you far and wide in search of challenging projects. Being bilingual is a big plus in communicating with international companies and colleagues.
• Other good options are volunteering, awards and hobbies. There are 1.8 million workers in engineering-related roles in the UK so there’s a lot of competition. Anything that makes you stand out in such a crowded field is worth including.

Read more: Best Hobbies and Interests to Include on Your CV

7. Write an Engineering CV Cover Letter

The word engineer is derived from the Latin ingenium , which means cleverness. And the smartest thing you can do with your engineering job application is to write a cover letter to accompany your engineer CV. They’re still considered best practice for job seekers . 

Here’s what to include in a cover letter for engineering jobs:

• Start with the correct cover letter formatting . Just like your CV, you need to follow a set structure.
• Include a “hook” in your cover letter opening lines . An eye-catching professional accomplishment will make sure the recruiter keeps reading.
• Then reinforce your cover letter structure by adding even more proof of your experience and skills as an engineer.
• End your cover letter with a call to action. Ask the hiring manager to get in touch with you so you can discuss the job further.
• Make sure the length of your cover letter is no more than one page.

And after you’ve sent off your job application there’s one more thing you need to do. Follow it up. If there’s no reply after a week, make contact to check on the status of your application. This last simple step can help distinguish you from other applicants and increase your chances of success.

And that’s all. Now you’re ready to write an engineering CV that’d make Isambard Kingdom Brunel proud.

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

I hope you found our civil engineer CV template useful. If you’ve got tips for different specialisations like a mechanical engineer CV or a design engineer CV, then let us know. Use the comments section to share your knowledge. We’d love to hear from you.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has thoroughly reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines . Our dedication lies in sharing our expertise and providing you with actionable career advice that offers you real value. Every year, the quality of our content attracts 40 million readers to our site. But that’s not all – we conduct original research to gain a detailed understanding of the labour market. We take pride in being cited by top universities and leading media outlets in the UK and worldwide .

• http://halfonlab.ccr.buffalo.edu/PointsOfView/whitespace.pdf
• https://www.cmu.edu/career/documents/sample-resumes-cover-letters/action-verbs.pdf
• https://www.civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/research/k-12-education/language-minority-students/realizing-the-economic-advantages-of-a-multilingual-workforce/gandar-acevedo-economic-advantages-bilingual-2016.pdf
• https://grad.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Cover-Letter-Presentation-General-Audience.pdf

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Personal Statement for Engineering: Examples and Advice

In this article, we look at how to write a personal statement for engineering courses with examples and advice.

A roller coaster helped one student to decide to specialise in engineering, and her experience in coaching younger students helped her application.

Why did a student volunteering in Mississippi decide to study structural engineering? How much of your family history should you add in? Keep reading for useful tips and great examples.

Table of Contents

What is a personal statement for engineering, how to write an engineering personal statement, engineering personal statement example 1 – structural engineering, engineering personal statement example 2 – general engineering, engineering personal statement example 3 – marine engineering, faq (frequently asked questions), more personal statement tutorials.

It’s an important document used by universities to evaluate a student’s strengths, skills, experience and ambitions.

It is also used to show a student’s enthusiasm for engineering (either in general, or for a specific type such as civil or aeronautical), and what aspects of the subject they enjoy and why.

It is essential for an applicant to craft a 100% unique, yet effective personal statement as it allows universities to make an informed decision on who to admit to their engineering course.

Step 1: Start with your proudest achievement

Volunteering to help construct houses in Mississippi through Habitat for Humanity was a life-changing experience that made me want to become a structural engineer.

Starting with your proudest achievement in your engineering personal statement can help make your application stand out.

By mentioning your most impressive achievements first, the admissions committee will be able to quickly recognize your capabilities, dedication, and skills.

Step 2: Describe your ambitions and experience

In an engineering personal statement, it is important to clearly explain your ambitions and experiences that demonstrate your skills and passion for the field.

A good framework to follow is to first explain your motivation and enthusiasm for the course, and provide examples of any specific knowledge you already have.

Then, outline any relevant experience, insights, interests or achievements you have that relate to engineering, starting with the most impressive.

Step 3: Show evidence of being capable, by describing a project in depth

When writing a personal statement for engineering, it’s important to showcase your capabilities (skills) and qualifications to potential admissions committees or employers. Here are a few tips to help you demonstrate your capabilities in your personal statement:

• Highlight your technical skills: As an engineer, you will need to have a strong foundation in technical skills. Make sure to list the technical skills you possess and provide examples of how you have used them in your past experiences.
• Showcase your academic achievements: Highlight your academic achievements, including your GPA and any awards or honours you have received. This demonstrates that you have a strong academic foundation and are capable of handling challenging coursework.
• Discuss relevant work experience: If you have relevant work experience in engineering, make sure to discuss it in your personal statement. Highlight any projects you have worked on, problems you have solved, or skills you have developed in your previous roles.
• Emphasize your problem-solving skills: Engineers are problem solvers, so make sure to emphasize your ability to analyze and solve problems. Provide examples of how you have approached problems in the past and the steps you took to solve them. These can include time management, teamwork, or leadership

By focusing on one project and exploring it in depth, you can demonstrate your understanding of the subject and show that you are ready and committed to study engineering.

Step 4: Leave out (most of) your family history

Growing up, it was my job to fix anything that broke around the house. My father, a third-generation oil rig supervisor, was often away for months at a time and he taught me resilience and problem-solving along with practical DIY.

Why is it important to leave out (most of) your family history in an engineering personal statement?

The personal statement is an opportunity to tell a university or college about yourself and why you are a suitable candidate for the program.

Every word you spend writing about your family’s history and experiences is a word that you’re not using to tell the university about your own achievements, plans and passions.

Your family’s history and experiences may be influential on your choice of course, but keep it very brief – less than a sentence, to give a bit more context to your achievements, plans and aspirations.

By doing so, you can demonstrate to the university that you have the necessary skills and qualifications to succeed in their program.

Step 5: Include your hobbies

While hobbies may not be directly related to engineering, they can still be included in your personal statement to showcase your personality, interests, and skills.

Here are some tips on how to effectively include hobbies in your engineering personal statement:

• Choose relevant hobbies: Make sure to choose those that are relevant to your engineering career or showcase your technical or problem-solving skills. For example, if you enjoy building and programming robots as a hobby, you could mention this as evidence of your technical skills.
• Explain how your hobbies relate to your engineering goals: For example, if you enjoy designing and building furniture as a hobby, you could mention how this has honed your ability to create complex designs, which could be applicable to engineering projects.
• Showcase your teamwork and leadership skills: If you participate in team sports or volunteer in leadership roles, make sure to mention this in your personal statement.
• Avoid irrelevant or controversial hobbies: I f you enjoy partying or binge-watching TV shows, these hobbies may not be seen as relevant or professional.

Overall, including hobbies in your engineering personal statement can help the panel to get to know you a bit better and showcase your skills and interests beyond your academic achievements and work experience.

Step 6: Edit and proofread your statement

Editing and proofreading your engineering personal statement is an important part of the application process. To ensure your statement is professional and free of errors, follow these tips:

• Read your statement aloud slowly to catch any minor spelling or grammatical errors.
• Ask a friend or colleague to read it for you and provide feedback.
• Analyze your document with an online application to provide suggestions for improvement.
• Have a mentor, professor, or trusted friend look it over before you submit it.
• Make sure you dedicate enough time to the process by planning ahead and leaving time for editing and proofreading.
• Be truthful and concise, and ensure it is 100% unique.
• Avoid including unrelated information, maintain your professionalism, and make it a reflection of yourself.

By following these tips, you can make sure your engineering personal statement is as polished and professional as possible.

Growing up, it was my job to fix anything that broke around the house. My father, a third-generation oil-rig supervisor, was often away for months at a time and he taught me resilience and problem-solving along with practical DIY.

Volunteering to help construct houses in Mississippi through Habitat for Humanity was a life-changing experience. I worked with a group that included veterans being trained in construction skills and volunteers from all over the country. I saw first-hand how important it is to have a safe, well-run construction site and communicate clear expectations to the whole team.

As a result of an incredible team effort, families are able to transition from temporary, unsafe accommodation to having their own homes. I want to combine my love of construction, design and problem-solving in a career that makes a positive difference to people.

Already drawn to civil engineering, my fascination with designing made me want to become a structural engineer, specifically to design buildings. Majoring in structural engineering will allow me to further develop my IT skills by using computer-aided design technology, which I have been fortunate enough to learn to use during an internship with a local company this summer. I am already confident with using the AutoCAD program.

My time-management skills have been honed this year as I have combined volunteering, my internship and working 16 hours a week on a local construction crew to save for college while maintaining a 3.7 GPA. I am confident that I am well able to handle any workload asked of me.

I am highly analytical and can approach a problem from several angles. I am particularly drawn to your structural engineering program because of its reputation for hands-on, practical experience. I am confident that I will be a positive addition to the team and your program will provide me with the skills and experience I need to achieve my dream of becoming an outstanding structural engineer.

I am excited by the prospect of applying fundamental principles to real-world design challenges. Of all things, it was the mechanics of roller coasters, which I learned about in a lecture, that highlighted the practical applications of engineering principles and sparked my interest in pursuing a career in this field.

Studying engineering has always appealed to me because of its heavy reliance on problem-solving and its integration of two of my favourite subjects, Math and Science. The ability to apply logical reasoning to create solutions to complex problems is what attracts me to engineering as well as the huge range of specialisms to choose from further down the road.

My academic background has prepared me well for a degree in engineering. I have excelled in my Math and Science coursework, receiving high grades in all of my relevant subjects. I have also participated in extracurricular activities, such as robotics competitions and science fairs, where I have had the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills in practical settings while mentoring and coaching younger students.

I am eager to pursue a degree in engineering to further develop my problem-solving skills and gain a deeper understanding of the principles and concepts that underpin this field. I believe that a degree in engineering will enable me to make a positive impact on society by contributing to the design and development of innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges, in a field in which women are still under-represented.

In addition to my academic and extracurricular experiences, I bring a strong work ethic, determination, and a passion for learning to my studies. I am confident that my skills, combined with the resources and opportunities provided by your engineering program, will enable me to excel in my studies and make meaningful contributions to the field.

I look forward to the opportunity to pursue a degree in engineering and whether I will be designing roller coasters or factory equipment, I will be making a positive difference in the future and hopefully, inspiring other young women to become engineers.

As an aspiring engineer, I am driven by the opportunity to apply fundamental principles to the design of complex systems. With a fascination for engineering plants and an interest in the sea, I have been drawn to the marine industry as a way to combine my passions with the challenge of problem-solving.

I have chosen a major in marine engineering because it will allow me to further explore the fascinating findings of physics and put my mathematical knowledge into practical application. It is my ambition to work in the submarine design industry and gain Chartered Engineer status, and I believe that pursuing a graduate degree in marine engineering will help me achieve these goals.

Throughout my academic and professional career, I have demonstrated a strong work ethic, determination, and a passion for learning. I have excelled in my coursework and participated in research projects, internships, and other extracurricular activities that have allowed me to apply my knowledge and skills in practical settings.

My own experience in the marine industry has given me a unique perspective on engineering and the challenges of designing complex systems in a dynamic environment. As a mature student, I am excited by the opportunity to further develop my skills and knowledge in a graduate engineering program and to apply these to real-world challenges in my chosen field.

I am particularly drawn to your graduate engineering program because of its reputation for academic excellence and its focus on hands-on, practical experience as well as strong links with the outstanding teams at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyards. I am confident that your program will provide me with the resources and opportunities I need to achieve my goals and make meaningful contributions to the engineering industry.

In conclusion, I am passionate about engineering and am committed to pursuing a career in this field. I am excited about the prospect of joining your graduate engineering program and am eager to continue developing my skills and knowledge in this dynamic and challenging field. Thank you for considering my application.

Some of these questions were already covered in this blog post but I will still list them here (because not everyone carefully reads every paragraph) so here’s the TL;DR version

What are the key components of a personal statement for engineering?

The key components of a personal statement for engineering include:

• expressing your enthusiasm for engineering
• conveying your strengths, skills, experience and ambitions
• being truthful, concise, and authentic
• providing specific examples of your interests, goals, and strengths.

Additionally, you should explain why you want to study engineering at the university level, back up everything with examples, and have a good introduction, middle, and conclusion. Finally, be sure to save time for editing and proofreading the statement.

What qualifications should I include in my personal statement for engineering?

In your engineering personal statement, you should include qualifications that are related to engineering as well as other academic or practical qualifications, such as project management.

What skills should I demonstrate in my personal statement for engineering?

In your personal statement for engineering, you should aim to demonstrate a range of skills that are important for success in this field. Some of the key skills that you may want to highlight include:

• Problem-solving: Engineering is all about solving problems and coming up with creative solutions to complex challenges.
• Technical knowledge: Engineering is a technical field, and it is important to demonstrate that you have a strong foundation in math, science, and other related subjects.
• Communication: Engineering often involves working in teams and communicating complex ideas clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Creativity: While engineering is a technical field, it also requires a certain level of creativity and innovation. Highlight any projects or activities that have allowed you to demonstrate your creativity or come up with innovative solutions to problems.
• Leadership: As you progress in your engineering career, you may be called upon to lead teams or manage projects. Show that you have leadership potential and are able to work effectively with others.
• Adaptability : Engineering is a dynamic and ever-changing field, and it is important to demonstrate that you are adaptable and can handle uncertainty and change calmly and flexibly.

How should I structure my personal statement for engineering?

Writing a successful engineering personal statement can seem like a daunting task. But by breaking it down into smaller steps, you can make the process much easier. To get started, here are some steps you can take to structure your engineering personal statement:

• Start with an introduction: This should take up about 15-20% of your statement and answer the question “Why do you want to study engineering?” Talk about the experiences that shaped your love of the subject and the things about it that you find interesting.
• Add in body paragraphs: In these paragraphs, address questions such as “What have you done that has prepared you for this course?” “How have you cultivated the knowledge you need to succeed in this field?,” and “Did you receive high marks in the classes relevant to an engineering course?”
• End with a conclusion: Here you’ll sum up your personal statement and bring it to a close. Include any other extracurricular activities that might not be directly related to engineering, but are impressive enough that you want the admissions team to know about them.

What should I do to make my personal statement for engineering stand out?

To make your engineering personal statement stand out, follow these steps:

• Be truthful, concise, and authentic. Avoid plagiarism and cheating.
• Start your statement by explaining why you want to study engineering and which aspects of the field you enjoy.
• Back up everything with examples.
• Write your statement clearly and concisely, with a good introduction, middle, and conclusion.
• Take inspiration from engineering personal statement examples, but make sure yours is unique.

How do I avoid plagiarism in my personal statement for engineering?

In order to ensure that your engineering personal statement is completely original, here are some steps to take to avoid plagiarism:

• Research: Spend some time researching engineering topics and schools before writing your statement. This will help you to get a better understanding of the field and come up with unique points and ideas.
• Brainstorm: Take the time to brainstorm some ideas for your statement before putting your pen to paper. This will help you to come up with unique ideas, rather than using someone else’s.
• Outline: Create an outline for your statement that includes all of the points that you want to make. This will help you to stay organized and make sure that your statement flows naturally.
• Write: Once you have your outline and research, start writing your engineering personal statement. Be sure to use your own words and phrase each sentence the way you would say it.
• Check: Once you have finished your statement, it is important to double-check that all of your words and phrases are unique. Use a plagiarism checker (such as this one) to make sure that there are no similarities to any other statement.
• Proofread: Finally, make sure to dedicate enough time to the editing and proofreading stages after you have finished your first draft. This will help to ensure that there are no errors or mistakes in your statement.

By following these steps, you can be sure that your engineering personal statement is unique and free from plagiarism. Remember to be truthful, concise, authentic, and professional when writing your statement. Good luck!

What should I research when writing my personal statement for engineering?

When writing your personal statement for engineering, it is important to conduct thorough research to ensure that you are able to tailor your statement to the specific program or institution you are applying to. Some areas to research include:

• Curriculum: Look into the specific courses and areas of focus within the engineering program. This can help you highlight relevant coursework or projects you have completed that align with the program’s focus.
• Faculty and research: Look into the faculty members within the engineering program and their areas of expertise. This can help you tailor your personal statement to align with specific research areas or interests within the program.
• Industry partnerships and internships: Look into any partnerships the program may have with industry organizations or companies, as well as any internship or co-op opportunities offered through the program. This can help you highlight any relevant industry experience you may have and demonstrate your interest in pursuing practical experience in the field.
• University values and culture: Research the university’s overall mission and values, as well as the culture of the campus community. This can help you tailor your personal statement to demonstrate your fit with the university and program culture.

By conducting thorough research on these areas, you can tailor your personal statement to align with the specific program and institution you are applying to, demonstrating your interest and fit for the program.

How can I check my personal statement for engineering for errors?

Checking your engineering personal statement for errors is an important step in the application process. You should:

• Read your statement aloud to catch any minor spelling or grammatical errors.
• Ask a friend, colleague, or mentor to read your statement and provide feedback.
• Use online applications to analyze the document and suggest improvements.
• Seek advice from a careers centre or advisor to help polish the statement.
• mxddasasProofread and edit the statement multiple times.

By following these steps, you can ensure your engineering personal statement is professional and error-free before submitting your application materials.

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College of Engineering

Resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.

Whether you are applying to graduate programs or looking for your first professional job, these guides and templates will help you create clear and persuasive application materials.

Personal Statements vs. Statements of Purpose  Created by Sarah Livesay, Hanson Center Assistant Director

Cover Letter Template  Created by Anita Thammavongsa, former Hanson Center Peer Tutor

Engineering Resume and CV Kickstarter  Created by Elly Martens, former Hanson Center Peer Tutor

Building Your Resume Through the Years  Created by Clara Lyden, former Hanson Center Peer Tutor

Career Resource Manual