how to craft a standout CV for site engineering roles.

A well-crafted CV is essential for securing a role in site engineering, across all specialisms, including; highways, rail, water, or energy sectors. Whether you're a Site Engineer, Section Engineer, Sub Agent, or Site Agent, your CV should highlight relevant project experience, technical skills, and certifications that set you apart. Follow these key steps to create a CV that gets noticed.

Craft a Strong Personal Profile

Your personal profile is the first thing recruiters and hiring managers will read, so make it count. Summarise your experience, key skills, and career aspirations in a concise paragraph. Tailor it to emphasise your sector-specific knowledge while researching the company's values, mission, and objectives to ensure alignment with their expectations.

Write your personal statement in the third person to maintain a professional tone and focus on clear, impactful statements that highlight your expertise.

Highlight Relevant Skills

Your skills section should balance hard skills (the technical expertise you bring to the table) and soft skills (the interpersonal skills that make you a valuable team member). Use bullet points to make them easy to scan.

Hard Skills:

• Site supervision and management
• Setting out and surveying (Total Station, GPS, AutoCAD, Civil 3D)
• Temporary works coordination (TWC/TWS)
• Quality assurance and compliance
• Health & Safety (RAMS, CDM Regulations)
• Project planning and scheduling
• Full understanding of procurement of civil engineering works, including preparation of specifications and current health and safety legislation

Soft Skills:

• Leadership and team coordination
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Effective communication (with clients, engineers, management)
• Stakeholder management
• Adaptability across different project environments

Showcase Your Qualifications & Certifications

For site engineering, it’s important to have the right qualifications and certifications. Make sure your CV aligns with the job requirements and company expectations by researching what they are looking for. List any certifications, licenses, training etc relevant to your trade, including:

Degrees & Diplomas:

• HNC/Degree (Construction/Civil Engineering related) or equivalent
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field
• Working towards institute membership (ICE)
• Apprenticeships: Higher or Degree Apprenticeships in Civil Engineering or related 

Certifications:

• CSCS card (include the expiry date)
• SMSTS (Site Management Safety Training Scheme)
• Temporary Works Coordinator (TWC) or Temporary Works Supervisor (TWS)
• First Aid Certification
• PTS (Personal Track Safety) for rail roles
• NEBOSH or IOSH for health & safety

Other:

• A valid and clean driving license, if applicable

A well-organised qualifications section helps employers quickly identify your expertise and adaptability, showing you’re well-suited for the role.

Detail Your Work Experience

Customise your employment history to match the job you're applying for, emphasising relevant roles and experiences. Focus on key responsibilities, achievements, and skills that show you're a strong fit for the position.

For example, if you’re applying for a site agent role, emphasise your experience in managing and overseeing construction projects, including site coordination, team leadership, and client communication. Highlight your responsibilities in ensuring the timely completion of projects within budget, as well as managing quality assurance and safety standards. Detail your experience with contract management, liaising with subcontractors, and resolving on-site issues efficiently.

If you’re applying for a section engineer role, focus on your experience with managing engineering teams and ensuring the technical aspects of projects are carried out to specification. Highlight your duties in supervising site activities, coordinating between departments, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Emphasise your involvement in problem-solving, risk management, and ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

Structure your work history in reverse chronological order, focusing on key responsibilities and achievements for each role. Include:

• Job title
• Employer & project name
• Dates of employment
• Key responsibilities
• Achievements (cost savings, project milestones, problem-solving examples)
• Technical experience (e.g. proven track record of working on complex civil engineering projects)

Use bullet points for clarity and quantify your achievements wherever possible. Additionally, use relevant keywords from the job description to show your understanding of the role. For instance:

Tailor Your CV for Each Application

Use industry-specific terminology and adapt your CV to each role by:

• Aligning keywords with the job description.
• Highlighting relevant sector experience (rail vs. highways vs. energy projects).
• Emphasising achievements that match employer needs (e.g. cost savings, compliance improvements, innovative solutions).

Formatting Best Practices

• Length: Aim for a two-page CV. Research shows that candidates with two-page CVs are significantly more likely to get a response compared to those with a single page.
• Font: Use a clear, professional font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman, size 10-12pt).
• File: Save as a PDF unless stated otherwise.
• Format: Organise your CV with bold headers and logical spacing to ensure it’s easy to read and digest, and use bullet points for clarity.

Final Thoughts

A well-structured, tailored CV will increase your chances of securing your next role. Whether you're motivated by contract renewal, financial incentives, work-life balance, or prestigious projects, ensuring your CV aligns with your career goals is key to standing out.

For more information and advice on writing a CV, check out our full guide here.