Resume Tips for Civil Structural Engineering - Real Resumes Reviewed

I share my top resume tips for civil structural engineers. Discover my resume review process as I review actual resumes, what fatal resume mistakes to avoid, and what I consider a good resume.
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Mat Picardal is a structural project manager at DCI Engineers. This video and this channel does not necessarily reflect the opinion nor beliefs of DCI Engineers. All thoughts expressed are purely his own observations and experiences.
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[@darren871]

I would say one of the biggest advice for people seeking their first engineering job is to always provide a tailored cover letter for the specific position you're applying for in addition to your resume. I know for a fact that some firms don't even look at the resume until after they've gone through an initial screening process of reading a cover letter. Firms want to know WHY you want to work for them first and then determine if you're qualified to work them. Also, always list the computer software you are familiar with. Even if its just Microsoft office.

[@khyo826]

I get excited when I see Mat's notification on youtube. Informative and to the point.

[@MatPicardal]

Glad I can help :)

[@rebecacipriano9233]

I love this channel so much theres so little content about civil engineers and i really want to learn how many options of work and projects were able to do (im still in college so everything you post its like woah for me habaha)

[@MatPicardal]

So glad I can help, yeah industry is a shell shock at first. You got this!

[@SteelheadTed]

Just found your channel, good stuff, keep it up. There was a need for these kind of videos. Good work.

[@MatPicardal]

Thanks for your support Ted!

[@antraxunocomoninguno]

Hi, I just found your channel, I'm so thankful with u for the experience that u share with us I'm currently studying civil engineering and your channel helps a lot with things that we don't learn at school, sorry for my poor English, greetings from Mexico 👍👍 my best desires for you.

[@MinhLe-xc5ld]

My professors and peers always tell me to tailor my resume in accordance to the job you applying to, not just throw every thing in there and play hit or miss, now I see why. This video is very informative, thank you

[@MatPicardal]

Glad I could help Minh.

[@jamesnguyen7571]

Hi Senior, I learned so many things and be inspired as well from your videos. Thank you for everything.

[@MatPicardal]

So glad I can help!

[@mittalprachi2]

This was very helpful. Thanks for making such a detailed and lucid video.

[@leokristianto4307]

Thank you so much for the information. Hopefully I can find my job soon.

[@skvozgrozy1971]

Thank you Matt for the very informative video. I recently passed the civil engineering licensure exam and your tips will set me right on track. Thank you once again!

[@MatPicardal]

Congrats Frederick! Glad I could help!

[@hemnjalal8822]

Thank you so much sir , i really got lots of benefits from your videos , i hope you to be continuous ❤❤😍

[@NK-iy6if]

Thank you! God bless you!

[@Nematode7898]

Yay new video!

[@MatPicardal]

Yes!

[@Karim-qb6uj]

Relevant content, thank you very much !

[@MatPicardal]

Glad I could help!

[@danielcooper5636]

Great tips for an aspiring structural EIT. As the president of my university's chapter, I also appreciate that you explained some of the ways that ASCE can be valuable to students. Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@onedarkridehome]

Good luck in your career, I know how difficult it is to get your foot in the door.

[@MatPicardal]

That's awesome Daniel, glad I could help! Getting involved and really contributing in professional organizations can really help someone's career.

[@mujtabamohiuddinmohammed466]

doing a great job sir, keep going, really helpful and to the point, hats off, thanks a lot

[@obiemac]

Great job Mat. Very informative and helpful

[@MatPicardal]

You're welcome, glad I can help!

[@DaniTheEngineer]

Marking it up in Bluebeam - love it!

[@MatPicardal]

It's so useful :)

[@chronomagius3078]

Thank You for this sir!!! I'll be takong notes of these tips 😊

[@MatPicardal]

Glad I can help!

[@eddyramirez9806]

Very informative! Thank you

[@MatPicardal]

You're welcome :)

[@ultramagneticsago6329]

Arigathanks guzaimuch Matt-sensei!!

[@MatPicardal]

You're welcome!

[@joshuashort4673]

Hey Matt! I love your videos! It would be awesome if you do a video on engineering job interviews

[@cruzreyes6638]

Thank you @Mat Picardal, I'm a civil graduate in southern Cali. I enjoy your video content thank you for opening my eye to the mistakes I had in my resume no wonder I wasn't getting any calls for interviews ... thankfully I now fixed and hope my luck changes... thank you again

[@MatPicardal]

Glad I could help, good luck!

[@zjyub]

Hey Matt, First off thank you for posting this video. This is the second time around of me watching. I am following your advice as we speak. One thing I just noticed that stuck out to me on the very first resume is that more than likely the person who wrote it, English is not their first language, and they are probably are not an American citizen. You can see this is obvious in two spots on the resume. The first being under the category "Languages" and the second where they put Los Angeles, United States". So the person who wrote the resume is probably not a moron, but at a disadvantage due to a language barrier.

[@asadhussain2293]

I have just completed writing my 5 page resume for my one year experience in structure designing and started watching this video and now I have to cut it down to 1 page.

[@ManzanoGraphicStudio]

I just graduated from CE this yr, I see you as my inspiration for my future 🙏

[@ta3263]

The guy has a 3.7 GPA, and just because his resume doesn't impress the recruiter, the recruiter throws his resume away. That's total disrespect to the poor student who spends the days and nights to study and yet a guy disregard all his/her hard work because of a piece of paper. That's why companies are becoming more like a robot.

[@John-lz6dn]

I know right lol

[@shobhitverma2689]

I wish I had watched this video during my early college days. I didn't participated in any technical competitions and hence my soft skills are very weak to be put on a resume. Thanks a lot. I'll start working on some internships for the time being.

[@HHHPedigrees]

Thanks for the tips. Would you be able to do a video regarding tips on the cover letter?

[@Zyan-ge8mi]

Already subscribed for 2 yrs. If I could see this video in 2019, I might get a job with my bachelor degree in Australia . But it’s still not bad for me now, got a good job as a structural engineer with a clear career plan in China.

[@pranavgupta1416]

Very helpful thank you

[@MatPicardal]

You're welcome :)

[@lancepanaligan9071]

Noticed the pops at your bg. Love to collect MHA line too

[@MatPicardal]

Nice! Plus ultra

[@jusufvelovic7562]

I literally watched this video, overhauled my resume, applied to a bunch of jobs and got two interview the very next day. THANKS!!

[@HayatTeleHealth]

Hey! Mat, Can you please do more resume reviews Structural Engineering graduates, there arent as many vids as say, Software developer, IT, CS etc.

[@jonstark9468]

could you do a tutorial making a structural design in etabs

[@rajujha5225]

Great Job

[@MatPicardal]

Thank you, glad I can help!

[@anilkhadka9824]

good day...find your channel. Though first video which i watched was "expectation vs reality".

[@MatPicardal]

Thanks for the support Anil!

[@niranjanreddy8761]

Hi ,i am from india, i completed my masters in structures. please make a video for freshers of structural engineering.

[@iloanx]

Thank you a lot for your videos, Mat! You rock! I have one more question for you. While writing my cover letters I always face doubts referent to where and to who address the letters. The job postings specify the roles and requirements all candidates must possess, but rarely mention where and who to address the letters. I always enter their website and check the address of the closest office to the job position location. Is this the correct way to proceed?

[@saifchowdhury3581]

Could you do the CV video for engineers with 3-4 years experience after graduation?

[@acemaglente2424]

Salamat sir

[@Muhmd123.]

helpful

[@zjyub]

I am a 3rd year student who is going to start looking for an internship this Spring (2021). I realize school probably is not giving me the real skills needed to perform in the real world. What Programs should I start playing around with and start to learn in my spare time to help me land a job. I am Decent in AutoCAD and learned REVIT a little bit.

[@YahyeMohamed]

I never had the opportunity to get an internship, I went straight from Bs to Ms in civil engineering .what could you suggest me to do to get myself into an internship or entry level job ? I have soft skills such as Sap2000, autocad , Abaqus and I can speak four foreign languages

[@MatPicardal]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXjChYN_f5iEZ9k

[@khaoula4057]

nice video ^^ ...... please make a video about topics of structural engineer for graduated .

[@MatPicardal]

Making some SE career videos soon for the young professionals.

[@khaoula4057]

@@MatPicardal thank you ... waitting for it ^^

[@TheAndyzilla]

I was wondering if you could do a guide on which courses are best to specialize for structural design? im a civil eng student and we have like 20 options for electives to concentrate on structures and dont wanna mess up which courses to take

[@MatPicardal]

Thanks for the suggestion, I've put it on the list. Short answer if you want to work in the industry: As many design courses (steel, wood, concrete, etc.) and earthquake engineering (if you want to work in seismic) courses as you can.

[@OveranalyzingEverything]

Hey I see you were part of the geo wall competition. Sadly the whole covid thing canceled ours.

[@Muhmd123.]

Could you upload video for resume tips site engineer?

[@Shananahanagan]

Do you prefer resumes such as the ones in the video which are more colorful and interesting, or do you like plain black and white ones? My school insists that a plain black and white one is absolutely the only way to go, but I'm not sure what stands out in the field.

[@that.unknown]

I am curious, how did they manage to fit al this on a page? Please what is the Font size and font type? Also is the paper A4 or letter?

[@windsear2335]

any good references for capacity design principle?

[@easyrangolidesign1383]

Hi Sir,I m also structural designer and working on PEB structural

[@BoggleMeBog]

I was wondering, if I took programming classes like C++ and Python, but I'm not that great with those, should I put that on my resume? Also if for example I learned how to use certain software like COMSOL Multiphysics or Zemax, but I'm not yet proficient, should I include those? I majored in physics btw.

[@hashemsonbol5181]

Would you say it is a good idea to include projects you have worked on in school outside of the senior design project? That is something I don't include on my resume but I am considering changing that.

[@MatPicardal]

If it involves working on a team, design, analysis, building codes, then I would recommend it.

[@mdzahidhasan7081]

I want this cv MW format

[@sherly.aguilar]

I was wondering if you have any tips on applying for entry level positions in another state. I have been trying for months now and nothing.

[@MatPicardal]

I'd make it really clear on your cover letter and maybe even resume that you are really serious about moving to that state and their firm/company. Often times, if it's a small/medium firm, it's riskier to interview people out of state because they may not be as serious as someone who is already living there. You don't want them to assume that you are just resume spamming companies.

[@willofdodge1]

Use an address of a homeless shelter

[@gowthamiv4841]

If you saying all things to know means what should be added..relavent should be i endorse it. But if you honoured in structural engg..it should be added right..

[@luismortis436]

Will finishing my carpenters union apprenticeship help in my resume it’s currently helping me pay for college

[@MdIslam-st4eu]

Hi, Mat. Can you please give few links good resume templates.

very different from how a CV is done here in Argentina

[@MatPicardal]

Yes, CV's are different from resumes here in the U.S. also. CVs would most likely be more than one page, but you would need a lot of experience already. An intern or entry level resume would never need to be more than a page.

[@DaveWuDong]

Graduating from CPP engineering in may, dang haha

[@nidalal-sayed4019]

The CV shall be only 1 page ??

[@swatismith5054]

Is it proper to write "Own vehicle, Valid licence" in our civil engineering resumes? I did that coz most position conclude this requirement. Thanks

[@MatPicardal]

Not common practice in the U.S. Mostly just address, phone number, email, and maybe LinkedIn now.

[@swatismith5054]

@@MatPicardal Thanks, I will delete it in my resume, I am in Canada, north of The Wall

[@denishujdur8652]

What if you have a bad GPA and no experience?

[@ranggagautama3953]

Thank you sir...

[@MatPicardal]

You're welcome, glad I can help :)

[@aminemohammed5448]

thank you but woud you please translaite this video to french

[@Nematode7898]

Hi Mat, I’m a sophomore student in a Community College trying to become a civil/structural. I took almost all of the class at this level except circuits. I have done a structural engineering “internship” thanks to my aunt in SOCAL TOOO!!But in there I was mostly doing AutoCad draftings, structural observations, some simple beam calcs(THE SIMPLEST BEAM CALCULATIONS along with footings and shear walls, how to print the blue prints, updated the companies code and familiarized myself with structural components of buildings. Is that enough to get me into an actual internship without any help from family? Just like you, I too have a not so competitive grade(3.211). Also, since I’m just a community college, is it ok if I add my president position for a club ( Environmental Club). Your videos are a gift to us btw!! Ty.

[@MatPicardal]

That's great Francis! That's basically an internship, I think it's just a matter of you communicating it well on your resume. The tasks you've mentioned are pretty common tasks for interns, so it definitely relates. The president position is also good even though it's environmental, emphasize your leadership skills that you developed in that one.

[@Nematode7898]

@@MatPicardal Ahhhh, thank you for your input and clarification. I will do my best writing my resume. :)

[@magicarts4745]

best laptop for structure dell or mac pro

[@MatPicardal]

I use Dell because most softwares run on Windows.

[@Mishu1434]

Hi Mat, thank you for sharing your valuable experience with us. Just a few things......we often quantify and explain in brief to justify the skills we claim in our cover letter. So, should we go with the same approach to write a resume or put the bullet points only? Is it non-professional to put summary/objective at the top? Thanks Hasan Sydney, Australia

[@MatPicardal]

I'd put your "why" on your cover letter, and it doesn't necessarily need to be bullet pointed on it also because it is a letter. If your resume is good, a good cover letter can make your application better, but not really the other way around. Resume is always more important. I personally like a short summary/objective at the top of the resume showing what position you're after (intern, entry, etc.), but I know not everyone agrees.

[@Mishu1434]

@@MatPicardal Thanks for taking the time to comment, appreciated

[@raghusshetty4514]

Need civil site engineer with experience

[@thulasidharanbalu7589]

16:00 its was an indian student resume

[@elavarasanrajan]

How to get a job in your company? 😅❤

[@SillageYT]

Is it true that I need to get a masters to be a structual engineer? O

[@darren871]

Its still possible, although significantly more difficult, to find a position without a Master's as firms are starting to lean to requiring them.

[@MatPicardal]

In the U.S., it's becoming more and more common, especiailly in seismic regions. But more schools are offering accelerated graduate programs because of this, for example, get your master's in 1 year.

[@montaseermeraz2565]

I feel like kissing the instructor .I am learning so many things as an undergraduate.

[@chiragjain8027]

Good explanation. Hope I build a Taj Mahal watching this. Thank You.

[@prateeksharma2490]

Hi Sir, This is Prateek Sharma from INDIA. I am a Civil Engineer with Master degree in Structure and want to become a structural designer very despirately. It's like passion for me. Is there any chance to join you there?

[@YahyeMohamed]

Prateek Sharma he isn’t from HR department. Indians are in every KZbin Chanel always asking weird questions

[@MatPicardal]

Hi Prateek, there's always a chance, but what are you going to do to stand out from the thousands of people that are applying to these firms? "Asking" for a job is not enough, how are you going to add value to a firm and how are you going to communicate that to a firm so they take notice.

[@Mohadam17]

What of a student with very limited experience in the construction industry. What's the best way to give yourself a opportunity to get your first structural engineering job

[@MatPicardal]

Experience in construction is great! Most structural engineers lack that aspect when they get their first position, so use that to your advantage. Here are some internship tips that I've used: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXjChYN_f5iEZ9k

[@sichao123]

Im Civil engineer in Vietnam, I have a 1 years with experience steel building. Now i looking for a structural engineer position in my country. But it so hard, almost them requied least 2 years experience in case. So do you think i keep looking this job or find the other postion like cad operation, or site work. Thanks Mat.

[@karabo506]

Nobody knows who exactly you are, the only person that can make the perfect choice here is a sober you.

[@sichao123]

@@karabo506 Actualy, I know that, but I need money to help my family, so that reason why i choose some thing not what i want :) tks, bro

[@jeffrey4921]

14:40

[@Mac-ih7rb]

CEs are funny. It’s like you want to engineer but not really.

[@vitorpachecoterron]

Alright CPP Alumni. Go Broncos

[@dags1615]

Can I email you my resume to give feedback I graduate in 2020 gonna start applying soon.

[@MatPicardal]

Sure, not sure if/when I'll be able to get back to you since I get a lot of those already.

[@ProfesionalAP]

Jajaja For, summary headhunters and you dont like read resume....

[@blink3951]

I am a graduating senior in civil engineering. If possible could I send you my resume to get reviewed?

[@MatPicardal]

You can try emailing me at [e-mail] I can't make any promises since I get a lot of those, but if there are lessons that can benefit everyone, I might make another resume video on it.

[@hazimalwaali9507]

Sorry but by doing this, you guys wasting some valuable resources for your firms. However; there is some standards to evaluate the resumes.

[@bruhhhbeast3761]

High eyebrows.