How to write a Project Controls CV that will stand out and get you hired!

Chirag Shah is the Project Services Team Leader in the UK and is our subject matter expert in project controls recruitment. Chirag has 15 years’ recruitment experience at TRS, joining us after graduating from University. He is privileged to have built an extensive network and is regarded as a trusted advisor by his clients. Chirag is passionate in helping people take the next steps to building their careers; from Graduate to Director Level; fully committed to being there through the whole process and always available to communicate and listen.

Project Controls is a booming sector

If you are starting out in project controls, 2021 is truly an exciting time for the sector and the future is forecasting strong demand for skills. It is a buoyant sector with many opportunities to come as we slowly recover from the pandemic and projects commence again or continue. If you find yourself questioning your value or worth to your current employer, now is a fantastic time to start looking for a new opportunity. BUT to do this you need a CV that sells, highlighting your skills, knowledge and experience.

Below, Chirag provides tips on writing the best CV that will get you hired.

The CV/Resume that will get you hired is concise, clear, professional, and readable.

How to write a perfect CV

Every CV is special, as you need to show why your skills and experience make you right for the position you are applying for. Get it right, and you’ll have an interview in no time, but get it wrong and you could face constant rejection.

Always think of your CV as a personal marketing document

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is a personal marketing document used to sell yourself to potential employers. It will tell the employer about you; your professional records; your capabilities, talents and achievements.

Recruiters and HR departments typically review your CV after it has been scanned by computer software (Applicant Tracking System, ATS). The initial reviewers (Recruiters, HR) may not be technical experts so they will look for highlighted key words i.e. P6, earned value, milestone, resource load, etc.

Sections to include in your CV

Contact Information – Name, Location, Phone, Email and LinkedIn URL

Tailor your profile to suit the job applied for

The personal profile, is one of the most important aspects of your CV. A short paragraph that sits underneath your name and contact details giving prospective employers an overview of who you are and what you're all about.

• Tailor your profile to every job that you apply for, highlighting key qualities that match you to the role.
• Aim to keep your personal statement no longer than a few sentences.
• To make the most of this section, you should try to address what you can offer the employer along with your career goals

Key skills

• Aim to detail up to five abilities relevant to the role.

Education and Qualifications

• Your education should be listed in reverse chronological order.
• Include the name of this institutions and the dates you were there, followed by the qualifications and grades that you achieved.
• If you have a degree, you can list a few of the most relevant modules, assignments, or projects underneath.
• Add qualifications and training courses with the year achieved below education such as APMP (2014) or NEC3 Training (2016).

Knowledge of Tools and Software Fluency

• List these in bullet form such as P6 (Expert Level), Power BI (Intermediate) and MS Office (Above average) for example.

Experience and employment history

• List your experience in reverse chronological order as your recent role is the most relevant to the employer.
• When listing each position, state the dates you worked, your job title, the employer and project (value).
• Then bullet point the key responsibilities, skills and achievements and bolster each point with powerful verbs and figures to support each claim and showcase your impact.
• Remember to include key words to alert the CV reviewer you are the perfect fit. This includes making it a relevant Job Title, such as P6 Planning Engineer, Project Controls Manager.

Hobbies and interests

• I would recommend including interests that are relevant to the job.

References and Recommendations

• Recruiters or HR are typically required to take a minimum of two employment references. However, it is acceptable not to include these on your CV, but instead state that they are available on request.
• Always include recommendations and testimonials if they are available to you. Many candidates will seek and reference Linkedin recommendations that they have receive.

Formatting and spacing guidelines:

Here are some formatting and spacing tips to bear in mind:

Length:

There is a myth of the standard length of a CV. The answer is not 2 pages. It all depends on how much experience you have and how much you have to say. I would recommend not going beyond 4 pages. Older experiences can be condensed especially as most project controls individuals are specialists.

Headings:

Each section must have a big, bold heading to ensure an easy read.

Font type:

Choose a clear font like Calibri or Arial.

Font size and page margins:

The body of your CV should be between 10 and 12 point font, and your headings between 14 and 16 points.

Proofreading and consistency:

Your formatting must be consistent throughout the CV. Ask two or three people to read it for mistakes especially grammatical errors.

Your CV is your chance to make a great first impression and secure yourself an interview, so follow the above advice and then start applying!