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

Project Controls is a buoyant sector with many opportunities especially across nuclear, infrastructure, construction and defence. The skills in these roles can be highly specialised and are critical for success.

Investing in professionals with project controls expertise is a strategic move for an organisation, a move that isn’t just about strategy and wider goals but about the success of their entire operation. But how can you stand out to get hired in the first place? Well, it likely starts from your CV.

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. However, to do this, you need a CV that effectively sells your skills, knowledge, and experience.

Below, our experts provide tips on writing the best CV that will get you hired.

The CV/Resume that will get you hired is concise, clear, professional, and easy to read. You also have to remember that you’re faced with a competitive job market. Along with crafting a perfect CV, you should also look to network and upskill.

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. 

Make sure you tailor your CV to each and every job application, too. A copy-paste CV simply won’t do. 

Always think of your CV as a personal marketing document

Your CV is a personal marketing document used to sell yourself to potential employers. It will inform the employer about you, your professional records, your capabilities, talents, and achievements. But you probably know this already.

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

Tailor your profile to suit the job you are applying for

As we said before, don’t forget to adapt your CV to each job you apply for. Your 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. Here’s our advice:

• 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

We’ve got some further things we recommend factoring in:

Key skills

Aim to detail up to five abilities relevant to the role. These might include:

• Cost control and estimating
• Data analysis and reporting 
• Risk management 
• Scheduling and planning
• Contracts and commercial awareness

Knowledge of Tools and Software Fluency

List these in bullet form, some examples are:

• Scheduling and planning tools
• Cost control and estimating systems
• Risk analysis tools
• Reporting and anlytics software
• Document and collaboration tools
• General productivity tools

Experience and employment history

• List your experience in reverse chronological order as your recent project controls 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.

Formatting tips

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. We would recommend not going beyond 4 pages. 

Older experiences can be condensed, especially as most project controls individuals are specialists. 

Proofreading and consistency

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

Take our advice and apply it to our Project Controls opportunities!

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!

Make sure to browse our available project controls jobs today.

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