Technical CV examples

A technical CV needs to be structured, detailed, and clear – just like the projects you work on. Recruiters and hiring managers are looking for specialised skills, relevant experience, and the ability to apply technical knowledge in real-world scenarios.

This guide will take you through the process of writing a CV, ensuring it highlights your technical expertise, industry experience, and problem-solving abilities while remaining concise and easy to read.

A well-organised structure is like a well-assembled machine – everything should fit together logically, and nothing should be included if it doesn’t serve a purpose. Keeping your layout structured makes it easier for recruiters to quickly spot the information that matters most.

Here’s how to structure your technical CV:

• Name and contact details – Place contact details, along with an optional photo of yourself, at the top so employers can easily reach you. .
• Profile – A concise overview of your technical expertise and career highlights.
• Core skills – Focus on key competencies like software proficiency, mechanical design, or project management.
• Work experience – Detail your roles in reverse chronological order, prioritising technical contributions and achievements.
• Education – List degrees, certifications, and relevant training.
• Additional info – Optionally, include hobbies and interests and awards that demonstrate problem-solving or technical curiosity.

Your format needs to be as precise as your technical work. Poor formatting can make even the most experienced candidate look unorganised, so ensure your layout is clean and free from mistakes.

Follow these formatting tips:

• Bullet points – Break down key details to improve readability.
• Divide sections – Use clear headings so recruiters can easily find what they need.
• Use a clean font – Prioritise readability with a professional font that makes scanning easy.
• Keep it the right length – No more than two pages – enough length to cover your expertise in your CV without overloading the reader.

Your profile is the first thing a recruiter will read, so it should quickly summarise your technical abilities, industry experience, and career highlights. A couple of sentences should be enough to make an impact.

Junior candidates should consider a personal statement, along with an extended cover letter, if a profile doesn’t provide enough space.

Here are some key points to include in your technical CV profile:

• Where you’ve worked – Mention industries or companies relevant to the role you’re applying for.
• Your top qualifications – Include degrees, certifications, or industry-recognised training.
• Essential skills – Highlight your most relevant technical competencies.
• Technical projects you’ve worked on – Briefly mention major projects or innovations.
• Tools and technologies – List software, equipment, or methodologies you are proficient in.

A strong technical CV showcases the tools and methods you use to get results. The CV skills section should be a quick, at-a-glance reference for your expertise.

Rather than listing soft skills, focus on the most important technical abilities that align with the job description. Whether it’s programming languages, CAD software, or engineering principles, this section should reflect what makes you a strong candidate.

Your work experience section should focus on the real-world impact of your technical expertise. Employers want to see how you’ve applied your skills to solve problems, improve processes, and contribute to project success.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent experience. Use bullet points to highlight your key responsibilities and accomplishments while keeping descriptions concise.

• Outline – Describe the company, your role, and the type of projects you worked on. 
• Responsibilities – Detail core duties such as designing solutions, troubleshooting technical issues, or leading engineering teams.
• Achievements – Highlight measurable results, like improving system efficiency, reducing downtime, or increasing productivity. Use numbers where possible to quantify your contributions.

The education section is essential in technical roles, as it demonstrates your knowledge and qualifications.

Include relevant degrees, certifications, and specialised training. If you have extensive experience, keep this section concise. However, if you’re early in your career, highlight coursework, research projects, or technical training that showcase your capabilities.

Always list qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.