How to Create a Strong Resume for Energy and Infrastructure Roles

A high-performing resume in the energy and infrastructure sector needs to do two things well: speak clearly to hiring managers and pass automated screening systems. Today, most employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter candidates before a human ever reviews a resume.

Whether you’re in construction, renewable energy, power delivery, civil engineering, or environmental services, your resume should present the skills, experience, and results that show your value, clearly, concisely, and in sector-relevant language.

Here’s how to build a resume that gets noticed.

Why your resume matters more than ever before

As energy and infrastructure projects expand worldwide, the competition for top roles grows stronger. With many hiring teams relying on AI-driven filters to screen candidates, your resume must balance human readability with machine compatibility.

Resumes that demonstrate clear progression, measurable outcomes, and relevant technical expertise are more likely to move forward. Whether you're targeting a leadership role in water technology or a mid-level engineering post in renewables, structure and specificity matter.

Choose the right format

A well-organized structure helps both people and AI systems scan and understand your experience quickly. Common formats include:

• Reverse-chronological is best for professionals with steady career growth in a specific field like power generation or construction management.
• Skills-based (functional) is useful format for contractors or those with project-based experience across firms or sectors.
• Hybrid combines technical capabilities with employment history and is ideal for most infrastructure professionals.
  
  Tip: Stick to standard fonts and clean layouts. Avoid placing critical details in headers or footers, some ATS (Applicant Tracking System) tools can miss them.

Key resume sections 

Contact Information

Include your name, location (or geographic flexibility), professional email, phone number, and LinkedIn URL. A portfolio link may be useful for architecture or diagnostics professionals.

Professional Summary

This short paragraph should reflect your sector, specialization, and career focus.

Example:
Licensed civil engineer with 8 years of experience in large-scale transport infrastructure. Led teams on projects exceeding $300M in value, with a focus on sustainability and delivery within regulatory frameworks.

Use industry terms relevant to your discipline, such as, “T&D project management,” “SCADA systems,” or “BIM coordination.”

Technical & sector specific skills

Group your skills by category to improve readability and AI detection.
Examples:

• Project Delivery: P6, MS Project, EPC, design-build
• Engineering Tools: AutoCAD, Revit, ETAP, Civil 3D
• Certifications: PE, PMP, LEED AP, OSHA 30
• Technologies: SCADA, PVsyst, ArcGIS, Ignition, DeltaV
• Compliance: FERC, NERC, NEPA, ISO standards

Tip: Mirror job description phrasing, if a role calls for “substation protection and controls,” use the same phrase in your skills or experience section.

Professional Experience

List roles in reverse chronological order. For each, include job title, employer, location, and dates. Focus on impact, not just tasks.
Use this format: Action + Task + Result
Example:
Optimized construction scheduling across three data center builds using Lean principles, cutting average project duration by 12% and improving resource allocation.

Where relevant, highlight regulatory knowledge, cross-functional leadership, safety outcomes, and technical tools used.

Education & certifications 

List degrees, licences, and sector certifications. Examples include: 

• BSc Civil Engineering, University of Michigan
• PE (Professional Engineer) – California
• AWS Certified Energy Practitioner
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety Certification

Certifications from recognized bodies like NCEES, AIA, USGBC, or PMI are especially valued.

Optional additions

Include these sections if they add value:

• Awards or Recognitions
• Languages (for international projects)
• Publications or Speaking Engagements
• Volunteering or Mentoring in Industry Organizations

Keep all section headings standard (e.g., “Certifications” not “My Licenses”) to help ATS software parse them correctly.

Ready for your next role? 

Whether you're working in power delivery, water treatment, building diagnostics, or renewable energy, your resume should tell the story of what you’ve built, solved, and improved.

At LVI Associates, we work with professionals across the energy and infrastructure lifecycle, from entry-level to executive, to help them align their experience with the opportunities that matter.

Upload your resume today and connect with a consultant who understands your market and your goals.