Electricians are just as crucial as electricity itself. They use their expertise to ensure we have power and are kept safe through regular maintenance of our electrical systems. Poor installations and faulty fuses can be life-threatening.
A CV is just as important for landing a job as an electrician as it is for any profession. A great CV will reflect well on you and show that you are a professional candidate. To power up your CV, make use of job-hunting services such as those of Resume.io. Our extensive database of CV examples are designed to walk you through each step of creating a great application.
By the end of this writing guide, together with the electrician CV example, you will learn about:
- What does an electrician do?
- How to structure your electrician CV and ensure it makes an impact
- How to format your CV to ensure you highlight your best assets, with expert advice for each section
- Use keywords throughout your CV to help you pass through an ATS
- The do’s and don’ts of designing the perfect electrician CV.
What does an electrician do?
Electricians work in commercial and residential settings. They design, install, and maintain electrical wiring systems. Without electricians, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the simple things in life, such as using our lights, watching the television, and using a whole host of other appliances.
The average salary in the UK is £38,814, with the higher level at over £47K.
Considering the cost of living, the most lucrative place for electricians to work in Scotland and the least lucrative in London and the South East.
If you are a qualified and experienced electrician, a highly sought-after profession, you can expect to enjoy a stable career with a wide choice of employers.
How to write an electrician CV
The structure is critical when writing your electrician CV. The hiring manager expects to gain a good understanding of your skills and expertise with just a glance. Hiring managers in the construction industry typically spend most of their day out and on-site. Therefore, they don’t have much spare time for screening CVs.
Most CVs will follow this standard structure:
- The CV header
- The CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- The employment history section
- The CV skills section
- The education section
If you don’t have any relevant experience but are qualified, you may want to place the education section before employment.
Choosing the best CV format for an electrician
Chronological order is the best format for an electrician CV, with reverse chronological order for the education and employment sections (latest at the top.) This format is preferred both by hiring managers and by the Applicant Tracking Systems built into many online application portals.
The employment history section allows you to showcase your previous experience and the skills you’ve mastered on the job.
CV summary example: set the scene
An electrician needs to be qualified, and ideally, have relevant experience. The hiring manager wants to know what experience you have relevant to the role, your main achievements, and how you approach your work. Use the summary of your electrician CV to highlight this information.
The summary only needs to be a few sentences, but it should provide the hiring manager with the main details of your career and skills to date. Below you’ll find the summary of our adaptable electrician CV example.
For more ideas for this section, which can truly differentiate your candidacy, check out these CV examples:
Attentive and detail-oriented electrician with ten years of experience in large-scale commercial properties, including hospitals and schools. Experienced in installation of conduit wiring systems and maintenance of electrical systems. A proven team player with the ability to build strong relationships both within the company and with external clients.
Employment history sample: your journey so far
The employment history section of your electrician CV should include bullet points describing your primary responsibilities and give the hiring manager complete confidence that you are able and fit for the role. The construction industry relies on people who don’t need much hand-holding.
Unless you are applying for an apprentice role, the hiring manager will be looking for someone who can roll their sleeves up and get on with the job. Check out the employment history section from our CV sample below.
Electrician at JD Construction, Nottingham
January 2012 - Present
- Working on a range of electrical projects within commercial properties.
- Carrying out repairs, installations, and general maintenance.
- Responsible for fault finding of electrical equipment.
- Updating administration on projects, ensuring accuracy.
- Working together as part of a team, as well as on own initiative.
Labourer at Bromley's, Nottingham
April 2005 - August 2009
- Supported construction workers, performed general labouring duties.
- Ensured the site was always kept safe and tidy.
- Adhered to health and safety procedures.
- Moved material as requested.
- Dealt with requests from managers.
- Handled general housekeeping tasks.
Retail Assistant at WH Smithy, Nottingham
January 2004 - February 2005
- Served customers, providing a friendly and helpful experience.
- Stocked shelves and ensured replenishment.
- Dealt with customer queries and complaints.
- Handled general housekeeping, ensuring the store was always kept clean and tidy.
- Ordered stock, ensuring maintenance of supplies.
- Worked together as part of a team with colleagues.
One of the most critical elements of working as an electrician is industry standard. Make sure you mention safety regulations and your familiarity with these on your CV.
Resume skills example: technically astute
The skills section of your electrician resume should combine both soft and hard skills. The hiring manager will expect to understand what technical abilities you have and how you like to work. As an electrician, you will be assigned the job and sent on your way.
As you will be qualified, the manager will expect you to hit the ground running. Therefore, the ability to work on your initiative is essential. See the skills section from our CV sample below.
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking and problem solving
- Highly Motivated
- Electrical Installation
- Electrical Wiring
- Electrical Inspections and Repair
Electrician CV education example: the road to success
To work as an electrician, you need specific qualifications. You can either undertake an electrical apprenticeship, which typically lasts 3-4 years, or a diploma, with NVQ top-up. The education section of your electrician CV should start with your most recent educational achievements.
NVQ Level 1-3, Nottingham College, Nottingham
August 2009 - August 2012
- City Guilds 2391/2394 and 2395 inspection and testing.
CV layout and design: finishing the job
A great electrician CV layout and design communicates your professionalism and expertise – and can easily make you stand out from other candidates who didn’t think to put so much care into the appearance and legibility of their applications.
Here are some other do’s and don’ts to help you create a great look:
- Ensure that your qualifications and key skills are apparent to the hiring manager
- Fill up the space on your CV so there aren't too many gaps
- Consider using a CV template to help you create a great header
- Add images to your CV, keep it simple
- Overthink the design and layout of your CV to ensure it is easy to read
- Forget to tailor your CV to the role you are applying to – even if it is just simple tweaks
Key takeaways for an electrician CV
- Chronological order is the best format for an electrician CV, but if you don’t have any experience, your education section should be after the summary and before the experience.
- Safety regulations are vital in this industry; make sure you mention your knowledge of these on your CV.
- Always tailor your CV to the role you are applying to, and mention skills that feature on the job spec.
- Check out our adaptable electrician CV sample for more ideas on creating a great layout and design.
