1. Start with a focused introduction
Use a short opening paragraph to explain your current role, main areas of experience and preferred next step.
Mention whether your background is primarily in installation, servicing, maintenance, fault finding or commissioning.
Avoid broad claims such as “experienced in all systems” unless you can support them. A precise description of your strengths is more useful.
2. Make your systems experience easy to find
Include a clearly labelled technical skills section.
Where relevant, cover:
- Fire detection and alarm systems.
- Intruder alarms.
- CCTV.
- Access control.
- Integrated security systems.
Name the manufacturers and platforms you have worked with, but explain your level of involvement. Installing equipment, diagnosing faults and commissioning a system are different responsibilities.
Separate practical experience from introductory training or limited exposure.
3. Explain what you did in each role
List your employment history with your most recent position first.
For each role, include your job title, employer and employment dates, followed by a few relevant bullet points.
Describe the work you carried out, the environments you worked in and the responsibilities you held. For example, explain whether you managed your own service visits, supported installations or coordinated with customers and other trades.
If you worked across several disciplines, make that clear rather than relying on the job title alone.
4. Include useful project examples
A short project example can help an employer understand the scale and nature of your work.
You could explain:
- The type of site or customer environment.
- The systems involved.
- Your specific contribution.
- A challenge you helped resolve.
- The outcome, where you can describe it accurately.
Use figures only when you can substantiate them. Respect confidentiality and avoid naming customers or sharing security-sensitive details without permission.
5. Present qualifications and training accurately
Create a separate section for relevant qualifications, manufacturer training and professional development.
Include the qualification or course name, awarding body or provider, and completion date where useful.
If a certification has an expiry date, show its current status accurately. Distinguish between completed qualifications and training still in progress.
Prioritise information relevant to the roles you are seeking.
6. Clarify your location and preferences
Include your general location and the best way to contact you.
It can also help to explain your preferred working area, willingness to travel and interest in particular types of role.
Be ready to discuss call-out arrangements, overnight stays and availability. You don’t need to include every preference on the CV, but knowing your priorities makes recruitment conversations more productive.
Avoid including unnecessary personal information, identity documents or sensitive details.
7. Keep the layout straightforward
Use clear headings, consistent dates and readable text.
Check that your contact details are correct and that the document opens properly. Follow the application instructions for the requested file format.
Before sending it, check spelling, remove outdated information and make sure the experience most relevant to the vacancy is easy to find.
A final CV checklist
Before applying, check that your CV shows:
- Your main engineering specialism.
- The systems and manufacturers you know.
- Your responsibilities in recent roles.
- Relevant qualifications and training.
- Accurate employment dates.
- Your location and current contact details.
Your CV should provide a useful introduction to your experience. Interviews and recruitment conversations give you the opportunity to explain it in more detail.
Considering your next career move?
FS Recruitment Services works with candidates across Fire & Security and other specialist sectors.
Explore our current vacancies or register your interest with our team.
You can also email your CV to info@fsrecruitmentservices.com or call 01423 593793.