How to Write A Project List To Land You The Job (Template Included!)

A simple addition that can dramatically improve your chances of landing the job.

If you’re in the engineering or construction world, here’s a simple truth: your resume isn’t enough. That’s not to say your resume doesn’t matter, but in this industry, the candidates who consistently stand out are the ones who take it a step further. They submit a project list alongside their resume. And it makes all the difference.

A Project List Can Be the Deciding Factor

Just last week, we had two candidates in consideration for the same role overseeing a $50M data center build. On paper, one had a more impressive resume. More years. Bigger job titles. A solid track record. But the other candidate submitted a clean, detailed project list that spelled out the exact types of builds they’d worked on, their role, the size and scope of each project, and measurable outcomes.

Guess who landed the interview?

It wasn’t just about experience, it was about proof. The hiring manager could see this person had already executed similar-scale work. The project list gave them confidence. It showed credibility, clarity, and attention to detail. That extra document turned into a game-changer. And yet… so many candidates skip it.

Why Project Lists Work

Let’s break this down:

• Resumes list your skills and roles.

• Project lists show your real-world impact.

Recruiters and hiring leaders want to know:

• Have you managed a $20M+ infrastructure project?

• Have you led design on a public utility project?

• Were you truly running the show, or supporting someone who was?

A project list answers those questions before they even have to ask. It creates trust, shows relevance, and saves time in the hiring process. For roles where technical execution matters, this list becomes a shortcut to the shortlist.

How to Build a Standout Project List

You don’t need fancy formatting or design software. This document should be clean, simple, and easy to scan. Here’s how to build one that gets attention:

Building out a Project List is a game changer as hiring leaders consider your experience. Need an idea for a tried and true template? Project List Template included below!

✅ 1. Choose the Right Projects

Pick 5–10 projects that reflect your capabilities, scope, and relevance. Think about the type of work you want next, and choose projects that support that narrative.

Include a mix of:

• Large-scale builds

• Projects with complex challenges

• Work that aligns with the job you’re applying for

✅ 2. For Each Project, Include:

• Project Name: Keep it recognizable, e.g. “Apple Data Center – Mesa, AZ”

• Type of Work: Infrastructure, land development, vertical construction, design-build, etc.

• Your Role: Be specific—Project Engineer vs. Assistant PM vs. Lead Designer

• Scope of Work: What exactly did you do?

• Contract Value or Project Size: Dollar amount or square footage

• Timeline: Approximate dates

• Key Outcome or Highlight: A challenge solved, timeline met, award won, etc.

Sample Project List Template (Use This!)

Below is a sample template you can follow or recreate in Word or Google Docs. Keep the formatting clean—use bold for section titles and bullets where needed. This should ideally be one page, or two max if your projects are large and highly technical.

PROJECT LIST — John Deer, PE (To be included as the final page in your resume PDF)

1. North River Water Treatment Plant – Denver, CO

Role: Lead Civil Engineer

Value: $72M | Timeline: Jan 2021 – Dec 2022

• Led design and permitting of underground utilities and site grading

• Coordinated with structural, MEP, and geotechnical teams

• Delivered plans 3 weeks ahead of deadline, under original budget

• Designed temporary access roads and sediment control systems

2. Downtown Streetscape Revitalization – Colorado Springs, CO

Role: Project Manager

Value: $12M | Timeline: May 2020 – Aug 2021

• Managed full lifecycle from pre-construction through closeout

• Oversaw subcontractors, budgets, and RFI coordination

• Introduced recycled material strategy that saved ~$200K

• Maintained schedule through winter delays with phasing solution

3. Cherry Creek Office Campus – Site Development

Role: Assistant Project Manager

Value: $33M | Timeline: Mar 2019 – May 2020

• Facilitated client meetings and tracked milestone deliverables

• Supported utility coordination with Denver Water and Xcel

• Reviewed SWPPP and prepared as-built documentation

• Managed punchlist and final walkthrough with city officials

📎 Tip: Save your resume and project list as one file, don’t send them separately. Combine into a single PDF so nothing gets lost or skipped.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few things we often see that reduce the impact of a project list:

• ❌ Too vague: Saying “oversaw development” means little. Spell out what you did.

• ❌ No outcomes: Hiring managers love metrics—cost savings, time saved, challenges overcome.

• ❌ Missing the PDF combo: Again, attach as one PDF with your resume!

Project Lists create clear insight into the projects you've accomplished and contributed to.

Final Thought: It’s a 10-Minute Effort That Could Land a 25% Raise

If you're applying for roles in land development, infrastructure, data centers, utilities, or anything that involves complex coordination and large capital budgets, a project list isn’t optional anymore. It’s part of the professional standard.

At Workspire, we specialize in recruiting across engineering and construction, and we see firsthand how much weight a strong project list carries.

If you want to stand out, do the one thing most people won’t:

👉 Show your work.

Need help polishing your project list or resume?

Reach out to Anastasia: anastasia@workspire.co. We specialize in connecting top engineering and construction talent with the best teams in the country, and we know exactly what makes hiring managers say yes.