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  • 1.  Resume

    Posted 09-06-2018 04:41 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 09-06-2018 05:34 PM
    I am a college student at York College of PA, and was working on updating my Resume. I have messed around with Revit a few times, and designed a "dream house" to get to know my way around the software. However, I am no expert and still look up many things on YouTube. Also, I have a lot of trouble with the stairs command, and getting it to do what I want. That being said, I know my way around the software and could relatively easily figure out how to do just about anything on it.

    I was wondering from the point of view of interviewers/HR personal, how much experience do you need to have with a software (in this case Revit 2018) before it is ethically okay to put it on your resume.



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    Joshua Sims S.M.ASCE
    Student
    Falls Church VA
    (703)207-3098
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  • 2.  RE: Resume

    Posted 09-06-2018 10:41 PM
    Edited by Tirza Austin 09-06-2018 10:41 PM
    I think it depends what you mean by "messing around." I'm going to answer this from my perspective as a structural engineer proficient in Revit (we have mostly architectural clients which are the primary drivers for Revit use).

    If you know how model basic structural components, and would be comfortable enough to start modeling a building with minimal guidance (simply from a drawing perspective) were a senior engineer to give you a floor plan markup today, I would include it. I would also include it if you had a class or class project in college that used it substantially. Given that I live in PA also, I know for a fact that architectural engineering structural students coming out of Penn State take a class that includes all the Revit basics. Any resume I've seen from there includes Revit in the list of known computer programs on their resumes after that class is taken.

    Otherwise, I'd leave it off your resume but comment honestly if someone asks in an interview if you have Revit experience. Personally, I've always looked favorably on engineers who "mess around" with various software programs for fun.

    All students also need to know that employers value your actual engineering skills above Revit or any other software skills. <g class="gr_ gr_6445 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="6445" data-gr-id="6445">Software</g> is constantly changing. But, it's a lot more difficult and time consuming for me to teach a new hire a fundamental structural analysis or design skill than it is for me to send someone to Revit (or any other software) training for a few days if needed. Understanding the engineering fundamentals is critical; knowing the software <g class="gr_ gr_7457 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation replaceWithoutSep" id="7457" data-gr-id="7457">in my opinion</g> is just a "nice to have" and also much easier to learn on the job if needed.

    On a related note, if you aren't going structural, you may not need Revit at all. Even on our highly integrated, complex architectural projects, the civil engineer's plans are almost always in Microstation.

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    Stephanie Slocum P.E., M.ASCE
    Founder
    Engineers Rising LLC
    State College PA

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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Resume

    Posted 09-07-2018 08:53 AM
    Edited by Chad Morrison 09-07-2018 10:45 AM
    Messing around is how you learn.  No class or work can show you how to use a program.  I am what you might call an "expert" in AutoCAD with 18 years experience.  I use the help menu when I need it, youtube is a perfectly reasonable resource.  Knowing when to seek help, figuring things out on your own, and asking others about the more difficult commands is what makes you an expert.

    I have been detailing and engineering stairs for 17 years.  We use 2D AutoCAD for stair detailing.  Often times we field measure and the dimensions need to be tweaked.  It is faster to fudge the numbers in 2D AutoCAD than redraw something in 3D.  For the purposes of speed and detail, 2D is the best way to go.  Sometimes, we use Tekla to produce a 3D model when it is integrated heavily with the structural steel (BIM).  Your experience with Revit would help, but it is a different program to learn.  

    The skills needed to become proficient in any drafting program include being able to think in 3D (even when drawing in 2D), knowing the capabilities of the program, knowing its limitations, and asking for help when you need it. I think you have that covered!  Nearly every program I have encountered that claims to draw stairs quickly is half-baked.  It is not you having trouble, but the software not living up to expectations.  Furthermore, designing your dream home demonstrates your creativity, vital to design. 

    Include Revit on your resume as a techical/software skill.  If you are asked in an interview about it, answer them the same way you explained it here.  If you are interviewing for a drafting position, expect them to ask you to draw something simple to demonstrate your skills.  No course credit or certification is needed.  Just like saying, I know how to use excel without taking a class on it. 

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    Chad Morrison P.E., M.ASCE
    Professional Engineer
    Greenville RI
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Resume
    Best Answer

    Posted 09-07-2018 11:49 AM
    Edited by Joshua Sims 09-10-2018 01:29 PM
    I had a similar situation. I took one semester class using ArcGIS, and wanted to make clear on my resume that I had experience with GIS software, but I didn't want to represent that I was an expert, so I listed it last and noted that I was "familiar with" ArCGIS and outlined my program experience as below:

    AutoCAD Civil 3D, HydroCAD, AGi32 Lighting Design Software, AutoTurn, Microsoft Office, familiar with ArcGIS

    Or, if you have multiple examples of programs you have some experience with but aren't an expert, you could segregate into "proficient" and "familiar" categories, if you have enough room on your resume.

    This actually came up in my interview, I was asked what I meant by "familiar with" and I explained and talked about the projects I did etc. and it turned into a jumping off point for a good conversation.

    I agree with others in this thread that it's acceptable for you to list Revit on your resume, though with some caveat about skill level. I also agree with you that you don't want to unethically over-represent your skill level. But as others have mentioned, you will likely be asked to perform some small task using Revit as part of an interview process, so I wouldn't expect that by listing this skill you may accidentally end up in a position where you're in over your head.

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    Dane LaBonte
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    Original Message


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