How to write a CV if you’re looking for your first role in Construction Claims and Disputes

Breaking into construction claims and disputes can feel daunting, especially when you’re trying to write a CV without years of “claims consultant” or “delay analyst” job titles behind you. The good news is that many professionals in this sector start out exactly where you are now: with solid project, commercial, engineering or planning experience and a genuine interest in the disputes side of the industry.

This article will help you present that experience in a way that appeals to employers in construction claims and disputes, even if you’ve never held a formal claims or disputes role before. We’ll look at how to draw out the parts of your background that are most relevant; such as contract administration, variations, record-keeping, delay analysis and report writing as well as how to structure your CV, so that hiring managers can quickly see your potential.

Personal Summary

Your personal summary (or profile) is the first thing a hiring manager will actually read, even if it’s only 3–5 lines. For construction claims and disputes roles, this is where you prove relevance immediately. Show your dedication of moving into the sector by specialising your CV rather than using a general QS/Planner/Engineer/PM CV.

What to include

• Your profession
• Years of experience + sector focus 
• Your value proposition 
• Make it clear you want to specialise your career and explain why. 

Relevant Experience

This is the core of a Construction Claims & Disputes CV. Recruiters and Hiring Managers want to see:

1. Project types and values
2. Contracts used
3. Your exact role in claims/disputes activities
4. Measurable outcomes where possible

How to sell your Claims and Disputes experience on your CV:

Many candidates tell me they struggle with this, and often it’s because they underestimate how valuable their experience really is. Even if you have only assisted with the preparation of claims or disputes, it still deserves a place on your CV. Your exposure to the process, especially on formal disputes, can be highly relevant and in some cases, a real advantage to your application.

Even if you haven’t had dispute resolution experience, dispute avoidance experience is still valuable. 
Make sure you use key words/ transferable skills e.g.

• Negotiations
• Compensation Events 
• Variations 
• Entitlements 
• Early warnings 
• Extension of Time Claims 
• Contract Administration

Formatting:

Good formatting makes your CV easy to understand. Busy hiring managers, who will often be expert witnesses won’t fight their way through a messy document. 

General formatting rules:

Length:

• Typically 2–4 pages
• Avoid repetition and fluff.

 Font & size:

• Use a clean, professional font (e.g. Calibri, Arial).
• Body text usually 11 pt, headings 12–14 pt and bold.
• No rainbows. Keep it simple!

 Photo:

• A photo is optional, not essential. If you do include one, treat it like part of your professional brand.
• If in doubt, it’s perfectly acceptable not to include a photo and focus on content instead.

Headings and structure Common order:

• Name & contact details
• Personal Summary
• Education & Professional Memberships (e.g. MRICS, MCIArb, SCL courses)
• Relevant Experience (in Chronological order (with most recent employer to begin with)
• Key Skills
• Additional Information (languages, publications, speaking engagements)
• Interests (optional) However, they can be a good conversation starter if they’re intriguing. For example, I’ve had a candidate who won a series of ‘Come Dine with Me’.

Consistency:

• Same date format throughout (e.g. Jan 2020 – Mar 2024).
• Same bullet style and alignment. 

Use white space:

• Avoid cramming everything in; leave margins and spacing between sections.
• White space improves readability and makes your CV look more professional.
• Avoid using columns and diagrams

SPaG

In construction claims and disputes, SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) isn’t just “nice to have” – it’s part of your professional toolkit. So make sure your CV reflects this.

Your CV is seen as evidence of your report-writing ability.

When a hiring manager or expert witness reads your CV, they’re not just looking at your job titles – they’re thinking:

“Can this person draft parts of a claim or report that I’d be comfortable signing my name to?”

A CV with mistakes suggests:

• You don’t proofread carefully
• You may struggle with clear, professional written communication
• You might need heavy editing on everything you produce

That’s a red flag in a disputes-focused environment.

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you some clear, practical ideas on how to prepare a strong CV for construction claims and disputes roles.

If you’re considering a move into the construction claims and disputes sector and would like some personalised feedback on your CV, I’m always happy to offer individual advice. You’re very welcome to contact me or a member of the Maxim Recruitment team to discuss how you can strengthen your CV and to send us either a draft or final version for review. Send us your CV we’d be pleased to help. 

Nilam Modhwadia
Senior Recruitment Consultant
Maxim Recruitment
LinkedIn

Nilam is a Senior Recruitment Consultant based at our head office in Leicester, where she leads the UK and international Construction Disputes division. She specialises in recruiting top-tier professionals across the construction disputes sector; including claims consultants, quantum experts, delay analysts, and dispute resolution specialists. Nilam partners with premium, and often exclusive, employer clients, connecting them with exceptional talent to drive project success.