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Draftsman — CV Example

A template for draftsmen who produce clean shop drawings fast, especially in high-demand MEP work.

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What Does a Draftsman Actually Do?

A draftsman turns the engineer design into shop drawings a crew can actually build from. One truth holds across the industry: the MEP draftsman is the most in demand and the best paid, because coordinating heating and cooling, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection needs endless detail drawings. The architectural draftsman comes next, then structural. The big shift in 2026 is that AutoCAD alone is no longer enough; large firms and consultants now expect Revit, BIM modelling, and clash detection in Navisworks. A normal day is producing shop drawings, tracking revisions, and updating the as-builts. The work rewards speed, accuracy, and a strong portfolio more than certificates.

Daniel Cooper
MEP Draftsman
📍 Manchester, UK✉️ daniel.cooper@email.com
Summary

MEP Draftsman with 8 years specialised in coordinated shop drawings. Produced MEP shop drawings for a 30-storey tower in Revit with a low revision rate, and runs clash detection in Navisworks. Fast and accurate on AutoCAD and Revit with a strong portfolio.

Work Experience
Senior MEP Draftsman at NG BaileyFeb 2021 — Present
  • Produced shop drawings for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing on a 30-storey tower
  • Modelled in Revit and ran clash detection in Navisworks before installation
AutoCAD Draftsman at SES Engineering ServicesAug 2017 — Jan 2021
  • Produced shop drawings for MEP and architectural works in AutoCAD
  • Coordinated with engineers to resolve clashes between systems
Skills
AutoCADRevitNavisworksShop DrawingsAs-Built DrawingsClash DetectionMEP CoordinationBIM ModellingELV Drawings

What Recruiters Look For

Discipline and production speed. "Produced MEP shop drawings for a 30-storey tower in Revit with a low revision rate" beats "AutoCAD draftsman".

Key Skills to Include

AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, shop drawings, as-builts, clash detection, and inter-discipline coordination. State your main discipline first.

Common Mistakes

Sticking to AutoCAD with no Revit or BIM, or sending a CV with no portfolio. Both weaken you in 2026.

Formatting Tips

One page is fine. Start with the discipline, whether MEP, architectural, or structural, and the software. Attach a portfolio link.

Average Salary — Draftsman

United States
$50,000 to $80,000
United Kingdom
$32,000 to $52,000
Canada
$48,000 to $78,000
Australia
$55,000 to $88,000
Germany
$42,000 to $68,000
Ireland
$40,000 to $65,000

Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.

Top 5 Interview Questions — Draftsman

1What is the difference between a shop drawing and an as-built?
The shop drawing is what gets built from, with precise detail, and the as-built records what was actually installed after changes. I do both, but producing shop drawings is the daily work.
2AutoCAD or Revit?
AutoCAD is the base, but Revit is now expected for coordination and modelling, and I use Navisworks for clash detection. Whoever masters both is ahead of the market.
3How do you handle a clash between MEP systems?
Review the combined model, detect the clash before site, and coordinate with the engineer to resolve it on the drawing. A clash found on site costs time and money.
4What proves your competence?
A portfolio with real shop drawings I produced, fast, accurate, and to standard. In drafting, the portfolio beats any certificate.

How to Tailor Your CV

M&E contractors, main contractors, and consultants with BIM teams want speed and accuracy in shop drawings and command of AutoCAD and Revit. MEP is the most in-demand discipline. Put your discipline, your software, and your portfolio near the top. Keep the terms in plain form: AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, BIM, shop drawings, MEP.

Related CV Examples

⚙️Senior MEP Engineer→⚙️Civil Engineer→⚙️Architect→

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