Engineering Cover Letter Examples

Tailor your cover letter to the specific engineering role. Don’t think of your cover letter as a one-size-fits-all document. Instead update your cover letter to reflect not only the role’s requirements, but also the company’s vision and values. Use the job ad to identify the right keywords to include in your engineering cover letter. Research the company for clues as to what they value: environmental causes, innovative ideas, or a focus on sales and client service, for example.

Lead with an impactful opening paragraph. Instead of stating the same facts the recruiter will learn from reading your application form or resume, open your cover letter with an attractive hook. A few interesting angles might include a past career change that’s provided you with a unique skill set, personal projects that tie with the company’s values, or even being recommended by a valued current or former employer.

Highlight technical and soft skills. Although engineers have very technical jobs that require analyzing plans, having a keen eye for design, and understanding building materials, they also need a lot of valuable soft skills like interpersonal communication, leadership, negotiation, and a client-centered mindset. Both of these skill sets are indispensable, and you should mention them throughout your cover letter.

Close with a call to action. After elaborating on your experiences and qualifications, you want to close your letter by reiterating your genuine interest in the role. Ask the employer for a future interview and thank them for their time. Keep the tone professional and polite, and you’ll no doubt make a strong first impression.

Browse trustworthy online job boards like Glassdoor, FlexJobs, Indeed, or LinkedIn Jobs. With ghost jobs on the rise, job seekers have to navigate additional hurdles. However, you can help curb this phenomenon by also browsing job sites tailored to the engineering industry like EngineeringJobs.Net, jobs.engineering.com, the Women’s Society of Engineers Career Center, or the National Society of Engineers’ Career Center.

Network strategically by attending engineering conferences, connecting with colleagues through LinkedIn who can give you job leads, or joining your local professional chapter like the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Show off your work with a professional portfolio. As an engineer, you’ll likely be asked to showcase previous projects you’ve worked on. Keep an up-to-date portfolio with your mockups, plans, or project management overview. Use sites like GitHub or create a simple deck to present during interviews or attach to your resume or cover letter.

Prepare for interview questions. It’s not uncommon for recruiters to call you with an initial phone screening, so be prepared to answer basic questions about your work history and areas of expertise. You’ll also want to brush up on your most recent and job-relevant accomplishments for those more formal in-person interviews or video calls. Be ready to explain complex issues and long projects in simple terms as well as to provide concrete examples of how you solved conflicts and used leadership skills when collaborating with others.

Keep track of where you applied and know when to follow up. As you navigate your job search, you’ll likely juggle applications with multiple companies. Keeping a spreadsheet or simple document with a list of all the jobs you’ve applied to will help you stay organized. An application tracker can also help you determine when to follow up after a job application to ensure you protect your time and focus on the opportunities that are worthwhile.