Engineering Cover Letter Example

Whether you’re an electrical engineer or civil engineer, the best way to show employers that you’re the right person for the job is by showcasing your skills with a well-written cover letter.

Follow these three tips for writing an engineering cover letter that ensures your application catches hiring managers’ attention:

1. Highlight your engineering skills

Engineering is a broad field that includes a variety of jobs, such as civil, electrical, software, and mechanical engineering.

Engineers perform a wide range of tasks that require extensive training and hands-on skills. To deliver projects on time and according to specifications, employers are looking for reliable candidates with a combination of hard and soft skills.

Show them that you’re the ideal candidate for the job by providing examples of how you put your relevant skills to the test, like in the following example taken from an entry-level engineering cover letter:

This example demonstrates how the candidate used their research and writing skills to support the team of engineers at the company.

The best engineering skills in your industry depend on which field of engineering you’re in, so make sure you only list ones relevant to the job. To get you started, here are some general technical skills to highlight in your engineering cover letter:

• Analytical and mapping software (The MathWorks MATLAB, ESRI ArcGIS)
• Design software (Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation)
• ERP software (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne)

Additionally, here are some soft skills that are helpful for engineers:

• Attention to detail
• Innovative thinking
• Critical thinking
• Communication skills
• Leadership skills
• Project management skills
• Initiative
• Interpersonal skills
• Teamwork
• Ability to work under pressure
• Adaptability

2. Open with a strong introduction

Because working on engineering tasks requires a specialized skill set, chances are most applicants possess similar technical backgrounds to you.

Knowing how to start a cover letter in an attention-grabbing way will ensure your job application stands out among candidates with similar qualifications.

Here’s how to write a strong introduction for your engineering cover letter:

• Convey enthusiasm for the opportunity. Don’t just say you’re interested in the job, explain why the projects the company or organization is working on excite you.
• Lead with an impressive achievement of your engineering expertise to highlight that you have the skills needed for the job.
• Quantify your skills to give employers a sense of what you can contribute.

Below is an example of a strong engineering cover letter introduction:

This candidate comes across as eager to work for the company while showcasing what they can bring to the table.

3. Emphasize your attention to detail

From analyzing blueprints to developing new systems, attention to detail is vital for engineers of all sorts.

Emphasize this skill in your cover letter to show employers you can meet specifications and assure quality by following directions with accuracy.

Here are a couple of examples of how to highlight your attention to detail in your engineering cover letter:

In these two examples, the candidates use numbers and percentages to support their claims. Adding hard numbers to your achievements is an effective way to make your engineering cover letter stand out.