Cover Letters for Engineers
In the competitive field of engineering, having an impressive resume may not be beneficial if your cover letter doesn't encourage the employer to consider you as an applicant. Cover letters for engineers must be as carefully constructed as anything else they design, and should leave the employer with the knowledge of exactly what type of engineering position your are seeking.
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Format
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Your cover letter should follow the traditional business letter format, which includes a header at the top with your name, address, phone number and email address. The current date and inside address follow, and should include the employer's name and title, the name of the engineering company, and its address. Also include a subject line that states exactly what opening you are seeking, such as "Mechanical Engineer" or "Software Engineer."
Content
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The body of your cover letter should give the recipient an idea of what type of engineer you are and how your experience and skills make you the best candidate for the position he is offering. In addition to discussing your own career, you should focus on the company and the engineering job in question. Prior to writing the cover letter, research the company and try to understand what they will need from this engineering position outside of what is listed in the job description. Mention any obscure ability or experience you have that is specifically related to the company.
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Engineering Keywords
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If you are submitting your cover letter and resume via email or online database, incorporating the appropriate keywords are vital. Some companies use software to filter out applicants based on phrases specific to the job. Iowa State University recommends that engineers use both the acronym and full spelling of their degree, such as "BS" and "Bachelor of Science." Look for keywords, which are typically nouns, adjectives and/or action verbs related to engineering, in the job description, then use them in your cover letter. For example, if the description includes the phrase "produce and analyze designs" and this is a skill you developed at a previous job, include it in your cover letter.
Tips
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Engineers who specialize in design may wish to use creative formatting with their cover letters and resumes, sometimes making use of graphics and images. While this is effective if done well, it is not recommended for cover letters which are being submitted online, as graphics and special fonts will not necessarily open properly on the recipient's computer.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit the engineer image by Sergey Goruppa from Fotolia.com
