Crafting an entry-level engineering cover letter can be a challenge. You've been busy applying for jobs, only to realize a gripping cover letter is your next hurdle. This isn't a resume echo; it's the space to shine a spotlight on your crowning professional achievement. Stay away from worn-out phrases—originality is key. And remember, brevity is your ally; keep it to one powerful page. Get ready to pen a narrative that will leave employers wanting more.
- Writing the essential entry level engineering cover letter sections: balancing your professionalism and personality;
- Mixing storytelling, your unique skill set, and your greatest achievement;
- Providing relevant (and interesting) information with your entry level engineering cover letter, despite your lack of professional experience;
- Finding the perfect format for your[ entry level engineering cover letter, using templates from industry experts.
Leverage the power of Enhancv's AI: upload your resume and our platform will map out how your entry level engineering cover letter should look, in mere moments.
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Entry level engineering cover letter example
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- Emphasizing specific achievements relevant to the job, such as contributing to a 10% increase in company innovation, demonstrates a proven track record of success and the ability to deliver measurable outcomes.
- Highlighting involvement in precedent-setting projects and the application of strategic thinking showcases the candidate's forward-thinking mindset and problem-solving skills, which are critical in innovative engineering roles.
- Quantifying the impact of one's contributions, such as advancing operational efficiency by 20% or accelerating project completion by 15%, provides concrete evidence of the candidate's effectiveness and potential to add value to the prospective employer.
The must-have sections and format of your entry level engineering cover letter
When writing your entry level engineering cover letter, keep in mind that it'll only be read by the recruiters and not the Applicant Tracker System (or software used to assess your profile). That's why you should structure your content with a/an:
- Header (apart from your contact information, include your name, the role you're applying for, and the date);
- Personalized salutation;
- Opening paragraph to win the recruiters over;
- Middle paragraph with key details;
- Closing that starts from clichés;
- Sign off (that's not mandatory).
Industry standards dictate your paragraphs to be single-spaced and to wrap your content in a one-inch margin. Designing your entry level engineering cover letter, refer to one of our templates, which automatically takes care of the spacing and margins.
Choose the same font for your entry level engineering cover letter as you did for your resume: the likes of Lato and Bitter would help you to stand out in a sea of cover letters in Arial or Times New Roman.
Export your whole entry level engineering cover letter from our builder in PDF to keep the same formatting and image quality.
The top sections on a entry level engineering cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information to ensure the recruiter knows who you are and how to reach you, as well as to demonstrate professionalism.
- Greeting: Address the recruiter or hiring manager by name if possible, as this adds a personal touch and shows you've done your research on the company.
- Introduction: Clearly state your intent to apply for the entry-level engineering position and quickly mention how you learned about the job opening to provide context for your application.
- Body: Highlight your relevant skills, education, and any practical experiences such as internships or projects that align with the engineering role, showcasing why you're a strong fit for the position.
- Closing: Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, mention your availability for an interview, and thank the reader for considering your application, maintaining a professional and courteous tone.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Strong foundational knowledge in relevant engineering principles: Recruiters look for candidates with a solid educational background and understanding of core concepts to ensure they are ready for on-the-job challenges.
Hands-on experience through internships or projects: Practical experience indicates that the candidate can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems and has a practical understanding of engineering work.
Proficiency in industry-specific software tools: Familiarity with software such as CAD for mechanical engineers, MATLAB for electrical engineers, or simulation tools specific to the engineering discipline shows readiness to contribute immediately.
Problem-solving skills: Engineering is about finding solutions to complex issues, so demonstrating a methodical and analytical approach to problem-solving is critical.
Teamwork and collaboration: Engineering projects often require cross-functional collaboration, so evidence of successfully working in teams suggests that the candidate will integrate well within the company.
Communication skills: The ability to articulate ideas effectively, both in writing and verbally, is important for collaborating with team members and presenting findings or proposals to stakeholders.
The entry level engineering cover letter salutation: how to address hiring managers
After covering the format of your entry level engineering cover letter, let's look at the salutation.
Back in the day, the cordial "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", might have worked out fine.
But, nowadays, your cover letter should approach hiring managers on a more personal basis.
So, what to do about your cover letter salutation?
If you've messaged the recruiters and are on a first name basis or a more formal one, use the hiring manager's name in the greeting (e.g. "Dear Sophie," "Dear Ms. Givens", or "Dear Mr. Everett,").
Always aim to make the effort to find out the name of the hiring manager, who'd be assessing your application. Search on LinkedIn, double-check the advert on the corporate website, or message the brand on social media to find out more about the role.
If you can't find the hiring manager's name (and still want to sound professional), use "Dear HR Team,", "Dear Hiring Manager,", or the likes.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Hiring Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
- Dear [Department Head Name],
Get creative with your entry level engineering cover letter introduction
Recruiters are going to assess plenty of candidate profiles for the role. Thus, anything you do to stand out will win you brownie points.
Use your entry level engineering cover letter introduction to share something memorable about your experience.
But before you go down the rabbit hole of creativity and humor, align your message with the company culture.
For example, if you are applying for a role in some startup, use those first two sentences to tell a funny story (about your experience) to quickly connect with the recruiter.
Structuring your entry level engineering cover letter body to add more value
You've hinted at your value as a professional (this may be your passion for the job or interest in the company) in your introduction.
Next, it's time to pan out the body or middle of your entry level engineering cover letter.
When creating your resume, you've probably gone over the advert a million times to select the most relevant skills.
Well, it's time to repeat this activity. Or just copy and paste your previous list of job-crucial requirements.
Then, select one of your past accomplishments, which is relevant and would impress hiring managers.
Write between three and six paragraphs to focus on the value your professional achievement would bring to your potential, new organization.
Tell a story around your success that ultimately shows off your real value as a professional.
Ending your entry level engineering cover letter to avoid "sincerely yours"
Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.
But you want to give recruiters something more with your entry level engineering cover letter ending.
Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).
Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.
Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.
Entry level engineering cover letter advice for candidates with no experience
If you're worried about writing your Entry Level Engineering cover letter and have no professional experience, we sure have some advice for you.
Turn recruiters' attention to your transferable or relevant skills gained thanks to your life and work experience.
Instead of writing about past jobs, focus on one achievement (whether from your volunteering experience, education, etc.) and the skills it has helped you build.
Alternatively, you could focus your Entry Level Engineering cover letter on your career objectives and goals. Always remember to make those relevant to the job you're applying for by detailing how you see yourself growing as part of the company.
Recruiters would be way more impressed with candidates who fit the job profile and can bring about plenty of skills and vision to the table.
Key takeaways
Winning at your job application game starts with a clear and concise entry level engineering cover letter that:
- Has single-spaced paragraphs, is wrapped in a one-inch margin, and uses the same font as the entry level engineering resume;
- Is personalized to the recruiter (using their name in the greeting) and the role (focusing on your one key achievement that answers job requirements);
- Includes an introduction that helps you stand out and show what value you'd bring to the company;
- Substitutes your lack of experience with an outside-of-work success, that has taught you valuable skills;
- Ends with a call for follow-up or hints at how you'd improve the organization, team, or role.
