SoloPoint Insights

The Secrets to Writing a Killer Engineering Cover Letter

Job seekers frequently pay too little attention to their cover letter when applying for jobs. Engineers and other technical professionals are doubly guilty of this. Why? Because we’re data people! Our instinct is to think that everything is detailed right there in the resume, so why do I even need it?

But a cover letter is your chance to show a bit of your personality and indicate you are the most highly qualified person for the job. Here’s how it works:

Gather information.

Each cover letter you write will need to be specifically customized to the job you are applying for. Begin by carefully analyzing the job posting and researching the company. Identify what qualifications they are looking for and what problems need to be solved. Look for keywords or hints of where your experience will fit their needs.

Update your data.

Every time you apply for a new job, it’s essential to take a look at your resume to make sure that it’s completely accurate and up to date. If there is more than one way to refer to something, use the same terminology as the employer does. Remember that today’s resumes are not static documents that are printed by the hundreds; every resume can be targeted to the job you want.

Execute the plan.

The cover letter itself should have three components:

Introduce yourself. Open with a quick, enthusiastic introduction stating who you are, where you found out about the opportunity and what captured your interest. Your tone here shows the reader you are interesting, engaging and have strong communication skills.

Relate your experience to the posting. Bring up a few points noted in the job posting and connect it to your specific experience; projects you’ve worked on specific areas of expertise. Don’t ramble on, but provide enough detail to indicate that you are the ideal person for the job. Use specific data where relevant.

Express interest. Close the letter by reiterating your interest in the job and asking for a meeting. Be sure to include your contact information and indicate the best way to reach you.

Still not confident that you can craft a cover letter that will land you an engineering interview? Contact the experts at SoloPoint Solutions. We can help you find engineering job opportunities in California and prepare a resume and cover letter that will impress employers. To learn more, visit our job search page or contact us today!

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