An engineering cover letter should show potential employers your strengths and list your qualifications that apply to the available position. The cover letter will give the employer an idea of what you can bring to the company, why you want to work for the company and what qualifies you for the job. Writing an engineering cover letter involves following some cover letter guidelines for identifying your strengths and skills that apply to the position and requesting an interview with the prospective employer.
The format of an engineering cover letter should be written as a business letter and include your contact information, the date, the employer's address and a greeting. Place your own address in the upper left corner of the page and then list the date, the employer's address and a greeting on the page's left side. When greeting the prospective employer, use the person's name — a title such as Mr. or Ms. followed by the last name — if known. If you found the job listing through some kind of recruiter or a hiring manager, address your cover letter to that person.
After you write your greeting and contact information, use the first paragraph to state the position you're interested in and why you want to become an engineer. You can also use this section to tell the company what you know about its operations and any interests you have in its current projects. It's usually a good idea to research the potential employer to get a better idea of the type of employees the organization finds valuable. You can then use this knowledge to show why you're a good fit for the position.
Use the body of the engineering cover letter to mention your educational achievements, work experience and any independent projects you have pursued. If the job for which you're applying requires specific engineering skills, use this section to point out those skills. You can also list extracurricular activities or clubs if they relate to the position's requirements. If you are a member or leader of an engineering club or association, give information on any membership activities that relate to the job.
When you have listed your qualifications, you're ready to refer the prospective employer to your resume and ask that someone contact you for an interview. You can also include a final statement to sell yourself to the employer. Before closing the engineering cover letter and signing your name, list your telephone number and email address for future contact.