Are you ready to dive into the job market as an engineering student but hitting a wall when it comes to crafting the perfect cover letter? It's easy to feel overwhelmed, knowing your cover letter is your chance to stand out without just echoing your resume. It should spotlight your proudest professional achievement through a compelling narrative, maintain a professional tone while steering clear of clichés, and wrap up neatly in just one page. Let's untangle the process, so your cover letter truly shines.
- Step your best foot forward in the engineering student cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your engineering student cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your engineering student cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your engineering student cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the engineering student isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Engineering Student cover letter example
MIA WILLIAMS
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Highlighting relevant experience with industry giants like AECOM and Jacobs Engineering Group demonstrates exposure to high-profile civil engineering projects and adherence to industry standards.
- Specifying the achievement of a 10% cost reduction in a geotechnical analysis for foundation design reflects the candidate's ability to deliver value engineering, financial prudence, and technical problem-solving skills.
- Showcasing a commitment to sustainable urban design and interest in innovative environmental solutions aligns well with the company's goals, establishing the candidate's potential to contribute meaningfully to the company’s mission.
- Using quantifiable achievements and specific examples of previous work conveys competence and provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s capabilities and potential contribution to the new role.
Structuring and formatting your engineering student cover letter
Here's what the structure of your engineering student cover letter should include:
- Header (with your name, the position you're applying for, and the date);
- Salutation (or greeting);
- Introductory paragraph (or your opening statement);
- Body paragraph (or further proof of your experience);
- Closing paragraph (with a call to action);
- Signature (that is optional).
Use the same font for your engineering student resume and cover letter - modern fonts like Lato and Rubik would help you stand out.
Your engineering student cover letter should be single-spaced and have a one-inch margins - this format is automatically set up in our cover letter templates and our cover letter builder.
When submitting your cover letter, always ensure it's in PDF, as this format keeps the information intact (and the quality of your document stays the same).
On one final note - the Applicant Tracker System (ATS or the software that is sometimes used to initially assess your application) won't read your engineering student cover letter.
The top sections on a engineering student cover letter
Header: This includes your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact information and serves as a professional introduction to your cover letter, setting the tone for your application.
Opening Greeting: Tailor this to the specific hiring manager or engineering department when possible, as it demonstrates attention to detail and a personal touch that is important in professional correspondence.
Introduction: Clearly state the specific engineering position you're applying for and give a brief overview of your qualifications; this helps the recruiter immediately understand your intent and potential fit for the role.
Body: In one or two paragraphs, highlight your relevant coursework, projects, internships, and engineering skills, showing how they align with the job requirements and could add value to the team or project.
Closing and Signature: Conclude your cover letter by reaffirming your interest in the position, indicating your availability for an interview, and thanking the recruiter for considering your application, followed by a professional sign-off and your signature.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong analytical skills: Demonstrates the ability to assess complex problems and devise effective solutions, which is fundamental in engineering projects.
- Practical hands-on experience: Showcases the practical application of theoretical knowledge, crucial for understanding how engineering concepts work in real-world scenarios.
- Teamwork and collaboration: Highlights the ability to work well with others, as most engineering projects require cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Technical proficiency: Reflects a strong understanding of engineering tools, software (such as CAD), and methodologies relevant to the specific engineering discipline the student is applying for.
- Creativity and innovation: Exhibits the capacity for innovative thinking and creativity in developing new solutions or improving existing designs, highly valued in developing cutting-edge engineering projects.
- Project management skills: Indicates the ability to plan, execute, and oversee projects effectively, ensuring that goals are met within constraints like time and budget, which are critical in engineering roles.
Personalizing your engineering student cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your engineering student cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Hiring Committee,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
How to start your engineering student cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your engineering student cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your engineering student cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
What to write in the body of your engineering student cover letter
Now that you've got your intro covered, here comes the heart and soul of your engineering student cover letter.
It's time to write the middle or body paragraphs. This is the space where you talk about your relevant talent in terms of hard skills (or technologies) and soft (or people and communication) skills.
Keep in mind that the cover letter has a different purpose from your engineering student resume.
Yes, you still have to be able to show recruiters what makes your experience unique (and applicable) to the role.
But, instead of just listing skills, aim to tell a story of your one, greatest accomplishment.
Select your achievement that:
- covers job-crucial skills;
- can be measured with tangible metrics;
- shows you in the best light.
Use the next three to six paragraphs to detail what this success has taught you, and also to sell your profile.
Finishing off your engineering student cover letter with what matters most
So far, you've done a fantastic job in tailoring your engineering student cover letter for the role and recruiter.
Your final opportunity to make a good impression is your closing paragraph.
And, no, a "Sincerely yours" just won't do, as it sounds too vague and impersonal.
End your engineering student cover letter with the future in mind.
So, if you get this opportunity, what do you plan to achieve? Be as specific, as possible, of what value you'd bring to the organization.
You could also thank recruiters for their interest in your profile and prompt for follow-up actions (and organizing your first interview).
Addressing limited to no experience in the engineering student cover letter
There's nothing to worry about if you lack professional experience.
Your engineering student cover letter could bridge the gaps in your professional history by focusing on what matters most to recruiters, that's either:
- skills - focusing on transferable ones you've gained, thanks to your life experience (e.g. volunteering, certificates, etc.);
- achievements - select the most relevant and noteworthy one from your history (e.g. education, projects, etc.);
- motivation - describe how you envision your professional growth in the next up to five years, thanks to this opportunity.
Key takeaways
Within this Enhancv guide, we've provided you with plenty of advice and inspiration on writing your engineering student cover letter:
- Always make sure your engineering student cover letter is tailored to the role you're applying for to make a good impression on recruiters;
- In your engineering student cover letter include a header (with your name, the role you're applying for, date, and contact details) and an introduction of up to two sentences that highlight your key accomplishment or why you'd fit the role;
- Focus your engineering student cover letter body on one sole achievement through your career and all the valuable lessons, skills, and know-how you've learned (that are relevant to the role);
- Ensure your engineering student cover letter closing statement isn't generic and includes either a call to action or a promise;
- If you lack professional experience, shift recruiters' focus to a relevant achievement (thanks to your academic or versatile experience) or toward your dreams and goals for professional growth.
