Manufacturing engineer cover letter

Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter (With Examples)

You want the job. It’s the whole point of sending in your resume. You don’t want them to toss your application back into the pile and move on. No, you want them to schedule an interview.

You may think your resume speaks for itself, but a cover letter can speak louder.

Including a cover letter with your resume helps you to stand out from other applicants. But, writing a generic, unpersonalized cover letter is the fastest way into the “no” pile.

Sometimes referred to as a letter of introduction, your cover letter gives you the opportunity to expand on what’s included in your resume and highlight your most relevant qualifications and accomplishments.

If you went through the American education system, then you’re intimately familiar with persuasive essays. Consider your cover letter a persuasive business letter.

It is your job to convince the reader to accept your position. In this case, you are arguing that you are the ideal candidate, and they should hire you. You need to:

1. Hook the reader. Your attention-grabbing opener should tell the hiring manager what your intentions are and why they should read on.

2. Provide the evidence and support. Your evidence and support are the qualifications, experience, and accomplishments.

3. Restate and reinforce. Remind them that you are the ideal candidate and make an offer that incites action.

Parts of a Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter

Just like your persuasive essay, a cover letter has a specific format and must include key elements to be taken seriously. Hiring managers know what they are looking for in a cover letter. If you can’t follow standard procedure, it’s another quick trip to the “no” pile.

Your cover letter should include:

1. Header

   • Your contact information. Your name, address (optional), phone number, email address. You may opt to also include your LinkedIn, online portfolio, or personal website.

   • The date. This should be fully written out. For example, October 13, 2015.

   • The hiring manager’s contact information. Their name, title, company name, company address (optional).

2. Greeting (salutation)

   • “Dear [Hiring Manager]” is the standard.

   • Find the hiring manager’s name and information. They are more likely to read a cover letter that is properly addressed than one beginning “Dear Hiring Manager”.

   • For male hiring managers, the greeting is simple: Mr. For female hiring managers, you don’t want to assume marital status, so avoid Miss or Mrs. and opt for the more generic Ms.

3. Opening paragraph

   • This is your hook.

   • Be clear about which position you are applying for.

   • Let them know why you want this job.

4. Body paragraph(s)

   • Typically one to two paragraphs. The first paragraph will highlight your qualifications and experience. The second, optional, paragraph should focus on the company’s values and mission.

   • You can also include a bulleted list of qualifications and achievements. Use the job description to guide you on what to include and be sure to quantify your achievements.

5. Closing lines

   • Restate and reinforce your “argument”. Choose your most attention-grabbing and relevant qualification and highlight it here.

   • Thank the reader for their time.

   • Include a clear call-to-action. Don’t directly ask for the interview, but give them a reason to reach out.

6. Sign-off

   • Your closing should be professional. Use “Sincerely,” “Thank you,” “Best regards,” or “Respectfully.”

   • Include your full name. You also have the option to include your phone number and/or email address again.

Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter Opening

These first couple sentences are some of the most important in your cover letter. They won’t contain the most important information. But a strong opening can be the difference between the hiring manager moving on to another candidate and reading through your cover letter and resume.

If your opening paragraph is weak, the hiring manager may not read past those first few lines. Your resume will be passed by and that interview call will never come.

The goal here is to differentiate yourself from the competition and give the hiring manager a reason to choose you. Be direct, express excitement, and show the reader that you can contribute to the company’s success.

Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter Body

Your cover letter is, at its core, a letter. It’s in the name. Typically, you would write a letter in response to something. In this case, you are writing your letter in response to a job listing.

If we’re sticking with the persuasive essay analogy, you are formulating your argument based on specific evidence and providing support. Consider the information included in the job description as your evidence and your relevant qualifications as your support. You need both to make your argument.

Tailor your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. Utilize the job description; it will include the duties expected of you, the qualifications and experience they demand, and other information that can help you appeal to this potential employer.

If the job asks for something specific in their qualifications or expected experience, then you should speak to it in the body of your cover letter. Highlight your technical skills and your most relevant hard skills and demonstrate how you can put them to use. If you have earned an advanced degree or have special certifications, you want to include that information. Be sure to mention your soft skills as well.

Including a bulleted list with your most attention-grabbing qualifications and achievements — quantified with relevant metrics — will make for a quick, easy read of your best points.

The hiring manager is reading through dozens, hundreds, thousands (probably not) applications every day. Save them valuable time by making your most “hire-worthy” achievements impossible to miss.

Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter Closing Lines

Your closing lines should leave them wanting more. Close strong and invite them to take immediate action. Your closing lines should have them reaching for the phone to schedule an interview.

Their time is valuable, so be sure to include a thank you note for them here. Then, just like with a persuasive essay, you want to restate and reinforce your “argument”. What makes you their most ideal candidate? Remember to focus on what you can do for them; that is what the hiring manager is worried about after all.

Example of a Manufacturing Engineer Cover Letter