Quality Engineer Cover Letter

Quality Engineer Cover Letter (With Examples)

Cover letters seem to be becoming obsolete. More often than not, employers list a cover letter as “optional” when it comes to submitting an application and resume.

So, if cover letters aren’t being formally requested anymore, is it worthwhile to submit one?

Yes! Writing a cover letter, especially for an engineering position, still has benefits. When you send a letter even though it’s optional, you’re demonstrating that you have a great work ethic and aren’t afraid to put in a little extra time and effort when you’re serious about a job.

One major benefit to a cover letter is the ability to put your skills into a context that may not be as easily conveyed in the typical bullet-point format of a resume. A cover letter may be paired with a letter of intent, which is more generalized to the company as a whole and not necessarily a specific job opening.

The cover letter is also a chance to introduce yourself before an interview. Why would you pass that up?

It’s likely that many of your competitors for the position won’t take the time to submit a cover letter, and even if they do, chances are the letter will be a rather generic template downloaded and tweaked with the right name and position.

A hiring manager is likely going to be skimming through these formality letters without paying much attention. If you want your cover letter to make an impression and get a full read, you need to stand out from the crowd.

That might seem like a daunting task, but the good news is there are resources and templates available to help with the task of crafting a strong cover letter.

Parts of a Quality Engineer Cover Letter

There are many different types of engineering jobs in the market. To put it simply, engineers are responsible for using science, math, and technology to develop economical solutions and create new products.

No matter which engineering field you’re targeting, whether you’re applying for your first job, a work promotion, or a career change with a new company, there’s a standard cover-letter formula that has key components to include:

1. Your contact information

2. The organization’s information

3. Dear [Manager Name],

4. First paragraph: intent and the opening hook

5. Second paragraph: main body with key skills and accomplishments relating to the job requirements

6. Third paragraph: closing lines with a compelling call to action

7. Best regards, followed by name and title

A cover letter should be only one side of a single page. That means your space is limited, so every sentence needs to count. You don’t have any extra room for irrelevant details or long-winded introductions.

You’ll also want to make sure that your layout looks professional and meets the standards. If graphic design isn’t your thing and you’re concerned about having a clean, well-formatted letter, take advantage of free cover letter templates to get started on the right track.

Quality Engineer Cover Letter Opening

You want to make it as easy as possible for a hiring manager to contact you, so it’s important to include the basic contact information for both you and the company to which you are applying at the top of the letter.

If possible, address your cover letter to the hiring manager by name. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, use a gender-neutral greeting such as “Dear [Company Name] Recruitment Manager.”

The first two sentences of your opening need to immediately grab a hiring manager’s attention. Remember, the manager is probably flipping through letters on auto-pilot since most of them essentially say, “Hire me! My resume is enclosed.”

Yours needs to make an impact before the manager flips it over on the pile. Start by assertively announcing your application to the position and then following up with a newsworthy accomplishment.

A good technique that guarantees attention is the use of numbers, which are especially eye-catching. If you can quantify your achievement with statistics, percentages, or dollar amounts, your letter is much more likely to break the hiring manager’s trance and convince him or her to keep reading.

Quality Engineer Cover Letter Body

Once you have a recruiter’s attention, you need to keep it and prove that you’re a worthy candidate for the position. The cover letter body should explain:

1. Why you want this job

2. The skills that qualify you for the specific requirements of the job

3. Why you are the perfect fit for the position

A common mistake at this stage is to list off all of your skills and strengths, even if they aren’t necessarily relevant. Remember, those skills should already be listed on your resume. This is the place to highlight the select few that are most important for the specific job listing.

Note that the applicant has demonstrated a clear understanding of what is expected in the job description. She then breaks down her exact qualifications to meet every requirement in a concise, easy-to-read format, tying her skills directly to the company’s needs.

Quality Engineer Cover Letter Closing Lines

Although the ending may seem like the least important part of the letter, you want to make sure that you keep your momentum going all the way to the finish line.

There needs to be a fine balance — you don’t want to leave your strong pitch hanging in the wind, but you also don’t want to drag the ending out, either. You’ve made your point; now drive it home with a quick recap and optimistic closing to leave a powerful lasting impression and remind the hiring manager why you are the right candidate for the job.

Note that the applicant wrapped up her closing in a way that demonstrates her knowledge, enthusiasm, desire for the company’s success, and goal of being with this company long-term. She’s set herself up to continue the conversation in an interview.

Example of a Quality Engineer Cover Letter

Putting all the parts together illustrates how the ideal cover letter should start with an attention-grabber right off the bat and keep that same level of energy and competency throughout the entire pitch.

Tips for an Engineer Cover Letter

• Engineering often involves working in a team, so providing context using specific examples of how you incorporated your hard and soft skills in a teamwork environment will carry greater weight than simply bulleting out those points on a resume.

• Rather than simply stating that you’re a great team member, see if you can get personal testimony to back up that assertion. Consider asking trusted teammates for references or to provide a professional letter of recommendation and/or a personal reference letter if appropriate.

Final Thoughts

The job market was competitive before, but it’s especially competitive now in the wake of the pandemic’s upheaval. It’s more important than ever to find ways to stand apart from other candidates, so even if a cover letter is optional, you can’t afford to opt out of the chance to introduce yourself and make your best pitch before you get to the interview phase.

Even if you have a great resume filled with all the right engineering skills, the cover letter just might be that final push that elevates your application above someone who either didn’t send a cover letter or didn’t put the same level of time and care into drafting it as you did.

It’s possible (and unfortunately quite likely) that your letter won’t be read, and that’s okay. It’s certainly not a waste of time to write one because you now have great talking points for the interview. Whether a hiring manager reads your cover letter or not, it’s always important to put your best foot forward.