Writing an effective and convincing cover letter

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A cover letter plays a crucial role in introducing you to prospective employers. It is very likely that the cover letter will be the first document a prospective employer will read before they actually look at your resume. You should therefore create your cover letter mindful of this. An effective cover letter should give a prospective employer an overview of your skills, qualifications and ambitions. It is worth noting that a cover letter should be professional-looking, informative and error-free.
Below are helpful tips in helping you come up with an effective and convincing cover letter for any engineering job you might be applying for.

State your interest in the position

Start your letter by summarizing your engineering skills and how those skills will be applicable in the position that you are applying for.

Highlight your experience

List the most relevant past experience and indicate how that experience will enable you to effectively handle the job you are applying for?

Your education

Indicate your level of education and list any pertinent educational accomplishments. If you do not have the level of education required by the position, this might be a good time to state how your experience can offset the degree requirement.

Licenses

If you are a professional engineer and are licensed, you should definitely indicate this in your cover letter. This also applies if you have your EIT license.

Close

Close by convincing the reader that you are best qualified candidate for this position. Remember that if they have made it this far down your cover letter, they are probably interested in you. So, this is no place to throw in new information that might be a distraction.

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2 Comments

  1. Well I found the cover letter be very important since this it’s the one will be first to read before your resume and your introduction. This must be as polished as your resume, well I guess It should need a resume template too.

  2. Some additional tips:
    Avoid the “standard” cover letter. You only get one chance to make a first impression, which is why it is crucial to tailor your cover letter to each and every employer and position. Whenever possible, try to address the letter to a specific person rather than using a generic salutation.
    Get creative. If you have a difficult time crafting a cover letter, consider creating a video cover letter, which can be very effective in showcasing your personality to potential employers. Consider enhancing your online career portfolio by including your video resume or cover letter.
    Demonstrate credibility, but don’t go overboard. The last thing you want to do in your cover letter is to give a synopsis of your resume. Keep your letter concise, focusing only on the skills that are relevant to the open position and specifically address the needs of the employer. Use your cover letter to provide detailed examples on how you would bring value to the organization and leave them wanting more.
    Pay attention to detail. Always remember to proof-read your cover letter and be sure to include the correct date, position title and contact information. This may seem obvious, but even one mistake in your cover letter could cost you the interview, so it is important to not overlook the details.
    End with a call to action. Conclude your cover letter by requesting an appointment to discuss your qualifications in further detail. Give a specific date and time that you plan to follow-up with the employer and demonstrate your ambition by following through on your promise. Make sure to give the employer at least a few days before following up as to not sound too anxious or desperate.

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