Engineering cover letters that actually get read
Most cover letters are skipped because they could have been sent to any company. A short, specific one — built around one real project — is what gets a second look.
The short version
- One page, 250–400 words. Busy hiring managers skim.
- Name the exact role and one line on why you fit it.
- Tell one project story with a number in it.
- One sentence on why this company — something real you found out.
- Plain language: a recruiter should follow it, and so should an engineer outside your specialty.
A structure that works
| Part | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Greeting | A named person if you can find one (the hiring manager on LinkedIn, the recruiter on the posting). Otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager.” |
| Opening (2–3 sentences) | The role you're applying for and your one-line pitch — your strongest, most relevant result. |
| Body (1–2 short paragraphs) | One project: the problem, what you did, the tools or method, the measurable outcome. Connect it to something in the job posting. |
| Why them (1–2 sentences) | Something specific: their product, a plant expansion, a process they use, a value you share. |
| Close | A clear ask (“I'd welcome a conversation about the role”), thanks, and your name. |
Opening lines: generic vs. specific
GenericI am writing to express my interest in the Manufacturing Engineer position at your esteemed company.
SpecificI'm applying for your Manufacturing Engineer II role because I've spent the last two years doing exactly what the posting describes: cutting changeover time on high-mix assembly lines — by 30% on our last four.
GenericI am a passionate, detail-oriented controls engineer and team player.
SpecificLast spring I led our SLC 500 to CompactLogix migration on two lines without a single missed shipment — the same platform your Controls Engineer posting lists.
Keep the jargon in check
The first reader is often a recruiter, not an engineer. Use the tools and standards the posting names (they help with tracking-system searches too), but explain the result in plain words: less downtime, fewer defects, lower cost, safer work.
Mistakes that sink cover letters
- Sending the same letter everywhere — the most common complaint from reviewers.
- Repeating the résumé line by line instead of telling one story.
- Going past one page.
- Talking only about what the job does for you, not what you'll do for them.
- Claims with no proof (“expert in lean manufacturing”) instead of a result that shows it.
Checklist before you hit send
- Company name and job title are right (and match this company, not the last one).
- At least one number in the body.
- One sentence that could only be about this company.
- Under one page, read out loud once for typos.
- Saved as a PDF named like FirstLast-CoverLetter-Company.pdf.
Paste your letter into Torque's grader to check length, specifics and a clear ask — free.
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