Tips for Writing a Cover Letter for a Mechanical Engineer Job

Learning how to write a great cover letter for a mechanical engineer position, it is necessary to define what the job encompasses. Mechanical engineers are in charge of developing, building, and testing devices, engines, tools, etc. (sometimes, they also supervise quality assurance), a very technical career.

The job prospect for mechanical engineers is projected to grow by 2% in the following years. About 17,900 openings become available yearly in the US alone (source). If you aim to get one of those positions, you should write a great cover letter for the mechanical engineer job you want.

Writing a great resume is not the only way to get the recruiter’s attention. An alternative is presenting a compelling cover letter for a mechanical engineer job. That is why it is important to learn what a cover letter for a mechanical engineering position should look like. A well-written cover letter can be the boost you need to get the mechanical engineer job or internship you want.

Getting familiarized with the correct format to follow and the type of content you need to write in a cover letter for a mechanical engineer job can give you an advantage over other candidates. We recommend you start by reading mechanical engineering cover letter examples to understand the basics. Do not fret, as we will also provide you with a cover letter template for the mechanical engineering position so you can get started.

Similarly to writing a cover letter for any job, creating one for a mechanical engineer job position requires focus and effort. You should ensure that your letter can transmit who you are and highlight your relevant skills. 

The content of cover letters for mechanical engineer jobs varies depending on their purpose (whether it is a cover letter for a mechanical engineer fresher or aimed at a higher position). Therefore, we recommend you read the following mechanical engineering cover letter examples to get the gist. 

📝 Cover letter for mechanical engineer fresher

Entering the job market right after graduating is a bit frightening to some. As a candidate, you probably do not have much experience to back up your application. How should you write a cover letter for a job application as a mechanical engineer fresher? You will need to highlight your educational background and academic merits.

Additionally, you can improve the impact of your cover letter for a mechanical engineering job by mentioning your participation in certain events, school clubs, and extra-curricular activities can help increase the attractiveness of your application. Let us look at this cover letter sample for a mechanical engineer fresh graduate:

📝 Cover letter for mechanical engineer internship

A well-written cover letter for a mechanical engineer position is necessary. Rather than solely focusing on academic achievements, you can mention any relevant experience that showcases your knowledge and skills when writing a cover letter for a mechanical engineer job.

In this example of a mechanical engineering cover letter, the candidate highlights practical skills learned in a different field and some learned through pastimes.

📝 Cover letter for mechanical engineer

The following example helps if you have plenty of experience in the field and are looking to develop your career.

In this cover letter for  a mechanical engineering job, the mechanical engineer highlights her years of experience, achievements, and awards to increase her chances of getting a higher-level position:

These mechanical engineering cover letter examples will be helpful when you write your own. Make sure to add your personal touch to improve your application.

Remember, a stellar mechanical engineer cover letter is crucial for you to get the job. Read many examples to get familiar with the right tone of voice and content.

Now, let us dive deep into the steps you should follow to write an excellent cover letter for a mechanical engineering position.

Akin to formal business documents, most of the structure of a cover letter for a mechanical engineering job remains unchanged. It is the content where most of the difference will be. However, it is always a good idea to brush up on the basics.

Regardless if you are already an expert in the field or a fresher, follow this format of a cover letter for a mechanical engineer:

1. A clear subject line (for emails): 

Occasionally, you won’t be able to deliver the document in person. If you have to send a pdf of your cover letter for a mechanical engineer job, make sure that the subject line makes it clear who is applying and to what position. 

One easy way to do it right is to add your name and the position you are applying to when you send your cover letter for a mechanical engineering job: Joe Johnson - Mechanical Engineer Application

2. Greetings:

To showcase your manners when writing a cover letter for a mechanical engineer job, you can (and should) include a formal salutation such as Dear Ms./Mrs./Mr. [the recipient’s last name]. 

In case you are unsure who to address in your cover letter for a mechanical engineer job, just use “to whom it may concern.”

3. Body paragraph(s):

As the most important part of a cover letter for a mechanical engineer position, here is where you want to showcase your skills and match them to the job’s requirements. 

Start by introducing yourself in the first paragraph of your mechanical engineer cover letter for the recruiter to instantly get a perception of who you are. Follow it by detailing your job experience (If you are writing an entry-level mechanical engineering cover letter, focus on your academic achievements and background).

4. Closing

Remember to be polite and thankful in the last paragraph of your cover letter for a mechanical engineer position. Thank the recruiter for their time and invite them to discuss things further during the interview.

5. Sign-off

Politely expressing yourself can be helpful for your mechanical engineering cover letter to sound more compelling. Here are some sign-offs examples you can use in your mechanical engineering cover letter: best, sincerely, with gratitude, regards, etc.

6. Your contact information (for emails)

Do not forget to add your information if you decide to send your cover letter for a mechanical engineer position via email. You may include your full name, phone number, and address. 

Remember that this format applies to every mechanical engineer cover letter, whether for freshers or those with more experience. Do your best to follow the structure to ensure you write an impactful application.

To further enhance your chances of getting the job, we recommend you follow a few tips that will help you write the best cover letter for the mechanical engineer position you want:

✨ Customize your cover letter for different companies. 

You might find yourself applying to different companies at the same time. That does not mean that every application should look the same. It is best to edit and tweak every mechanical engineer cover letter you write for a better chance to stand out.

One way to customize your cover letter for a mechanical engineer job is to read the job listing carefully, look for relevant keywords, and insert them into your application.

For example, if the application says: “Looking for a team player with experience in project management and capable of dealing with strict deadlines.”

You could write: “Thanks to my previous job, I learned how to work and lead a team. My organizational skills allowed us to never fail to meet a deadline.” in your letter.

✨ Highlight mechanical engineering skills.

When you write a cover letter for a mechanical engineering position, you need to highlight skills that make you stand out from other candidates. Both hard and soft skills can make a difference and improve your chances of landing the job.

✨ End with a compelling call to action.

Imagine going through the effort of writing a killer cover letter for a mechanical engineer job and then ending on a bland note. Your closing is as important as your opening statement. 

You can take advantage and push for an interview. You could also offer references from professors or previous bosses to support your proposal. A final CTA will help you draw attention to at the end of your mechanical engineer cover letter for you to get the job.

✨ Ask for your school/professor’s support.

Writing a cover letter for mechanical engineers with no experience is a bit of a hard task. Make sure to work closely with your university, as they might aid you by providing references or career counseling. 

For mechanical engineer freshers writing a cover letter, you should try to reach out to your advisor or professors in whose classes you excelled. Their recommendations can help you more than you imagine.

✨ Proofread your cover letter. 

A typo or grammar errors are bad for a mechanical engineer's cover letter. Recruiters may think you did not care enough to double-check before submitting your document. 

Read, edit, and ask a friend to check your mechanical engineer cover letter for you to get the job. It is all in the little details.

We hope you feel more confident after reading the samples and tips to write a great cover letter for a mechanical engineer job. It requires some focus, but it is not as complicated as you might have thought. 

In the meantime, we want to provide a mechanical engineering cover letter for you while you feel get enough experience to try to write a cover letter for a mechanical engineer job on your own.

Just replace the information in the brackets and use this cover letter template for a mechanical engineer career opportunity. Feel free to edit it and make it your own:

--- Originally written by Roger Rene Ortega Figueroa ---