This is the best COVER LETTER for Engineer!

How do you write a compelling cover letter? In this article, I'll provide a step-by-step guide and, using a real example, show how to write the best cover letter for engineers who want to stand out from their competitors and land a dream job.

According to a study by ResumeGenius, over 80% of hiring managers in the US read cover letters. This is in the US, the birthplace of the cover letter, where they know its value and pay special attention to it. In other parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, I'm more than sure that only about 5-10% of cover letters get a glance. Why do I believe this? Because I asked 10 of my recruiter friends in the Middle East and Africa region and only two of them said they even look at cover letters. And from the dozens of interviews I've had in the Middle East, nobody ever asked me about my cover letter.

The approach here is simple: if an employer asks you to attach or upload a cover letter on their website, you definitely should. If there's no option to upload a cover letter, you can send it separately to the recruiter or include it with other documents. Because, 72% of recruiters would prefer to see a cover letter, even if it isn't mandatory.

Before we dive into writing a cover letter, remember three key rules:

1. Use the same font style and size as your resume; your cover letter is an addition to your application.

2. Never duplicate information from your resume in your cover letter; don't write the same twice.

3. Your cover letter should be no more than one page long.

Now, let's get into writing the cover letter. For our example, I'll use a Drilling Engineer job at XYZ Company.

A cover letter has several main sections: Header, Recipient’s Information, Date, Greeting, Opening, Main Body, Closing, and Sign-off.

For the Header, it's simple: I recommend using the same one as your resume, just copy it. And remember, the job title you mention should be the one you're applying for.

Next, the Hiring Manager's Information. With thousands of employees in a company, it's hard to know who is the Hiring Manager. My advice is simple: if you don't know, it's better to leave it blank than to get it wrong.

As for the greeting, many people use "Dear Hiring Manager," "Dear Sir or Madam," "To Whom It May Concern," "Dear Department Head," and "Dear [Job Title]." If you don’t know the Hiring Manager's name, it's better to skip the greeting than to use "To Whom It May Concern," which is probably the worst option. If you feel the need to write something, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the most neutral choice and the most popular.

The Opening section or Introduction, according to research, makes the biggest impression on hiring managers. I believe not just the Opening but the entire cover letter should be creative while maintaining a professional tone. Consider this unique opening: "Most candidates begin their cover letters by highlighting their years of experience and how well they would fit with the company. However, I want to start by simply telling you the truth about why I am applying for the Drilling Engineer position with XYZ Company." This may not be the perfect example, but it's different from 99% of others and encourages the hiring manager to read on to find out why you're applying. The main message is to be creative, not just copy from the internet!

The Main Body is where I recommend doing a little research, ideally for each cover letter. Visit the company's website to find their values and address them in your letter, demonstrating your skills that align with their goals. Analyze any technical information on the site and in the job description to reflect it in your cover letter. If the company works with new technologies, software, or equipment that you also know, this is a great opportunity to show it. Ideally, after reading the main part of your cover letter, the hiring manager should say, "Yes, this is exactly what we need!"

The Closing of your Cover Letter doesn't require many changes. The main part is a call to action, where I suggest writing a simple but powerful phrase, "Please call me at +100000000 to schedule an interview." According to marketing research, the word "CALL" before the phone number significantly increases the conversion to calls. Use this trick!

Additionally, expressing enthusiasm and look forward to discussing your qualifications in detail can make a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Finally, the Sign-off, where you write something like "Thank you for your time and consideration, Sincerely, [Your Name Surname]."

And what format should you send your cover letter? According to research, most hiring managers prefer PDF, just like with resumes. That's all for now, bye-bye…