Three ways to nail your CV and cover letter

Writing a winning CV and cover letter can feel like an overwhelming task, especially if your dream engineering role is at stake. There is so much advice out there when it comes to CV and cover letter dos and don’ts, but I believe there are three factors you should prioritise in order to master your application:

Start with the structure

Ensure your CV and cover letter have a clear and logical layout so the hiring manager can find the information they’re looking for quickly and easily. A well thought out structure reflects the time and effort you put into your application and helps paint the picture that you are an organised person. 

For your CV, put your contact information at the top, then write a personal statement to summarise what you can bring to the organisation that makes you stand out from the crowd. Next, list your transferable skills, followed by your education, qualifications and professional experience, in chronological order from most recent. Finally, offer to provide references upon request. 

For your cover letter, also include your contact information at the top then formally address the hiring manager by name if possible. Whilst your CV only skims the surface, take this opportunity to go into greater detail. Hook the reader in your first paragraph with a strong opening line to encourage them to read on. Introduce yourself and explain why you’re eager to fill the position. Communicate that you understand what is required and have confidence in your ability to succeed.

In the main body of the letter, highlight two or three achievements that help to portray you as the perfect person for the job, so the reader is clear on the specific reasons why they should choose you. In the conclusion, briefly express your gratitude for their time in considering your application, reemphasise your personal interest in the role and formally close the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’. 

Sticking to a clear structure helps to ensure you’ve included everything of importance and makes for a positive, smooth and informative reading experience for your prospective employer. 

Tailor to the role

The last thing you want is for the hiring manager to get the impression you’ve applied to loads of roles with the same CV and cover letter. One effective way of demonstrating a genuine interest in the role and that you’ve dedicated the time to apply to their organisation specifically is to identify keywords from the job description and sprinkle these throughout, so you meet the brief in question. 

Framing an otherwise generic CV and cover letter around the job you’re applying for will help you stand out, for the right reasons, from other engineering professionals who fail to do so. When proofreading your application, go back through and look for terminology that reflects the job description; you can also include the organisation’s values to show your principles are aligned and you would make a great team fit. 

To keep your application concise and targeted, consider the relevance of the information you include in your CV and cover letter to the individual role you’re applying for. Filtering down your application to include the most significant details means you can more effectively demonstrate how your background lays the groundwork for success in this particular engineering role.

Focus on your skills

With skills-based hiring on the rise, your CV and cover letter should showcase your impressive skillset. Listing both your soft and technical skills is a good start, but you should take this further by giving tangible instances where your skills have served you well, in order to convince the hiring manager that you have a toolbox of skills you can take forward, to help you flourish in their organisation.  

For example, saying you have strong problem-solving, project management and mathematical skills is not enough; specify workplace scenarios (if you have the experience – if not, try and relate to your studies) where you put these into practice and achieved positive outcomes as a result. It’s even better if you can quantify your abilities with data, as key figures will stand out if a hiring manager skim-reads your application. If you mention your previous work responsibilities or academic qualifications, highlight how the skills you developed during these experiences are valuable and transferable. 

Ultimately, a well-presented, relevant and skills-focused CV and cover letter are bound to drive your engineering career in the right direction.

Paul Gibbens, Director at Hays, specialising in Engineering.

The Student Engineer is a special channel of The Engineer aimed at educating and inspiring engineering undergraduates about the career opportunities in engineering and also offering practical advice on how they can access these opportunities. 

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