Electrical Engineer cover letter example & writing guide

Electrical engineers are in high demand for their ability to design and troubleshoot complex electrical systems. But even with your skills and expertise, you need a well-written cover letter to take your application to the next level. An impressive electrical engineer cover letter can provide the spark that leads to your next role.

In this cover letter guide, along with our electrical engineer cover letter example, we’ll show you how to write a cover letter that gets you an interview. We’ll go over:

• What to include in an electrical engineer cover letter

• What to write in the cover letter introduction

• How to draft a cover letter body

• Tips for closing a cover letter

What should your electrical engineer cover letter include?

Like the electrical systems you design, your cover letter should be structured, logical, and efficient. Begin your electrical engineer cover letter with a header, providing both your contact information and the information of the company where you’re applying.

Below the header, write a greeting to the hiring manager. Do your best to address your cover letter to the specific person who will be reviewing applications.

Other parts of your electrical engineer cover letter should include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. We’ll discuss each part in more detail below.

What can you write in the introduction of your cover letter?

Some hiring managers only spend a few seconds reading a cover letter, so your first paragraph should immediately get their attention. Start your cover letter by mentioning the role you’re targeting, how you heard about it, and why you’re excited to apply.

In the next one or two sentences, describe your most relevant technical skills or an impressive career achievement you’ve had. For example, our electrical engineer cover letter highlights the applicant’s skills in circuit design and embedded systems.

If someone referred you to apply for the role, you should also mention their name in the first paragraph. A mutual connection can make an employer pay closer attention to the rest of your letter.

What should be mentioned in the cover letter body for an electrical engineer vacancy?

In the body of your cover letter, provide more details about the qualifications and unique value you can bring to a new electrical engineering position.

A helpful approach is to answer three questions as you write the body:

1. Why you? Describe the skills and experience that make you qualified for the role. Reference your engineering degree, Professional Engineering (PE) license, or training in specialized areas, like control systems or renewable energy. Highlight your career achievements, such as reducing energy consumption with optimized power systems. Mention both your technical and soft skills, including collaboration and problem solving.

2. Why here? Beyond your professional experience, a hiring manager also wants to know what led you to apply for the role. Discuss specific details about why you want to work for the company, such as its commitment to innovative electrical design or sustainable energy solutions. Highlight the similarities between the company’s goals or values and your own experience.

3. Why now? What made you decide to apply for the job at this point in your career? Perhaps you’re ready to take on a leadership role, or want to work for a company that develops cutting-edge engineering systems. Explain how the new job fits into your career goals, and why you are motivated and prepared for this opportunity.

For more advice, review our article on what you should write in a cover letter body.

How to write a cover letter closing

The final paragraph of your electrical engineer cover letter should convince an employer to contact you for an interview. Keep your closing paragraph to a few sentences and thank the hiring manager for their consideration.

Follow these other tips to end your cover letter:

• Reiterate why you’re a good fit for the role. Explain what you can bring to the new position: “With my experience in circuit design and power systems, I’m confident that I could contribute positively to your engineering team.”

• End with a call to action. Express your confidence about taking the next steps: “I’m looking forward to discussing my skills and experience in more detail at an interview.”

Discover more tips in our article on how to close a cover letter.

Ready to spark your next career opportunity? Check out career.io’s powerful job board to find electrical engineering roles and track your progress!