Do you feel that your quality engineer cover letter isn't quite up to standard? Don't fret! There's an easy fix.
In our comprehensive guide, we've gathered all the best looking cover letter templates, real-life samples, detailed examples, and tips that actually work. Dive in, and let us lead you through the writing process every step of the way.
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In this guide, we teach you the essential steps for writing a cover letter as a quality engineer. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Craft a quality engineer cover letter header & headline
- Personalize your quality engineer cover letter greeting & content
- Write a memorable quality engineer cover letter introduction
- Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a quality engineer
- Conclude your cover letter with an effective closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking quality engineers
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Craft a proper quality engineer cover letter header & headline
The first step to writing a quality engineer cover letter is to craft a header and headline.
Your cover letter header is the block of text located at the top of the document that includes:
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information
- The name, department, and address of the company you are applying to
Here is an example of a well-formatted quality engineer header
Joe King, Quality Engineer
(123) 456-7890 | joeking@email.com | linkedin.com/in/joe-king
To: Smith Manufacturing & Production, Quality Engineering Department
1234 Street Address
Naples, FL, 34102
Next up is the cover letter headline, a brief title statement used to attract an employer’s attention as quickly as possible. When writing and formatting this headline, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a quality engineer headline, followed by a quick explanation of its main parts
Need a Talented & Driven Quality Engineer? 3 Reasons Why I am Perfect for Your Company
Trigger Word/Number: Need a, 3 Reasons
Keyword: Quality Engineer
Adjective/Verb: Talented, Driven, Perfect
Promise: Your Company – this detail serves as a promise to the employer that your cover letter has been tailored for this specific job and company.
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2. Personalize your quality engineer cover letter greeting & content
Any time you write a cover letter as a quality engineer, it's essential to personalize both the greeting and content for the specific job you are applying to.
To do this, you'll need to research the company thoroughly before applying, searching for information such as:
- Which staff member at the company will review your application – this information will later be used to create a personalized greeting
- What core values and goals the company has
- What projects (past, present, & future) the company is involved in
A personalized greeting will address a specific person by name – ideally, either a hiring manager or department head within the company.
Here are 3 examples of personalized greetings
- Dear Ms. Jane Doe,
- Dear Department Head Jane Doe,
- Dear Hiring Manager John Smith,
3. Write a memorable quality engineer cover letter introduction
The introduction of your quality engineer cover letter needs to be as concise and well-written as possible, as it will determine if an employer continues reading or discards your application.
A strong introduction will often include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) – mutual acquaintances help to build rapport and credibility, while also giving the employer an immediate professional reference
Here is an example of an effective introduction from a quality engineer cover letter
Dear Hiring Manager John Smith,
I am a Quality Engineer with more than 3 years of experience working in industrial manufacturing. I recently followed your company on LinkedIn, where I was impressed by reviews left by current and former employees about your work environment and leadership. After connecting with your Lead Engineer, Jack Johnson, Mr. Johnson encouraged me to apply for this position.
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4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments as a quality engineer
We've reached the largest section of your cover letter – the body paragraphs. A good quality engineer cover letter will contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer key questions such as:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What relevant skills do you possess and how do you plan to apply them?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- How can you contribute to ongoing or future projects the company is involved in?
This is where that earlier research you did will come in. When describing your skills and accomplishments try to relate them back to the needs of the company whenever possible.
Additionally, make sure to include specific and quantifiable details when describing your qualifications. A cover letter gives you ample room to provide many details, so make sure to use the full potential of this space.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a cover letter
As a Quality Engineer for [Former Employer], I developed a new method for product quality testing that reduced defect analysis completion time by 45%. This method is patented in my name, allowing me to apply it at any new company I choose to partner with.
5. Conclude your cover letter with an effective closing statement
Finish off your quality engineer cover letter strong with an effective closing statement that includes:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a closing statement from a quality engineer cover letter
I am eager to further discuss my qualifications as a Quality Engineer and how I can apply my skills within this position. I would love to meet within the next week and am available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The best way to reach me is via email at joeking@email.com or via phone at (123) 456-7890.
I plan to reach out through email next Monday if I have not heard back.
Yours Truly,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Top resources for job-seeking quality engineers
Now that you know the theory, let's put it into practice! But first, you must find a job posting to apply for. Sadly, we can't really do that part for you. But we can at least advise you where to start looking:
- Industry-specific job boards: Niche websites that cater specifically to your industry of choice, such as ASQ Career Center, iHireQualityControl, or JobsInManufacturing, represent a well of endless opportunities.
- Online search engines: Glassdoor, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and SimplyHired are all examples of job search platforms with broad focus. You can filter through the results by specifying location and entering relevant key phrases.
- LinkedIn: You can use LinkedIn for more than just looking for job postings. This platform allows you to build connections with fellow industry experts and potential employers. Networking is the alpha and omega of any job search.
- Professional associations: Besides being another great source of job postings, associations like the American Society for Quality (ASQ), the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI), or the European Organization for Quality (EOQ) can also grant you access to networking opportunities, further training, relevant publications, etc.
- Specialized publications: Staying up-to-date with the latest industry news, research, trends, and methodologies can give you the competitive edge necessary for impressing potential employers. Consider following media like “Quality Magazine,” “Quality Engineering,” or “Quality Progress.”
- Continuous learning: Whether you want to gain new knowledge, expand your skill set, or increase your employability, consider taking courses and certifications, such as those offered by Coursera, edX, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning.
Quality engineers play a pivotal role in ensuring the standards and safety of products and services across various industries. But landing a job as a quality engineer isn't exactly easy. It takes a lot of patience, persistence, and, of course, a stand-out cover letter. So, make yours count!
Quality Engineer Cover Letter FAQ
How can I maintain a professional tone in my cover letter?
Not gonna lie, this can be quite tricky. While you want to sound confident, be careful not to be arrogant. You want to be professional, but not completely devoid of personality. You need to be conversational, but not too overly friendly. The best strategy is to go for a clear and concise, direct but polite tone. And remember, jargon's only impressive if the hiring manager can decode the lingo.
How important is the structure of my cover letter?
Structure is to writing what skeleton is to humans. A well-designed layout navigates the hiring manager's eyes through your cover letter effortlessly. There's no need to get experimental, the structure we've outlined above has stood the test of time for a reason.
How do I demonstrate that I understand company values in my cover letter?
Research is king here. The Internet is your friend. You can go to the company's website, stalk their LinkedIn page and social media accounts, and do a deep dive on recent news articles about them. Then, demonstrate this newly-gained knowledge of their core values, mission, and interested ín your cover letter. And don't forget to align your qualities with theirs to communicate that you're a great fit.
Should I quantify my achievements in a cover letter?
Absolutely! Not only can you use this strategy while writing your cover letter, but your resume too. Don't shy away from numbers. Metrics resonate with hiring managers because they are universal and objective. They offer concrete proof of your contributions. So, if you've slashed costs by 20% or boosted productivity by 30%, sing it loud.
Is it okay to reuse my quality engineer cover letter for different applications?
Nope, it really isn't! Each and every job position is unique, and so should be each and every one of your cover letters. You always have to adjust your narrative to match the specific requirements of each job application. Utilize your research to custom tailor your cover letters to specific needs of each company you target.
