How to build a job-winning manufacturing cover letter
The manufacturing industry is massive and flush with a wide variety of employment opportunities. From operating machinery to becoming a manufacturing engineer, there are diverse roles to explore. This industry holds immense potential for professionals looking to make their mark.
But to earn a job in manufacturing, you'll first need an excellent cover letter that conveys your professional strengths.
From showcasing your technical expertise to highlighting your problem-solving prowess, we'll equip you with the tools and strategies to create a cover letter that stands out from the competition. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Create a well-designed manufacturing header & headline
- Personalize your manufacturing cover letter by researching the employer
- Craft a compelling introduction to hook an employer’s attention
- Highlight your best skills & accomplishments in manufacturing
- Conclude your manufacturing cover letter with a persuasive statement
1. Create a well-designed manufacturing header & headline
The first step to take when beginning your manufacturing cover letter is to create a well-formatted header and headline.
Your cover letter header refers to the block of text found at the top of the document that includes vital information about you and the employer, such as:
- Your name and contact information
- Your professional title
- The name of the company & department you are applying to
- The address of the company
Here is an example of a well-designed manufacturing header
Jack Smith, Manufacturing Professional
(123) 456-7890 | jacksmith@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jack-smith
To: Morgans Production, Inc.
Manufacturing Department
1234 Street Address
Salt Lake City, UT 84044
After you have completed your header, you will move on to writing your cover letter headline. Your headline is an optional title with the purpose of grabbing an employer’s attention and convincing them to continue reading.
To achieve this goal, your headline should include:
- A relevant keyword (position title, industry name, etc.)
- An eye-catching number or trigger word (3 skills, 4-step approach, etc.)
- A strong adjective or verb, and a promise (ideal, perfect, improve, etc.)
- A promise to the employer that the letter is written specifically for them
Here is an example of a manufacturing headline, followed by a short breakdown of its main components
My 3 Best Manufacturing Skills & How I Can Apply Them to Improve Your Factory’s Daily Operations
Trigger Word/Number: 3 Skills
Keyword: Manufacturing
Adjective/Verb: Best, Apply
Promise: Your Factory’s Daily Operations
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2. Personalize your manufacturing cover letter by researching the employer
Once you have your header and headline in place, the next major step to take is to personalize the greeting and content of your manufacturing cover letter.
To do this, you must thoroughly research the employer and their company before writing your letter. In your research, hunt for key information, such as:
- What products the company manufactures
- What specific skills the company values in its employees
- Who at the company is responsible for reviewing applications
Using that third bullet point, you can create a personalized greeting that addresses the specific staff member by name. In doing so, you reveal immediately that you have taken the time to personalize your cover letter.
Here are 3 examples of personalized cover letter greetings
- Dear Warehouse Manager John Doe,
- Dear Mr. John Doe,
- To Mr. John Doe & the Manufacturing Team,
3. Craft a compelling introduction to hook an employer’s attention
With the structural and research elements of your cover letter out of the way, you can now begin writing the body text — starting with your introduction.
A strong and compelling manufacturing introduction will include:
- A concise summary of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Pro Tip: Mutual acquaintances provide the employer with a trusted professional reference and can help your cover letter stand out. To gain a mutual acquaintance, build your professional network both in-person by attending training courses and conferences and online by connecting with relevant professionals on LinkedIn.
Here is an example of a compelling introduction from a manufacturing cover letter
Dear Warehouse Manager John Doe,
I am a manufacturing professional with 6+ years of experience working in cosmetic production and assembly. Given your company’s need for a talented cosmetics manufacturer, I believe I am the perfect candidate for this position and am eager to learn more about this opportunity. I recently connected with one of your manufacturing engineers, Mrs. Kate Green, who strongly recommended I reach out to you regarding this position.
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4. Highlight your best skills & accomplishments in manufacturing
After your introduction come the rest of your body paragraphs — ideally between two to four paragraphs total — where you will offer more key insights into your relevant skills and accomplishments.
When describing these professional qualifications, always provide the employer with specific details and context to make it clear why you are including this information.
Additionally, if you have any quantifiable data you can include, do so — this helps to show employers the real-life, tangible value you have to offer.
Here are 6 manufacturing skills to describe in a cover letter
- Operating production equipment & heavy machinery
- Knowledge of product assembly procedures
- Manufacturing engineering processes
- Time management & strict adherence to deadlines
- Quality assurance protocols & inspections
- Finalizing products & preparing for shipment
Here are a few examples of how to describe accomplishments in a manufacturing cover letter
- As a manufacturing professional at [Former Employer], I played a vital role in maintaining and repairing the on-site production equipment. By implementing a new maintenance protocol, I was able to reduce monthly maintenance and repair costs by an average of more than 40%.
- As a Production Supervisor, I spearheaded a quality improvement initiative that significantly reduced product defects by 30% within six months. By implementing rigorous inspection protocols, conducting regular training sessions for the production team, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we achieved higher quality standards and increased customer satisfaction. This accomplishment was recognized by senior management, and we were able to secure new contracts with key clients based on our improved quality track record.
- In my previous role as a Manufacturing Engineer, I successfully implemented a new production process that resulted in a 15% increase in overall efficiency. By analyzing the existing workflow, identifying bottlenecks, and implementing streamlined procedures, I was able to optimize the production cycle and reduce waste. This not only improved productivity but also led to cost savings of over $100,000 annually for the company.
5. Conclude your manufacturing cover letter with a persuasive statement
The fifth and final step to writing an excellent manufacturing cover letter is to craft a persuasive closing statement. This statement’s main purpose is to convince the employer to contact you, so keep it concise and compelling.
In this statement, you should include:
- How and when you can best be contacted
- When you intend to follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of a persuasive closing statement from a manufacturing cover letter
I am eager to speak with you directly regarding this opportunity and hope to hear from you within the next 5 business days. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 on any weekday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. I will reach back out next Tuesday morning if I have not yet heard back.
Yours Truly,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
