Covering Letter:
The Importance of Thorough Research

Engineering Job Application Research

Engineering Job Application Research...

The Importance of Thorough Research

A key part of making you stand out is to demonstrate you have done your research. Show you know and understand the company and would not only excel at the role, but you would fit in with the company culture and people.

Apart from the job advert, find out about the team, department and company structure. Consider some of the following questions during your research.

• What products and services do they sell?



• Where does your target role fit in?



• What does the industry look like?



• What is their market share and what’s the trend?



• Who are their key competitors?



• What are their target growth areas?



• Where are the company locations sited?



• Where are they positioned cost-wise in the market?



• And what about the financial information – cost of products, profit and turnover (from annual reports), amount spent on R&D etc?

• Are the company socially responsible? 



• Do they do anything in the community including schools, colleges or charities?



• Do they sponsor any events?



• Do they have any sports or social clubs?

Engineering Job Application Research: Further Considerations...

By researching their company website and the broader internet (for example press releases or social media) you should be able to find out a wealth of information. The more you find out the more you should be able to carefully construct a Covering Letter which skilfully matches your key strengthens and experiences with facts about the firm.

Consider stating how and where you came across the advert? Also make an immediate impression by finding out the name of the recruiting manager and addressing the letter to them personally. For some jobs the adverts will state this up front. For others it is worthwhile contacting the company and finding out who to address the letter to, for that all-important instant positive impression.

Finally, if applying for a position some distance from where you live, it’s worth including a line acknowledging this to dispel any concerns. Disclose you have done your research and are able to commute, or have an alternative plan to ensure you will be punctual.

All the engineering job application research will prove invaluable for the interview, once your exceptional Cover Letter and CV have done their job.

Engineering Job Application Research

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