Expert advice to help you stand out from the competition
Your CV is your first opportunity to make an impression on potential employers. For engineering internships, it's crucial to create a document that showcases your technical skills, academic achievements, and relevant experience in a clear, concise format. Remember, recruiters typically spend just 6-8 seconds scanning each CV, so every word counts.
Keep your CV to a maximum of two pages - this is non-negotiable for internship applications. Use a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 10-12pt. Ensure consistent formatting throughout with clear section headings. Your CV must be ATS-friendly (Applicant Tracking System), which means avoiding tables, text boxes, images, or unusual formatting that automated systems can't read.
Use action verbs to start each bullet point: "Designed," "Developed," "Analyzed," "Led," "Optimized." Quantify your achievements wherever possible – numbers grab attention and demonstrate impact. For example, "Improved system efficiency by 25%" is far more compelling than "Made the system better."
For technical projects, explain what you built, the technologies used, and the outcome. Don't just list what you did – explain the impact. If you built a robot for a competition, mention the problem it solved, the sensors and programming involved, and your team's placement.
Don't use generic statements like "hardworking team player" – these are meaningless without evidence. Avoid dense blocks of text; use bullet points for readability. Never include a photo, date of birth, or references ("available upon request" wastes space). Don't lie or exaggerate – you'll be found out in interviews. Finally, avoid unexplained gaps or listing irrelevant information that doesn't support your engineering application.
A cover letter is your chance to tell your story and demonstrate why you're genuinely interested in a specific company and role. While CVs list your qualifications, cover letters provide context, personality, and technical depth. Many students skip this opportunity or submit generic letters – don't be one of them. A strong, tailored cover letter can significantly boost your application, especially when competing for competitive engineering placements and internships.
Your cover letter should be 4-6 paragraphs and fit comfortably on one page with proper spacing. Use a professional business letter format with your contact details, the date, and the employer's details at the top. Address it to a specific person whenever possible – research LinkedIn or the company website to find the hiring manager's name. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear Placement Coordinator" is acceptable if you genuinely can't find a name, but avoid "To Whom It May Concern."
Check out our examples at the bottom of the page to see these tips in action!
Research is everything. Visit the company website, read their annual reports, check recent press releases, follow their LinkedIn, and understand their products, projects, and strategic priorities. For engineering roles, look at their technical publications, patents, or engineering blog posts if available. Find something specific that genuinely interests you and weave it into your letter. For example, "I was particularly impressed by your work on the new electric vehicle platform and would love to contribute to sustainable automotive innovation."
Be technically credible. Use proper engineering terminology and demonstrate familiarity with industry-standard tools and methods. However, avoid unnecessary jargon – write clearly and assume your reader may be from HR before it reaches the engineering manager.
Quantify achievements where possible. Instead of "improved the design," write "reduced mass by 15% while maintaining structural integrity under 3g loading conditions." Numbers make your accomplishments tangible and memorable.
Show progression and curiosity. Mention independent research, personal projects, or additional learning you've pursued beyond coursework. This demonstrates genuine passion rather than just checking boxes for grades.
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) when providing examples. Instead of saying "I have strong programming skills," write "During my second-year project, I led development of an autonomous robot using Python and ROS, which achieved first place in the university competition by successfully navigating a complex obstacle course."
Never use the same cover letter for multiple applications – it's immediately obvious and shows lack of genuine interest. Don't simply repeat your CV in paragraph form; provide new insights and context. Avoid clichés like "I believe I would be an ideal candidate" (show, don't tell).
Avoid being vague or generic about your interest. "I'm passionate about engineering" tells them nothing. "I'm fascinated by the aerodynamic challenges of transonic flight and the computational methods used to optimize wing designs" shows genuine technical interest.
Avoid excessive humility or arrogance. Don't write "I think I might be suitable" (you're underselling yourself) or "I am the ideal candidate" (presumptuous and generic). Instead, confidently demonstrate fit through specific examples.
Don't neglect formatting. Use consistent fonts (Times New Roman or Arial, 11-12pt), professional spacing, and proper business letter alignment. A poorly formatted letter suggests poor attention to detail.
Finally, don't make it all about what you'll learn. While learning is important, focus on what you'll contribute. Employers want to know what value you bring, not just that you want free training.
Remember, the cover letter is where you transform from a list of qualifications into a real person who would be exciting to work with. Make it count.
Your cover letter transforms you from a collection of grades and experiences into a real person who would be valuable and engaging to work with. It's your opportunity to show technical competence, genuine enthusiasm, cultural fit, and communication skills all in one page. Engineering hiring managers read hundreds of applications – make yours memorable by being specific, technically credible, well-researched, and genuinely passionate about their work.
Take the time to craft a unique letter for each application. The effort shows, and it's often the difference between an interview invitation and a polite rejection.
Example for aerospace engineering roles at companies like Airbus, Rolls-Royce, BAE
Example for F1 and motorsport engineering internships
Example for mechanical engineering roles at companies like Dyson, JLR
Example for hardware/electrical engineering at tech companies like ARM
Example for software engineering at tech companies
Example for engineering placements at defense companies like Leonardo and Babcock