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 and personality. 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 internships.
Your cover letter should be 3-4 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 – "Dear Hiring Manager" is acceptable if you can't find a name, but avoid "To Whom It May Concern."
Research is everything. Visit the company website, read recent news articles, check their LinkedIn, and understand their products or services. Reference specific projects or initiatives that resonate with you. For example, "I was particularly impressed by your work on the new electric vehicle platform and would love to contribute to sustainable automotive innovation."
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 being too humble or too arrogant – strike a balance between confidence and eagerness to learn. Don't make it all about what you'll gain; focus on what you'll contribute. Finally, avoid clichés like "I'm writing to express my interest" (they know that) or "I believe I would be an ideal candidate" (show, don't tell).
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.
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