Machinist cover letter: example and tips

A complete cover letter for machinist jobs in Switzerland, what recruiters in the field look for, and the openings available right now.

What the recruiter wants to read

Your federal certificate as a polymechanic or production mechanic, and the conventional and CNC machines you master.
Controls and software (Fanuc, Heidenhain, Siemens, CAM) and the tolerances you hold.
The sectors you have served: watchmaking, medical, machinery, small batches or one-offs.

A complete example

Names and facts are made up: replace each one with your own. A copied letter shows, an adapted one gets read.

Example

Subject: Application for the CNC machinist position

Dear Mr Rossier,

Your listing for a CNC machinist caught my attention: Mécanique de Précision du Jura machines medical components, the field I have worked in since my apprenticeship.

As a qualified polymechanic, I set up and program five-axis Heidenhain machining centres at Microtech Industries SA. I produce titanium implants to a hundredth of a millimetre, write machining plans and inspect parts on a coordinate measuring machine.

The variety of your parts and the chance to follow a batch from program to final inspection make me want to join you.

I am available from 1 May and look forward to showing you my work in an interview.

Kind regards,
Kevin Girardin

Enclosures: CV, work references, diplomas