Working in a factory may not seem like the most complicated of occupations, but as each individual role entails a wealth of different responsibilities, you need to show an employer that you have the specific skills and attitudes to succeed. Your output depends on your familiarity with technology, your ability to work well within a team, and your personal productivity.
Not all these aspects are easy to describe within a resume. The factory manager wants to hire for personality as well as experience, so the factory worker cover letter should convey how you go about your work and what you are like to work with. Selfish factory workers who seek to do all the easy work need not apply – you probably know a few people like that.
What sort of tasks do you enjoy most? How do you react when there is a problem with your work? How do you resolve conflicts with other people on the factory floor? Do you have ambitions to grow into a team leader role in the future? The factory worker cover letter allows you to share all these thoughts and more. In this guide and corresponding factory worker cover letter example, we consider the following:
- Writing a factory worker cover letter to complement your resume.
- How to structure the letter to shine a light on your various skills.
- Avoiding mistakes that may harm your application
Writing may not be a requirement of the role, but if you take your time to create a considered job application you can be sure that the hiring manager will appreciate it. Not every factory worker will consider that a cover letter is necessary. This is your way to stand out.
Best format for a factory worker cover letter
The format for a cover letter should allow for a few stories to be told, so there is no requirement for creativity with the format. The content of the letter will set you apart. The structure for the factory worker cover letter format is as follows:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
The comprehensive cover letter guide answers every possible question about cover letter writing, from fonts to design tips. Do your research and think about the sort of letter that you want to write before you sit down at the keyboard.
This factory cover letter sample may offer some inspiration:
Dear Mr. Vale,
With seven years of experience in plastics manufacturing, I possess a strong skill set in assembly line processes, machinery operation, and quality control. I have significant experience in working alongside both people and machinery which would help me to succeed at Taleon. With your management development support, I would like to pursue the eventual opportunity to move into a junior management role.
At my previous employer, I was responsible for the operation and maintenance of operating machinery. I led two projects that decreased downtime by 12% and was the go-to person when for troubleshooting. My childhood spent on a farm had me always tinkering with machinery, so a manufacturing environment is familiar to me. Production efficiency comes when everything works as it should – including the factory workers understanding the impact of their contributions.
I am passionate about workplace safety and help train new employees on all H&S initiatives. I consider myself an approachable colleague – being trained by a peer is more effective than an external training provider. I have completed numerous training courses, including those in Lean Manufacturing, allowing me to identify areas for improvement in production processes, such as streamlining workflows and minimizing waste.
I am excited to come and visit your facility. I met Jane Withenshaw at an open day last year and she suggested that it might be worth applying for a role. I hope to have the opportunity of an interview to explore how I might add value to your team.
Sincerely,
Nick Wilkins
Some other cover letter examples may be of interest:
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is the place to include your name, email and mobile details. There is no formal requirement to include your full address here – the employer can ask for that at a later point if you are successful.
This header is essential in a cover letter as well as a resume as you never know when the hiring manager might want to invite you to an interview. Make the process easy for them.
Keep the design of the header simple. You likely don’t seek to overcomplicate things at work, so don’t convey that image with your cover letter design.
Cover letter greeting
The cover letter greeting should be a formal “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. Surname.” The factory may be an informal place of work, but there is a set hierarchy and respect for authority is an important part of the workplace.
Try your best to find out the name of the hiring manager as this personal approach will show that you value relationships. You could phone the employer to find out or you might find the right contact name on the job description. Dear “Company team” is an option if you cannot find a name. Avoid the formal “to whom it may concern” as it makes you sound aloof.
Cover letter introduction
The introduction of a factory worker cover letter needs to get straight into the qualities that you bring to the role. Don’t just rely on fancy adjectives. Tell your future boss what kind of employee you are and back it up with an example of when you went above and beyond.
Many factory roles are performance managed, so share stories about when you smashed your target and went out of your way to do more than what was expected. No one wants to hire someone who does the bare minimum. What are your motivations when you come to work and what keeps you going on those long shifts?
Dear Mr. Vale,
With seven years of experience in plastics manufacturing, I possess a strong skill set in assembly line processes, machinery operation, and quality control. I have significant experience in working alongside both people and machinery which would help me to succeed at Taleon. With your management development support, I would like to pursue the eventual opportunity to move into a junior management role.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle part of a cover letter is where you should seek to meet the demands of the job description. Each cover letter should be unique to each role, so avoid the mistake of writing the “best version” of your career story. If the factory worker is not tailored to the role it will not give you the best chance of securing an interview. This may mean leaving out certain accomplishments, but the hiring manager will appreciate a more targeted approach.
The cover letter is an introduction to your candidature, and you will certainly have the opportunity to expand on your experiences during an interview, so concentrate on ticking the boxes that are laid out in the job description. Think carefully about the demands of the role. How can your experience shine a light on your future potential?
At my previous employer, I was responsible for the operation and maintenance of operating machinery. I led two projects that decreased downtime by 12% and was the go-to person when for troubleshooting. My childhood spent on a farm had me always tinkering with machinery, so a manufacturing environment is familiar to me. Production efficiency comes when everything works as it should – including the factory workers understanding the impact of their contributions.
I am passionate about workplace safety and help train new employees on all H&S initiatives. I consider myself an approachable colleague – being trained by a peer is more effective than an external training provider. I have completed numerous training courses, including those in Lean Manufacturing, allowing me to identify areas for improvement in production processes, such as streamlining workflows and minimizing waste.
How to close a factory worker cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
The conclusion of a factory worker cover letter should come with one last expression of enthusiasm. You can be as descriptive as you like about your career successes, but nothing beats the feeling that you really want to work for an employer. Employee turnover is an issue in factory work, so show your future boss that you are in it for the long run.
The last sentence of the letter is where you ask the reader to do something. You want them to invite you to an interview, so say that you are looking forward to finding out more about the role. If they like what they have read, they should realize that you will have other opportunities, so hopefully that interview invite will be on its way soon.
I am excited to come and visit your facility. I met Jane Withenshaw at an open day last year and she suggested that it might be worth applying for a role. I hope to have the opportunity of an interview to explore how I might add value to your team.
Sincerely,
Nick Wilkins
How to avoid basic mistakes in a factory worker application letter
The quality of your work in a factory is often a key consideration for an employer, so try not to make basic errors in your application that might hint at any sort of careless attitude at work. Do not rush the letter – you can’t get it back after you have pressed send.
- Proofread the letter and check it for spelling and grammar errors with online software such as Grammarly. Ask a friend to read through and make sure it sounds like you.
- Pick examples that fit with the type of factory work on offer – if the letter is irrelevant, it will be put on the reject pile.
- Talk directly to the hiring manager and don’t be too formal. Getting on with your colleagues is important – make sure that the tone of the letter is warm and friendly.
Key takeaways
- Every factory worker should take the time to write a targeted cover letter. It doesn’t have to be long - 300 words will be fine.
- Talk about your personality and your approach to work by outlining your experiences and accomplishments.
- Share your motivations and why this particular role is a fit for your career.
