Your construction cover letter is the key that, along with your CV, opens the door to your future construction career. Like a CV, it should be concise and full of relevant information. Start by understanding that everything in your construction cover letter should be directly relevant to the position you are applying for. Think of it as a tender for a job, like a bid on a construction project.
You are using your cover letter to show your prospective employers how you would be good for them to employ.
Your Construction Cover Letter is Not Your CV
Your CV is designed to provide a roundup of everything relevant that you have ever done: from qualifications to previous positions and experience. Your CV should be sent with your cover letter and application when you apply for a post. Therefore it is not necessary to repeat the information you have already included on your CV. You can allude to it, as in “you’ll see from my CV that I have…” but there is no need to duplicate information you have already provided.
How to Start Your Construction Cover Letter
The key to any good letter is its opening. Learn to write a killer opening for your construction cover letter and you’ve got a guaranteed audience for the rest of it.
Mention the construction role you are applying for in the first sentence of your cover letter. Start with something like “Dear Sir/Madam (or the name if you know it), I would like to take this opportunity to apply for the…” and then note the position you are after. Also use your opening paragraph to describe everything that should be included with the letter. “I have included my CV and application form with this letter…”
The Body of Your Construction Cover Letter
Now you can move onto the main part of your construction cover letter. You are explaining, briefly, who you are and how the experience listed on your CV suits you well for the construction role in question.
Start by giving a very quick overview of your construction history. This is the “You’ll see from my CV…” part. Don’t overcook it. Something as simple as “You’ll see from my CV that I have recently been employed as a telehandler operative” will do. Relate that experience to the job you are applying for, again briefly.
Note your qualifications and industry accreditations. As noted above, do this very briefly indeed. Your CV contains this information: though in the case of your Construction NVQ Level and CSCS Card colour, it is perfectly appropriate to note during the course of your cover letter.
Describe any specialisation you have (plumber, electrician and so on) followed by a note of any secondary experience.
Finishing Your Construction Cover Letter
Overall, your construction cover latter should take up at most a single side of A4 and no more (including your signature). Finish with a brief paragraph detailing why the construction role you are applying for excites you.
Let your prospective employer know that he or she may contact you at any time using the details contained on the header of your letter, and on your CV.