Search 962 construction jobs across the UK
When applying for a new construction job, how you present yourself and your career achievements in the cover letter will determine the first impression the recruiter forms of you as a job candidate and a potential colleague. To make sure that you get invited for a job interview, the first impression needs to be a good one.
Construction recruiters usually give you all the information you need to write a good cover letter right there in the job advertisement. The skills, qualifications and experience required for the job are the key elements that you need to highlight in the cover letter to make the recruiter confident that inviting you for a job interview will not be a waste of time and that you make a good, if not excellent, candidate for the position.
The purpose of the cover letter, however, is not to barrage the recruiter with bulleted keywords listing all your jobs, skills and accomplishments in recent years. That is what the resume and the job interview are for. It is better to think of the cover letter as a sales pitch – it needs to be simple, to the point, and designed to make the recipient want to meet with you.
A construction cover letter is typically not longer than three paragraphs. In the first one, you introduce yourself as a job candidate, say where you saw the job advertisement and briefly explain why you wish to apply for the position. In the second paragraph, you can provide the recruiter with a quick overview of your career achievements in the construction industry. Focus on the results and, again, save the details for your CV. In the last paragraph, you can simply express eagerness to join the recruiter's company, giving a few reasons why, and in the end ask for a chance to be interviewed for the job.
To get a better idea, see the sample cover letter below.
Browse and apply for the latest construction jobs on our job board.
Mark Smith 123 Street London AB321 (44) 321 4567 mark.smith@constructioncv.net
May 29, 2009
Sarah Adams Construction Recruiter XYZ Firm 321 Street London AB123
Dear Ms. Adams,
I was very interested to read on your firm’s website that you are advertising for the position of Structural Engineering Manager at your Civil Engineering department.
I have worked as a Civil and Structural Engineer for the last decade and also have extensive experience in Construction Management, Risk Assessment and Structural Analysis. The projects I have worked on have often called on my expertise to troubleshoot structural design problems on the spot and to deliver feasible solutions in every phase of construction.
I feel that my experience would be of great benefit to your team and I am excited about the prospect of putting it to use in a firm that is held in such high regard in the construction industry.
I have attached my CV for your review and look forward to being given an opportunity to interview for the job.
Sincerely,
[signature]
Mark Smith
