Construction recruitment cover letters | Are cover letters still relevant?

Are construction recruitment cover letters still relevant? A cover letter is a thing that has been around as long as a CV, if not longer. With the introduction of the internet and online applications, the value of a cover letter seems to have been lost over modern times. 

So what is the point of a cover letter and are construction recruitment cover letters still used today? 

At FBR we work to provide honest advice about the world of recruiting, whether you are looking for a new role or a company looking to hire talented people; FBR is here for just that.

From our perspective, there are pros and cons of having a cover letter. For a candidate, it’s just another thing to complete and write, which isn’t always the easiest task for some. On the other hand, when done correctly it can be used for more than just an introduction. You can showcase your skills and talent in a way that a CV can’t always.  

But let’s look at construction recruitment cover letters in a little more detail.

What are cover letters used for?

A cover letter has traditionally been used as an introduction. Sending your CV to a company without an introduction was and is still considered poor etiquette. It would be like meeting someone and not shaking their hand or giving them your name, sounds pretty rude right?

So the point of a cover letter was to introduce yourself and provide a more informal view of you as a potential candidate. Cover letters are used to grab the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter and make them want to read your CV which is more prescriptive.

Why should you write a cover letter for construction roles?

Ultimately having a cover letter can come in handy, even if a company or recruiter doesn’t request one it’s simply nice to have. It’s one of those tasks that while the market still is unsure whether cover letters are relevant; it’s best to have the bases covered and have it to hand.

For those applications which don’t require a cover letter then you don’t need to send it. However, some job applications may require you to fill in a short bio. This means your pre-prepared cover letter will come in handy as you can use some of that information to help create your bio. 

Additionally, cover letters for construction roles can provide you the opportunity to talk about specific projects you’ve been involved in. It gives you the chance to really go into more detail about your passions in the industry and showcase who you are.

What to include on a cover letter for construction roles

Now we’ve looked at cover letters and if they are still relevant. Let’s look at what to include in one, let’s be honest we can’t all be the next Stephen King or Tolkien. But that’s not what a cover letter is all about. 

A cover letter is an extension of you and who you are, so King or Tolkien can’t write that. Plus, a cover letter can be boiled down to the following ingredients. 

Introduction

This is when you introduce yourself; the basics really. You can keep it short and sweet, no need to go into family history. Imagine you are talking to a person when writing your cover letter. For example;

Dear [insert recruiter/hiring manager name]

My name is [insert your name], I found your job listing for [insert job title] and thought I’d be a great match. I have [insert relevant experience] and currently work in [job role].

Expand 

Now you’ve introduced yourself and what your intention is, you need to expand on this. What makes you different, how has working in the industry impacted your career, what is it you love? This is one of the harder parts of writing a cover letter as you need to showcase your enthusiasm and emotion in this section. 

Be sure to include any specific skills which can be transferred into the role you are applying for. Whether this is from hobbies or past experiences. Things that don’t belong on a CV but would be great for the potential employer to know about you. 

Conclude

Once you have expanded on your cover letter now you need to tie it up with a conclusion. This is where you thank the hiring manager for their time, reiterate your interest and attach your CV for consideration. 

 

Always be respectful when writing any correspondence and don’t forget to include your email and mobile number after you have signed it off. It should look something like this:

 

Thank you for the time and consideration, I enclose a copy of my CV and hope to hear from you soon. Should you have any questions regarding my application please do not hesitate to contact me

Kind regards,

[full name]

[email address]

[phone number]

So there you have the basics of a cover letter. Another tip from us is to run it through some online grammar checkers, there are plenty of free tools available. Once you have been through and edited your cover letter you can then ask a close friend to read over it. Additionally, you may wish to seek advice from your recruitment agent, we see cover letters daily and know what makes potential employees stand out. 

Ultimately, having a construction recruitment cover letter will be useful for any application you make. Whether it is used for the full purpose of a cover letter, or broken down into a bio for your application or not at all. A cover letter can still make the difference in getting your CV noticed by employers and recruitment agents alike. 

The cover letter isn’t going anywhere any time soon, so make sure to work on yours to the best of your ability. 

If you are looking for a new job in construction, view our jobs board today. Our consultants are available to help you find the right job at the right company.