As an architect, you are charged with the high responsibility of transforming building ideas into innovative structural plans that are functional, visually appealing and meet clients’ expectations. If you are ingenious and have a robust technical design background, you can pursue a career in architecture and start looking for architectural opportunities in different architectural firms. While making your application, an architect cover letter is one of the crucial documents that should always accompany your resume.
This guide will examine the purpose of drafting an architect cover letter, how to format it, what to include, and the do’s and don’ts.
Importance of Cover Letter
A well-drafted architect cover letter brings out the first positive impressions that highlight your accomplishments and why you are the best candidate. It serves as a sub-par resume. Since a resume is written in a short and precise form, an architect cover letter gives you a unique opportunity to explain yourself and your achievements in detail.
In addition, this cover letter strengthens your job application by showcasing your knowledge in architecture practice and your passion for working for the firm. Cover letters are used to prove that you have conducted satisfactory research about the firm and fully understand the kind of talent they are looking to attract. An architect’s cover letter can be used when applying for entry-level architectural jobs to the senior-most positions.
There is a common myth that most hiring managers don’t read a cover letter. However, if you want your job application to stand out during the recruitment process and possibly get hired, you must accompany your resume with a well-drafted architect cover letter.
How to Format it?
For you to craft a winning Architect cover letter, you need to format it in the proper official structure by following the below guidelines:
- All the sections of the letter should be left-aligned.
- Single-space the letters while leaving a 1-inch gap on every side.
- Use an official font that aligns with what appears on your resume, such as Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial, etc.
- A complete architect cover letter should be brief and not more than 1 page.
Essential Elements of Architect Cover Letter
A well-written cover letter should highlight your core architectural proficiencies, past accomplishments, and the primary motivation pushing you to express your interest in working for this architecture firm.
It should include the following elements:
Header
Your Architect cover letter header is what appears first when the hiring manager opens it. Therefore, you must include your correct official name, address, contact information, date of writing, recipient’s name, job title, and address details. It’s a good professional practice to use an identical header for your resume and cover letter.
Introduce yourself and the job position
Introduce yourself in the first paragraph and be specific on the job title in which you are expressing interest. Then, list your top-most architectural achievements that align with the job description. In this way, the reader will better understand what the letter is about.
Mention relevant achievements and architecture skills
Highlight your unique architecture achievements and other soft skills that align with the job description. You need to demonstrate your competence in essential architectural skills such as industrial design, CAD software, project management software, or map creation and design software. It would be best to convince the hiring manager that you have the right skills and good work ethic that befits the architectural role you intend to assume.
Show your passion for the job
It would be best to convince the hiring manager that you are the best architect candidate. Demonstrate your potential and enthusiasm to deliver outstanding results when given a chance, as evidenced by your past architectural accomplishments. Make the employer feel that you are highly motivated and have a personal passion that integrates effortlessly with the said architecture role.
Ask for an interview
Your architect cover letter closing statement is as important as your opening statement. This is where you emphasize why you are the most suitable candidate for the job and formally request an interview. In addition, mention the value your position will add to the architecture firm.
Complimentary sign off
This is the last thing to add, where you close your cover letter officially. Your closing remarks should be simple and focused on thanking the hiring manager for considering your application. You can then add “Best regards”, “Kind regards”, “Yours sincerely”, or any other synonym.
Postscript (optional)
Adding a postscript to your cover letter helps capture the hiring manager’s attention and showcase why you are the best candidate. It brings out your exclusive selling proposition by highlighting one distinctive quality that will grab the hiring manager’s attention and persuade them to choose you over other contestants.
Samples
Get inspired by the following Cover Letter Examples and use it to write your own:
Sample 01
Mary Johnstone,
135, Renault Street,
Kingston, ON K7L OE2.
March 12th, 20xx
Robert Michael,
Hiring Manager,
Accurate Architects,
56 Valley Avenue,
Kingston, ON K4D OE7.
Dear Robert,
My name is Mary Johnstone. I’m writing to express my interest in the recently advertised senior industrial design architect position at Accurate Architects. With more than eight years of industrial architectural design, I have worked locally and internationally for many reputable architecture firms like AMS Concepts. In addition, I have delivered several outstanding, award-winning industrial design development projects through my creative and technical design skills.
I have excellent communication skills, and I can comfortably manage a core design team. In addition, I’m very proficient in Architectural codes, Autodesk and AutoCAD, Building Information Modeling (BIM), Microsoft Project, ArcGIS mapping software, and other essential soft skills.
I have always dreamed of working at Accurate Architect as I strongly subscribe to your company’s mantra of designing innovative, quality, and sustainable industrial projects. Given an opportunity to showcase my innovative design experience, I will successfully deliver exceptional industrial and architectural designs that are functional and meets clients’ satisfaction.
I thank you for creating the time to consider my application. I welcome any follow-up call or interview invitation to discuss further how my contribution will help Accurate Architect company achieve its core objectives.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
Sample 02
Felix Morgan
438, Green Park Street,
Ontario, ON P4L OE9.
June 20th, 20xx
Stacy Jackson,
Hiring Manager,
Nifty Concepts Architects,
5th Street, Power Avenue
Ontario, ON D4L OE6 Canada.
Dear Stacy,
My name is Felix Morgan, and I’m an architecture graduate from the University of Ontario. I’m pleased to apply for the junior architect position in your esteemed architecture firm. I have a strong passion for architectural design, 3D rendering, and project management.
Having worked for Rubes Architects Company for one and a half years, I got a unique opportunity to learn about project drafting techniques, industrial sustainability, design technical plans, project management software, CAD software, and designing of architectural codes and materials. I have also dedicated a lot of time to learning crucial soft skills like public communication, leadership, and the power of teamwork.
I clearly understand Nifty Concepts Architecture Company’s goals and objectives, and I believe my qualifications and experience in this role will help the organization attain its core objectives. I’m eager to showcase my innovative design skills, and I believe getting a chance to work in your firm will add value and set my architectural career on an upward trajectory.
I’m grateful for the time that you have accorded my application. I’m ready for any call or interview to discuss with you extensively how I will be of great help if I’m accorded this role.
Best Regards,
[Signature]
Free Templates
Download free Architect Cover Letter templates from our site:
Do’s and Don’ts
When drafting your architect cover letter, there are specific crucial guidelines that you need to adhere to so that your cover letter can be persuasive enough to grab the attention of the hiring manager.
Do’s
Ensure you apply the following tips when writing an architect cover letter:
Emphasize attention to details
As an architect, you must be a hands-on person who pays attention to details. Architecture projects must be delivered strictly according to the laid-out specifications. Demonstrate that you can handle various architecture tasks, including drawing and design, interpreting project blueprints, drafting contracts, preparing budgets, and delivering positive results.
If you have successfully undertaken any of the above tasks before, include it in your architect cover letter as evidence that you can pay close attention to details and deliver as per the project objectives and specifications.
Keep it brief
Remember, the hiring manager will have many applications to review. The easiest way to grab their attention is to draft a well-structured cover letter that is clear and straight to the point. The length of your architect cover letter should not exceed one page/ 3-4 paragraphs.
Start strongly
Since the letter will be scanned, your opening statement should grab the hiring manager’s attention by highlighting your area of competence and experience levels. A first positive impression will motivate them to read the rest of the letter.
Address to a specific person
Make sure the recipient of your architect cover letter is well-stated. It should be addressed to the hiring manager. You can do an online search or engage the company management directly to get the name and address of the hiring manager. If you can’t get the details of the hiring manager’s name, you can pick a neutral addressee name such as “Dear Hiring Manager” or even “To Whom It May Concern”.
Sell yourself
Your architect cover letter should summarize your key achievements that align with the job descriptions. In addition, outline your essential soft skills to make your candidature unique and more appealing. A cover letter adds “butter” to your resume, and therefore, you should maximize every opportunity to market yourself as the best candidate for the job.
Include testimonials
Include one or two testimonials from your former manager or co-worker to demonstrate that what you have indicated in your cover letter is authentic. A referenced cover letter carries more weight than one that doesn’t have.
Proofread
An architect’s cover letter with grammatical errors will turn off hiring managers. In addition, it creates a negative first impression, and you can miss a job opportunity. This is why you must always proofread to ensure there are no spelling errors. If you are still in doubt, consider sending it to your friend so that they can help you highlight areas that you need to edit and make improvements.
Don’ts
The following are some common mistakes that you should avoid when drafting your architect cover letter:
Writing irrelevant content
Avoid vagueness. Your cover letter should be brief and concise. Only highlight the significant achievements that align with the job description.
Using emotions and abbreviations
An architect’s cover letter is formal, and it should be written in the same format. Abbreviations and words that depict emotions should not be used to maintain professionalism.
Focusing too much on yourself and using “I.”
Instead of focusing too much on yourself, emphasize addressing the job description’s content and convincing the hiring manager why you are the best candidate for the job. Only use the word “I” where it’s essential.
Giving red flag details
Minimize exposing your past weaknesses and work-related challenges, as this will only paint a negative picture in the hiring manager’s mind.
Using passive tone
Instead of waiting for the hiring manager to reach out, consider giving them a timeline whereby you will then make a call or send an email to inquire about your applications’ status.
Using generic letters
Every architecture job opening is different, and it comes with its requirements. Avoid using generic cover letters and instead, prepare a customized architect cover letter for each job application
Oversharing and overstretching the letter
Being brief and concise is the rule of the game. Avoid using complicated terminologies and complex sentence structures that are hard to comprehend.
Key Takeaways
Here we have summarized few key takeaways to help you write the most convincing cover letter:
- Writing a customized architect cover letter for every new architect job opening is the surest way to create a positive first impression.
- Your introduction statement should be well-structured and captivating to encourage the reader to go through the entire cover letter.
- A well-drafted cover letter strengthens your resume and allows the hiring manager to feel your personality, proficiency, experience level, and motivation for applying for this job.
- A powerful closing statement in your architect cover letter is also fundamental in helping hiring managers decide.
- Adding a postscript after you have appended your signature is another excellent strategy for grabbing the hiring manager’s attention so that they can give your application a meticulous consideration.
- A winning architect cover letter is the one that is authentic, well-formatted, and showcases the applicant’s in-depth understanding of the job title and the company’s core objectives.
