How to Write a Top Notch Architecture Cover Letter

Whether attending a job interview, or sending out an online application for the first time, delivering a positive and well-rounded first impression is of vital importance, and this is especially true when it comes to applying for an architectural position within a firm.

As particularly when competing against many other suitable candidates, applicants rarely get a second chance to introduce themselves, so why not do it right?

What is a cover letter and what is its purpose?

In your search for prospects in the architectural field, you can spend hours on end trying to pull together the perfect resume. However, the silver bullet could be a well written cover letter.

Though it is believed that a lot of employers do not read cover letters, more than half of them expect to be sent one with an application regardless.

Job applications in most professions, architecture inclusive, have two main constituents. First is your resume – which provides a summary of your education and professional experience. Next is your cover letter!

Though they might both seem commensurate, the cover letter is possibly the more important, as it is the first means of introduction to a prospective employer.

If landing that job is of top-priority to you, your resume is not enough! Be it for an internship, part-time or full-time position, ensure you include a cover letter. This gives more weight to your application and greatly improves your chances of getting called for an interview to discuss and present your portfolio.

The purpose of a cover letter

Think of a cover letter as you would if you were meeting someone for the first time. As a professional, it signifies your intent, tone and values.

In the event that your cover letter is not successful at inspiring someone to learn more about you, there is a high chance they will not bother taking a look at your resume or portfolio at all.

A cover letter serves various purposes, some of which are:

• It communicates to the employer the reason why you should be hired.
• It showcases your noteworthy endeavors and expertise. It is suggested that you show-off the duties you undertook at your previous jobs. This will draw the employer’s attention to your distinctive capabilities.
• You might want to convey how passionate you are about the field of architecture. Also, showcase enthusiasm for the position you are applying to and how important the job opportunity is to you.
• Cover letters set precedence for follow-up. We suggest that you include the date and time you plan to call for a follow-up, so as to abolish the waiting game. This places the ball in the court of the employer.
• A great cover letter makes up for a sub-par resume. If your resume is lacking in some areas, be sure to exhibit your personality via a convincing cover letter.
• It illustrates your ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Resumes tend to be short and precise, so a cover letter affords you the opportunity to expatiate on points.
• Cover letters confirm that you have carried out adequate research on the company and what they search for in a client.

Core cover letter tips and principles

Here are some tips to help with writing your architectural cover letter:

Keep it brief

• A cover letter should not be longer than a page. Ideally it should have a target of three paragraphs; maximum of four or five depending on how you break up the body of writing.
• Use this space to state the things you can offer the firm, and avoid bombarding your letter with redundant words and unnecessary information.
• Place your focus on writing a griping and succinct cover letter, as this demonstrates your ability to effectively communicate.
• Be sure to avoid repetition.

Customize your cover letter

Personalize your cover letter by adding keywords that have been mentioned in the job description. Make sure you read through the job posting carefully, and highlight the skills needed for the role (e.g., years of experience, technical skills, degree, etc.)

A pro tip is to take the buzzwords in the job posting, and reverse engineer them to fit your cover letter, as many companies even use automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen applications. Furthermore, make evident your acquaintance with the job role, the architectural field and the firm or employer.

Your application should stand out as it will not appear to be generic, but put together specifically for this purpose.

Address a specific person

If possible, your cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager – with their first and last name. If you do not have a name, a quick google search might help.

You could take it a step further by contacting the organization directly to find out. The personal touch shows that you made an effort.

Though “Dear Hiring Manager” and “To Whom It May Concern” are a bit frosty, we would suggest you go with the later if unable to get any information on the hiring manager’s name.

Sell yourself

Keep your cover letter distinctive as it is your marking document. Do not simply copy and paste everything in your resume, but expand on the best parts of it. List and expand on your soft skills and social skills, as some companies are really big on this. Some examples of soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem solving, etc.

Your cover letter gives you a chance to explain gaps in your resume, if you have any. See the cover letter as would your “elevator pitch” or a marketing campaign.

Mistakes to avoid

• Beating around the bush: This can be a time waster for you and the hiring manager. Go straight to the point in your letter.
• Using emoticons and abbreviations: Avoid using emoticons and words like “WOW,” “LOL,” “OMG” as they show a lack of professionalism.
• Focusing too much on yourself: Your emphasis should be on the job description and what you bring to the table. The employers needs to know that you can get the work done.
• Overusing the word “I’: Using the word “I” at the beginning of every sentence makes your letter look monotonous and more like an autobiography.
• Oversharing: Resist the urge to share every tiny detail about your previous work experience. A brief and concise description is fine.
• Giving red flag details: Do not overemphasise your weaknesses and bad encounters from past jobs, as this could easily create a negative impression of you.
• Length: Do not overstretch the cover letter. Also, avoid complicated sentence structures and ambiguous vocabulary. You can keep the letter at half or full page.
• Unprofessional contact information: Make sure your email address does not contain vulgar words. A formal and safe address is one that contains your first and last name.
• Generic letters: Customize your cover letter to each job posting.
• Same information: Skip information that is already included in your resume.
• Sign: Do not forget to sign your cover letter, as this shows that you pay attention to detail.
• Proofreading: Ensure you properly proofread your cover letter to avoid spelling and grammatical errors.
• Passive tone: Do not depend on the hiring manager to contact you. Instead, include a scheduled time you will be calling or mailing them for feedback on your application.
• Addressing the letter: Make sure the cover letter is addressed to the hiring manager of the company. Do not forget to personalize it, if possible.

When considering your next career move, plan proactively and create Portfolios that include your best work. Consider looking into finding a mentor with Architect-US, and improving your Portfolios with our Portfolio Plans and Career Advice Program. We provide coaching and personalized mentorship, so you can have a professional and experienced take on your next steps in your career, as well as a great team to confide in.