Architecture Cover Letter Example

Text Format

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[Company Address]
[Company City, State xxxxx]
[(xxx)-xxx-xxxx]
[hiring.manager@gmail.com]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx.] [Manager’s Name],

My name is Marcus Winfield, and I’m writing to apply for the position of Junior Architect at R&G Designs Inc. I graduated from Woodbury University’s School of Architecture, following which I acquired my architect’s license from the California Architects Board [License Number].

With more than 2 years of experience in architectural design and drawing, particularly elevations, I bring to your team a trained eye for detail and a keen sense of modern and green aesthetics, as evident from my portfolio. I’m proficient in the use of Autodesk and AutoCAD suites, and I use Autodesk Revit for most of my work in my current role.

Although all of my projects are dear to me, I’m particularly proud to have contributed to the Old Vicarage Restoration Project (portfolio drawing #4), which I was a part of since its inception right up to its completion. This wide-ranging experience of a complex, large-scale architectural project (while simultaneously working on other smaller projects) has accelerated my learning — not only my technical design and drawing skills but also such soft skills as time, task, and vendor management.

I also have some experience in field work at my current firm, having accompanied and assisted senior architects during on-site inspections and quality control checks. While field visits can be hard work, I personally welcome them as a break from the sedentary office environment.

Since graduation, I’ve engaged in continual learning and development, not only because it would advance my career, but also because I believe sustainable design can help solve some of our biggest challenges, namely global warming and resource scarcity. In this regard, I’m currently preparing to take the LEED Green Associate exam.

I am keen to discuss how I can add value to R&G Designs and address questions you may have about me and my portfolio in an in-person interview.

Sincerely,

Marcus Winfield

Architecture Cover Letter Tips

Learning how to put together a cover letter for the specific job(s) you want will help you land more interviews.

Architects design homes, office buildings, and other large structures. If you’re a creative thinker who’s proficient in industrial design, your skills are valuable to architecture firms.

But first, you need to showcase your architectural abilities by crafting a strong cover letter that outlines your qualifications for the job.

Here are three tips for writing an impressive architecture cover letter to help you land your dream job:

Highlight architecture skills

Architects are innovative planners who develop structural plans with esthetics and functionality in mind. To prepare architectural designs, a strong technical background is required.

For example, advanced math, computer literacy, and familiarity with business codes are vital technical skills for an architect. However, the skills employers look for vary depending on your specialization and the type of firm you’re applying to.

In your cover letter, highlight a mix of hard and soft skills to show employers you’re a well-rounded candidate.

Here are specialized skills for architects:

Drafting techniques
Industrial design (technical plans, blueprints, and models)
Construction, building, and architectural codes
CAD software (Bentley MicroStation, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D, and Trimble SketchUp Pro)
Project management software (Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Enterprise)
Accounting software (Intuit QuickBooks)
Map creation and design software (ESRI ArcGIS software and Revit)

Here’s a list of architect soft skills to complement your technical expertise:

Creativity
Complex problem-solving
Communication skills
Leadership skills
Decision-making skills
Organizational skills
Critical thinking
Project management skills

Emphasize your attention to detail

Architecture offices look for detail-oriented people who can work on projects and deliver according to specs.

Emphasize your attention to detail to prove you can navigate through various tasks with exceptional accuracy, from reading blueprints and preparing drawings to creating contracts and discussing budgets.

In your cover letter, give an example of how you’ve demonstrated your skills in a similar role. For example, talk about your experience collaborating with consultants to select building materials, ensuring quality assurance and compliance with company standards.

Show your passion for architecture

Architecture is a highly specialized field, so architectural offices prioritize your technical abilities. By showing employers you’re also passionate about what you do, your job application is more likely to succeed.

Convey enthusiasm for the opportunity in your cover letter. But don’t just say you’re interested in the job: explain why. If possible, connect a personal passion to the job. For example, if your dad was an architect, talk about how you have fond childhood memories of him showing you the buildings he designed.