Whether you’re looking for an apprenticeship to launch your career or you already have years of experience, a carpenter cover letter is the perfect tool to finish your job search and land an amazing position.
Also called an application letter, a cover letter helps you convince an employer of your unique qualities and skills – in terms of both your trade and the personality traits that make you an agreeable and reliable employee.
Since everyone has a different journey into carpentry work, a cover letter is the best place to share your story and convey the experiences that have shaped your professional capabilities.
In a trade industry, it can be hard to stand out. A cover letter allows you to expand on your most important achievements and make the case for why you are the best candidate for the position.
So what exactly goes into a cover letter and how do you create one that’s effective enough to land the job you're after?
This guide, along with an effective carpenter cover letter example will:
- Explain why a cover letter is one of the most important tools for getting hired
- Break down cover letter format into manageable steps with clear cover letter examples
- Explore key traits needed for getting started with no carpentry experience
- Help you avoid common mistakes made by other candidates for the same position
If you haven’t already perfected your resume, that’s a great place to start. You can find a ton of useful tips and tricks inside our carpentry-specific resume example, templates and general resume writing guide). Now it’s time to write a strong cover letter that seals the deal on your application.
Carpenter cover letter sample and overview
A cover letter is one of the most requested application materials and with good reason – this document allows an employer to get a sense of your personal story and professional milestones without ever having to invite you in the door for an interview.
While a resume has clearly-defined sections, a cover letter is a bit more freeform. That’s why it’s a great idea to check out our cover letter samples! It’s a good idea to limit your cover letter to between 200 to 400 words, or the length of one page. Instead of trying to cover every possible aspect of your experience, focus on key points that make the best case for you as the right applicant for the specific position. You can also answer any natural questions that an employer might have after reading your resume, such as gaps in employment history.
While your resume contains only the few lines of profile summary as a place to express personality, a cover letter offers job seekers much more flexibility. Even in a skills-based profession like carpentry, it’s a good idea to show off what makes you a unique employee both in terms of abilities and personality – just make sure to keep your tone professional and respectful.
When it comes to creating a high-quality application letter, your formatting is just as important as the content of your letter. After all, a hiring manager won’t have time to sort through a disorganized document to find your strong points. As a general rule, it’s best to stick with san-serif fonts like Arial, Georgia or Helvetica and a size between 10 and 12 points. You can find even more formatting tips and cover letter examples in the overall guide on cover letters.
What if the job application DOESN’T require a cover letter?
As a carpenter, you may be applying for positions referred to you by a contact in the industry. You may even submit your materials by email instead of filling out a formal online application. So if the company you’re applying to doesn’t ask for a cover letter what should you do?
The truth is, unless an employer specifically asks you NOT to submit a cover letter, it’s always a smart idea to include one in your application. This will put you miles ahead of other candidates who took the easy way out and decided to submit only a resume. Why throw away one of your best chances at making a great first impression?
The goal of your cover letter is this: to maximize your chances of landing the perfect position. There may be dozens of other candidates who have similar skills or who have been working in the trade longer, but a great cover letter allows you to level the playing field by bringing out your unique strengths and accomplishments.
A candidate with a strong resume who fails themselves well in a cover letter or simply chooses not to include one may actually have less of a chance than an applicant who can effectively show why they are the right fit for the position, even with less hands-on experience.
The importance of tailoring your cover letter.
When applying to a new position, you should be aiming not only to convince an employer of your skills and experience in general, but also the reasons why you are uniquely qualified for their position. Using the same cover letter example over and over will not do that.
Does the company routinely work on commercial construction sites? Then make sure to play up the skills you gained from experience in that setting, even if it hasn’t made up the bulk of your work history. Is the company focused on creative design? Talk about your most artistic projects and how you paid attention to the visual appeal of the final product at every step of the process.
If you are already familiar with the company and their work, then you’ll be able to let your background knowledge help guide you in the cover letter writing process. However, if you have no prior connection to the employer, you don’t have to be left in the dark. Use the company’s website, branding, social media and the job description to get a sense for previous projects and their primary type of carpentry. Then anticipate their biggest needs and use your cover letter to explain how you could add value to their company.
Best format for a carpentry cover letter
The great thing about learning to write an exceptional cover letter is that it’s a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your career, since the structure of the document almost always follows a similar format.
Here are the key components in all our cover letter samples:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion and signature.
Many job applicants fear the cover letter writing process, but you don’t have to be among them! In addition to the information below, you can get more tips on writing each of these sections as well as free cover letter example sentences overall guide on cover letters and cover letter samples.
04/05/2020
Dear Mr. Simmons,
I have lovingly shaped some of the most upmarket boutiques in Los Angeles, and after moving to New York I would like to bring my craftsmanship to your retail clients. Working with owners to translate their vision into reality has been a passion for the past ten years and wood has never been more popular in niche retail. It makes customers feel warm inside.
I involve myself in every aspect of the design and shopfitting process – from creating the CAD designs and procuring the materials to deciding how to approach the build and solving problems within the store itself. Every build is unique, and every store has its own feel.
Getting these specifications and designs right first time is vital because every millimeter matters. Whether I am constructing a fixture, fitting, till or raised floor, it has to fit perfectly with its surroundings, and I am used to working with specialist designers and planners. Prefabrication obviously has a part to play, but for the trim to truly fit the interior, the finishing touches have to take place in situations.
I enclose a portfolio with some of my best work and have 30+ glowing references from previous clients. 90% of my clients have asked me to work with them again, and some of my designs have been featured in the retail shopfitting press.
Teamwork and communication are critical in any shopfitting project – so many elements need to gel – and I work hard to ensure that the entire team remains aligned with the vision of the project. If that is the case, we can help each other finish every detail to perfection.
RetailBest has an enviable reputation in the local market (you were recommended to me by one of your clients) and I would value the chance to discuss how I might add value.
Best regards,
Gregory Walls
Cover letter header
The goal of your cover letter header is two-fold. Its primary purpose, however, is to identify the document as belonging to you.
Along with your name and professional title, your header also contains important contact information like your email address or phone number. If you’re self-employed, you may also want to include your place of business – just be careful not to weigh down the document with too many details.
The secondary purpose of your header is to create attractive and appropriate formatting to catch the reader's attention. That’s why your name will likely be the focal point of your header. This is also one of the few places where the use of color may be appropriate depending on the image and branding of the employer.
When in doubt, go for a classic design, like the ones found in resume.io’s collection of field-tested templates.
The goal of this section: Label your document and keep your personal data at the hiring manager’s fingertips while creating an attractive presentation that catches the reader’s attention.
Align document styles!
Presentation is key when it comes to landing a competitive position. One way to be sure your application leaves an impact is by aligning the document styles on your resume, cover letter and other application materials. This will help you create a “personal brand” – a consistent look and feel that instantly identifies your documents and helps you stand out to a hiring manager. That is why Resume.io offers cover letter sample templates with matching resume formats.
If you have graphic design experience you’ll be able to do this yourself. Otherwise, professional formatting tools like these resume templates and cover letter templates from Resume.io can make a big difference.
Cover letter greeting
Your cover letter greeting may be short, but it’s worth paying attention to. This cover letter example section helps you establish a personal connection with the employer and set a respectful tone for the rest of the letter.
The goal of this section: Address the recipient by name if at all possible, create a friendly and respectful tone.
The difference a name makes
It’s been scientifically proven that humans have a positive neurological reaction when hearing their own name. But in everyday life, we all know the difference it makes when someone remembers our name or uses it in a positive way.
That’s the same logic you’ll be putting into practice when you address your cover letter to the person most likely to read it. In the case of a small company, finding out the name of the hiring manager or foreman shouldn’t be too difficult.
If you’re dealing with a large firm, you may need to use a more generic greeting. In any case, it’s best to avoid the impersonal “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead try using the company name followed by a collective noun like “Team” or “Hiring Team.”
If sending your cover letter in the body of an email, or if you know the hiring manager on a first-name basis, “Hi” or “Hello” and a first name can make good, personalized alternatives to the formal “Dear” followed by a last name.
Cover letter introduction
As you begin to write your letter, it’s important to remember that hiring managers, project managers and foremen are busy people. Your cover letter introduction is where you’ll want to grab their attention and encourage them to keep reading into the body of your letter.
There are several ways to do this but a few good options are to start with an anecdote, a relevant fact or an interesting personal statement. Just make sure to keep your story concise so that the reader can quickly get to the point. You’ll also want to project your key qualities so that a hiring manager easily understands why you’re a great fit.
The goal of this section: Create a catchy opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and establishes the right tone for the rest of the letter.
Dear Mr. Simmons,
I have lovingly shaped some of the most upmarket boutiques in Los Angeles, and after moving to New York I would like to bring my craftsmanship to your retail clients. Working with owners to translate their vision into reality has been a passion for the past ten years and wood has never been more popular in niche retail. It makes customers feel warm inside.
Cover letter middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
Now it’s time to tackle the section that will make up the bulk of your letter. The body is where you’ll dive into your skills and achievements and explain how these attributes make you the right candidate for the job.
One way to simplify this section is by dividing it into two smaller pieces. In the first, try using the STAR method to highlight a Situation and Task, and the Action you took to create a positive Result.
In the second subsection, you can talk about the skills you have that directly relate to the position at hand and discuss your potential contributions to the employer.
The goal of this section: Illustrate your skills and unique advantages to the company through relevant examples and the STAR method.
I involve myself in every aspect of the design and shopfitting process – from creating the CAD designs and procuring the materials to deciding how to approach the build and solving problems within the store itself. Every build is unique, and every store has its own feel.
Getting these specifications and designs right first time is vital because every millimeter matters. Whether I am constructing a fixture, fitting, till or raised floor, it has to fit perfectly with its surroundings, and I am used to working with specialist designers and planners. Prefabrication obviously has a part to play, but for the trim to truly fit the interior, the finishing touches have to take place in situ.
I enclose a portfolio with some of my best work and have 30+ glowing references from previous clients. 90% of my clients have asked me to work with them again, and some of my designs have been featured in the retail shopfitting press.
Teamwork and communication are critical in any shopfitting project – so many elements need to gel – and I work hard to ensure that the entire team remains aligned with the vision of the project. If that is the case, we can help each other finish every detail to perfection.
How to end your cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
You’ve made your best case and now it’s time to close out the letter in a way that encourages the hiring manager to get in touch. To do this, you’ll want to create a Call to Action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the position and invites a hiring manager to contact you without being too presumptive.
Then, sign off your letter with a professional closing like “Sincerely,” “Best” or “Best Regards.” If you know the employer or are writing in the body of an email, “Thanks,” may also be an appropriate choice.
The goal of this section: Create an effective Call to Action, sign off your letter politely and appropriately for the position and employer.
RetailBest has an enviable reputation in the local market (you were recommended to me by one of your clients) and I would value the chance to discuss how I might add value.
Best regards,
Gregory Walls
Writing Psychology: how to convey your work ethic in your cover letter
When applying for a position as a carpenter, there are a few key qualities you’ll want to convey.
- Attention to detail: There’s a reason why the adage “measure twice and cut once” is the carpenter’s mantra. The ability to work efficiently without wasting time or materials is one of the most important qualities for carpenters. Your cover letter should demonstrate times when your organization tangibly advanced the project.
- Adaptability: Sometimes materials don’t arrive on time, another tradesperson hasn’t finished their part or a customer changes the plan after the project is already underway. Your cover letter should address how great time management skills allow you to be flexible.
- Cooperation and communication: Carpenters often work with many other tradespeople and are required to manage multiple job sites at once. Your ability to be a team player can be a valuable asset to many companies.
- Hard skills: Your hard skills shouldn’t overshadow your soft ones, but they are an important part of a trade like carpentry. Any specialized knowledge of equipment, math skills and the ability to evaluate technical drawings are all good things to expand upon in your cover letter.
Carpenter cover letter example with no experience
Most carpenters learn the job by working with a more experienced journeyman or completing a trade school. If you’re applying for one of your first positions with a company or program you likely don’t have much carpentry experience, so how do you create a cover letter that makes you stand out? Reading cover letter samples can help, but you want yours to reflect your talents and personality.
Luckily, there are some traits that can be key indicators of whether a candidate will go far as a carpenter or not. Work ethic is one of the most important. If you’ve never worked on a construction job site, aim to describe another time when you put in many hours or saw a project through from start to finish. Use precise facts and numbers to clearly define the scope of the task and your contributions. If there’s a physical component to the work, that can also give the impression that you are a good fit for a job like carpentry.
As a beginner, you’ll also want to demonstrate your teachability. Much of a carpenter’s first experience comes in the form of watching and learning. As you start writing your cover letter, think about times when you quickly picked up a new skill or performed well at a task you weren’t entirely prepared for. You’ll want to make sure your anecdote conveys humility and the ability to help when needed.
The importance of specificity
According to authors Chip and Dan Heath, there are a few qualities that make a great idea stick in our minds – one of them being specificity. This principle says the more concrete information we give about something, the easier it is for the other party to retain the idea in their mind.
In this case, of course, the idea you want to stick to is that you’re a hard worker and fast learner who would make a great asset to this apprenticeship program.
So how can specificity work for you?
While writing your cover letter, try to brainstorm facts, numbers and any other details that illustrate your accomplishments and abilities. The goal is not to weigh down the letter with information, but instead to include key points that quantify what type of worker you are.
Let’s analyze this cover letter sample paragraph for a carpentry apprentice:
For my junior year Eagle Scout project, I designed and constructed a 10-foot long wooden ramp to help a local church better welcome its elderly and disabled members. To make sure the ramp was structurally sound, I consulted with an experienced carpenter who showed me how to take measurements and evaluate materials for the project. After this encounter with the trade, I became motivated to pursue a career in carpentry. I elected to take a trigonometry course and improved my math scores from a B- junior year to an A by the time I graduated.
This cover letter example mixes in both hard and soft skills while giving precise information about the timeframe and motivations of the candidate. It also describes specific actions the student took to align themselves with their carpentry career goals.
Carpenter cover letter format and common mistakes
Here are a few pitfalls other applicants for carpentry positions might run into.
- Too many hard skills: While your technical abilities are an essential part of your job, there’s likely to be at least a few other candidates with your same level of proficiency in carpentry. Focusing too much on hard skills leaves a hiring manager wondering why you’re the right choice. Instead, try to balance these competencies with soft skills that others might lack like organization and communication.
- Spelling and grammar mistakes: Typos and poor grammar can quickly dash your chances of getting hired. Not only do they make you look unprofessional, they can keep a hiring manager from finishing your letter. Make sure to have a friend proofread your application before you submit. Consider having that friend read your initial cover letter sample and offer ideas for improvement.
- Poor formatting: Your visual presentation says a lot about what type of candidate you are. You can’t say you have a great eye for detail but use several different fonts in the wrong sizes. Luckily, Resume.io’s professional cover letter builder tool can make attractive formatting quick and easy.
- A generic letter: A letter that lacks meaningful substance is almost as bad as no letter at all. Make sure to give your document the best chance at landing you the position by putting some thought into why you’re the right candidate for that specific company and job opening.
Key takeaways
- Even if you have a connection in the company where you’re applying, a cover letter is a key “convincer” to make you stand out and explain why you’re the right candidate.
- Make sure to follow the trusted cover letter format to keep your document concise and focused and to save you time in the writing process.
- Specific facts, numbers and details are essential to making your cover letter memorable for the hiring manager.
- Work ethic and teachability are especially important for beginning carpenters. If you’re experienced, don’t forget soft skills like communication and attention to detail.
- Formatting is one of the most important parts of your document. Online tools and templates can help you create a polished application.
With resume.io, you can create a perfect cover letter in just a few minutes. Click on one of our ready-made and carefully market-researched templates and simply start writing. No uncertainty, no hassle. Go out there and win!
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related cover letter example:
