The word custodian means someone who guards, protects, or maintains property. That means a custodian position requires more than simply cleaning up. A custodian cover letter that won’t get swept into the circular file must convey your sense of responsibility to the buildings and grounds you work.
Within this custodian cover letter guide, you will learn how to craft an application letter that will get you that interview. Keep reading for tips and hints on:
- The structure of a cover letter and the paragraphs the cover letter should include
- Making the most of the space you have in each part of your cover letter (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- The content of your cover letter
- How to avoid common errors when writing your custodian cover letter.
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Best format for a custodian cover letter
A blank page in which to convince an employer to offer you an interview can be daunting, but never fear because structure will make writing your custodian cover letter much easier. So Before you launch into writing, you need to know what to include in your application document.
The format of a custodian cover letter should contain the following elements:
- The cover letter header
- The greeting / salutation
- The cover letter intro
- The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
- The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)
Resume.io offers a general overview on writing cover letters, the comprehensive cover letter guide. Specific advice on optimizing each custodian cover letter paragraph and section can be found below.
This custodian cover letter example will give you an outline for writing your own cover letter:
Dear Mr. Purdew,
After working as a custodian for a range of corporate clients and being responsible for the maintenance of office premises, I am interested in pursuing the custodian position at JB Retailers. While much of the work is at night (which suits my personal circumstances), the changeover as people come into the office is my favorite part of the shift.
I work hard to provide my clients with a clean and fully functioning workplace, as well as dealing with all manner of light maintenance tasks. I am successful when nothing gets in the way of clients doing their best work in the office. Coming in to a freshly polished desk, squeaky-clean meeting room, and fully stocked fridge is a great way to start the working day.
I enjoy working for an office services company as this means that I have a wide variety of work and I can build on my experience. My work over the past two years has included:
- Kitchens and dining areas: cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and equipment
- Meeting rooms & offices: Cleaning duties, managing stationary, tech maintenance
- Floor care & windows: Cleaning, waxing & vacuuming floors, washing windows
- Recycling management: Managing complex recycling requirements
Alongside my custodian duties, I have experience in managing the ongoing repair and maintenance of basic office technology. I have worked with corporate procurement teams to ensure that obsolete tech is replaced in a timely fashion. Every custodian is responsible for the smooth functioning of the office environment.
Having worked for over 30+ companies on an outsourced basis, I have a wealth of references should you wish to investigate further. I look forward to hearing about the needs of your clients and hope that I might be a reliable and skilled addition to your team.
Sincerely,
Martin Hillersdon
Cover letter header
Neatness is of the utmost importance in your line of work, so start off with a clean custodian cover letter header. The main point of the header is to clearly state your name and contact information so when a hiring manager wants to schedule your interview, they know just how to reach you.
Secondarily, visuals are powerful, so make sure your header leaves the right impression. Legibility comes before cute fonts or overly bright colors. Align the style of your cover letter header with your resume design to create a complete application package.
Get professional with your contact info
Playing around with fun email addresses is common, but is not the way to make a great impression on an employer. Do yourself a favor: If you don’t already, get a Gmail, Outlook or other email account and use one of the following formats:
Any variation on that theme works. If you have a common name, try adding a middle initial or one or two digits on the end.
Cover letter greeting
The greeting of your custodian cover letter sets the tone for the rest of your content. The standard “Dear [Mr./Ms./Mrs./Dr. Last name]” should be your go-to greeting because it sounds professional, but friendly. Be aware, however, that you need to know the correct honorific to use.
Your best bet, especially if you are unsure of who to address or how, is a quick call to the company. The extra effort may distinguish you from other applicants who did not make that call. Try to avoid the old-fashioned and stiff “To Whom It May Concern.” Instead, opt for “Dear Hiring Manager” if you absolutely cannot find the correct person to address.
There are times when it may be appropriate to start off with “Hello [name of hiring manager].” For instance, if you have a recommendation from a current employee and know that the company is a casual one or if you are already acquainted with the hiring manager.
Cover letter introduction
The first paragraph of your custodian cover letter serves to introduce you to your prospective employer and to give them a preview of what the rest of your letter will contain. Start off strong with a sentence that offers an overview of your work history and a positive description about you.
If you are entering the job market for the first time, use examples from your academic experience to show that you are reliable and trustworthy. Also consider any volunteer activity you have that demonstrates work skills. Remember that employers hiring for entry-level jobs understand that applicants will not have a lot of related work experience. They are looking for the qualities that will make you a good employee.
If you do have work experience, choose an achievement that most closely relates to the custodial position you seek.
Dear Mr. Purdew,
After working as a custodian for a range of corporate clients and being responsible for the maintenance of office premises, I am interested in pursuing the custodian position at JB Retailers. While much of the work is at night (which suits my personal circumstances), the changeover as people come into the office is my favorite part of the shift.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The body, or middle part, of your custodian cover letter comprises two or three paragraphs that expand on your introduction. The key to this section is finding the right balance between professionalism and personality.
Employers want to know that you will be able to integrate into the custodial team, so choose an anecdote that illustrates how you worked with others in a previous position, on a committee, or on a school project. Clearly explain your role and achievement.
Mind the ATS
While you may think of the Applicant Tracking System that manages your application for HR departments as a concern for your resume, it may also take keywords in your cover letter into account.
Increase your chances of making it past the ATS by including relevant keywords and phrases in your cover letter as well as your resume. This step also signals to employers that you understand what they are looking for in a custodian.
If you have held custodian positions before, pick one or two examples that best relate to the job you are applying for and detail your main responsibilities. Even better, if you implemented a process that saved time or money or expanded your skills while on the job, write about those successes. Highlight any skills you have that could add value to your employment, such as repair or skilled trades knowledge.
It’s also a good idea to tell your prospective employer why you want to work at their company specifically.
I work hard to provide my clients with a clean and fully functioning workplace, as well as dealing with all manner of light maintenance tasks. I am successful when nothing gets in the way of clients doing their best work in the office. Coming in to a freshly polished desk, squeaky-clean meeting room, and fully stocked fridge is a great way to start the working day.
I enjoy working for an office services company as this means that I have a wide variety of work and I can build on my experience. My work over the past two years has included:
- Kitchens and dining areas: cleaning and sanitizing surfaces and equipment
- Meeting rooms & offices: Cleaning duties, managing stationary, tech maintenance
- Floor care & windows: Cleaning, waxing & vacuuming floors, washing windows
- Recycling management: Managing complex recycling requirements
Alongside my custodian duties, I have experience in managing the ongoing repair and maintenance of basic office technology. I have worked with corporate procurement teams to ensure that obsolete tech is replaced in a timely fashion. Every custodian is responsible for the smooth functioning of the office environment.
How to end a custodian cover letter (conclusion & sign-off)
You’ve done the main work in the body of your custodian cover letter. Your conclusion is time to add the finishing touches. The first sentence or two should restate your qualifications so they are fresh in your prospective employer’s mind.
Then, remind them of the point of your letter: You want an interview! Politely suggest that you would love to discuss the opportunity further at their earliest convenience. Finally, sign off with “Sincerely” or “Regards” and your name.
The cover letter example text below shows one method of asking for an interview.
Having worked for over 30+ companies on an outsourced basis, I have a wealth of references should you wish to investigate further. I look forward to hearing about the needs of your clients and hope that I might be a reliable and skilled addition to your team.
Sincerely,
Martin Hillersdon
Avoiding basic mistakes in a custodian cover letter
- Don’t get too casual. Every job is a professional job, so keep your cover letter business-like. While you should reveal a bit of your personality to show that you will make a great team member, don’t stray into the irrelevant.
- Keep your stories short. The best work examples to use in your custodian cover letter take only one or two sentences to explain. Hiring managers are busy people, so you need to get your message across quickly.
- Avoid using the same cover letter over and over. Every job is different, so every cover letter should be, too.
- Edit to keep out typos and other errors. Use spellcheck and grammar tools. Then have a friend or colleague look over your letter. Why take the chance of missing out on an opportunity because of a tiny mistake?
- Poor formatting. The layout and design doesn’t need to be complicated, but a simple, organized cover letter template can help.
Key takeaways
- Even if you have no work experience, you can write a custodian cover letter that shows you are an excellent candidate.
- Carefully read the job description and craft your letter to address the needs of each employer instead of sending on generic letters.
- Present a professional visual image with your custodian cover letter as well as your resume.
- Check out our adaptable custodian cover letter sample to begin creating a great layout.
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related maintenance and repair cover letter examples:
