Crafting the perfect electrician cover letter doesn't have to be a nightmare. Certainly not with our comprehensive guide which brings you all the best tips, detailed examples, nifty templates, and real-life samples. Allow us to lead you through the cover letter writing process one step at a time. Let's begin!
In this guide, we teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as an electrician. Keep reading to learn how to:
- Properly format your electrician cover letter header & headline
- Create a personalized greeting on your electrician cover letter
- Write a compelling electrician cover letter introduction
- Highlight your accomplishments & professional value
- Conclude your cover letter with a powerful closing statement
- Access top resources for job-seeking electricians
Still looking for a job? These 100+ resources will tell you everything you need to get hired fast.
1. Properly format your electrician cover letter header & headline
To begin writing your electrician cover letter, the first essential step to take is to create a well-formatted header and headline.
A cover letter header refers to the block of text commonly found in the top-left corner of the document. In this header, you'll include all the key identifying information about yourself (the applicant) and the company you're applying to.
As for the cover letter headline, this is a brief title statement that helps to initially grab an employer’s attention with an engaging preview of the information to come.
Below are more in-depth explanations and examples of each of these cover letter elements:
Formatting the header
In general, a cover letter header doesn't have a strict format to follow. A common choice for a header style on a cover letter is similar to an address on a traditional letter.
No matter what style you opt for, your header should always include:
- The name of the company you are applying to (& the department when applicable)
- Your name and professional title
- Your professional contact information (phone number, email address, etc.)
Here is an example of what a well-formatted header on an electrician cover letter looks like
To: New River Power, Electrical Department
From: John Doe, Electrician
(123) 456-7890 | johndoe@email.com | linkedin.com/in/john-doe
Writing the headline
To craft the headline of your cover letter, you should always use a keyword related to the position, an eye-catching number or trigger word, a powerful adjective or verb, and a promise.
Here is an example of a well-written headline on an electrician cover letter, followed by a quick breakdown of its components
My 3-Step Approach to Electrical Installations & How It Can Benefit Your Company’s Clients
Trigger Word/Number: 3-Step Approach
Keyword: Electrical Installations
Adjective/Verb: Benefit
Promise: Your Company’s Clients – the addition of this detail at the end of your headline shows the employer you intend to relate your skills and qualifications directly to the needs of their customers and business.
2. Create a personalized greeting on your electrician cover letter
Whenever you write an Electrician cover letter, it is crucial to use a personalized greeting.
Unlike generalized greetings – such as “To Whom It May Concern” – a personalized greeting will address a specific person or department by name. In doing so, you show the employer you have excellent attention to detail and have thoroughly researched their company beforehand.
If you're unable to uncover the exact person or department who will review your cover letter, try out one of the following alternatives:
To the [Company Name] Team
Or
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager
3. Write a compelling electrician cover letter introduction
The next key piece of your electrician cover letter is a compelling introduction. Your introductory paragraph should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history and goals
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible)
Here is an example to help demonstrate how to write an electrician cover letter introduction:e
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am a Journeyman Electrician with 3+ years working with electrical systems in commercial and industrial buildings. My decision to apply for this job came after my former coworker, Jack Smith – who now serves as one of your company’s Lead Foremen – suggested my work ethic and talents would be a great fit for this position.
4. Highlight your accomplishments & professional value
Following the introduction of your cover letter are the body paragraphs. A strong cover letter will typically contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that offer in-depth answers to these key questions:
- What excites you about working at this company?
- What do you hope to learn from working at this company?
- What accomplishments or qualifications make you stand out as an applicant?
- What key skills do you possess that are relevant to the position?
Focusing on your accomplishments as an electrician is especially important, as they show employers the real-life value you can bring to a company.
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in an electrician cover letter
As a Residential Electrician for [Former Employer], I developed a new safety procedure that minimized onsite personnel injuries by 85%. Additionally, I created a mentorship program for Apprentice Electricians that boosted overall productivity by 25%.
5. Conclude your cover letter with a powerful closing statement
The final component of any well-written electrician cover letter is a thoughtful closing statement. Within this closing statement, you should include:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- An additional sentence stating you will follow up, including how you will contact them or how they can contact you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective closing statement from an electrician cover letter
With my high standard of work and commitment to safety as an Electrician, I am confident I can optimize your company’s productivity and efficiency. I am eager to discuss this opportunity further and would like to schedule a meeting within the next week. You may reach me Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (123) 456-7890.
I greatly look forward to hearing from you and will reach back out in two weeks if I have not heard back.
Best Regards,
[Applicant Name]
Follow this cover letter outline for maximum success.
6. Top resources for job-seeking electricians
See? Making an engaging and persuasive electrician cover letter really isn't that complicated. But now, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get started on your job search! We've gathered a list of resources to help you find the right work opportunities:
- Industry-specific job boards: Websites with niche focus like ElectricianJobs.com, Construction Jobs, or iHireConstruction can bring you job postings especially catered for electricians.
- General job search websites: Next, take a look at platforms that aggregate job postings from across all industries, such as: Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or ZipRecruiter, or SimplyHired.
- Contractor websites: Many electrical contracting companies post job openings directly on their websites. Research and follow local and national electrical contractors to stay updated on job opportunities in your area.
- Professional associations: Job listings, further training, access to networking opportunities, and the latest industry news — all under one roof. That's the benefit of following websites of organizations like National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Electrical Contractors Association (ECA), or Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
- Specialized publications: To keep updated on the latest industry news, trends, and innovations, pay attention to media like “Electrical Contractor Magazine,” “EC&M Magazine,” or “Electrical Line Magazine.”
- Courses & certifications: Succeeding in a dynamic field like this requires you to keep on sharpening your skills. Luckily, with online learning platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, edX, or Udemy, you can access a vast selection of courses and certifications from the comfort of your home.
The process of job searching can sometimes feel like an uphill battle. But with perseverance, resilience, and patience, you'll land your dream job sooner than later. Just remember that no matter how many job postings you end up responding to, you always need to custom tailor each and every cover letter you send out.
Electrician Cover Letter FAQ
How can I use keywords effectively in my electrician cover letter?
Start by extracting relevant keywords from the job posting, whether these are skills, tools, or types of jobs, and make sure to mention these in your cover letter. But remember, use them in a context that makes sense and adds value - don’t just list them. Instead, write about situations you encountered in your profession and what skills you utilized to resolve them.
Is it important to show passion for my work in my cover letter?
Absolutely! Companies want to employ people who genuinely enjoy their profession. And the cover letter is an excellent place to express your love for your trade. For example, you can discuss specific projects or situations where you felt satisfied with your work, or how you enjoy solving problems or collaborating with a team.
Should my cover letter repeat what's in my resume?
No, it shouldn't! Your cover letter exists to complement, not duplicate, your resume. While some overlap is unavoidable, focus on the aspects of your skills and experiences that a resume simply can't illustrate fully - like certain soft skills, unique experiences, or your motivation for working for that particular employer.
Can I include any certifications or training in my cover letter as an electrician?
Not only you can, but you should! If you've undergone any special training or hold specific certifications in the field, make sure to mention them. This would boost your credibility and show that you're up-to-date with the latest industry standards. Plus, it can be just the thing that puts you above the competition.
Should I mention references in my cover letter?
Generally speaking, it's not necessary to mention references directly in your cover letter. Instead, collect your references into a separate document and be ready to produce it when asked to. Then, you can include a little sentence like “References available upon request” near the end of your cover letter. However, if a job posting specifically asks for references to be included in your cover letter, be sure to do as instructed.