Construction Project Manager cover letter example

You can manage the toughest construction projects, but do you know how to manage the details of a job application? The construction project manager cover letter guide below is your blueprint.
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Your construction project manager cover letter is your tool for building on your successful career. A compelling letter will help you reach new heights in no time!

On the other hand, a bland, pedestrian letter could land your application in the basement. Get to the next floor with a construction project manager cover letter that inspires the hiring manager and has you on the first rung of the success ladder: an interview. 

Construction project manager full text-only cover letter example 

Full text adaptable cover letter example

Dear Mr. Harris,

I am writing to express my interest in the Construction Project Manager position at Turner Construction Company, as advertised on your company’s career page. With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and over five years of experience in managing large-scale construction projects, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

During my tenure at Skanska USA in Chicago, IL, I honed my skills in project planning, budgeting, and team leadership. My role involved overseeing the construction of commercial and residential buildings, ensuring projects were completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. One of my notable achievements was managing a $50 million high-rise development project in downtown Chicago, which was completed three months ahead of schedule and 10% under budget.

I am particularly drawn to Turner Construction Company because of your reputation for excellence and innovation in the construction industry. Your recent work on sustainable building practices and LEED-certified projects aligns with my passion for environmentally responsible construction. I am eager to bring my expertise in project management and my commitment to sustainability to your esteemed company.

Here are some key highlights of my qualifications:

  • Proficient in project management software such as Procore, Microsoft Project, and Primavera P6.
  • Extensive experience in contract negotiation, risk management, and quality control.
  • Strong understanding of building codes, regulations, and safety standards.
  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate effectively with architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
  • Demonstrated success in managing budgets, schedules, and resources efficiently.

In addition to my technical skills, I bring a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. I thrive in dynamic environments and am always eager to take on new challenges that push the boundaries of my knowledge and capabilities.

I have attached my resume for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and certifications align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the continued success and innovation at Turner Construction Company.

Warm regards,

Michael Thompson

Sections of a construction project manager cover letter 

A cover letter for a construction project manager position puts up the story of your career brick by brick. Include these key elements for a sturdy build:

  1. Cover letter header. Include all your contact details and the date in a professional, eye-catching header that complements the style of your resume.
  2. Greeting. Address your reader by name. It adds a personal touch and shows you’re willing to go the extra mile to find out who they are.
  3. Introduction. Reach out, grab their hand, look them in the eye and tell them who you are and why you really want the job.
  4. Body. You're in the middle of the project now. Highlight your accomplishments, skills, and experience. Then, show how your management style gels with the employer’s culture.
  5. Conclusion. Hammer home your message by summarizing your qualifications. Encourage them to reach out to discuss the position further.
  6. Signature. Finish up with “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and add your full name.

Our article on how to write a cover letter includes general information on compiling all sections of your application letter.

Once you’ve input your contact details and addressed the hiring manager, it’s time to show them what you’re made of with a description of your crowning achievement.

Introduction of a construction project manager cover letter

The start of your cover letter is the foundation you’ll build on as you craft your application. Break ground with the capstone of your career. 

Did you oversee a project that was completed before the deadline? Come up with an innovative way to save the client money? Solved a difficult construction dilemma to avoid delays? These are the types of achievements employers want to hear about.

Do

Dear Mr. Joshua Malone,

I have a wealth of construction project management experience in commercial building that I would love to bring to Image One Industries. In a just-completed office complex, I estimated, scheduled, and coordinated the construction of five, three-story structures, coming in $75,000 under budget and one week before deadline.

Don't

Dear Joshua,

I have four years of experience and expertise as a construction project manager. I know I will do a great job at Image One Industries if you give me a chance.

Get specific from the start with an achievement that’s bound to impress. If you’ve managed a project that came in ‘$75,000 under budget and one week before deadline’ by all means, tout that!

You don’t have time for a slow buildup in this one-page letter. Let the hiring manager know that your qualifications match up with their needs. Only then are they likely to read on. 

Adaptable cover letter introduction example

Dear Mr. Harris,

I am writing to express my interest in the Construction Project Manager position at Turner Construction Company, as advertised on your company’s career page. With a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and over five years of experience in managing large-scale construction projects, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

Construction project manager cover letter body

The body of your cover letter follows a clear blueprint:

  • Showcase your talents and abilities
  • Align your professional persona with the company culture and ethos. HR people are looking for a good fit as well as the right skills
  • Leave them wanting more with a strong finish
  • Request a meeting to provide more information about your qualifications

First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)

You’ve hit the ground running, now build on that standout achievement by detailing the skills and experience that got you there. 

Use these materials to cement your value in the eyes of the hiring manager:

  1. Emphasize your construction knowledge. Which areas do you have expertise in? Detail all your know-how and how you keep up on current trends and innovations.
  2. Project management experience and education. Demonstrate your ability to efficiently manage and schedule multiple projects with a sentence or two on successful completions.
  3. Communication. You’re the contact point for contractors and all stakeholders, so provide examples of how you keep everyone informed and how you gain an understanding of everyone’s needs and expectations.
  4. Problem-solving. No matter how much planning goes into a project, there’s bound to be a hiccup. Detail a time you ran into a problem and how you solved it.
  5. Financial planning and budgeting. Describe your budget process—and how you keep the project on budget—while managing cash flow.
  6. Detail-orientation. Complex construction projects have many moving parts. Recount one of your more complicated builds and how you could juggle it all without dropping a ball.
  7. Management. You’re applying for a job in which you’ll be coordinating and supervising teams of builders and contractors. What type of manager are you? Express your style with adjectives such as visionary, democratic, strategic, and collaborative.

Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization

Your construction project manager cover letter must also demonstrate that your management philosophy fits with the company’s culture. Read the mission statement or “about us” page to understand the employer’s values.

Connect your ideals and goals to that of the employer so they know you not only have the skills, but the mindset to excel on their terms.

For example, the Image One “about us” page lists strength, knowledge, commitment, and integrity as its core values. How do you incorporate those values into your work life? Add an anecdote about your continued efforts to learn your trade or express your commitment to excellence through a story of success. 

Adaptable cover letter middle part example

During my tenure at Skanska USA in Chicago, IL, I honed my skills in project planning, budgeting, and team leadership. My role involved overseeing the construction of commercial and residential buildings, ensuring projects were completed on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. One of my notable achievements was managing a $50 million high-rise development project in downtown Chicago, which was completed three months ahead of schedule and 10% under budget.

I am particularly drawn to Turner Construction Company because of your reputation for excellence and innovation in the construction industry. Your recent work on sustainable building practices and LEED-certified projects aligns with my passion for environmentally responsible construction. I am eager to bring my expertise in project management and my commitment to sustainability to your esteemed company.

Here are some key highlights of my qualifications:

  • Proficient in project management software such as Procore, Microsoft Project, and Primavera P6.
  • Extensive experience in contract negotiation, risk management, and quality control.
  • Strong understanding of building codes, regulations, and safety standards.
  • Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate effectively with architects, engineers, and subcontractors.
  • Demonstrated success in managing budgets, schedules, and resources efficiently.

In addition to my technical skills, I bring a strong work ethic, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. I thrive in dynamic environments and am always eager to take on new challenges that push the boundaries of my knowledge and capabilities.

Call to action & conclusion: the finishing touches

You’re ready for the final touches. You know they can make all the difference, so finish with polish. Hammer home your message that you are the right person for the job by restating your key attributes and achievements.

End the cover letter with an invitation, or call to action, for the hiring manager to contact you to discuss how your experience and ethos are a perfect fit for the role.

Thank your reader for taking time out of their busy day to consider your application. You can’t go wrong with politeness and another subtle reminder that you are very interested in the job.

Sign off with a professional goodbye, followed by your full name.

Adaptable cover letter conclusion and sign-off example

I have attached my resume for your review. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background, skills, and certifications align with the needs of your team. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of contributing to the continued success and innovation at Turner Construction Company.

Warm regards,

Michael Thompson

How to write a construction project manager cover letter with no experience

Before you look for your first construction project manager position, you need experience in the field. Have you worked construction? Have you been a project manager or managed a team? 

All of these give you more experience than you think. If you’re writing an assistant construction project manager cover letter, rely more on the skills you’ve demonstrated in your career so far.

Here are some ideas:

  • Focus on transferable skills. Employers seek a host of soft skills in a manager. Highlight communication, organization, leadership, or ability to foster client relationships.
  • Detail your construction knowledge. You haven’t gotten where you are in your career without a construction background. Illustrate your knowledge by describing a project and your role in its completion.
  • Include your education. If you’ve taken any management courses to boost your desirability, tell the hiring manager. This also demonstrates your commitment to professional growth.
  • Showcase technology know-how. Project managers typically use software to break down, schedule, assign, and organize complex projects. Mention any applications you are proficient in and how you used them to improve project efficiency.
  • Emphasize leadership roles. Any group you’ve been in charge of demonstrates your ability to lead. Did you take over when the manager was on vacation? Lead the crew at a construction site? Include those experiences.

Providing these examples will go a long way toward showing you have what it takes to do the job despite your lack of direct experience.

Key takeaways

All construction project manager cover letter templates include a strong introduction, details of your skills and alignment with the company culture, and a call to action. Demonstrate how your construction expertise and project management skills combine to form your unique value add. Use strong adjectives and an anecdote to illustrate your  management style.

Try our cover letter builder to help you build a strong construction project management cover letter that will raise your chances of an interview.

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