Sample cover letter for Full Time position at Architecture / planning

Dear Mr. Kratchman,

Thank you for taking the time to review my qualifications for the position you are trying to fill for “Job Captain”. Referred to you by Matt Bindner, a longtime friend of mine, he can attest to the fact that while my husband is widely nicknamed “the Captain”, I am clearly the one steering the ship. Matt and I met while both surviving grad school at MIT, and became fast friends, colleagues and professional allies. He speaks highly of your firm and character, which is why I am writing to express interest in joining your team.

At MIT, I mined the institution’s cross-disciplinary platform in non-conventional ways, to craft an expertise not only in architecture, but in city planning, community development, and urban design. I took advantage of the school’s renowned rigor and discipline to shape my professional assets which I have applied to a range of professional experiences which I can bring to bear at your firm: an astute attention to detail in drawing and the design process, a strong ability to manage complex projects simultaneously, and a unique ability to manage personalities while engaging with clients, communities, colleagues and consultants from a range of backgrounds. Since graduating, I have sought out leadership roles in progressive companies doing remarkable work to best harness and expand my professional proficiencies, including the following:

Detail-oriented: My professional work has largely emanated from my ability to illustrate, draw and detail projects in a way that is comprehensive, imaginative and illuminating. I have had the opportunity to lead several schematic design packages, design drawings, and construction drawing sets. And I am fluent in the rigor and dedication involved in these processes. But perhaps most importantly, I have experience in Construction Administration, whereby a designer sees firsthand how a mark on the page can have drastic implications in the field.

Capacity for Complexity: At rePlan, I was one of two Core Project members managing and delivering a three-year economic diversification strategy for a mining region in Northern Canada. This process involved everything from drafting and implementing a new regulatory framework for the city, to directing and writing six Action Plans for economic diversification. These Action Plans included policy and team-building initiatives, architectural plans for a restorative justice facility in the north, a new housing strategy for northern communities, and the Master Plan for an Industrial Trades Training Center, which I managed. Building on the knowledge garnered at rePlan, my portfolio expanded in my last position as I managed a multi-phased community redevelopment Master Plan in Maryland and crafted several schematic design packages for future projects.

People-centered: In my previous work, engagement has been at the core of what I do. Whether this is managing clients, coordinating a team of consultants, or scripting a lengthy community engagement process, I pride myself on my ability to connect to people in a way that is productive for the design process and integral to building long-term professional relationships.

Again, I appreciate you taking the time to review my resume, and look forward to the chance to meet with you to discuss a possible future path at Steven Kratchman Architect.