Paragraph by paragraph
I am interested in the Electrical Supervisor role at Wales & West Housing, and my CV is attached. I have worked as an electrician in South Wales since 2016, first for E.ON and since 2021 running my own business from Cardiff.
The self employed years, mentioned straight away
He names the role and employer, then gives his history in one sentence, including the self employed years. He doesn't apologise for those years or leave them until later, so they read as part of his career.
At E.ON I worked in more than 2,000 homes, many of them social housing, on installations, maintenance and EICR inspections, along with the remedial work that followed. Tenants hate being without power, so I plan the work to keep that time short and tell people exactly what to expect before I start.
Social housing experience first
The E.ON work comes before the business because it matches this job best: social housing, inspections and remedial work. The second sentence shows he understands tenants, which counts for a lot in a job spent inside people's homes.
Since 2021 I have completed more than 300 domestic and commercial jobs a year, with more than 180 reviews averaging five stars. I have also installed more than 50 solar PV and EV charger systems, and I am an approved installer for three EV charger manufacturers.
The business, in numbers that matter to an employer
Jobs per year and reviews show steady, good work. He leaves out turnover, which an employer doesn't need, and keeps the solar and EV work because it is useful to a landlord upgrading homes.
At E.ON I also mentored four apprentices through their NVQ Level 3. Leading a team again is a big part of why I want to come back to an employer, along with the chance to look after the same homes over several years.
A reason to come back
Mentoring apprentices shows he can lead. The reason he gives for returning is positive and specific, so the reader doesn't have to wonder whether the business struggled.
I hold the 18th Edition qualification in BS 7671 and I am registered with a competent person scheme for Part P work. I speak conversational Welsh, which some tenants prefer. If it would help, I can talk you through how I would plan your EICR programme.
The qualifications a manager checks
The two qualifications a manager checks first, in one plain sentence, then the language line, which matters in Wales. The offer to talk about the EICR programme shows he understands the employer's biggest regular job.
Qualifications and cards employers check
Employers check an electrician's qualifications closely, because bad electrical work can cause fires and shocks. List the ones you hold in plain words, in one or two sentences:
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Level 3 electrical qualification and AM2 | Your core qualification and the practical assessment that shows you can work as a qualified electrician. |
| BS 7671, the 18th Edition | The IET Wiring Regulations every installation must meet. |
| Inspection and testing | Needed for EICRs and periodic inspections. |
| ECS card (Electrotechnical Certification Scheme) | The industry card that shows your grade, often asked for on commercial sites. |
| Competent person scheme | Registration with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT lets you self certify notifiable work under Part P in England and Wales. |
| Driving licence | Most maintenance roles cover several sites. |
For an agency or a quick online form
A lot of electrical work is filled through agencies and short online forms. This version keeps what they screen for.
EICRs: the five yearly rule landlords work to
Landlords need regular electrical inspections, which is why so many electrician jobs at councils, housing associations and letting agents involve EICRs.
- England: private landlords have had to have their electrical installations inspected and tested at least every five years under regulations made in 2020.
- Wales: under the Renting Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) (Wales) Regulations 2022, landlords of both social and privately rented homes need inspections at least every five years, from 1 December 2022.
If you have done a lot of EICRs, say how many and in what kind of property, and mention the remedial work you carried out afterwards. A landlord with a whole housing stock to test will want to know.
Starting the letter for other electrical jobs
Newly qualified
Give your qualification, when you passed the AM2, and the kind of work you did as an apprentice.
I passed my AM2 in September after a four year apprenticeship on housing and commercial fit outs, and your maintenance team is where I want to start as a qualified electrician.
Commercial or industrial
Name the kind of installations, the size of the projects and the systems you know, such as three phase or fire alarms.
For three years I have worked on commercial fit outs of up to 40,000 square feet, mostly lighting, small power and fire alarm systems.
Maintenance electrician
Show fault finding, planned maintenance and how you keep a site running.
I look after the electrical maintenance for a food factory running around the clock, where most of my work is finding faults before they stop a line.
EV and solar installer
Give the number of installations, the manufacturers you are approved by and any battery storage work.
I have fitted more than 50 solar PV and EV charging systems in the last three years and I am approved by three charger manufacturers.
Electrical improver
Be clear about what you are qualified to do and what you are working towards, with dates.
I have finished my Level 2 and I am working towards Level 3, so I am looking for an improver post where I can finish it on the job.
Going back to employment after working for yourself
Plenty of tradespeople move between self employment and working for a company. Employers just want to know why, and that you will fit their way of working.
- Give a positive reason, such as leading a team, steady work on one set of buildings, or training and progression.
- Show what self employment taught you that helps them: dealing with customers, quoting, paperwork, planning your own day.
- Leave out turnover and prices. They don't help an employer and can raise questions about pay.
- Use your reviews as evidence of quality, with the number and average.
Five mistakes in electrician cover letters
Listing every type of job
A list of every kind of job you can do doesn’t show how much of it you have done, or how well.
Pick the work the job advert mentions and give numbers for it.
Leaving qualifications vague
"Fully qualified" doesn’t tell a manager what they need to check.
Name your qualifications, 18th Edition and scheme registration.
Talking about money
Business turnover or day rates don’t help an employer and can complicate pay talks.
Use jobs per year and reviews instead.
Not explaining a change
Moving from self employment, or between domestic and commercial, leaves the reader wondering why.
Give a short, positive reason.
Forgetting the people
Many electrical jobs are in people’s homes, and employers care how you treat them.
Add a line on how you work around tenants or customers.
Where the qualifications go
- Length: one page. Ryan's runs to roughly 235 words.
- The right manager: at a housing association, the manager who runs repairs or compliance, named if the advert or the association's website gives one.
- Qualifications: in one or two sentences near the end. Your CV and certificates carry the detail.
- Certificates: have copies of your qualifications and scheme registration ready, because they are checked before an offer.
The main points from this page
- 1Lead with the experience closest to the job, such as social housing.
- 2Show how you treat people in their homes.
- 3Give jobs and reviews, not turnover.
- 4Name your qualifications and scheme registration plainly.
- 5Explain any move between self employment and employment positively.
Frequently asked questions
What should an electrician cover letter include?
The role and employer, your electrical experience with numbers, the type of property you have worked in, how you treat customers, your qualifications and registrations, and anyone you have trained.
Should I mention my 18th Edition?
Yes. BS 7671 is the standard every installation must meet, and employers check it first. Name it in one plain sentence near the end.
How do I explain going back to employment after being self employed?
Give a positive reason, such as leading a team or steady work on the same buildings, and show what running your own business taught you.
How often do landlords need an EICR?
At least every five years in England for private rented homes, and at least every five years in Wales for both social and private rented homes since 1 December 2022.
How long should an electrician cover letter be?
One page. Ryan’s is about 235 words, and an agency only needs the short version.