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Your resume is polished to the point of perfection, and yet you can’t seem to get much traction with your job applications—
Sounds like a gleaming custodian cover letter should do the trick. Learn how to write one that stands out like a wet floor sign and land all the interviews you want in a clean sweep!
In this article, you’ll get:
Two sample custodian cover letters: for experienced and first-time custodian.
Step-by-step tips on how to write a cover letter for custodian positions that will land you more interviews.
A custodian cover letter template you can copy, adjust, and have ready in 15 minutes.
I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick
I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan
My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George
Let’s start with our custodian cover letter samples—
The first one comes from Conor, an experienced custodian who’s applying for a job with the City Hall. He’d be working in areas that are open to the public, so he’d need to occasionally interact with visitors. The employer also requires attention to detail and well-developed problem-solving skills.
Let’s see how Conor proves that he fits the position perfectly:
Example #1: Cover Letter for Custodians With Experience
Conor Peterson
Custodian
321-694-3764
conor.peterson@reslab.com
Reno, 10/05/2024
Laura Ramos
Hiring Manager
Reno City Hall
1 Main Street
Reno, NV 45782
Dear Ms. Ramos,
As a dedicated custodian with 8+ years of experience, I was thrilled to see the job opening at Reno City Hall. With extensive cleaning skills, excellent time management, and a high degree of professionalism, I’m sure I could make a meaningful contribution to City Hall’s daily operations.
In the advertisement, you mention that you’re looking for someone with excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills who’s capable of dealing with the public in a courteous manner. My recent experience firmly attests to my complete fulfillment of these criteria:
Noticed, reported, and followed up on 35+ damaged pieces of furniture or equipment in my first year of working at Greyham High School.
Carried out 100+ minor repairs, when necessary scheduling external repair or maintenance services in coordination with management.
Doubled as a security officer at the Chelton Educational Center, utilizing interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills to answer occasional queries from visitors, provide directions, and refer individuals to appropriate members of staff.
It would be an honor to apply my expertise toward maintaining a clean, pleasant, and safe working environment for such an esteemed institution as Reno City Hall. I’m confident that my diligence, reliability, and professional manner would constitute valuable assets to the City Hall’s housekeeping and maintenance teams.
I hope to have an opportunity to discuss this role and my suitability for it in more detail at your convenience.
Best regards,
Conor Peterson
Note the examples of professional experience and performance Conor gives—see how they’re directly relevant to the employer’s requirements?
It gets trickier if you don’t have much experience at your disposal—But it’s still perfectly possible to write an outstanding custodian cover letter with no experience in the role.
Take a look at this sample from Steven: he never worked as a custodian before, but he has construction experience that he uses to his advantage in the cover letter. The high school job requires experience in cleaning, maintenance, and repairs:
Example #2: Custodian Cover Letter—No Experience
Steven Hughes
618-860-9993
steven.hughes@reslab.com
Indianapolis, 7/25/2024
Rachel Johnson
Principal
East Valley High School
26 Morrison Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 95145
Dear Ms. Johnson,
When I saw the job opening for the position of custodian at East Valley High School, I knew I could be the right fit straight away. Between my 5+ years of experience as a construction worker and my positive, personable nature, I’m sure I could become a real asset to your school.
I understand you’re looking for someone who has experience in cleaning and light maintenance, alongside the ability to carry out minor repairs. Having taken part in 80+ residential home building projects, I’ve had the opportunity to develop excellent skills and knowledge in basic electrical and plumbing systems, enabling me to handle most daily repairs at a professional level. Every construction project ends with the crew cleaning the site, which means I also have hands-on experience with cleaning windows and surfaces, using floor buffers, and working safely with various detergents.
My niece, Katie, attends your school, and both she and her parents have nothing but positives to share about her experience there. It would be wonderful to become even a small part of an educational establishment that plays such an admirable role in our community and our youth’s futures.
Would you be available to discuss this role in more detail sometime next week?
How to Write a Cover Letter for Custodian Positions
Custodians perform cleaning and light maintenance duties in buildings that house companies, organizations, and schools, among others. A custodian cover letter should draw attention to the experience, skills, and personal qualities that make you well-prepared to succeed in the role.
Here’s how to write a cover letter just like that:
1. Use a Neat and Tidy Cover Letter Format
In order to be considered, your custodian cover letter needs to look the part. If it resembles a fax from 1986 more than a modern business letter, recruiters probably won’t even read it. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles (or the mop flops, if you will).
Left-align all contents. Centered or justified (‘stretched’) text is more difficult to read, and what you’re aiming for is easy and inviting.
Use one-inch margins and 1.15 line spacing to avoid filling up the whole page with text.
Pick a font that doesn’t draw attention to itself, like Arial or Calibri. Your resume font will do the trick.
Stick to the right cover letter length: 3–4 paragraphs on one page. Any longer and you risk recruiters won’t have the time to read your document in full.
For best results, the look of your cover letter should match that of your resume—which means using the same font and creating a matching header.
Your details, followed by the place and date of writing, then the recipient’s details, arranged like this:
Custodian Cover Letter Examples: Header Template
[ Your Full Name]
[ Your Job Title ]
[ Phone Number ]
[ Email Address ]
[ City and Date ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Full Name ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Position, e.g. Maintenance Team Leader, Recruiter, HR Manager ]
[ Company Name ]
[ Company Street Address ]
[ City and Zip Code ]
That’s right: ideally, you’ll need the name and job title of the person responsible for the recruitment process for your role. If you’re lucky, their details will be listed in the job ad. Otherwise, do some research online—using the company’s website and LinkedIn—or simply call and ask.
Addressing your cover letter directly to the person who’ll read it shows you took the time to tailor your application—plus, it’s a token of respect, and that’s always a good start to a professional relationship.
Expert hint: If you’re re-using the header from your resume to hold your contact information on the cover letter as well, there’s no need to repeat your details in the body of the letter. Start with the city and date instead.
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3. Introduce Yourself in the Opening Paragraph
Alright, that’s your groundwork done. Now to start writing!
The first words you address to the reader should be a polite greeting, known as a salutation—dear followed by their name, e.g., Dear Ms. Smith. If you haven’t been able to find the recruiter’s name, you can start with Dear Hiring Manager instead.
As for the opening paragraph of your cover letter, it should do a couple of things: identify the role you’re applying for and the extent of your experience, plus mention a few skills or a professional achievement. The idea is to show the reader straight away that your application is relevant and valuable.
Here’s a fill-in-the-blanks template in case you need more practical guidance:
Cover Letter for Custodian Positions: Introduction Template
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
When I found the job listing for the position of custodian with [Target Company Name], I was thrilled. As a custodian with [number of years] years of professional experience and excellent [cleaning skills / communication skills / problem-solving skills / attention to detail / teamwork skills / time management skills / equipment maintenance skills / other relevant skills you have],I’m confident I can meet and exceed [Target Company Name]’s high standards.
4. Highlight Key Strengths and Experience
The second paragraph of your custodian cover letter is all about proving you’re the perfect fit for the job, in terms of skills and experience.
You’ll want to show an understanding of the role, and then highlight the parts of your experience—whether as a custodian or from other jobs, or volunteering—that are a match.
For ideas on what to include in your cover letter, refer to the job ad and to your resume. What skills does the employer want? What are some examples of when you used those skills in your work? For example, if they want a team player, you can mention teamwork as a strength in your cover letter.
Here’s another template to help you get started:
Custodian Cover Letter Example: Middle Paragraph
In the job listing, you state that you need a custodian experienced in [refer to the requirements of the job]. In a recent position with [Name of Your Current or Previous Employer],I succeeded in [responsibilities, duties, or challenges you overcame, supported by metrics, if possible]. I strongly believe my expertise will translate into similar results for [Target Company Name].
Expert hint: You can use bullet points for clarity and to save space, as in the cover letter samples up top.
5. Come Clean About Why You Want This Job
Most places require a custodian, and job vacancies aren’t exactly hard to come by—So, why do you want this particular job?
Try to answer this question in the third paragraph of your cover letter and outline your motivation behind applying. Stick to neutral things like company values or profile—avoid mentioning money or convenience. If all else fails, go with a couple of compliments, and always focus on what you can do for them, not the other way around.
Here’s an example you could adapt for yourself:
Custodian Cover Letter Example: Your Motivation
It would be an honor to apply my expertise toward maintaining a clean, pleasant, and safe working environment for such an esteemed institution as [Target Company Name]. I’m confident that my diligence, reliability, and professional manner would constitute valuable additions to [Target Company Name]’s housekeeping and maintenance teams.
6. End Your Custodian Cover Letter on a Strong Note
Well, you sure made short work of that! Almost done—
Finish off your cover letter with an offer to discuss your skills in more detail—and, if you feel it appropriate, ask for an interview. Everyone knows that’s why you’re writing a cover letter in the first place, so there’s nothing wrong with a polite, direct request.
At the very end, use the phrase Best regards followed by your full name. Include a digital signature if you can, though it’s not necessary by any means.
Here’s how to structure this part:
Cover Letter for Custodian Job: Ending Template
I’d love to discuss this role and my suitability for it in more detail at your convenience. Would next week be a good time for a call?
Best regards,
[Digital Copy of Your Handwritten Signature]
[Your Full Name]
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Key Points
That’s one neat cover letter right there!
Here’s a recap of how to write the perfect custodian cover letter:
Stick to business-style formatting—a cover letter is a formal correspondence, after all. Address the letter directly to the person within the company who’ll read it.
Open with an introduction of your experience and your key skills. If possible, include an eye-catching accomplishment in the opening paragraph.
Elaborate on your strengths and your motivation in the middle paragraph(s).
Close on an interview request and sign with your full name.
Thanks for reading! How did you find our custodian cover letter guide? Perhaps you still have some questions about writing a custodian cover letter with no experience, or anything else? Start a discussion in the comments section below, we’ll be sure to join in!
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