Is there any way to make my cover letter stand out?
Many times, cover letters just get skipped over. They may get read later, after the construction resume gets skimmed. Whether they are read first or last, you can make yours stand out by delivering some surprising but relevant detail about yourself, something that wouldn't come out in the drier form of the construction resume. For example, you may have learned to keep a cool head under stress during the first Gulf War, and now you apply that skill to your management strategy.