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Cover Letter Tips from a Software Engineer and Hiring Manager

As a full-stack developer with over 10 years of experience and a hiring manager who has reviewed well over 500 engineering cover letters for startups and tech companies, I‘ve seen both exceptional ones that lead to interviews and poor ones that immediately get rejected.

This comprehensive guide distills all my insider knowledge for crafting outstanding cover letters that will grab any tech hiring manager‘s attention.

Why Your Cover Letter Matters

Many engineers underestimate the power of a well-written cover letter. According to statistics from recruiting site Hunt Club, 83% of employers said a cover letter is either very or extremely important for deciding who gets an interview. So your coding skills may be stellar, but a weak cover letter prevents hiring managers from ever knowing it!

The key purpose of a cover letter is convincing the reader why you deserve an interview in a sea of hundreds of applicants. I read each word scrutinizing what makes you unique compared to the five other candidates with similar backgrounds. A great cover letter highlights achievements, side projects, and passions that your resume simply cannot.

Think about it this way – the job listing and your resume establishes baseline qualifications. The cover letter serves as your sales pitch for why amongst all qualified candidates, you fit the role best based on cultural fit, values, work ethic and experiences that set you apart. Convey all that effectively, and you will get the interview and chance to showcase your awesome coding abilities in-person.

Now let‘s dive into crafting cover letter greatness:

Mistakes That Lead to Rejection

Before highlighting tips for success, understanding common pitfalls is helpful so you can explicitly avoid them:

Spelling/Grammar Errors

As mentioned in the introduction, spelling and grammar errors immediately disqualify you. Period. These kinds of easily avoidable mistakes suggest lack of care for details – something vital for an engineer.

Other language issues like poor sentence structure also raise red flags around communication abilities. Your cover letter must be perfect in this regard with zero excuses since you have unlimited time versus an on-the-spot interview.

Generic, Overused Templates

Cover letter templates aren‘t necessarily bad, but they easily become generic and repetitive if used without customization. As a hiring manager, I can spot template use instantly from repetitive phrases that keep popping up from applicant to applicant.

For example, "As you will see from my attached resume, I am an extremely motivated individual…" or "I believe I would be an ideal candidate for this opportunity…". Use templates sparingly if at all.

Simply Repeating Your Resume

The last thing I want as a hiring manager is reading a long-winded cover letter that merely summarizes experiences directly off your resume. I already have your resume handy, so use the cover letter to reveal new information about cultural fit, impressive side projects, future ambitions and more that the resume does not cover.

Not Aligning with Job Qualifications

This occurs when candidates get overeager applying to every job posting somewhat related to their background without customizing for fit. As a result, their cover letters end up misaligned with the actual role qualifications.

For example, rambling about web development skills when applying for a machine learning role. Vet whether your background truly matches the job description before applying.

Little Details About the Company

In my experience, cover letters rarely reference the actual company by name or include any specific details about the business, values and work. This misses a huge opportunity to demonstrate interest and passion.

I want to see that you deeply researched what we do day-to-day, our company culture, latest projects in the news etc. Speaking first-hand as an engineer, I invested time learning about employers before engaging, so I have high standards here.

Okay, with the basics of what not to do covered, let‘s talk about writing cover letter gold!

Personalize Each Cover Letter

I simply cannot stress this enough: never ever reuse the exact same generic cover letter template for different jobs . Treat each application as a brand new start to showcase why you are genuinely excited about that particular role at that specific company.

Why personalization matters so much comes down to authenticity and demonstrating culture add. As an engineer who regularly helps interview candidates, I try to envision whether someone not only has the coding abilities but also is someone I‘d enjoy working alongside day-to-day.

Cover letters go a long way in assessing culture fit beyond skills – revealing personal passions related to the role, companies you admire and reasons for connecting with their particular mission.

For example, when I applied to Clutter, an AI inventory management startup, I highlighted in my cover letter how I built a hobby robot assistant that organized items around my home:

Having built Charles, my own autonomous home organization robot assistant, I was naturally drawn to Clutter‘s mission of revolutionizing inventory management for households. I‘m passionate about leveraging AI for mundane personal tasks like keeping closets neatly arranged! As an experienced full-stack developer, I would relish opportunities to enhance Clutter‘s machine learning capabilities so even more busy families can benefit.

See how adding this unique personal touch allows me to organically interweave my engineering experience with their inventory management offering? This establishes mutual interest beyond what any resume could convey.

When personalizing, thoroughly research the company‘s culture, latest projects, mission statement, leadership principles – anything that resonates and you can imagine yourself contributing towards. The goal is conveying a long-term alignment beyond just getting a job.

Quantifying the Value of Personalization

But don‘t just take my word for why personalization matters so much. As you can see from the chart below compiling statistics from various recruiting sites , generic cover letters and resumes that could apply to any company lead up to 79% rejection while highly personalized documents have only a 30% rejection rate :

So in quantifiable terms, customizing your cover letter for each role results in 2.5x higher odds of advancing to the interview stage. That‘s why this tip is first and foremost in my guide!

Thoroughly Proofread

As explained in the common mistakes section, any spelling or grammar errors effectively disqualify you immediately as an candidate.

With essentially unlimited time to prepare the cover letter versus an intense interview setting, even a single typo suggests lack of attention to detail – a vital skill as an engineer where a misplaced semicolon can break functionality.

Beyond just spell check, have both friends and mentors review your cover letter as an extra level of assurance. If English is your second language, don‘t hesitate to use tools like Grammarly which even native speakers use in publishing.

Treat proofreading the cover letter with the same care you would debugging a complex script – leave absolutely no defects!

Talk Yourself Up

Now this may come counter to the cultural norms of some, but American tech companies expect a healthy degree of self-promotion and highlight achievements in cover letters and interviews.

As one hiring manager I know explains, "We want confidence not arrogance." Share your victories big and small so I as the reader recognize all you have to offer our team!

For example, as part of my cover letter for a web developer opening, I included:

Utilizing React, I single-handedly built Fanstown‘s entire front-end web application integrating with various APIs – enhancing performance 3x measured through lower latency and higher Frames Per Second benchmarking. These optimizations contributed towards Fanstown‘s selection as a finalist in Rice University‘s Startup Competition in 2021.

I quantitatively demonstrate the success of my work with metrics like 3x faster performance and inclusion in a startup competition. This self-promotion rooted in facts establishes credibility for my skills in a way a generic "I work well in fast-paced agile teams" never could.

So compile a bulletpoint list of your various achievements no matter how small – projects delivered on budget, great user feedback received, creative solutions you devised etc. Distill the best facts and data points that conclusively prove your abilities, and feature them proudly in your cover letters.

Explain Career Changes

Nowadays, engineers frequently switch between sub-fields like transitioning from web development to machine learning or data analytics to cybersecurity.

In application forms, vast differences between your past experiences versus the role you are applying for raises eyebrows. What I look for as a hiring manager is preemptive explanations in your cover letter for why this career change aligns with your ambitions and how you have already bridged knowledge gaps.

Elaborate thoroughly on the transferable coding skills and methodologies that enable you to pick up new languages and frameworks quickly:

Despite focusing the past five years of my career exclusively on front-end web development projects, I am making the switch to machine learning engineering which aligns with my longtime passion for artificial intelligence. Although I do not have direct machine learning work experiences, my core competencies in Python, statistical modeling and algorithms apply seamlessly. Outside of work, I proactively completed over 25 courses on Coursera covering fundamental data science and ML concepts. Additionally, through my vast web development work involving complex data flows, I believe I bring a creative outside perspective to machine learning pipeline and infrastructure challenges.

See how citing transferable skills, describing curricular efforts to learn new content and framing unrelated experiences as outside advantages preempts any doubts regarding your career change? The more details here the better to reassure the employer that you can deliver results even without years of exact experience in a subfield.

Use A Professional Email

When emailing your cover letter and resume materials to a recruiter or hiring manager, please stick to professional email addresses tied to your name in some form rather than [email protected] .

So [email protected] or [email protected] make for solid choices reflecting seriousness. Using your university email account is fine too although I‘d update once working full-time after graduation.

I still remember needing to coordinate an on-site interview for [email protected] . So awkward!

Your email is often the very first impression hiring personnel have of you, so make sure it sets the right professional tone from the start.

Format for Readability

With just 30 seconds typically to make an impression, formatting your cover letter for skimmability and highlighting key details is vital. Follow these structural tips:

• Keep to 3 short paragraphs at maximum
• Use section headers and bullet points for easy glancing
• Single space with an extra line between paragraphs
• Include plenty of white space by margins
• Use a highly legible font like Arial at sizes 11-12
• Bold sparingly for emphasizing important names/facts
• Break up large blocks of text with relevant graphics

Treat the cover letter more as an executive summary of your achievements versus long-winded magnum opus. Apply the same philosophy to concision as writing good code – cut away anything non-essential.

Quick break for a funny story! Due to dense texts and tiny fonts, I once received a cover letter from an engineer that was literally 5 pages long. I can assure you that promptly ended up in the rejection pile regardless of qualifications.

So learn from that example and keep things streamlined format-wise so the hiring manager can instantly zone in on why you deserve the role.

Mind the Tone

Beyond structuring the cover letter for easy reading, pay close attention to getting the tone pitch-perfect as well.

You want to strike an balance between formal and conversational. Formal in terms of showcasing achievements professionally but conversational as if passionately describing what makes you the ideal candidate to a colleague already at the company.

At a previous role, we rejected a candidate with superb technical skills because her cover letter kept aggressively referring to herself as an "alpha developer" who "eats complex algorithms for breakfast"!

On the other end of the spectrum, cover letters littered with filler fluff words like "very", "extremely", "basically", "literally" also raise doubt regarding communication abilities.

The ideal tone has an air of quiet confidence backed by facts:

Supported new customer onboarding built on React and Node.js, attaining 95% reported satisfaction across 200+ users surveyed based on quick loading multi-step forms, inviting visual designs conforming to company brand and helpful error validations to correct mistakes.

Notice how I emphasize contributions by stating facts rather than just claiming to be "an amazing programmer" in vague terms. The tone remains professional and even understated while still proudly highlighting my full-stack development achievements.

That combination of quiet confidence with the ability to back up assertions comes across extremely well to hiring managers.

What Hiring Managers Look For

Opening up my own mental rubric as someone often handing cover letter approvals to the recruiting team, I primarily assess:

• Deep interest and fit for company culture
• Communication ability based on prose and tone
• Unique achievements and experiences
• Skill alignments with role requirements
• Clear career ambitions

Essentially by the end, do I believe this person not only can deliver technically but also become an integrated, motivated and personable member of the team?

As engineers, we rightfully fret over algorithm quizzes and coding challenges later in the interview process. Yet a subpar cover letter prevents ever reaching that stage no matter how stellar your technical abilities.

I cannot stress enough that cover letters, like resumes, become gatekeeper documents early on screening for culture add beyond coding competency. Master both, and you will unlock vastly more interview opportunities.

Before Submitting…

After incorporating the full gamut of cover letter tips above, refer to this checklist before sending out applications:

• Spellcheck and Grammcheck acceptability
• Reviewed by at least 2 other peers
• Fully personalized for company culture fit
• Achievement focused tone with facts/data
• Easy skimming formatting and legible font
• 1 page max length
• Meaningfully integrates role requirements
• Clear address to hiring manager or recruiter

Following everything outlined here and triple checking with the above list, you now have an engineer-worthy cover letter primed to wow hiring managers and demonstrate your fabulous abilities beyond just coding skills – so go shine brilliantly out there!

I welcome connecting on LinkedIn if you have any remaining cover letter questions after reading this guide. Wishing you best of luck on current and future applications leveraging this advice!

Dr. Alex Mitchell is a dedicated coding instructor with a deep passion for teaching and a wealth of experience in computer science education. As a university professor, Dr. Mitchell has played a pivotal role in shaping the coding skills of countless students, helping them navigate the intricate world of programming languages and software development.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Mitchell is an active contributor to the freeCodeCamp community, where he regularly shares his expertise through tutorials, code examples, and practical insights. His teaching repertoire includes a wide range of languages and frameworks, such as Python, JavaScript, Next.js, and React, which he presents in an accessible and engaging manner.

Dr. Mitchell’s approach to teaching blends academic rigor with real-world applications, ensuring that his students not only understand the theory but also how to apply it effectively. His commitment to education and his ability to simplify complex topics have made him a respected figure in both the university and online learning communities.

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The Complete Software Engineer Cover Letter Guide + Examples

You’ve completed your certification and are now on the lookout for a well-paying software engineering job at a competitive company, but it’s daunting to get a foot in the door for an interview.

How do you flex your newfound skills and get noticed, standing out from the cascade of application packets that fall on a hiring manager’s desk (or their inbox)?

Here’s an opportunity to breathe life and personality into your job hunt: the software engineer cover letter .

Think of your application as an ecosystem, one that contains a cover letter, resume, and portfolio. Each piece relies on another to further tell different facets of a story, the story of you. Each is symbiotic to the other two, forming the entire narrative of who you are. For an application to flourish, each must individually thrive and support the other.

While we will be covering the cover letter, it’s only one third of your presentation. You can also find a complete software engineer resume guide for some extra CV spice!

If you’d like to skip ahead to a particular section, simply use the the clickable table of contents:

Should I write a software engineering cover letter?

What should you include in a software engineer cover letter, how long should a software engineer cover letter be, introduction.

• Software engineer cover letter examples
• Three tips for writing a great software engineer cover letter

1. Software engineer cover letter FAQs

The short answer is yes, absolutely! You should always write a cover letter when applying to software engineering jobs. A cover letter adds depth, context, and nuance in conjunction with your resume and software engineer portfolio . It allows your tone and voice to be heard, adding a human layer to the process.

The job market for software engineering can be quite competitive, with tons of applications bombarding recruiters. According to ResumeLab , 77% of recruiters said that they give preference to those applicants that submit a cover letter, saying further that it helps demonstrate that you’d be a good fit at a company. A cover letter can make an application packet pop and be the determining factor in getting you in the door.

When it comes to what should be included, think of what your resume and portfolio are unable to say about you. These should be essential details.

The list of necessities is actually quite short:

• Greeting that’s ideally tailored to the hiring manager
• Introduction with an enticing hook that’s also like an elevator pitch
• Body with further information tailored to a business’s pain points
• Conclusion containing a strong call to action

You don’t want a cover letter to be too long, so be sure to write no more than a single page ; aim for a sweet spot of around 4 or 5 short paragraphs or less.

We’re looking to efficiently tell a story about who you are in the context of your experience displayed on your portfolio and resume. Think of how that story would fit into the company that you’re applying to.

2. How to write a software engineer cover letter

This is where we touch on the nitty-gritty of writing the document.

Before you start writing, deeply research the companies that you plan on applying to. This lets you tailor your information to exactly what they’re looking for. Good research shows that you have both enthusiasm as well as the capacity to dig deeply.

Throughout the document, be sure to mention transferable skills that you’ve picked up along the way. They’re looking for an experienced Software Engineer, of course, but there are soft skills that aren’t mentioned in the job description. Specifically lean into those skills that you learned in your last job.

According to Indeed on what are soft skills :  “soft skills … relate to how well you can work with and interact with others.”

Write in the structure and tone of a letter; the document should include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Be sure to include a greeting that’s targeted toward the hiring manager, preferably by name.

In the introduction, you’ll want an enticing hook to draw the reader in and keep them engaged; get them looking forward to the body and conclusion. Make them want to see the call to action. Remember, in this story, the hiring manager’s your audience.

Think of your intro as an elevator pitch, covering the most important information as succinctly as possible. What’re the essential points that you can get across in that first paragraph? While we’ve made the letter skimmable, be prepared for the reader to only read or remember the introduction.

This is where the bulk of your data is, spanning 2 to 3 short paragraphs. Detail how your experience, especially your soft skills, will be vital to the company that you’re applying to.

Ideally you’ve found a company’s history and pain points; this is where you can insert your experience to meet those needs. Be sure to align your skills with each qualification mentioned in the job posting.

When mentioning work that’s on your resume, it’s always helpful to talk about the last job that you’ve held to display the information that’s still fresh. It may be helpful to include specific, relevant projects that you’ve worked on in the past.

Expound on any major accomplishments that you have, providing quantifiable data where applicable. Data driven points can turn a sentence from, “I saved SoftwareBusiness Inc. a lot of money,” into, “I saved Engineers LLC $7,000 in Q1 2023 by…” Specific metrics highlight the outcomes to hiring you.

This is the story’s resolution! We’ve so far hammered through the introduction and body, but it’s essential that we not go light on this conclusion.

This is a space to reiterate how you would be a perfect fit for the job opening. Briefly thank them for reading. Deliver a strong call to action that encourages them to follow-up with you and hire you for the position.

3. Some software engineer cover letter examples

One of the best ways to compose a cover letter is to look at examples that already exist and apply what you’ve learned. Here are some examples we’ve whipped up:

4. Three tips for writing a great software engineer cover letter

While these aren’t essential components, these three tips will help you compose and polish a strong software engineer cover letter to wow your way into a new job.

• Find patterns in companies in order to expedite the composing process for multiple letters. If applying to a lot of jobs, it may be helpful to find some common threads that exist between them and write to that. When you’re sending one out, you can alter a few details to match that specific company.
• Take some time to iterate with fresh eyes. We tend to have a few hours of good writing in us a day. Seeing your piece anew may help in picking up mistakes that you have looked over or think of new ideas. Think of writing in the way a sculptor would see a piece of marble. The finished sculpture is in there, and each time you visit, it comes more and more into shape.
• Make the document skimmable. As we’ve touched on a few times, hiring managers usually see a lot of applications. Emphasizing and highlighting key points will improve the odds that they see the information that you value the most.

5. Final thoughts

It’s taken a lot of work to get through your coding bootcamp, and the job hunt is still before you! A good cover letter can make or break an application to a hiring manager overwhelmed by packets. After learning how to effectively write a cover letter, you’ll have an edge over your counterparts.

Again, think of your cover letter as a facet of your application ecosystem. What are the things that are important for you to communicate that neither your resume nor portfolio can convey? How can you support your resume and portfolio through communicating your ideas efficiently and with data-driven metrics?

When embarking on the job hunt, having someone to help show you the way can make all the difference. That’s why when students of CareerFoundry’s Full-Stack Web Development Program  reach the end of their studies, they get paired up with a career specialist . You’ll work closely with them to connect the dots between your previous accomplishments with your newfound coding skills.

Together, you’ll create a winning software engineer resume that showcases your talent, and carefully craft your online presence to appeal to tech employers. You’ll also fine-tune your interview skills , learning how to confidently market your experience and to prepare for the recruiter phone screen .

If you are interested in reading further about improving your chances during the hiring process for software engineers, check out some of our other articles:

• 38 of the Best Web Developer Portfolio Examples
• Creating the Best Tech Resume: Guide With Tips and Examples
• 28 Technical Interview Questions Software Engineers Should Expect to Ace

How to Write an Software Engineer Cover Letter (With Template)

Gabriele Culot

December 29, 2023

Last Update

August 12, 2024

Table of Contents

A well-tailored cover letter: The key to job application success

Cover letter tips, how to structure your software engineer cover letter, get your career rolling with deel, key takeaways.

• A cover letter can be the most important element in a job application. Ensuring your profile stands out to recruiters is crucial to your professional success.
• A well-tailored cover letter should provide relevant information clearly and concisely. Focus on detailing your skills and why you are the right person for that specific role.
• The included Software Engineer cover letter template provides an easy starting point to craft your own cover letters. Adapt and personalize it to fit your profile.

A well-written cover letter is key to quickly getting the attention of prospective employers. Among countless job seekers, resumes, and application letters, yours need to stand out on first impression if you want to ensure your job search  translates to a new role .

In this post, you will discover:

• Reasons why a well-crafted cover letter is key to professional success, from entry-level roles to senior positions
• Cover letter do’s and dont’s
• An Software Engineer sample cover letter you can easily adapt and personalize

Ensuring you know how to write a cover letter that is clear, informative, and tailored to the role you are applying to will benefit you in many ways. Well-crafted cover letters have many benefits, which include:

• Showcasing relevance:  Tailoring your cover letter allows you to emphasize the most relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that align with the specific job requirements. This immediately captures the attention of the  talent acquisition  team, recruiters, or human resources reps.
• Demonstrating research:  A good cover letter conveys your understanding of the organization's needs and illustrates how you can contribute to its success, signaling to potential employers that you've done your homework.
• Telling your story:  Each job application is unique, and a tailored cover letter enables you to craft a personalized narrative. It lets you connect your professional journey with the role's specific challenges and opportunities, making your application more compelling.
• Highlighting cultural fit:  Your cover letter allows you to address the company's values, mission, and culture. By aligning your experiences and values with those of the organization, you demonstrate a cultural fit and convey your enthusiasm for being part of the team.
• Addressing specific requirements:  Job postings often include  specific skills or qualifications  the employer is seeking. Tailoring your cover letter enables you to address these requirements directly, showcasing how you possess the desired attributes and can meet the company's expectations.

A great cover letter should reflect your professional profile and personality. However, no matter what your cover letter's content is, the tips below will help ensure the message you want to convey is clear and easily accessible to hiring managers.

• Keep it concise:  Aim for a cover letter length of 250-400 words. Be succinct in presenting your qualifications and experiences.
• Use a clean layout:  Opt for a professional and clean cover letter format with a standard font (e.g., Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman) and a font size of 10-12 points.
• Include contact information:  Provide your contact information at the top of the cover letter, including your name, phone number, and professional email address.
• Use   headers   and sections:  Organize your cover letter into clear sections with headers such as Introduction, Work Experience, and Achievements for easy readability.
• Maintain a professional tone:  Keep the tone of your cover letter professional and upbeat. Avoid overly casual language, and focus on showcasing your skills and experiences.
• Use keywords:  Incorporate relevant keywords from the Agile Project Manager  job description  and company website into your cover letter. This can help your application pass through  applicant tracking systems (ATS)  used by many employers.
• Highlight achievements with bullet points:  Use bullet points to list specific accomplishments or notable projects. This makes it easier for the reader to grasp your accomplishments quickly.
• Use quantifiable data:  Whenever possible, include quantifiable data to demonstrate the impact of your achievements. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your contributions.
• Match company tone:  Adapt your writing style to match the tone of the company and industry. Research the company's culture to strike the right balance between professionalism and personality.
• Showcase company knowledge:  Demonstrate your understanding of the company by referencing its values, mission, or recent achievements. Explain why you're excited about the opportunity to work for this specific organization.
• Address employment gaps (if applicable):  If you have employment gaps, briefly address them in a positive light, focusing on any skills or experiences gained during those periods.
• Proofread   thoroughly:  Eliminate typos and grammatical errors by proofreading your cover letter multiple times. Consider using tools like Grammarly to catch any overlooked mistakes and ensure your English (or any language you use) is correct.
• Include a call to action:  Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity and indicating your readiness for an interview.
• Follow submission instructions:  If there are specific instructions for submitting the cover letter, such as naming conventions or document formats, ensure that you adhere to them.
• Save as a PDF:  Save your cover letter as a PDF before submitting it. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent across different devices and software.

While understanding the correct steps to write a cover letter is crucial to your professional success, knowing what mistakes to avoid is equally important. The best cover letter can easily be made useless by a tiny blunder. Avoid making the mistakes listed below; you will be halfway to your new job.

• Don't use a generic greeting:  Avoid generic salutations like "To whom it may concern," “Dear sir or madam, “ or “Dear hiring manager.“ Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person.
• Don't repeat your resume:  An effective cover letter should complement your resume, not duplicate it. Focus on specific experiences and achievements that showcase your qualifications for the role.
• Don't exaggerate or lie:  Be truthful in your cover letter. Exaggerating your qualifications or providing false information can harm your chances and damage your professional reputation.
• Don't use unprofessional email addresses:  Ensure that the email address you use in your contact information is professional. Avoid using nicknames or unprofessional terms.
• Don't include irrelevant information:  Keep your cover letter focused on the job. Avoid including unrelated personal details or experiences that do not contribute to your suitability for the role.
• Don't use jargon unnecessarily:  While demonstrating your knowledge is essential, avoid unnecessary jargon that may confuse the reader. Use clear and straightforward language.
• Don't sound overly eager:  Expressing enthusiasm is positive but can easily feel unauthentic if overdone.

Remember, the goal of a practical cover letter is to present your qualifications in a clear, organized, and compelling manner while adhering to professional standards.

Express your genuine interest in the Software Engineer position in the opening paragraph. Communicate your passion for coding, problem-solving, and your eagerness to contribute to a team dedicated to developing cutting-edge software solutions. If applicable, mention any referrals that have influenced your decision to apply for this specific role.

About your current role

Highlight your achievements in software engineering that have positively impacted the success of your current team. Emphasize your role in designing and implementing software solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality code. Demonstrate your proficiency in coding languages, development methodologies, and your ability to tackle complex technical challenges.

Use this section to outline your current responsibilities and ongoing projects, emphasizing how they align with the requirements and objectives of the Software Engineer role.

About your experience

Detail your hands-on experience in software engineering roles, showcasing your ability to develop and maintain software applications, troubleshoot issues, and contribute to the entire software development lifecycle. Clearly communicate that your software engineering skills and readiness for the role are well-established and up-to-date. 

This section is also an opportunity to highlight any relevant certifications, programming languages, or additional skills you've acquired throughout your career path .

Notable achievements

Highlight notable accomplishments that showcase your effectiveness as a Software Engineer. Whether you played a key role in launching a successful software product, optimizing code for performance, or contributing to a significant improvement in software reliability, use this section to concisely mention your achievements, how they were measured, and their impact on the overall success of the software projects you've been involved in.

Why you want to work there

Express your interest in the company by highlighting specific aspects of its technology stack, development philosophy, mission, and values that resonate with you. Convey how these align seamlessly with your professional goals and how you envision contributing to the company's success through your expertise in software engineering. Be concise but articulate about your motivations.

Specific projects or initiatives that motivated you to apply

Demonstrate your understanding of the organization by referencing specific projects or initiatives that have captured your interest. Draw connections between these initiatives and your skills and experiences, emphasizing how your contributions align with the company's goals for software development. This shows your genuine interest and proactive approach to aligning with the company's mission.

In the closing paragraph, reiterate your enthusiasm to contribute to the company's success as a Software Engineer. Express your eagerness to discuss how your skills align with the company's software development objectives and invite the reader to reach out with any questions they may have. Sign off with a professional salutation.

Software Engineer cover letter template

Dear [Hiring Manager’s name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Software Engineer position at [Company Name], as advertised. With a solid background in software development and a proven track record of designing and implementing robust and scalable solutions, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to your team.

About my current role

In my current position as a Software Engineer at [Current Company], I have:

• Developed and maintained [specific types of software or applications, e.g., web applications, mobile apps, etc.].
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather and analyze requirements, design solutions, and implement features.
• Conducted code reviews and implemented best practices to ensure code quality and maintainability.

About my Software Engineer experience

My experience extends to:

• Utilizing various programming languages and frameworks, including [specific languages and frameworks relevant to the job posting].
• Implementing and maintaining database structures and queries to support application functionality.
• Collaborating with QA teams to ensure comprehensive testing and resolve any identified issues.

###** Notable achievements**

Some of my notable achievements include:

• Successfully leading the development of [specific project or feature], resulting in [specific outcome, e.g., improved performance, increased user engagement, etc.].
• Implementing agile development methodologies that resulted in a [percentage] increase in project delivery speed.
• Resolving complex technical challenges, ensuring the on-time delivery of [specific project].

Why I want to work for [Company]

I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] due to its [mention aspects unique to the company and are a core part of its mission and values, such as: commitment to innovation in software development, dedication to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment, growth,...]. I am excited about the opportunity to apply my software engineering skills to contribute to [Company Name]'s success in delivering cutting-edge solutions to its users.

Specific projects or initiatives of [Company] that motivated me to apply

In researching [Company Name], I was impressed by your recent initiatives in [specific software-related project or achievement]. My experience in software engineering aligns with your organizational objectives. My commitment to delivering high-quality code, coupled with my dedication to continuous learning and improvement, would make me a valuable addition to your development team.

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to further discuss how my skills and experiences align with the Software Engineer role at [Company Name]. I look forward to contributing to your team's success.

[Your Full Name]

Your job application is your chance to tell your professional story, and a well-tailored cover letter is your narrative's opening chapter. Remember that personalization is key. Make each word count, emphasizing how your background uniquely positions you as the ideal candidate, and get your dream job. 

Looking for even more inspiration?  Discover how to write a stellar cover letter in 5 steps .

Discover more tips and tools to help boost your career further and climb the steps to your dream job on  the get-hired content hub .

About the author

Gabriele Culot is a content manager and writer passionate about exploring the future of work and its opportunities. An advocate of remote and flexible work models, he is a strong believer in their power to expand access to opportunities and help build richer and more diverse connections. At Deel, he focuses on worker-related and community content, from immigration guides to workplace innovation, from digital nomad lifestyle to workplace wellbeing.

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Software Engineer Cover Letter Example (w/ Templates & Tips for 2024)

The days you learned how to write "Hello, World!" on a computer screen are long gone.

You've always been captivated by computers and learning how to speak their language, and now you're on the brink of turning your passion for programming into a full-fledged career as a software engineer.

It feels like you've debugged your way to this moment, but there's this one compile error you didn't anticipate: crafting the perfect cover letter.

Staring at a blank page that should be showing off your coding genius and technical know-how feels a lot like encountering an unexpected bug at 3 a.m.— and you just can't seem to find the right lines of "code" to introduce yourself.

But don't worry!

In this article, we're going to help you structure your technical expertise and professional journey, step by step.

Here’s what we’ll cover: 

• Stellar Software Engineer Cover Letter Example
• 5 Steps to Crafting a Memorable Software Engineer Cover Letter
• 3 Must-Know Cover Letter Tips for Aspiring Software Engineers

...and so much more!

Let’s dive in!

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

5 Steps for the Perfect Software Engineer Cover Letter

Alright, you've just seen what a top-tier cover letter looks like in action. 

Now, follow these five tried-and-tested steps to write your own job-winning cover letter : 

#1. Put Contact Information in the Header

For starters, make sure you've got your contact details front and center. Slotting them into the header, just like you would on your software engineer resume , is the way to go.

Here’s your checklist:

• Full Name: Pop your full name right up there at the top. 
• Professional Title: Make sure the title on your cover letter is aligned with the software engineer role you're going for. Given that hiring managers might be swimming in a sea of applications for all sorts of roles, being precise about the position you’re passionate about really smooths things out.
• Email Address: Opt for an email that’s clean and easy, ideally a mashup of your first and last names. And just a heads up: that funky email from your teen years? Might want to leave that in the past. While "[email protected]" might be memorable, "[email protected]" keeps things professional.
• Phone Number: List a reliable number. And if you're eyeing a gig overseas, don't forget the dialing code.
• Location: Your city and state or country usually hit the mark. But, if you're scouting for remote gigs or pondering a move abroad, be sure to mention that.
• Relevant Links (Optional): Feel free to drop in links to your GitHub, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile if relevant.

Are your details in place? Awesome. Next, list the hiring manager's info.

Here's the rundown:

• Company Name: Note the name of the firm or startup you're reaching out to.
• Hiring Manager’s Name: If you can, jot down the name of the hiring manager or team lead. A quick glance at the job listing, the company's site, or even their LinkedIn might give you the intel.
• Hiring Manager’s Title: If you stumble upon the right contact and notice they're, for instance, the "Lead Software Developer," then jot that down. It adds a personal touch compared to a generic "Hiring Manager."
• Location: Typically, the city and state or country should do, especially if they're a household company. But if you want to get ultra-specific, you can include the street address too.
• Email Address (Optional): If you happen to find the hiring manager’s email, slotting it in can be a neat addition.

#2. Address the Hiring Manager

Once you've typed in your key contact details, think about the best way possible to address your cover letter .

To start with, let's avoid the old-school “To Whom It May Concern." We can do better!

Your cover letter's greeting can set a positive tone for the hiring manager, but only if you hit the right note.

Begin with a bit of homework. Dive into the job posting, scour the company's website, or peek at their LinkedIn. Your mission? Uncover the name of the hiring manager for the software engineering role you've got your sights on.

Now, onto the greeting. A safe bet is to lead with "Ms." or "Mr.", followed by their last name. But if you're drawing blanks on their gender or marital status, simply roll with their full name. Like so:

• Dear Mr. Thompson,
• Dear Alex Thompson,

If your detective skills don't pan out, don't sweat it! Direct your letter to the broader engineering team or the company:

• Dear Software Engineering Team,
• Dear Tech Recruitment Team,
• Dear Head of Engineering,

#3. Write an Eye-Catching Opening Statement

Tech recruiters typically spend just about seven seconds glancing over a software engineer's application before determining its potential for a full review.

That's why nailing that initial impression is essential for an impactful software engineering cover letter.

Begin your letter by stating your name and talking about what draws you to the role. Illustrating your enthusiasm for the tech realm or the particular position can pique the recruiter's interest in you.

It pays dividends to dive into some research on the company . With a deeper understanding of the firm, you can accentuate how you align seamlessly with its ethos and objectives. This not only showcases your dedication but signals to the recruiter that your interest in this role isn't a fleeting whim.

If you've got a rich background in software engineering, consider highlighting a standout project or skill that positions you as the go-to candidate for the job.

Nevertheless, keep the opening statement brief. Your goal is to spark the recruiter's intrigue and get them to read the rest of your cover letter.

Check out these awesome cover letter examples to get inspired for your own opening statement. 

#4. Use the Cover Letter Body for the Details

The core of your software engineer cover letter is where you can expand on what truly sets you apart as a potential asset for the company.

Avoid the pitfall of simply reiterating your resume content. Instead, this is your golden chance to emphasize your coding expertise, project experiences, and technical qualifications. Aim to make the hiring manager believe that among a sea of applicants, you're uniquely suited for the position. Reference any significant achievements or projects that demonstrate your prowess in the domain, and always refer back to the specifics of the job posting.

Here, too, align your cover letter to the specific requirements of the job advert. If the role highlights proficiency in a particular programming language or framework, be sure to delve into your experience with it, rather than perhaps focusing on a general software development approach.

Your awareness of the company's software products, tech stack, or contributions to the tech industry can be a significant advantage. If you've used or are familiar with any of their software or tools, do mention it. This not only illustrates your interest but also how you resonate with their technological vision and company values.

Lastly, let your genuine interest in the role shine. Convey your eagerness and assure them of your potential contributions with your distinct technical talents and experiences.

And remember — avoid these common cover letter mistakes at all costs. 

#5. Wrap It Up and Sign It

Bringing your cover letter to a compelling end is just as vital as an attention-grabbing opening.

Ensure that your closing paragraph highlights the strong image you've projected so far. Use this space to affirmatively recap your suitability for the role, drawing attention to the coding languages, projects, or unique technical skills that differentiate you from the rest.

Then, add a call to action. By prompting the hiring manager to take a step forward, like diving deeper into your portfolio or discussing potential projects, you not only leave a lasting impression but also amplify your prospects of being shortlisted for an interview.

To conclude, it's essential to adopt a professional tone. Opt for a befitting sign-off, and then jot down your full name. For example:

Should you wish to explore my application further or delve into specific projects I've undertaken, please reach out via the given email or phone number. I'm eager to discuss how I can contribute to your team's next groundbreaking software project.

Warm regards,

Alexa Turing

If "Warm regards" seems a tad cliché to you, you might want to consider these alternatives:

• Yours sincerely,
• With thanks,
• Best regards,
• Appreciating your time and review,

3 Essential Software Engineer Cover Letter Tips

Now that you've got a good grasp on cover letter basics, let's crank it up a notch with some cover letter tips :

#1. Match Your Resume

For your application to be perfect, your software engineer resume and cover letter should be uniform.

For a coherent and professional look, format your cover letter similarly to your resume. Otherwise, you may give off the impression of being disordered or unattentive to detail.

Your text, together with your contact details, needs to sit neatly on the page, and the font size and style should be the same in both documents. In addition, remember to adjust the page margins and line spacing equally and make sure that your cover letter neatly fits into a single page.

Last but not least, send out both documents in the same format - preferably, as PDF files. That’ll ensure they look the same regardless of the device or Operating System hiring managers use to open them. 

Or Use A Cover Letter Template Instead

Eager for a shortcut? 

Go with our free resume builder to create the perfect software engineer resume and then pick a matching cover letter template to save time and effort.

Our templates are crafted in collaboration with hiring managers globally, ensuring they hit industry standards right on the mark. You save time and get a matching cover letter for your resume that looks absolutely professional. Sweet deal, Isn’t it?

#2. Mention Skills and Keywords

As a software engineer, being technologically sound isn't enough; you also need to communicate your skills effectively. Here's where the role of mentioning skills and keywords in your cover letter comes into play.

Incorporating relevant skills and keywords from the job advertisement in your cover letter is a powerful strategy. It does more than show you are qualified; it also illustrates your attention to detail and that you have tailored your cover letter for the specific role.

These skills and keywords act like a map for hiring managers, guiding them to the information they're most interested in. As they skim through volumes of cover letters, yours stands out showcasing exactly what they're looking for; making their job easier, and thus improving your chances.

Including job-specific skills and keywords also shows your understanding of the industry and the role. By translating the job requirements into your own experiences and achievements, you're not only showing you're competent but also that you're a good fit for the company's culture and values.

However, do keep an eye on not overstuffing your cover letter with keywords. The idea is to weave them naturally into your skills and experiences narrative. Keep it authentic and reflective of your true professional story.

#3. Save It To The Right File Format

Now that you've written a stellar cover letter as a software engineer, it's time to hit the save button - but wait! Choosing the right file format can make a big difference in how your cover letter appears to the hiring manager.

When it comes to file formats, PDF (Portable Document Format) is your best friend. 

Why? Well, because it ensures that your formatting stays intact, no matter what device the hiring manager uses to open your cover letter. Whether they're viewing it on a computer, tablet, or smartphone, a PDF file ensures that everything looks just as you intended.

PDFs offer a consistent and professional-looking document that is easy to read and won't be distorted or altered. This is crucial because you want to make a positive visual impact that reflects your attention to detail and technical expertise.

However, there might be exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, the job ad explicitly asks for a different file format. In such cases, be sure to follow the instructions provided. C

Key Takeaways

And there you have it, the ideal software engineer cover letter! We hope our guide motivates you to craft one that propels you closer to your desired role in no time.

Before you start writing your letter, here are some main points to remember from our guide:

• Begin your software engineer cover letter by listing your contact details and those of the hiring manager. Ensure all your information is correct so that the hiring manager can easily reach out to you.
• Compose a captivating introductory paragraph in your cover letter to grab the hiring manager's attention, compelling them to continue reading.
• In the main section of your cover letter, delve into your notable accomplishments and skills relevant to the software engineer role you're pursuing.
• Add a call to action at the end, encouraging the hiring manager to get in touch or arrange an interview.
• Finally, make sure your software engineer resume and cover letter have a consistent look and feel. If you're pressed for time, consider using one of our resume templates along with its matching cover letter template.

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Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples For 2024 (20+ Skills & Templates)

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Looking to score a job as a Software Engineer?

You're going to need an awesome cover letter. This guide is your one-stop-shop for writing a job-winning Software Engineer cover letter  using our proven strategies, skills, templates, and examples.

All of the content in this guide is based on data from coaching thousands of job seekers (just like you!) who went on to land offers at the world's best companies.

If you want to maximize your chances of landing that Software Engineer role, I recommend reading this piece from top to bottom. But if you're just looking for something specific, here's what's included in this guide:

• What To Know About Writing A Job-Winning Software Engineer Cover Letter
• The Best Skills To Include On A Software Engineer Cover Letter

How To Address A Software Engineer Cover Letter

• 3 Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples

The 8 Best Software Engineer Cover Letter Templates

• 3 Tips For Writing A Job-Winning Cover Letter

Here's the step-by-step breakdown:

Software Engineer Cover Letter Overview: What To Know To Write A Cover Letter That Wins More Job Offers

What do companies look for when they're hiring a Software Engineer?

Companies look for Software Engineers who are proficient in languages such as JavaScript, Python, or Java, with expertise in essential tools and frameworks.

Companies also seek candidates who can collaborate, solve problems, communicate well, and align with their values and tech interests.

Your cover letter should show the company that your personality and your experience encompass all of these things.

Additionally, there are a few best practices you want to follow to write a job-winning Software Engineer cover letter:

• Properly address your letter: Begin your letter by addressing the hiring manager or team. Don't forget to state the specific Software Engineer job you are interested in!
• Express your understanding of the company: Clearly articulate that you are well-familiarized with the company's products and the market, and tie this up with your skills, demonstrating how they align with their needs.
• Highlight your proficiency with specific languages and tools: Showcase your most relevant skills for the role, such as proficiency with JavaScript, Python, or Java, with expertise in essential tools and frameworks.
• Tailor your cover letter for the job description: Emphasize your experience to meet the job requirements listed in the description.
• Be concise and clear: Your cover letter should be short, concise, and easy to read. Stick to one page and focus on the most relevant information.
• End with a call to action: Close with a compelling call to action, expressing enthusiasm for the opportunity and inviting further discussion on how you can contribute to the company's success.
• Proofread: Make sure to thoroughly proofread your cover letter for any grammatical errors or typos. A well-written, error-free letter can make a strong first impression. I recommend using Hemingway App or Grammarly to do this.

Let's dive deeper into each of these so you have the exact blueprint you need to see success.

The Best Software Engineer Skills To Include On Your Cover Letter

Keywords are one of the most important factors in your cover letter. They show employers that your skills align with the role and they also help format your cover letter for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

If you're not familiar with ATS systems, they are pieces of software used by employers to manage job applications. They scan cover letters for keywords and qualifications and make it easier for employers to filter and search for candidates whose qualifications match the role.

If you want to win more interviews and job offers, you need to have a keyword-optimized cover letter. There are two ways to find the right keywords:

1. Leverage The 20 Best Software Engineer Keywords

The first is to leverage our list of the best keywords and skills for a Software Engineer cover letter.

These keywords were selected from an analysis of  real Software Engineer job descriptions sourced from actual job boards. Here they are:

• Development
• Engineering
• Computer Science
• Communications
• Communication
• Organization
• Team Member
• Verification
• Time Management
• Problem-Solving

2. Use ResyMatch.io To Find The Best Keywords That Are Specific To Your Cover Letter And Target Role

The second method is the one I recommend because it's personalized to your specific cover letter and target job.

This process lets you find the exact keywords that your cover letter is missing when compared to the individual role you're applying for.

Here's how it works:

• Open a copy of your updated Software Engineer cover letter
• Open a copy of your target Software Engineer job description
• In the widget below, paste the job description and hit scan!

ResyMatch is going to scan the target job description and show you the exact keywords and skills that are relevant to the role and that you should weave into your cover letter.

If you're ready to check it out, grab your target job description and run your first scan here:

To start, paste your target job description (or multiple job descriptions) into the box below:

Scan to help you identify keywords and skills within your target job description.

Scanning...

If you're more of a visual learner, here's a video walking through this whole process so you can follow along:

Personalization is what makes a cover letter stand out. That starts from the very first sentence where you greet the person reading your cover letter! There are two ways to do this well:

1. Use The Hiring Manager's Name

The first, and best, is by including the hiring manager's name. Let's say that you discovered the hiring manager's name from a post on LinkedIn or via an informational interview.

This is the jackpot! All you need to do is use their name in the introduction, like this:

2. Use This Formula: To The [Department] Team at [Company]

If you don't have the hiring manager's name, no problem! You can address your cover letter to the team that you're applying to.

For example, if you're applying for a Product Marketing Manager role at Discovery Education, you might start your cover letter like this:

This shows the reader that this letter has been written specifically for them and the content inside of it will support that.

It's much more relevant and personal than  “To Whom It May Concern!”

For more advice on writing a strong opening to your cover letter, check out this guide.

3 Software Engineer Cover Letter Examples For 2024

Now let's take a look at all of these best practices in action. Here are three cover letter examples for different situations from people with different backgrounds who are all applying for Software Engineer roles:

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example #1: A Traditional Background

Our first example is a cover letter written by a candidate with traditional software engineering experience. Here is what an example of their cover letter might look like:

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example #2: A Non-Traditional Background

Our second cover letter example comes from a candidate looking to transition from sales to software engineering. This cover letter demonstrates how the author identifies and communicates their transferable skills:

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example #3: Senior Software Engineer With a Masters Degree

Our third example highlights a candidate with Software Engineer experience who has a Masters Degree. Here is what their cover letter might look like:

At this point, you know all of the basics you'll need to write a Software Engineer cover letter that wins you more interviews and offers. The only thing left is to take all of that information and apply it to a template that's going to help you get results.

We made that easy with  our CoverBuild tool . It has 8 proven templates that were created with the help of recruiters and hiring managers at the world's best companies. These templates also bake in thousands of data points we have from the job seekers in our audience who have used them to land job offers.

Just click any of the templates below to start building your cover letter using proven, recruiter-approved templates:

Free Job-Winning Cover Letter Templates, Have AI Write Yours in Less Than 2 Minutes .

Choose a cover letter template below to get started:.

Great Choice! Now, how do you want to write your cover letter?

Let AI write your unique cover letter using our proven templates.

Or use our templates to write your own from scratch.

3 Tips For Writing A Job-Winning Software Engineer Cover Letter

You're off to a strong start! But I've got a few more tips to help you take your cover letter to the next level:

1. Use CoverBuild.io To Write Your Cover Letter In <2 Minutes

All of these tips and best practices work, but you still have to implement them. Normally, that'd mean you sitting down and spending hours brainstorming ideas, typing, deleting, and typing again, and then feeling absolutely drained.

Now there's a way to work around all of that so you save your best energy for the writing and edits that matter most. Here's how it works:

• Head to CoverBuild.io
• Select the “2 Minutes” option to have AI write your cover letter
• Select a template for your cover letter, then follow the 3 step process for sharing info about your experience and the target job with CoverBuild's AI
• Click “Generate My Cover Letter” and watch the tool write a unique cover letter that's personalized to your experience and your target job!

To make it even easier, you can select a cover letter template from the widget below to get started:

If you'd like to see the process in action, here's a video walking through all of the steps above:

Note:  I do not recommend or advise that you simply copy and paste any AI-generated content and submit your application. You should always review, revise, and personalize the content yourself before applying.

2. Include Measurable Metrics And Outcomes

Too many job seekers only focus on the actions that they took and not the outcomes that resulted from those actions. As a hiring manager, it's impossible to differentiate between a dozen candidates who were all “Responsible for building applications to help achieve company goals.”

If you want to win, your cover letter should speak to the specific outcomes that you drove in previous roles. That could be:

• The time response you helped reduce
• The development efficiency you helped improve
• The number of uses in a giver platform that you helped support

These numbers will show hiring teams what you're capable of and make your value crystal clear!

3. Match Your Cover Letter And Resume Design

They're the exact same car, down to the year, make, and model. The only difference is the way the product was presented. Like I said, quality impacts perceived value.

One of the best ways to boost the quality of your cover letter is to make it look clean, professional, and have it match your resume. That's why the resume templates in our resume builder tool match the cover letter templates in our cover letter builder:

If you use both tools to create your cover letter and your resume, your entire application is going to be top notch.

Key Takeaways To Wrap Up Your Job-Winning Cover Letter

You made it! We packed a lot of information into this post so I wanted to distill the key points for you and lay out next steps so you know exactly where to from here.

Here are the 5 steps for writing a job-winning Software Engineer cover letter:

• Start with a proven cover letter template from CoverBuild.io
• Use  ResyMatch.io to find the right keywords and optimize your cover letter for each role you apply to
• Start your cover letter with a personalized greeting for the hiring manager or team name
• Emphasize the measurable outcomes and value you drove in previous roles (include metrics!)
• Compare the draft of your cover letter to the examples on this page to make sure you're on the right path
• Use a tool like  Hemingway App to proofread your cover letter before you submit it

If you follow those steps, you're going to be well on your way to landing more Software Engineer interviews and job offers.

Now that your cover letter is taking care of, be sure to check out our guide on writing a job-winning Software Engineer resume (with examples!).

Paula Martins

Paula is Cultivated Culture's amazing Editor and Content Manager. Her background is in journalism and she's transitioned from roles in education, to tech, to finance, and more. She blends her journalism background with her job search experience to share advice aimed at helping people like you land jobs they love without applying online.

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How to Write a Software Engineer Cover Letter w/ Sample Template & Tips

Don’t neglect your software engineer cover letter! Here’s how to write one right, including a tips and a sample cover letter you can copy.

Ah, the cover letter for software engineer jobs .

Unfortunately, these documents remain a crucial part of any development team job application — especially if you’re applying for remote jobs. 

Along with your software developer resume , a cover letter provides space for you to tell the recruiter a little more about yourself: not just about your technical skills and engineering team experience, but also about how you will contribute to the company. If used right, your cover letter should be able to show some of your true self and your personality — something a resume really can’t do. 

For developers, writing a cover letter can be a challenge, especially as the work you do can be quite technical. How do you describe your duties and responsibilities to a non-technical hiring manager or recruiter in a compelling, understandable way? And, at the same time, how to still showcase your technical skills for any engineering leads or CTOs who might pick up your cover letter next?

Don’t you worry! We’ll break down what to include in a cover letter for a software developer, as well as some tips and advice for how to stand out among the sea of developer candidates you’re competing against. 

But, before we get to the step-by-step guide, have a look just below for our example cover letter for software developers — a little extra inspiration to get you started! 

Sample Software Engineer Cover Letter (for Reference)

Here is a cover letter example for software development jobs. Feel free to copy and use as you wish, but make sure you tailor the content for each company to which you apply! 

How to Write a Software Engineer Cover Letter

Software development, and IT jobs generally, are pretty technical in nature. You’d probably rather write code than write a resume cover letter! 

But, luckily, the best cover letters are relatively short and sweet. Stick to three to four paragraphs and focus on explaining how your past experience is going to help the new company succeed. 

These days, most cover letters are sent in the email body as text, rather than as a separate attachment. Include the job that you’re applying for as the subject line of the letter and email to make it clear to the recruiter what your intent is. And, don’t forget to attach your resume to the email, too. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to write a cover letter for a job in software engineering: 

1. Before you begin writing…

Don’t just start writing, even with the help of our software engineer cover letter sample above.

First, you need to get the original job description out and open in front of you. Keep it there as a reference to help you write your cover letter in a way that is tailored to this specific job. 

Next, research the company a bit, what they do in general, projects they’ve done in the past, and where they hope to be heading in the future. This will help you further customize your cover letter for this particular software engineer job position.

Finally, remember what the cover letter is for. It’s not meant to repeat the information that already exists in your resume — that’ll just waste both your time and theirs. Instead, use your software engineering cover letter to highlight particular accomplishments in more detail and/or to speak about any items you might have left off. 

Read More : 8 Best Resume Makers for Software Engineers in 2022

2. The cover letter header

Include your contact information first, at the very top of the page. For your personal information details, you can follow the standard business letter formatting (like in our cover letter example above), or you can use the same template as your resume to deliver a cohesive package.

Start by listing your name, branding statement or title, address, and one or two other important details, like your GitHub, StackOverflow, or LinkedIn profile. You don’t need to include everything, as your resume has more of this same information.

After your contact information, leave a line break and add today’s date. Follow that with another line break and then include the addressee’s details. These are, line by line: the person’s name, their title, the company name, and the company’s address.

3. Salutations & the introductory paragraph

After the heading of the cover letter, open the written portion with a salutation. Use “Dear Jeremy:” if you can find a name, and do try to find their name! This is much more compelling than other generic options (e.g., “To whom it may concern:”).

Now, use the introduction paragraph in your software engineering cover letter draft to accomplish a few things:

• Draw the reader in and make them want to continue reading and learning more about you.
• Introduce yourself as a candidate, and explain why you are writing to them.
• Answer to yourself: What about this particular job compelled me to apply?

Read More : How to Build a Software Engineer Portfolio Website to Showcase Your Projects

4. The body of software engineering cover Letters

The body portion of your cover letter for software engineering positions should give them some career highlights. 

• What makes you an outstanding candidate for this position?
• What qualifications do you have that meet or exceed their expectations?
• What are some related accomplishments you can share to prove you have what it takes?
• Use numbers (e.g., percentages, dollar amounts) to make those achievements stand out!

Share an engineering project you’ve worked on and how you went about it. Help the reader understand why you’d make a great engineer at their company by connecting your previous experience and achievements back with their software engineering job description.

5. Ending the cover letter

End your cover letter by thanking the recruiter for their consideration. Ask them to reach out to you with questions and next steps. 

To wrap it up, leave a “Sincerely,” and your full name. That’s all there is to it!

Read More : 5 Great Ways to Get Your Profile Noticed as a Software Engineer

Top Software Engineer Cover Letter Tips to Remember

As you can see from the software developer cover letter example and guide above, it’s all pretty straightforward. 

There are, however, a few best practices that can make your cover letter really pop. 

1. Don’t repeat your software engineering resume

We said this before, and we’ll say it again — don’t repeat your resume!

Virtually every job seeker experiences some confusion over what should go in a cover letter vs resume. A resume skills section outlines most of the reasons why you’re qualified to do the job: what more is there to say, right? 

Ideally, a resume should be one to two pages. The goal of a resume is to get you to the next stage of the hiring process: not tell your entire life story. However, your software engineering cover letter offers extra space to talk about particular experience or accomplishments outside of the resume layout related to this job. 

2. Use keywords to give them what they’re looking for

Sprinkle in a few keywords found in the job description throughout your cover letter. When the job description specifically mentions Python and has no mention of Java, you might want to do the same! Also, address the hiring manager directly, if possible, and use the company’s name in your cover letter, as well. 

Read More : Developer Job Boards: 15+ Best Job Sites for Software Engineers

3. Prove you actually did what you say you did

Quantify your results as much as possible. Instead of writing “On my last project, I led a small team of developers to overhaul the website’s database,” write something like “On my last project, I led a team of 5 developers to overhaul the website’s database, which led to a 25% increase in site speed and a 10% reduction in bounced visits.” 

As you can see, numbers sound impressive! They prove you did a particularly good job, rather than just saying that the job was one of your responsibilities. It’s similar to software developer skill assessments; hiring managers always hear candidates say they have a certain skill or experience, but skills assessment tests — and numbered achievements on a cover letter — verify that fact to them.

4. Do your research

Show them you did your homework on the company, meaning you know what they do, their obstacles and opportunities, and who they are. Then, tie this information in with who you are. Explain how their goals and yours align, how you’re the best possible candidate to solve their current problems, and why you’d simply be the greatest software engineer they’ve ever set eyes on.

5. Don’t neglect your soft skills

Lastly, don’t forget to highlight your soft skills , too. These often get lost in a standard resume layout; but, soft skills are crucial, especially for senior software developers who will be taking on more management responsibilities. These include time management, great communication, quick thinking, problem solving skills, and adaptability, among others.

Read More : Common Interview Questions for Software Engineering Jobs

That’s all for our post today, and we hope you now understand how to write a cover letter for software engineer jobs efficiently and effectively! 

If you have any questions about writing software developer cover letters or have further tips or stories to share about software engineering cover letters, we’d love to hear them. Leave us a comment below, and we’ll get back to you shortly. Thanks for reading, and we wish you the best of luck!

Christian Eilers

HR & Career Expert

Christian Eilers is a career expert specializing in resumes, cover letters, the employment process, and life on the job. At Arc, Christian enjoys helping software engineers and developers find amazing work opportunities through the Arc platform and blog. He’s been featured as an expert on HR and talent acquisition in publications such as Business Insider, Upskilled, Databox, and HR Technologist. A native of New York City, Christian currently lives in and works from Kyiv, Ukraine.

Further reading

How to Build a Powerful Web Developer Portfolio (With Examples!)

How to Build a Software Engineer Portfolio (With Examples & Tips)

10+ Important LinkedIn Best Practices for Remote Software Developers

How To Write a Full Stack Developer Resume (Step-by-Step With Tips)

How to Format a Resume for Software Developer Jobs (8 Tips & Examples)

Writing an IT Resume: How to Make an Interview Winning Tech Job Resume

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5 Software Engineer Cover Letter Samples & Tips in 2024

• Software Engineer CL
• Software Engineer Intern
• Entry-Level Software Engineer
• Python Software Engineer
• Senior Software Engineer
• Write Your Software Engineer CL

As a software engineer, you analyze users’ needs and develop and test software to meet those needs. With communication and collaboration, you apply engineering principles to software development to make it happen.

Your process includes recommending software upgrades, translating data into action, coordinating with software and programming teams, and documenting improvements to address clients’ concerns. You also do your share of planning, strategizing, and hands-on work with programming and database tools.

You’re ready for your next job, but first, you’ll need to write a cover letter and software engineer resume  that attest to your  job skills . Most dread the thought of writing a cover letter , but we’ll ease the process with our software engineering cover letter examples and pointers.

Software Engineer  Cover Letter Example

USE THIS TEMPLATE

Microsoft Word

Google Docs

Block Format

Copy this text for your Software Engineer cover letter!

411 Pretend Lane Palmdale, California 93551 (123) 456-7890

January 18, 2023

Brittany Johnson, Hiring Manager Chipton-Ross 47806 Gertrude Way La Quinta, California 92253

Dear Ms. Johnson:

Keen foresight, enthusiasm for inventing creative solutions, and an engineering background keep me happily fixing bugs and optimizing software throughout the entire development life cycle. This is an opportunity for us to partner together, where I’ll apply my proficiency in C#, LabVIEW, Linux, Vector Cast, and more toward achieving Chipton-Ross’ goals of collaboratively providing superior services to the staffing industry.

The last 7 years with Embark’s development team have seen me strategically apply knowledge of C# and oversee the implementation of cross-functional advertising software that improved page loading speed by 17 percent. Scaling to over 34 million users, this software application simultaneously boosted company profits and customer satisfaction rates.

I also fused my familiarity with SignalR and JavaScript framework with my drive to problem-solve and streamline existing company software. Leveraging my proficiency in these tools, I helped my team develop a unit testing infrastructure that eliminated bugs within the application. My proactivity spoke for itself in the structure’s engineering when we saw a 61-percent reduction in client-reported bugs over a 6-month period.

The strong team culture at Chipton-Ross resonates with me as I enjoy thinking analytically to resolve questions of program intent and translate documentation and data into helpful operating instructions for my coworkers. I welcome further discussion, so please contact me for details on how my software engineering experience will benefit your team and maximize client savings.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Jerry Manilla

Enclosures: Resume Application

Why this cover letter works

• Software engineers should be bought into the company’s values—make sure you demonstrate an interest in those values right away in your software engineer cover letter and show previous examples of how you’ve supported them.
• Even if the  software engineer job description  is brief, there are always specific requirements you can build upon, especially if you visit the company’s website to glean more details. 

Level up your cover letter game

Relax! We’ll do the heavy lifting to write your cover letter in seconds.

Software Engineer Intern Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Software Engineer Intern cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Baltimore, MD 21201 (123) 456-7890

November 20, 2023

Abigail Clark Northrop Grumman Corporation 123 Fictional Lane Baltimore, MD 21201

Dear Ms. Clark:

Intrigued to the core by Northrop Grumman’s relentless pursuit of solutions for space, aeronautics, defense, and cyberspace challenges, I can’t help but jump at the opportunity to serve as a software engineer intern. The chance to immerse myself in the endeavor of crafting software capable of meeting the nuanced demands of clients across the globe aligns not just with my career aspirations but also feeds my insatiable appetite for learning from leaders who triumph over the most challenging technological terrains.

In my software development course at Loyola University Maryland, I channeled the raw power of Python, creating a novel application designed to streamline problem-solving. As validated by user trials, this application manifested into a potent tool capable of boosting productivity by 18.6%. This achievement was driven by an unwavering dedication to clean, efficient code, a feat made possible by my systematic implementation of Git. The version control system served a two-fold purpose: ensuring a pristine codebase and facilitating a well-oiled project workflow.

Following my academic expedition, I eagerly plunged into the cutthroat world of cybersecurity at the Maryland Cyber Challenge. My team and I designed a digital fortress with Python-built security protocols to repel data breaches. In an ingenious move, we automated primary functions that helped us identify, neutralize, and deflect 73.2% of simulated cyber-attacks.

Earlier this year, I interned at a thriving Baltimore startup, Esurgi. Here, I had the opportunity to work on a database management project, wielding the power of PostgreSQL. Rebuilding and redesigning database schemas introduced refreshing modifications that catalyzed a tangible 21.4% acceleration in data retrieval speeds.

The prospect of joining the Northrop Grumman team and applying hands-on experience from academic coursework and competitions to real-world challenges is thrilling. With heartfelt appreciation, I look forward to perhaps harnessing this opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to the trailblazing mission that your organization undertakes.

• For example, Amara’s stint as an intern at Esurgi shows her using PostgreSQL for database management, providing the recruiter with tangible evidence of her competency even as an intern. How you weave in this tale matters, though. Outline your responsibility and impact catalyzed by your contribution. Top it off with the lessons learned.

Entry-Level Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Entry-Level Software Engineer cover letter!

123 Fictional Avenue Austin, TX 76208 (123) 456-7890

Daniel Thompson Medtronic 123 Fictional Lane Memphis, TN 38101

Dear Mr. Thompson:

In response to Medtronic’s quest for pros who understand the power and potential of software in transforming healthcare, I’m compelled to apply my abilities in programming languages, version control systems, and more as an entry-level software engineer. The opportunity to contribute to meaningful applications that positively impact health resonates deeply and aligns with my personal and professional aspirations.

My computer science coursework at the University of Memphis cultivated a solid mastery of Java, a language well-suited to building large, enterprise-level applications. Also, my fluency in Python has been instrumental in data analysis and scripting—crucial skills in developing and maintaining healthcare software.

Interning at MiCare Path, I gained valuable experience in version control systems. I played a crucial role in administering the Git system, smoothing the development workflow and reducing code conflicts by an estimated 16.7%. This opportunity deepened my understanding of collaboration in software development while improving code quality and project management.

Additionally, I embarked on an independent project to develop a dynamic website from scratch. I used HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create an intuitive user interface and functionality. This health-based information platform has witnessed about 142 new users within its first month, demonstrating effective use of web development skills to provide valuable resources to the public.

Combining academic, professional, and independent project experiences, I believe my versatile skills and strong problem-solving ability align with Medtronic’s mission to ease pain, restore health, and prolong life. I look forward to discussing how my skills can contribute to Medtronic’s innovative solutions. Thank you.

Gabriel Santos

• Take, for instance, that journey of using HTML, CSS, or JavaScript to build a website from scratch. Let your enthusiasm show as you describe the project’s purpose and wins, such as garnering 142 new users within the first month.

Python Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Python Software Engineer cover letter!

163 Make Believe Court Roosevelt, New York 11575 (123) 456-7890

Robert McKenley, Hiring Manager Rushdown Studios 462 Chelsea Rd Oceanside, New York 11572

Dear Mr. McKenley,

As a Python software engineer with 5 years of experience alongside countless more as an avid gamer, I’m confident I would make a skilled and valuable addition to Rushdown’s team. Just as I live for each new gaming challenge in Twisted Treeline, I thrive in environments that challenge my strategic planning and creative use of skills such as PostgreSQL, AWS, and Docker.

As an adept problem-solver with a strong background in Oracle and RESTful APIs, I worked with my old team at Knewton to diagnose issues with current application infrastructures and eliminate errors to improve user feedback by 23 percent. I would say that RESTful APIs are my “ultimate ability.” I also used my deep familiarity with REST in a team setting to boost page loading speed by 16 percent.

Additionally, I have extensive experience adapting to a vast pre-existing codebase while helping my teammates pinpoint and prioritize obstacles; this resulted in optimized teamwork as well as optimized solutions. For example, I collaborated with my development team on a testing infrastructure with broad coverage that reduced bugs by 11 percent and cut down negative customer feedback on Knewton’s cooperative programming by 21 percent.

While I’m grateful for all I’ve learned in previous roles, I’m eager to apply my gaming passion and knack for problem-solving to excel as your Python software engineer. I’m excited to share with you at your earliest convenience how I intend to leverage my communicative, multitasking, and technical skills to set my crosshairs on each new obstacle and help level up Rushdown’s team—creating the ultimate gaming experience.

Thanks very much for your consideration,

Enclosures: Resume Application Letter of Recommendation

• She references her experience as a gamer and a Python software engineer, both of which are focal points in the job description and the company as a whole. 
• Python software engineers must meet specific job requirements, so dive into this stat. Show your interest by citing examples that support it!
• References to the “Twisted Treeline” and her “ultimate ability” show her experience with League of Legends, a Rushdown game, to reinforce her connection with the company.
• The company culture and vision aren’t always as obvious or boldly stated as Rushdown’s, but with some online digging, you can find a company goal, obstacle, or core value to tie to your experience when writing your Python software engineer cover letter.

Senior Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Copy this text for your Senior Software Engineer cover letter!

4118 Fictional Avenue Lawndale, California 90260 (123) 456-7890

Clive Russo, HR/Hiring Manager UCLA Health 4562 Larwin Ave Cypress, California 90630

Dear Mr. Russo:

The journey of a friend who won his battle with cancer came to mind as I read about your new Cancer Data Sciences group. I knew as a compassionate senior software engineer, I could use my skills to help others win their battles, too. I offer the advanced analytical thought patterns needed to create scalable software solutions, and I’m ready to optimize your local high-performance computer infrastructure along with your cloud-based assets. I can effectively analyze data and collaborate with a broad team of data scientists to streamline tools that UCLA Health can use to provide the best patient experiences.

After working with C++ and Oracle at Adaptiva to build cloud-based technologies that boosted productivity by over 43 percent, I expanded my focus to include engineer-client communications to smooth out collaboration and UI/UX further. My proficiency in data modeling, SQL, and AWS allowed me to analyze and integrate feedback for increasingly improved code quality.

My talent in engineering and developing large, highly responsive UX-personalization applications that can scale with rapidly growing datasets empowered me to engineer algorithmic software that responded and adapted to customers’ individualized needs based on personal history. This boosted sales by 19 percent, and I’m confident that this experience would translate seamlessly from improving customer experience to streamlining workflow for medical staff to care for patients more effectively.

The well-rounded experience I’ve gained in programming, design, and in-depth analysis makes me an ideal senior software engineer candidate for UCLA Health. I am eager to tackle any parallelization, containerization, or algorithmic design problem you send my way, and I think you’ll agree once we’ve had the chance to discuss the role further. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for considering me to join your team,

Beverly Hanes

Enclosures: Resume Application 2 letters of recommendation

• Beverly follows up the initial overview of her skills by tying up her senior software engineer cover letter intro with a nod to UCLA Health’s mission statement—a perfect way to connect with the company! 
• UCLA Health emphasizes two major points in its job description: technical skills and the ability to grow and create scalable products. Its website also focuses on cutting-edge technology, so Beverly leverages these points well.
• Remember that researching the company can uncover a gold mine if the job description is sparse.

Senior Software Engineer Resume

Need a resume to pair with your software engineer cover letter?

or download as PDF

Write Your Best Software Engineer Cover Letter

All in all, the best cover letter will demonstrate a strong understanding and connection with the company. A software engineer can do this by using their technical skills to relate to the role in the job description coupled with the company’s overall vision and goals—all with a winning tone and positive message, of course!

Use the following steps to guide your writing process so you can write your best cover letter yet. 

Step 1: Know the company & understand the role

So many cover letters out there are snooze-fests that wind up in the recycling bin. To ensure yours isn’t one of them, pay attention to the details of the specific software engineer position you’re applying for and tailor your cover letter accordingly. 

Read the  software engineer job ad . Keep an eye out for things that set it apart—details like specific programming languages and software strategies, for example.

Research the company, too! Your software engineer cover letter must not only demonstrate a crystal-clear understanding of the role as laid out in the job description but prove that you’re a great fit with the company’s values, goals, and core missions. Just a handful of details showing that you know the company’s vision and software engineer role better than the average applicant will go a long way in setting you apart from other applicants. 

Step 2: Align your successes with the company’s needs

Your  software engineer resume  offers recruiters a quick peek at your skills and professional history. Since it’s less than a page, you don’t have much space within your bullet points to give a more extensive explanation of how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for the specific position. That’s the job of your cover letter! 

Touch upon the best points in your software engineer resume but expand upon them with descriptions of how you accomplished said achievements as well as the positive impact they had. Don’t just talk about what you created—talk about what it did to benefit others. 

• Taking this a step further, your resume might list your Python and MySQL skills—but how did you apply them during your last job?
• Did you build an application that boosted profit margins and kept them growing after you departed?
• Did you engineer an analytical or testing application that significantly reduced bug and error reports?
• Maybe you singlehandedly optimized an application to skyrocket customer satisfaction rates: If you did, say so! 

This is your opportunity to show off your greatest accomplishments anecdotally and tie them into what the job description requests. 

Tip 3: Don’t underestimate your tone & message

As you can probably imagine, there’s a lot more that goes into a cover letter for software engineers besides technical information. The overall message of your letter should mirror the qualities that the job listing calls for and demonstrate the values and vision of the company as a whole.  You don’t want to just convey that you’re a software engineer who can work wherever—your message needs to convey that you want to work  there!

As a software engineer with a vast array of technical skills and fascinating professional experiences, it might be tricky—but keep your cover letter to a page. And within that space, consider your tone of voice. 

Your tone should match the role: Senior software engineer candidates should convey confidence and experience, and all applicants (especially entry-level ones) should demonstrate enthusiasm and eagerness to contribute to the company.

Additionally, consider the company culture and vibes. Working for a healthcare company likely means you should take a bit more formal tone while employers at a gaming company will probably appreciate a little pizazz and a more conversational approach.  

Software engineer candidates should convey confidence, experience, and demonstrate eagerness to contribute to the company.

Lastly, set aside time for editing and revising. It may take several tries to get the message and tone of your cover letter just right, but the extra effort is worth it! Ensure you clean up embarrassing typos or copy-paste mishaps in your cover letter, and be deliberate about word choice to refine your tone. 

Start with Our Outline for Your Software Engineer Cover Letter

Outlining your software engineer cover letter is a great way to make sure you don’t forget any key points. And just as  formatting your resume  is important, format matters in your cover letter, too; we’ve got you covered. 

How to start a software engineer cover letter

Your contact info:  List your name, phone number, location, and email (if you’re using a templated cover letter). 

• Formatting:  Leave out your name here if you’re using a business block format for your address.

Date:  Use the exact date that you submit your application materials 

• Formatting:  Write out the full date instead of shortening it, e.g., January 5, 2023.

Inside address:  This is the recipient’s address. Include their name, company and position, and the company’s address.  

Clive Russo, Hiring Manager UCLA Health Human Resources 4562 Larwin Ave Cypress, California 90630

• Formatting:  Each part of the address should be on a new line. Remember to double-space between the inside address and your greeting, too. 

Greeting:  Your greeting/salutation is your crucial first impression! Do your homework and uncover the name of the hiring manager or employer, avoiding generic terms like “To whom it may concern,” and please, at all costs, never start with “Dear Sir or Madam.” Ick!

• Formatting:  Use a colon instead of a comma after your greeting for more formal companies. Companies like Rushdown (see the Python software engineer cover letter sample) are far more casual; a comma will do just fine.

How to write your software engineer cover letter

Body:  The body of your software engineer cover letter should be 3-4 paragraphs that demonstrate your interest, show off your credentials, and exhibit an appropriate level of enthusiasm for future discussion.

• Formatting:  Lines should be single-spaced throughout the body but double-spaced between paragraphs.

Opening paragraph:  Don’t be generic or vague. The last thing you want is for a potential employer to say “Boring!” and toss your cover letter aside.

Bad : I really like gaming, so it’d be great if I could work for your company. I’m familiar with plenty of technical tools that would help your company.

Why It’s Bad : Based on what we just discussed, this cover letter has already been tossed. It’s great that the applicant apparently loves gaming and has technical skills—but exactly how will they help the company . . .? What “technical tools” are they?

Good : As a Python software engineer with 5 years of experience alongside countless more as an avid gamer, I’m confident I would make a skilled and valuable addition to Rushdown’s team. Just as I live for each new gaming challenge in Twisted Treeline, I thrive in environments that challenge my strategic planning and creative use of skills such as PostgreSQL, AWS, and Docker.

Why It’s Good : This introductory paragraph dives into the applicant’s experience and demonstrates a strong personal connection with the company’s passion for gaming—all while exploring technical skills the job description specifically listed in its requirements section. Nice!

Paragraphs 2-3:  These paragraphs are for you to shine the spotlight on your best achievements that align with the job ad and with the company’s goals, values, and mission.

It’s time to put your money where your mouth is—but remember to maintain a clear focus in each paragraph. You don’t have room for all your awesome achievements, so try to stick with one major point per paragraph and include only the most relevant metrics and results.

Why It’s Good : Beverly highlights something from the job description that she’s already done (engineering large-scale algorithmic software) and provides the number as evidence of her claim. She also clarifies exactly how this accomplishment will benefit the place where she’s applying now, even though her past experiences were applied within a very different type of company.

Closing paragraph:  Finish strong with a concise but compelling statement of how your traits and abilities as a software engineer align with what the company or organization needs. And lastly, end with an enthusiastic call to action that encourages future contact with the company.

Bad : As you can see in my letter, I’m well qualified for this position and would do a great job with my skills. Call me anytime for more info and I can tell you more about the other stuff I can do.

Why It’s Bad : Where do we even start with this one? Your cover letter should be specific, adding more tidbits on why you’re an excellent fit whenever possible. This redundant first sentence and boring, informal call to action are inexcusable.

Good : The strong team culture at Chipton-Ross resonates with me as I enjoy thinking analytically to resolve questions of program intent and translating documentation and data into helpful operating instructions for my coworkers. I welcome further discussion, so please contact me for details on how my software engineering experience will benefit your team and maximize client savings.

Why It’s Good : This one works. You can see how the applicant’s traits and experience align with the company’s values, and there are several keywords that came straight from the job description. Additionally, the call to action is welcoming yet professional while reinforcing the candidate’s value to the company. 

How to end a software engineer cover letter

Signature:  Say “thank you” if you didn’t do that in your closing paragraph, and always use a professional close along with your real name.

• Formatting:  If you’re handing out hard copies of your software engineer cover letter (anyone out there still doing this?), quadruple-space before your name. This allows space to sign by hand in blue/black ink. 

Enclosure(s):  This part of your cover letter is important since it signals the recruiter to look over any supplemental materials. Pay attention to the job description for requested materials like certifications or letters of recommendation. 

Enclosures:  Resume  Application Letter of Recommendation

• Formatting:  Make sure you use the correct singular or plural form of “enclosure” depending on how many items you’re enclosing!

Software Engineer Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

• If you’re applying to work as a software engineer, you and your reader share a mutual, unspoken understanding that you’re working at a pretty advanced level in your field. All the same, make sure you don’t assume recruiters know exactly what you’re talking about and get vague about software knowledge—especially when you could enrich your software engineer cover letter with specific names like C# and JavaScript.
• We understand: You’re probably laser-focused on the technicalities of what you can build and test to ensure client satisfaction each day. However, it’s still important to be able to communicate your expertise to other team members or other departments. Collaboration is a huge part of the software engineering role since you’ll coordinate with other teams to communicate your engineering vision and ensure optimal results.
• In an engineering role of any kind, recruiters will take this as a bad sign—if you can’t give your cover letter a sound structure, how effective would you really be in their open job role? Organization and lack of precision can render a software engineer’s work buggy or even unusable! Make sure recruiters know you’ll eliminate this problem by organizing your cover letter thoroughly, reading it again for flow and checking for quantifiable examples of past successful creations.
• Again, attention to detail is as crucial as your ability to problem-solve during the software engineering (and troubleshooting!) process. Make sure you demonstrate your ability to conduct relevant research and find solutions efficiently by seeking out the name of the person your cover letter is going to! Writing a strong introductory paragraph afterward will help your case, too: Briefly outline a few personal traits and skills that will help solve the problems presented in the job description.

Before You Land Your Dream Software Engineering Role

We know you’ve probably put a lot of thought into your cover letter as a software engineer—after all, analytical thinking and strategic planning are among your strong suits! However, while your cover letter is important to refine and perfect, you’ll need to  write a winning resume , too.

Even if you already have a resume, chances are it’s gotten a bit dusty. Take the opportunity to  check your resume  over for a quick refresh. Browse through our  software engineer resume examples  or start editing this one here if you’re ready to knock it out. 

Software Engineer Resume

Easing your job hunt and taking your career to the next level is possible with the tools and  resume tips  we offer. Once you nail down the perfect cover letter and resume, recruiters will know why you’re such a great hire. They’ll be hard-pressed to turn you down as a result! 

You’ve already covered coding in your software engineer resume , mentioning languages and frameworks like Python or Angular. Use your cover letter to elaborate on them and show how you leveraged them to make an impact. For example, discuss a project you’re particularly proud of—such as a fully responsive web app—and attach a link to it so the hiring manager can check it out.

Software engineering is a highly dynamic field, so you’re in luck! Emphasize transferable skills and experience in your cover letter to earn brownie points. For instance, express how your background in teaching means you’ll be good at conversing with a non-technical audience or how your previous job in retail taught you attention to detail.

Senior software engineers are no strangers to headhunting, so you may have job offers lined up a lot of the time. However, for a job that you actually care about, you should always attach a cover letter. It shows that you respect the company, and it gives you a chance to express why you want to work there instead of anywhere else.

• Career Advice
• Cover Letters

Software Engineer Cover Letter

If you are applying for a position in software engineering, a cover letter is a good way to showcase your skills and experience in a single page document that can be easily skimmed by the hiring manager. A cover letter should address specific job requirements and convey enthusiasm for the role. It typically also includes a brief overview of your education and top achievements.

A cover letter should highlight key skills such as an in-depth understanding of the entire software engineering life-cycle. Adding your most recent software engineering achievements would make you stand out from the crowd.

Software Engineer — Free Cover Letter Template

Download our free software engineer cover letter template in MS Word format.

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example:

[ Full name ]

[ Physical address ]

[ Contact number ]

[ Email address ]

[ LinkedIn profile/website link ]

Re: Application for the position of software engineer at [ company name ].

Dear [recipient’s title and last name] ,

After recently discovering your job posting [ in/on ] [ source ] for a qualified software engineer to join your IT department, I was excited to apply for the position as I believe I meet all the requirements to excel in this role. I am an experienced, qualified, and motivated software engineer who will be a great addition to your team.

I graduated from [ university/college name ] in [ year ] with a [ qualification type ] in [ computer science/related fields ] and currently hold a certificate in [ specify ]. With over [ number of years ] years of software engineering and full-stack web development experience, I have been able to master my [ skill 1 ], [ skill 2 ], and [ skill 3 ] skills.

In my [ current/previous ] position at [ specify ], I was responsible for modifying software, identifying and correcting errors, directing software programming, and preparing reports on programming blueprints. This experience exposed me to the entire software engineering process, earning me recognition in [ year ] when I [ add a career achievement ].

As an experienced software engineer, I am impressed with [ mention notable characteristics or milestones you appreciate about the company ] and feel that my [ summarize core competencies, for example, extensive knowledge of the software engineering life-cycle, paired with excellent technical skills ], will make me the ideal candidate. Please find my resume attached.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions you would like to discuss. I look forward to hearing from you.

[ Your full name ]

How to Write a Software Engineer Cover Letter:

A step-by-step guide to writing the perfect software engineer cover letter.

Address your letter.

Address the hiring manager directly..

Address your letter directly to the hiring manager, recruiter, employee, or whoever the person is that put out the job posting.

Avoid generic greetings.

If a contact name is supplied or if it is possible to find out a name, avoid using a general greeting such as "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam." Use the relevant title before the person's last name — for example, "Ms. Miller" or "Mr. Jones."

Write an introduction paragraph.

Keep your introduction brief..

In no more than three sentences , tell the person why you are writing and what position you are applying for.

Highlight that you meet the stated job requirements.

Your writing should reflect the exact job title and you should briefly mention key job advertisement requirements that you meet, for example, that you have five years' experience as a software engineer.

Indicate that feel you are the best fit for the job.

Use one sentence to point out that you feel you are a great candidate for the software engineer position.

Showcase your qualifications and competencies.

Briefly outline your qualifications..

Back your introduction up with tangible evidence. Scrutinize the job advertisement and directly address the stated requirements. Write a few sentences on your qualifications and training as a software engineer and where you studied.

For a software engineer position, employers usually look for at least a Bachelor's degree in software engineering, computer science, or similar. Related coursework or qualifications in, for example, business or project management will be beneficial, so don't neglect to mention it, if relevant.

Align your core skills to those mentioned in the job ad.

Lead into your list of skills by matching prominently featured duties and responsibilities mentioned in the job ad with core competencies from your resume. For example, if the job ad mentions full-stack web development, point out the extent of your proficiency in that regard.

Offer some insight into other relevant skills to give the hiring manager or recruiter a better idea of your abilities. This might include skills related to developing software system validation and testing methods, leading software engineering projects, and more.

Discuss your work experience.

Highlight your years of experience..

Mention how many years you've worked as a software engineer. Briefly go through your work history, naming only the most relevant roles. Keep this to a single sentence as you will be discussing your exact duties and work experience next.

Outline your most recent job.

In a few sentences , talk about your most recent role. Revisit the job description to ensure that you align your responsibilities with the key competencies they require.

Showcase major achievements in your previous role.

Highlight your biggest accomplishments in your previous job, for example, successfully integrating software systems for a merger and acquisition company, developing a call center application to track calls and capture metadata, etc. Don't neglect to name the websites or apps you designed or contributed to.

Add metrics to your job achievement descriptions.

If possible, include metrics to emphasize the impact of your contributions on the projects assigned to you, for example, creating a prediction model that resulted in an increase of 37 percent in website traffic, driving a 15 percent reduction in downtime, etc. The more specific you are, the better.

Celebrate the organization and add a call to action.

Point out a few things you know about the company..

Highlight two or three specific things that show your enthusiasm and admiration for the organization, for example, their accomplishments, corporate culture, reputation, community involvement, or positive employee feedback.

Reinforce that you would be a perfect fit for the job by adding desirable character traits, such as being a detail-oriented problem-solver with exceptional collaboration skills. Mention that you are eager to join their team.

Discuss the reasons why you want to work there.

Explain why being a software engineer at their organization appeals to you. This would typically include referring to their line of business and how you envisage adding value to their products or services.

End with a call to action.

Refer the reader to your attached resume and any additional documents that may have been requested. Encourage them to look at an online portfolio, your LinkedIn profile, websites, or apps that showcase your software engineering projects.

Invite them to contact you via email or phone should they need additional information. Let them know that you look forward to hearing from them and thank them for their time and consideration. End your letter by adding "sincerely" or an acceptable synonym and sign off with your full name.

Similar Jobs:

• Front-end Developer .
• Java Developer .
• Web Developer .
• Software Developer .
• UX Designer .

Common Cover Letter Mistakes

How do I write a software engineer cover letter?

• Address your letter .
• Write an introduction paragraph .
• Showcase your qualifications and competencies .
• Discuss your work experience .
• Celebrate the organization and add a call to action .

What skills do I need to become a software engineer?

• Exceptional analytical, technical, and creative skills.
• Extensive knowledge of the software engineering life-cycle.
• Solid understanding of programming languages.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

What is the format of a software engineer cover letter?

• Contact information.
• Opening paragraph.
• Call to action.

How long should a software engineer cover letter be?

Your cover letter should preferably not exceed one page. It should detail your qualifications, experience, accomplishments, and the reasons why you would be ideal for the role.

Related Articles:

Software engineer job description, how to write a cover letter, the 12 best cover letter tips for 2024, how to address a cover letter, how to ask for a letter of recommendation.

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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Find out how to make the best first impression with a Software Engineer cover letter. Use our professional example and expert tips below to get a good idea of what should go into your opening salvo with an employer.

While your resume lists your coding skills and tech projects, your Software Engineer cover letter makes these come alive. It’s where you connect your tech skills with real-world applications and show your enthusiasm for tech challenges.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• The essentials for experienced Software Engineers in cover letters, focusing on how to emphasize professional achievements and articulate problem-solving and innovation skills.
• Strategies for inexperienced Software Engineers , including how to effectively present academic projects and internships, and the most common mistakes to avoid.
• The one ingredient your Software Engineer cover letter must have to be successful.

Use our cover letter writing guide and follow our easy tips to craft a letter that stands out as much as your coding. Let’s make your application shine and stick in the minds of hiring managers.

Elevating Your Application: A Model Software Engineer Cover Letter

Before we delve into the specifics, let’s take a look at a sample cover letter . This example will give you a clear idea of how to structure your letter effectively. You can also use it as a Software Engineer cover letter template to craft your own document.

Software Engineer Cover Letter

Hiring Manager’s name

Company name

Company address

Dear Mr/Ms. [Hiring Manager Name]

I would like to express my interest in the Software Engineer role being advertised by [Company] on Indeed.com.

With over 5 years of experience in the sector and a master’s degree in Computing I was of course enthusiastic to see that [Company] was hiring. I am fully confident that my knowledge of Java, HTML5, Swift, C#/.NET, data structures, and best practices in development make me the perfect fit for this role.

Working with [Current Company] I have had the chance to build a number of consumer apps for both Android and iOS. I comprehensively oversaw the creation of the key algorithmic data structures and tested them thoroughly to ensure a robust infrastructure and to minimize downtime.

Following industry best practice throughout I was able to develop 3 brand new apps as well as 10 major updates for 4 pre-existing programs in 12 months. Many of these updates helped improve user feedback and ease of use by over 25%.

I would relish the opportunity to discuss the position at [Company] in more detail and to propose some ideas about the role. It is a company I’ve admired for many years and think there’s a lot we can talk about to take the business forward to even greater heights.

Please feel free to reach me at any time on my landline phone number listed below between the hours of 5 – 8 pm. Alternatively, I can be reached at any time vs my personal email address.

Thanks again for considering my application and hope we can meet to talk more about the position soon.

Address Phone number Email address

Cover Letter Essentials for Experienced Software Engineers

Start with highlighting your big projects in your cover letter, showing off the important roles you’ve played. 

Then, dive into how you’ve tackled tough problems and brought fresh ideas to the table, focusing on how you make your impact clear and tell a great story along the way.

Let’s get into the details and see how it’s done.

Emphasizing Professional Achievements

Let your professional achievements shine in the spotlight of your cover letter. 

Here are some dynamic ways to bring them into the limelight effectively:

• Identify key projects : Begin by identifying the most significant projects you have worked on. These should be projects where your contribution was crucial and had a measurable impact.
• Quantify your impact : Quantification makes your achievements concrete. For instance, if you improved a system’s efficiency, specify the percentage of improvement. If your work led to user growth, mention the number of users gained. These figures make your contributions tangible and memorable.
• Narrate your journey : Don’t just list achievements; tell a story. Explain the challenges faced and how you overcame them. This narrative style makes your letter engaging and gives a glimpse into your problem-solving approach.

“In my recent role at Tech Innovations Inc., I spearheaded the development of a new data analytics platform. By implementing advanced machine learning algorithms, my team and I enhanced data processing speeds by 40%, leading to a significant reduction in decision-making time for our clients. This breakthrough not only solidified our company’s position in the market but also contributed to a 25% increase in annual subscriptions. ”

Articulating Problem-Solving and Innovation Skills

Unleash the power of your problem-solving and innovation skills in your cover letter. 

Let’s explore how to express these invaluable abilities with some flair:

• Discuss specific problems : Choose one or two complex problems you’ve solved. Describe the context and why these problems were significant. This sets the stage for understanding the impact of your solution.
• Detail your innovative solutions : Explain the solutions you developed. Focus on innovative aspects or any unique approaches you employed. It’s not just about the ‘what’, but the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind your methods.
• Highlight the impact : Conclude by emphasizing the impact of your solutions. Did it streamline processes, reduce costs, or increase revenue? Show how your innovation or problem-solving skills brought value to the team or company.

“ In a project at Global Solutions, we faced a critical challenge with cross-platform compatibility in our mobile application. I led an initiative to refactor the existing codebase using a more flexible framework, which resolved the compatibility issues and enhanced app performance by 30%. This solution not only improved user experience across different platforms but also played a key role in increasing our app’s market penetration by 20% within six months.”

Your cover letter is the lens through which potential employers view your professional journey. It’s your stage to not just highlight past triumphs but also to spark intrigue about the unique value you’ll add to their team. 

Your experience is a story of growth, challenges, and achievements. Make sure you tell it compellingly.

Cover Letter Strategies for Inexperienced Software Engineers

Dive into tailored strategies for inexperienced Software Engineers, turning your budding skills and fresh insights into a standout cover letter.

Crafting an exceptional cover letter, coupled with using effective resume tools like customizable templates , can level the playing field, potentially giving you an edge over more seasoned candidates.

Inexperienced Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

Before jumping into the details, let’s look at a sample to get an idea of what a cover letter for a Software Engineer who’s just starting out looks like:

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Email Address] [Phone Number]

[Hiring Manager’s Name] [Company Name] [Company Address] [City, State, Zip]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

I am writing to express my interest in the Software Engineer position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Where you found the job posting]. As a recent graduate with a degree in Computer Science from [University Name], I am eager to bring my blend of academic achievements, project experience, and a fresh perspective to your innovative team.

During my final year at [University Name], I led a project that developed a mobile app for campus event planning, ‘CampusEvents’. My role involved programming the backend in Python, while collaboratively working on the front end using React. This project not only streamlined the event organization for student clubs but also enhanced user engagement by 30%.

It was a practical demonstration of how technology can transform everyday activities, aligning well with [Company Name]’s mission of [Company’s Mission/Goal related to software development].

In addition to my academic projects, I completed an internship at [Internship Company], where I contributed to the development of a project management tool. This experience sharpened my skills in React and Node.js and gave me valuable insights into agile software development and team collaboration.

My experience extends beyond technical skills. In university, I took on the role of mediator in group projects, ensuring clear communication and effective conflict resolution. As the president of our Coding Club, I organized several workshops and hackathons, honing my leadership and organizational skills. These experiences have not only prepared me technically but also equipped me with the soft skills necessary in a dynamic team environment.

I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to [Company Name], particularly in [specific project or aspect of the company you are interested in]. I am confident that my academic background and internship experience have prepared me well to make a meaningful contribution to your team.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the possibility of discussing my application with you and am available at your earliest convenience for an interview.

Warm regards,

[Your Name]

Leveraging Academic and Project Experience

Kickstart your Software Engineering career with a bang! Your cover letter should be a vibrant showcase of your enthusiasm. 

The following are 3 ways in which you can achieve this:

• Showcase academic Projects : Discuss significant projects from your coursework or personal ventures. Focus on those that demonstrate skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. Describe the project’s objective, your role, the technologies used, and the outcome. This shows your practical application of theoretical knowledge.
• Illustrate internship experiences : If you’ve had internships , highlight your contributions, even if they seem small. Discuss specific tasks you undertook and what you learned from them. This illustrates your ability to work in a professional environment.
• Bridge the gap : Connect your academic and project experiences to real-world demands. For instance, if you developed a mobile app as a project, discuss how the skills used could benefit the potential employer, like understanding user experience or coding in a specific language.

“In my final year at university, I led a team project to develop a mobile app for local event planning. My role involved coding the backend in Python and collaborating on the frontend design using React. This app successfully streamlined event organization for our campus clubs, showcasing my ability to blend technical skills with real-world application.”

Avoiding Common Mistakes

For the aspiring Software Engineer, your cover letter is an opportunity to highlight your emerging talents and clear vision. Be mindful of these common traps :

Underestimating your experience

Don’t downplay academic or project work. Describe these experiences with the same seriousness as professional work. What matters is how your skills align with the job requirements.

“During my time at university, I did a few coding projects and participated in some computer science classes.”

This example is incorrect because it’s too vague and doesn’t highlight the specific skills or accomplishments from the candidate’s academic projects. It fails to demonstrate how these experiences are relevant to a Software Engineering role.

“At university, I led a team project to develop a mobile app using Java, which streamlined the scheduling process for student events. This project honed my coding skills and gave me valuable experience in user interface design.”

Detailing a specific project, emphasizing a leadership role, and mentioning a tangible outcome make the example effective. It illustrates the relevance and value of academic experience in a professional context.

Being vague about skills

Be specific about your technical skills. Instead of saying “familiar with programming,” state “proficient in Java and Python ” or “experienced with React and Node.js.”

“I have a good understanding of various programming languages and software development tools.”

The statement’s generality fails to provide insights into the candidate’s technical skills, lacking specificity about programming languages or tools they are proficient in, which diminishes its impact.

“I am proficient in Java and Python, with substantial experience using React for front-end development and Node.js for building server-side applications. My final year project involved creating a full-stack application using these technologies.”

By clearly stating specific programming languages and technologies the candidate is proficient in, the example effectively demonstrates a skill set that is both clear and relevant for a Software Engineering position.

Ignoring soft skills

In the tech world, soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are as vital as technical skills. Include instances where you demonstrated these, perhaps during a group project or while leading a club at university.

“I worked on several group projects at university and was part of a coding club.”

The statement is vague about the role played in group projects and the activities in the coding club. It doesn’t effectively showcase the candidate’s soft skills or how they were applied.

“In my university projects, I often assumed the role of a mediator, facilitating clear communication among team members to efficiently resolve conflicts. Additionally, as the president of the coding club, I organized workshops and hackathons, enhancing my leadership and event management skills.”

Illustrating specific instances where soft skills were utilized and developed, such as conflict resolution in team projects and leadership in organizing club activities, the example makes the candidate’s soft skills both tangible and relevant.

Your cover letter should narrate the story of a budding Software Engineer brimming with potential, ready to transform academic and project experiences into real-world technological solutions. 

Be confident and clear, showing that what you lack in experience, you make up for in knowledge , skills, and eagerness to learn.

The One Ingredient Your Cover Letter Must Have: Collaborative Development Experience

In the collaborative world of Software Engineering, your prowess in team dynamics is just as crucial as your technical expertise. Ensure you mention your ability to work in teams with a vivid example.

• Agile methodologies : If you’ve worked in an Agile environment, describe how you’ve contributed to this process. Mention any specific roles you’ve taken on, like Scrum Master or Agile Coach , or how you’ve helped optimize the Agile process in your team.
• Code reviews and pair programming : Talk about your experience with peer code reviews and pair programming. These practices not only show your collaborative skills but also your commitment to quality and continuous learning.
• Diverse development environments : Mention any experience you have in varied environments, like contributing to open-source projects or participating in hackathons. This highlights your adaptability and willingness to engage with different technologies and teams.

“During my time at XYZ Corp, I actively participated in bi-weekly sprint planning and daily stand-ups as part of our Agile process. I regularly engaged in pair programming, which not only improved our code quality but also fostered a strong learning culture within our team.”

The goal is to present yourself as a well-rounded Software Engineer , adept in both technical and collaborative aspects of the job. Your cover letter should tell the story of a professional who is not only skilled in coding but also in working effectively with a team and various development tools.

Main Takeaways

Putting together a great cover letter as a Software Engineer is about more than just tech skills . It’s about showing how well you work with others and solve problems. 

Keep these key points in mind :

• For experienced engineers, it’s about showcasing professional achievements and articulating problem-solving and innovation skills. Your experience should be presented not just as a list of tasks but as a narrative of challenges overcome and value added.
• For those newer to the field, leverage your academic and project experience , and avoid common pitfalls like underestimating this experience, being vague about your skills, or overlooking the importance of soft skills.
• Across all experience levels, focusing on effective collaboration in various development environments will set you apart.

Want to speed up the process of writing your letter? Use our AI-enhanced resume builder as an aid. Get spot-on text proposals and ensure that every element of your cover letter is ready for submission.

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How to Write an Effective Software Engineer Cover Letter and Resume

Software engineering is a vital field. Professionals employed in this field play a huge role in nearly every technological device and system we enjoy, today. Software engineers work in different fields such as application development, video game development, cyber security, and network development.

To get into this field, you need a strong resume and cover letter to apply for roles. This guide will cover how to write an effective software engineer cover letter and resume with samples and templates to help you get started.

Find your bootcamp match

Software engineer cover letter guide.

If you want to work in a software engineer position for any company, a cover letter is an excellent way to highlight your relevant experience, soft skills, and technical skills. Your cover letter needs to address your eligibility while conveying enthusiasm for the position. It should also include your achievements and a brief overview.

Why Does Your Software Engineer Cover Letter Matter? 

Your software engineering cover letter matters because many professionals will apply for the same roles as you. You need to be able to show the recruiter why you are better suited to the job. In some cases, other candidates may be more qualified or experienced than you.  

In these cases, a potential employer relies on your cover letter to determine if you’re better suited, despite having lower qualifications. It allows them to read a summary of your resume and see your highlighted strengths, such as technical skills, communication skills, experience, and education. There are various cover letter formats that will ensure all the desired information is included.

Essential Components of Your Software Engineer Cover Letter

To craft the perfect cover letter for a software engineering position, you need to include the following components. These will ensure that your expertise and passion for the role are covered in an organized manner.

• Heading. Cover letter headers should be the first thing that employers see. It includes your full name, phone number, email address, and any relevant links to your portfolio or LinkedIn account. This is essential for the hiring manager to be able to contact you if they’re interested in your application.
• Introduction. The cover letter introduction section gives the reader a summary of your skills, qualifications, and experiences. It also covers the role you want to occupy in the company. This part needs to be short while explaining why you’re best for the job and why they should choose you instead of other candidates.
• Skills, experience, and accomplishments.  When you are done introducing yourself, the next section should go into detail about your key skills and hands-on experience. This part highlights training and education as well as the programming languages you are proficient in. It can also include any notable projects you have taken part in.
• Call to Action. This is the final paragraph and it is for summarizing your interest in the job. It also includes an expression of interest in scheduling an interview to chat about the position. You can also thank the hiring manager for reviewing your application. 
• Signature. This is the last section of the cover letter. It includes a professional closing phrase and your full name along with your signature. If you are emailing the cover letter then you just type out your name. 

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Software Engineer Cover Letter

Listed below are five tips for writing a strong cover letter for a software engineering position. These tips can be used alongside the essential components listed above to create a solid cover letter. 

• Avoid generic greetings. One of the most important rules is to avoid generic greetings such as “Dear hiring manager”. It is better to find the full name of the hiring manager and address them directly. This information can be obtained from the company website or even the job posting. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, address it to the company.
• Highlight your qualifications. Your cover letter must show that you meet the requirements of the job. It helps to mention why your qualifications and experience in software engineering adequately meet the demands of the job that you’re applying for.
• Align your skills with the job ad. Include any relevant skills you have that align with the job description.  For instance, if the job requires knowledge of Python, be sure to point out that you are proficient in this programming language.
• Add metrics to your achievement descriptions. Companies like to see proof of your claims. One way to do this is by listing your metrics to highlight the impact of your ideas or contribution to past projects. For instance, you can add that software you developed generated a 15 percent increase in traffic and saw a 20 percent reduction in downtime.
• Research the company. Highlighting some things you know about the company such as their products, accomplishments, reputation, corporate culture, or community involvement can show the hiring manager that you are already invested in the company.

Software Engineer Cover Letter Example

A good software engineer cover letter needs to prompt the hiring manager to read the resume. It should firmly summarize the content of the resume to prove that you are a good fit for the role. Here is a strong sample cover letter for a software engineering position.

Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample

[Name of Applicant]

[Street address]

[City, State]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

Dear [Hiring Manager], 

I am excited to apply for the role of Senior Software Engineer at [Company]. My prior experience and skills are an excellent fit for this role, as I have 20 years of experience in the software engineering field. I thrive on developing quality systems that meet and surpass the expectations of the end-users. 

In my previous position at [Former Company], I was responsible for coming up with innovative solutions and developing them for different software platforms. I also took the lead on developing expense-tracking software for real estate clients. This software was largely successful in the industry with over six million active users today.

I’ve developed useful skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking skills throughout my years of experience. When [Former Company] faced delays due to issues with quality assurance, I recommended the creation and implementation of a bug-tracking system to automate the entire process. This led to 40 percent fewer defects on average.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to further discussing the role and all that it entails. I respect [Company’s] mission to [company mission] and would be honored to contribute to that. I would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate my devotion to developing revolutionary software solutions for [Company] and hope to be considered for this postion].  

Software Engineer Resume Guide

Like a software engineer cover letter, a resume should also follow certain guidelines in order to appeal to the hiring manager. It is a very important document that is submitted alongside the cover letter. 

Why Does Your Software Engineer Resume Matter?

Your software engineer resume matters because it highlights your achievements and skills that make you suitable for the job. The first person that views it is the recruiter, so it needs to be compelling enough to get you shortlisted for an interview. 

Your resume also answers some of the questions that a hiring manager would ask you during an interview, specifically on educational qualifications, work experience, achievements, and skills. It allows you to list your relevant qualifications and increases the likelihood of being called back for an interview. 

Essential Components of Your Software Engineer Resume

Resumes generally have similar elements as cover letters, such as contact information, education, professional experience, and skills To write a solid software engineer resume, you’ll want to be sure you’ve included the essential components listed below.

• Contact Information. This section is usually at the top and allows the hiring manager to contact you, if necessary. It should contain your first and last name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile.
• Education. This section covers your educational qualifications. It is often written sequentially, starting with your highest level of education and working your way down to your high school diploma. It should contain the institutions’ names, type of achievement or award, and year of graduation. You can also add any academic honors, study abroad participation, research projects, and relevant coursework.
• Work Experience. This section often includes jobs, internships, volunteer work, special projects, and co-ops. To complete this section, write the position title, starting and ending date, name of the organization, and its location. Lastly, include a short description of the duties and responsibilities you fulfilled during your time of employment.
• Skills . This part is just as important as the work experience section. It helps to check the required skills in the job ad and incorporate them into the resume, as long as it’s true. It could include both soft and hard skills that show the recruiter that you are a dynamic applicant.
• References. References don’t need to be listed on a resume, as they can be provided on request. However, if you need to share them, they should be listed in alphabetical order by name.  Each one should include a name, phone number, and email address. Three references will suffice in most cases. 

5 Tips for Writing a Strong Software Engineer Resume

Along with the essential components and structure of your resume, the tips provided below will help you craft an impressive professional resume.

• Limit the resume to one page. Hiring managers often have to go through many resumes when there is a job opening. Because of this, it is very important to make your resume concise and straight to the point. Focus on the relevant work experience and skills. If vital information can’t fit on one page, two pages would be the absolute limit. 
• List relevant engineering skills. It may seem like a good plan to list all the possible skills for the software engineering role, but that is not necessary. When you list too many skills, a hiring manager can assume that your knowledge is broad, rather than deep. It is better to focus on skills that are directly relevant for engineering. 
• Relate your skills to achievements.  While writing your skills, note your accomplishments that support the skills you have listed. This can help you to illustrate that your skills have been put to the test and are useful.
• Tailor your resume to each job application. Your resume should be tailored to each job application. To do this, research the company and job ad and note any special requirements. Use that information to customize the resume and include the relevant requirements. Everything you list should be truthful and supported with evidence.
• Emphasize your projects. To craft a strong software engineer resume, you need to emphasize your software engineering projects, especially if you do not have much work experience. Projects you have worked on can replace work experience. Personal projects, work projects, and coding bootcamp projects are suitable for this purpose. 

Software Engineer Resume Examples

A strong software engineer resume must contain all of the essential components and tips listed above. Below is a sample of how this section should look. Beyond that is a full resume template that you can use to build your own resume.

Software Engineer Resume Sample: The Job Experience Section

Software engineer 

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Orange Inc.

June 2018 – Sept 2021

• Engineered modern applications with SQL, Java, NoSQL, and JavaScript
• Deployed and integrated mobile software
• Built innovative web services and microservices 
• Liaised with product managers and other professionals to identify clearly defined feature sets and minimum viable product requirements
• Used Cloud Foundry for developing on top of Kubernetes 
• Integrated and deployed scripts to enhance continuous integration practices
• Cut downtown by 30 percent 

Software Engineering Intern

Mellow Tech

January 2017 – May 2018

• Supported the testing and engineering process 
• Worked with members of the product team on innovations and projects
• Assisted the software engineers in completing software for clients
• Took part in continuous identification, improvement, and measurement of processes. 
• Completed maintenance on client programs
• Boosted coding efficiency by 30 percent  

Sample Software Engineer Resume Template

[Telephone number]

[The objective highlights why you are a perfect fit for the job. It also summarizes your skills, qualities, and experiences.]

[This section includes degrees as well as certifications or training you have taken part in.]

Work Experience

[Here, add your previous roles. If you have an extensive work history, you should focus on recent soft engineering jobs or closely related jobs.]

[this section lists your skills and proficiencies. Be sure to focus on skills that are relevant to the job ad.]

Software Engineer Resume Template Resources

• Indeed . You can choose the most suitable format and fully personalize it.
• Zety . This career resource offers hundreds of templates to choose from. It is unique because it tailors to professionals with varying levels of experience. 
• Canva . Canva offers thousands of templates that can be fully personalized and customized. 

Importance of a Software Engineer Cover Letter and Resume

Software engineer cover letters and resumes are important because they give prospective employers a first impression of you. They attest to your education, experience, skills, and overall eligibility for a position. Both documents allow hiring managers and recruiters to get an idea of who you are and how you can contribute to their mission. 

Software Engineer Cover Letter and Resume FAQ

A software engineer cover letter should include your personal information, contact details, and a formal greeting. It must also contain your professional skills and achievements, and why you’re an ideal candidate for the job.

Prospective employers look for succinct and concise cover letters that summarize the content of the resume. They want to see your achievements and how they can be applied to the job role they’re hiring for.

Before writing the resume, do some extensive research on the company and the job ad. Learn about their products and company culture, as well as key requirements the company upholds. Be sure to list your achievements and provide metrics to support your achievements. Incorporate resume tips for organized structure and enhanced appeal.

The chronological format is probably the easiest for employers to navigate. It simply means that your work history and education are listed from most current to oldest. However, there are many free resume templates that include a build-in format so that all you have to do is fill in your information.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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If you're an expert at writing code, but you could use a new job, then what you really need to write next is a software engineer cover letter.

Resume.io is the right place to turn for advice and help. Our job-winning resources include a wide selection of occupation-specific writing guides and free cover letter examples.

In this guide, we’ll explore in depth why a cover letter is a crucial part of a job application and how to prepare your own. Here’s what we’ll discuss:

• The job outlook for software engineers
• The purpose and goal of a cover letter
• The best software engineer cover letter structure and what sections it should include
• How to write each cover letter section for maximum impact: header, greeting, introduction, body and conclusion
• Design and formatting of your software engineer cover letter
• Common cover letter mistakes to avoid.

Job outlook for software engineers

Finding available job openings in your field should not be a problem. There’s an astonishing number published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting job growth of 22% for software developers from 2020 to 2030. That’s nearly three times higher than the projected job growth for all occupations.

While there are some differences between software engineers and software developers, the two terms are often used interchangeably. Both design, build, test and maintain computer software, although engineers build the tools that developers use to create applications. Software engineers tend to address all issues of software function, while developers tend to work on smaller-scale projects.

Both jobs pay well, though estimates of average salaries vary widely. According to Glassdoor.com, software engineers earn around $108,249 a year, while software developers make $97,763. Payscale.com cites considerably lower averages, at $88,161 for software engineers and $73,031 for developers . 

Yet the BLS , which does not list software engineers separately, says software developers earned median pay of $110,140 in 2020.

Given the salaries and job outlook for these related fields, you can expect both plenty of opportunity and plenty of competition as a job seeker. And to position yourself for the top jobs, you’ll need an outstanding resume and cover letter. The builder tool and resume templates at resume.io enable anyone to create a professional, field-tested resume that will get results.

Why software engineers need a cover letter

A cover letter is a hello, a handshake, a greeting from afar. It’s a first attempt to introduce yourself to someone who has the power to offer you a job, so it’s important. If you’ve identified a company you want to work for, sure, you could send them a random resume if you want, with no note to personalize it in any way. But what you really need with this company is a personal connection to a hiring manager, and a conversation that will continue in the future. 

In one survey of hiring managers , 10% said one of the top reasons for rejecting job applicants’ resumes was their failure to include a cover letter.  

Resumes tend to be somewhat dry lists of jobs, schools and skills. They don’t contain the word “I” or “you,” nor are they addressed to anyone. But a cover letter gives you the opportunity to address a hiring manager in your own voice. It’s a chance to showcase your personality, passion, creativity and personal warmth. A cover letter should be one page only, and a maximum of 400 words. 

Occasionally an employer will ask to see a resume only with no cover letter, and if that happens you should obviously comply with the request. But unless specifically asked not to, always include a cover letter when sending a resume to a potential employer.

Resume.io’s comprehensive cover letter guide offers general advice about how to go about writing a cover letter.

If you’re looking for additional cover letter writing guidance, check out these cover letter examples and writing guides in our related IT category:

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Best format for a software engineer cover letter

A software engineer cover letter should generally follow this framework of components:

• Introduction

Let’s talk about what each of these contains.

In the old days we called this a letterhead — a printed heading on a blank sheet of paper stating the sender’s name and contact info. And yes, we used to roll these into typewriters in order to write a business letter.

The technology has changed, but the purpose of the header remains the same — to quickly communicate to your correspondent who you are and how to reach you. It should be attractively designed, perhaps with a splash of color, to provide an eye-pleasing break from the solid paragraphs of text that follow. A header should generally include your name, address, phone number and email. It may also include what you do: “Software Engineer,” for example. Snail-mail addresses are considered less important now than they used to be, but it’s usually best to include one unless there’s a reason not to. 

To review some examples of good headers that will work for resumes or cover letters, visit our template page.

Align document styles

Your cover letter and your resume should be prepared using the same fonts, font sizes and formatting styles throughout. In fact, you may want to use the exact same header for your resume and cover letter. 

This consistency of style gives you a “visual brand,” demonstrates your attention to detail, and shows you understand that style matters. It should be obvious at a glance that your resume and your cover letter came from the same person. 

If your resume is formatted in a different style than your cover letter, the recruiter may assume that you’re using an old, generic resume that you send to all employers, whereas your cover letter is written using your new favorite fonts and type styles. This suggests a lack of consistency and organization.

Goal of the cover letter header: Readily tells the hiring manager who you are and how to reach you, while demonstrating a visual brand and regard for detail.

“Dear Mr. (or Ms.) Xxxxxxxx:” is the time-honored style for writing any business letter, including the formality of using the last name and ending the line with a colon. 

The era of email has relaxed some of the rules, with a comma often replacing the colon, with first names considered more acceptable, and with more generalized salutations like “Greetings XYZ Team.” But beware of being too informal. Probably the best advice is to study the culture of the company you’re targeting and see what kind of language it uses to address the public. Then use the same level of formality or lack thereof in your letter.

Whenever possible, address your cover letter to a specific person. There are several reasons for this:

• One of the primary reasons for a cover letter is to establish a personal connection to a hiring manager. This is hard to do if you don’t even know this person’s name.
• It shows good initiative on your part if you’ve gone to the trouble of finding out the name of the appropriate person to contact.
• People like to read their own names, and people are more inclined to respond to a letter addressed personally to them.

If the job listing you’re responding to doesn’t include the name of the person seeking applications, it may well be worth your while to call the company and inquire. However, there are some hiring managers who prefer to obscure their identities for whatever reason. In such cases you’ll have to find a creative way to address the entire company or the appropriate department within that company in your greeting.

Goal of the cover letter greeting: Starts off in a professional manner that shows initiative in researching the recipient’s name and how formal or casual the tone should be.

Dear Mrs. Wanamaker,

Your first paragraph should be a provocative opening that both identifies the job you’re seeking and offers a preview of your qualifications. It should be written in energetic, lively language that hints at your passion for what you do. Ideally it should make the reader say, “Hey, this person can write.” At the very least, it should make the reader want to read on.

After eight years of software development experience in the ecommerce operations of two leading online fashion retailers (averaging 11 million+ monthly visits), I hope to bring my web development and systems architecture skills to Banton.

Goal of the cover letter introduction: Focus the reader’s immediate attention on your most compelling attributes while sparking interest to keep reading.

Now that you’ve got their attention, it’s time to deliver. The two or three paragraphs in the body of your letter must make the case that you qualify for the job. This is the place to discuss your work experience, your achievements on the job and your qualifications in the field. This is the place to use that telling anecdote about how you once solved a major problem to everyone’s satisfaction. 

Be specific when describing past accomplishments, using facts and figures where appropriate. Think of the symbols “$,” “#” and “%,” and try to provide dollar figures, numbers and percentages. If you have a college degree in a computer-related field, this would be a fine place to mention it. You can also turn from talking about the past to talking about the future. You may choose to describe to the employer how you believe your unique set of skills will help it solve its problems.

Goal of the cover letter body: Illustrate how this employer would benefit from your qualifications as an experienced, solution-focused software engineer.

The majority of my career has been spent maintaining ESB applications and ensuring the smooth operations of the ecommerce back end. I am proficient at understanding the needs of the business and putting the customer experience first while keeping an eye on budgetary constraints. After reinvigorating the supplier base in 2019, we achieved a 13% annual cost saving while decreasing website bugs and coding errors by 35%. My highest profile project came when I designed, developed and implemented the architecture of an award-winning virtual store that allowed customers to superimpose their image onto our products. From initial requirement gathering to design, coding, testing and roll-out, I project managed every aspect. The application increased LFL sales by 18%. Prior to my retail experience, I spent a decade in a software consultancy, so my technical experience is broader than just ecommerce. This has proved useful for many non-retail requirements. I am proficient in Windows, Unix and Linux platforms, as well as fluent in nine programming languages (including C, C++, VB, Java, Perl and SQL). My computer science degree from CalTech formed the foundation of my career, but I have taken every opportunity since to take over 60 online courses and certifications. You could say that I am somewhat addicted to improving my software skills.

One final paragraph of your software engineer cover letter should serve as both a summary and a call to action. You want to close on a confident and positive note, looking forward to further contact. For example: Given my decade of experience in software engineering and my love of gaming, I hope you would be interested in meeting with me to discuss how I could help fulfill your ambitions in this market. I’d love to show you some of what I’ve done in the past and also toss around some ideas about the future.

I look forward to hearing about your development plans and hope that an interview might allow me to expand on how my skills could contribute.

Aim of the cover letter closing: End on a self-assured note with a call to action encouraging an enthusiastic response from the hiring manager.

Your letter should usually close with a simple “Sincerely,” followed by a space and your typed name. There’s no harm in scanning your actual signature and inserting it if you can, though it’s not expected in electronic correspondence.

Yours sincerely, Steven Frost

Cover letter design and formatting

In your career as a software engineer, did you ever have a client who said, “I don’t care what it looks like as long as it works”? Probably not many!

Looks matter. So consider these points:

• Fonts: Use an attractive, modern, legible font that other people are likely to have on their computers. Avoid exotic fonts that call attention to themselves or that may turn into garble on someone else’s screen.
• Font size: Use a font size of 10 to 12 points for the body of your letter (though bigger is OK for parts of the header, including your name). If your letter doesn’t fit onto one page, avoid reducing the font size and instead trim your text.
• Margins: Use a one-inch margin on the left, right, top and bottom of your page. This creates essential white space on the margins of your page and keeps it from looking too dense and crowded.
• Text alignment: Text should usually be justified left, creating a “ragged right” style where the words on the right don’t align. This creates additional white space to the right, whereas paragraphs that are stretched out from the left margin to the right create big, unpalatable blocks of text.
• Paragraph spacing: Put a space between all paragraphs, and do not indent them. It used to be acceptable to deliver a single-spaced document as long as each new paragraph was indented, like in a book. But for most electronic communications today, that convention is long gone.
• White space: Never forget that some of the most important parts of your letter are those that are completely blank. White space is crucial because both the eye and the brain occasionally need a break. Good designers will tell you that you should avoid “trapping” white space inside your design and instead push it to the outside of the page.
• Send as PDF: Except in rare cases where an employer specifically requests a Word file, save your cover letter as a PDF. This file type will preserve all of your formatting so that your page looks the same on your correspondent’s computer as on yours.
• Use a template: The easiest, fastest and safest way to ensure that your cover letter meets industry standards is to download a professional, field-tested template from a service like resume.io. We’ll take care of the design, the fonts and the formatting — all you have to do is write the letter.
• The builder tool and cover letter templates at resume.io enable anyone to create a professional, field-tested resume that will get the right results.

Psychology, tactics and tips

Remember that your cover letter is written to a human being, and you should write like one too. Avoid the kind of language that will make you sound like a corporate robot.

Beware of clichés commonly used in cover letters. “I am writing to ...” “Please consider this letter my application for…” “I am a team player and a self-starter, and I’m passionate about thinking outside the box.” Kill all of this language. If it’s been said a thousand times before, do not say it again. Write something that your recipient has never read before. 

Psychologists say the brain responds to stimuli with a mix of quick, emotional responses and slower, more rational responses. Both are useful to you in writing a persuasive cover letter. You should use a certain amount of emotional and personal language that appeals more to the heart than the head (“My greatest desire…” I would be delighted to…” etc.). And you should use a certain amount of rational language — for example, the facts and figures that illustrate your successes at past endeavors. 

Also remember that everyone loves a good story, and try to include at least one anecdote. Bear in mind that the point of a cover letter is to establish a personal relationship with the recipient. So when you talk like a real person, make sure it's the kind of person the recruiter would want to meet.

These are some of the most common mistakes that people make in writing cover letters:

• Errors in English. This is among the top reasons resumes and cover letters are rejected: Typos, misspelled words and bad grammar. If writing is not your long suit, find an editor to review your letter before you send it.
• Form letters. A cover letter is NOT a one-size-fits-all document that you send to all employers. Every cover letter should be unique, addressed to a specific recipient and based on the employer's specific needs.
• Bad formatting. The aforementioned problems about strange fonts, tiny text, missing margins or any other reason your letter is ugly (or doesn’t open in a normal application) can be an instant disqualifier.
• Irrelevant info. Whether you run three marathons a year or are an international master of Dungeons and Dragons, leave it out if it’s not relevant to your skills as a software engineer.

Key takeaways for a software engineer cover letter

• Software engineers can look forward to robust job growth and excellent salaries in the years ahead. But the competition for these jobs will also be substantial, and every candidate needs a top-notch job application including an excellent resume and cover letter.
• Unless specifically asked not to, you should always send a cover letter when submitting a resume.
• Understand the basic structure of a cover letter and write yours accordingly.
• Format your letter correctly to avoid deal-breaking mistakes in fonts, design and file types.
• Make sure your letter is error-free before you hit “Send.”

Best of luck!

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