When writing your software developer cover letter, focus on how you can design high-performing applications for the company that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills like customer analytics.
This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a software developer.
Software Developer Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Software Developer Cover Letter
A good software developer cover letter usually has five sections, outlined below. When possible, connect each section to your defining technical skills and the organization’s hiring needs. The following advice and examples show what to include in your cover letter so it’s optimized for each job application.
1. Heading
At the top of the page, include your resume contact header, the date, and any basic contact details you have about your recipient. To set a clear focus, add the title Software Developer to your contact header. You can then modify your title to align with each job posting. For instance, you could use the title Senior Software Developer if that’s closer to the role you’re after and still accurate to your experience.
(Note: Feel free to omit this section if you send your letter by email and your contact details are part of your email signature.)
Example
Lily Fraser
Software Developer | [email protected] | (789) 012-3456 | 876 Main St., Charleston, WV 76543
February 19, 2024
Phoebe Wong
Senior Hiring Manager
Guidehouse
(456) 789-0123
[email protected]
2. Salutation
Whenever you can, address your recipient by name – it’s the quickest way to signal you’re sending a job-specific letter and not a boilerplate. If you can’t find the recipient’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager” so your greeting is still tailored somewhat to each job opening.
Examples
Dear Mr. Miller,
Dear Cloud Nine Hiring Manager:
3. “Hook” or introduction
To catch the reader’s attention, start your letter with an example or measure of your success as a software developer. For instance, maybe you created an interface that helped raise user adoption rates. Or perhaps you developed a popular new data warehousing solution.
Example
Writing 90% of the code for the most popular business solutions iOS app in 2020 won me the Developer of the Year award in my company. As the lead software developer at Addison Group, I hope to create the next must-have data warehousing software.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your cover letter to tell why the job or employer interests you. For example, maybe it centers on careful system documentation, similar to your favorite recent job. Or you’re drawn to the company’s reputation for cutting-edge programs and intelligent client solutions.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly as bullet points.
Example
Guidehouse’s aim of helping businesses meet their goals and improve their services through intelligent software design is the perfect fit for my skill set and previous experience. I have keen analytical ability and troubleshooting skills that can make me an asset to your company. My recent accomplishments include:
- Collaborating with a client to generate a software solution for his company that boosted its online revenue by 43% in a single fiscal quarter
- Delivering 75% of my projects ahead of schedule and 100% on time without compromising on accuracy or quality
- Receiving praise at every annual performance review for my efficiency and teamwork skills
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview for the position. Consider restating your ability to design successful software applications. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I look forward to discussing how my previous experience can benefit Cloud Nine. Please feel free to contact me with a time that works best for you.
Best Regards,
Michael Garcia
Software Developer Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your professional strengths
As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your success in key work areas for a software developer or your expertise in certain technologies like JavaScript or CSS.
Example
My work highlights include:
- Introduced customer analytics to provide insight into customer interactions and improve the user experience (UX)
- Provided hands-on software troubleshooting to avoid late discovery of flaws
- Led a team of seven software developers to refactor the code and reduce the service loading time by 98%
2. Speak to the company's strategic goals
An effective cover letter doesn’t just give facts about your past, it also shows your excitement for the future. What direction is the hiring company headed? Does the job posting reveal its short- or long-term business goals? Speak to those goals and how you see yourself advancing them, and you’ll give your cover letter the engaged and confident tone it needs to stand out.
Example
As a seasoned developer with 12 years’ experience and expert knowledge of the latest developments in business intelligence software, Addison Group’s position as a market leader in the analytics industry appeals to me. My achievements in 2023 demonstrate my suitability to become an inspiring leader at your company.
3. Mention your relevant traits
Desired qualities in software developers include creativity, in-depth analysis, and clear communication. Consider which of these traits describe you best, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
Example
My most significant professional achievement in 2023 was spearheading a project to enhance a major client’s application and reduce its crash rate to less than 0.01%. I am excited to apply my extensive technical knowledge and analytical skills in the software developer role at Guidehouse.
Software Developer Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Michael Garcia
Software Developer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | San Francisco, CA 09876
February 1, 2024
Eric Miller
Senior Software Engineer
Cloud Nine
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Miller,
In my previous position at XYZ Design Corp, I created a new interface that contributed to a 20% increase in new user adoption rates after two months of rollout. I am experienced in web technologies (such as HTML/DOM, HTTP, JavaScript, and CSS.) I would like to bring my knowledge, abilities, and strong work ethic to Cloud Nine as a Software Developer.
With my eight years of experience and B.S. in Computing Engineering, I look forward to contributing to Cloud Nine’s reputation for cutting-edge programs. My work highlights include:
- Introduced customer analytics to provide insight into customer interactions and improve the user experience (UX)
- Provided hands-on software troubleshooting to avoid late discovery of flaws
- Led a team of seven software developers to refactor the code and reduce the service loading time by 98%
I look forward to discussing how my previous experience can benefit Cloud Nine. Please feel free to contact me with a time that works best for you.
Best Regards,
Michael Garcia
Software Developer Cover Letter Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the most important part of a cover letter? -
Any explanation you give for why the specific job opening or employer interests you. These details distinguish the cover letter from your resume and other application materials and can help you get past applicant tracking systems (ATS). They also set up a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the office’s work culture.
How long should my cover letter be?-
No more than one page, or around 250 words. Resist the urge to tell your whole career story, even if you have an extensive background as a software developer. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they closely review your resume.
How do I professionally say I’m willing to learn?-
There’s nothing unprofessional about describing yourself as “willing to learn” in your cover letter. The problem with this phrase is it's too vague to impress hiring managers. To make the idea more persuasive, get specific. Give one or more examples of your training up quickly or learning new skills as a software developer, and spell out how that helped your team.
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