When writing your software engineer cover letter, focus on how you can design powerful applications for the company that posted the job. Also, emphasize your related skills, such as project management, user needs analysis, or software upgrades and maintenance. This guide will help you write a cover letter that gets you interviews for your next job as a software engineer.
Software Engineer Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
How To Write a Software Engineer Cover Letter
A good software engineer 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 Engineer 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 Engineer 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
Melanie Alfaro
Software Engineer | [email protected] | (567) 890-1234 | 678 My Road, Pittsburgh, PA 76543
February 19, 2024
Ronald Spencer
Senior Hiring Manager
Humana
(876) 543-2109
[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. Smith,
Dear IT Hiring Manager:
Dear HMD International 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 engineer. Cite one of the key programs or applications you’ve created, and spell out how that helped users engage with a company’s products or services. In the software engineer cover letter example below, see how the applicant quickly connects her chosen highlight to contributions she could make in the role.
Example
Last year, I developed a groundbreaking application that matched users with the most appropriate health services for their symptoms, location, and needs. This application became one of the top five highest-reviewed iOS App Store downloads in 2023. I hope to help Humana provide similarly innovative solutions to help even more people access high-quality health care in 2024.
4. Body paragraph(s)
Use the main section of your cover letter to tell why you’re drawn to this software engineer position. For instance, maybe you have a strong background in designing similar computer systems or applications. Or you’re applying to one of the many software development jobs in insurance, a sector you’d like to return to. Also, consider what the posting says about the team or work culture – maybe the role partners closely with quality assurance, something you’d like to do more of in your next job.
Following this explanation, cite a few more of your key achievements or qualifications, possibly as bullet points.
Example
I find Humana’s goal to provide tailored health care support that enhances its customers’ physical and emotional well-being inspiring. My previous accomplishments and three years of experience in the sector make me an ideal addition to your team. Some of my proudest achievements include:
- Resolving a highly complex systems error in just two days that had been causing prolonged issues for clients
- Earning a commendation for my work on a patient collaboration project that led to the company’s most lucrative software application of 2019
- Mentoring and training two recruits on .NET frameworks
5. Call to action
Finally, request an interview for the position. Consider restating your ability to develop powerful applications – this lets you maintain your letter’s focus through the last paragraph. To end your cover letter, use a simple closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and then your name.
Example
I’d like to set up an interview time so we can discuss how my past experience can help HMD International achieve its long-term goals. Please feel free to contact me with a time that suits your schedule.
Best regards,
Simon Taylor
Software Engineer Cover Letter Tips
1. Highlight your main work skills
As part of your letter’s body text, add a short list of bullet points to show your success in areas related to software engineering, such as project management, process streamlining, or technical troubleshooting. This is also a great place to name some of the programming languages you’re versed in and would use in your next job.
Example
My major accomplishments include:
- On-time completion and smooth implementation of all software development projects handled as team lead/project manager
- Development of unique client/server systems using programming languages, such as C#, PHP, Perl, Python, Java, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and other proprietary and open-source languages and tools
- Leading by example to instill enthusiasm and project ownership among team members
2. Mention your relevant traits
On a separate document or sheet of paper, take 10 minutes to brainstorm why this software engineering job or employer interests you. For instance, maybe you have a strong background in designing similar computer systems or applications. Or maybe you’re applying to one of the many software development jobs in insurance, and that’s a sector you’d like to return to. Also, consider what the posting says about the team or work culture – maybe the role partners closely with quality assurance, something you’d like to do more of in your next job.
When you’re done brainstorming, review your notes: Do any stand out as important or persuasive? Take another 10 minutes to brainstorm and elaborate on them. Repeat this process until you have at least two or three concise sentences that speak to the job opening. By adding these to your cover letter, you can show hiring managers you read their job posting and are responding to it directly.
Example
Desired qualities in software engineers include precision, focus, innovation, diligence, and collaboration. Consider which of these traits describe you best, then give an example or two of how you’ve shown them in a work setting.
3. 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
HMD International is planning to expand its e-commerce sector in the European market, and I have the expertise to help you achieve your goals. I am fluent in 13 programming languages.
Software Engineer Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Simon Taylor
Software Engineer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | 123 Main St., Portland, OR 12345
February 2, 2024
Micheal Smith
Senior Hiring Manager
HMD International
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am the lead developer for six high-traffic e-commerce websites that currently have over 18 million active users. I have personally increased the company’s profits by over 17%, and I am looking to improve on these figures at HMD International. I was also responsible for structuring and developing several internal software systems to track production workflow.
HMD International is planning to expand its e-commerce sector in the European market, and I have the expertise to help you achieve your goals. I am fluent in 13 programming languages.
Some of my past successes include:
- Developed two apps with my team that were rated at 4.8 stars on both Google Play and the AppStore
- Devised new help desk solutions that cut IT callouts by 27%
- Created a new production workflow tracking system that increased productivity by 21%.
I’d like to set up an interview time so that we can discuss how my past experience can help HMD International achieve its long-term goals. Please feel free to contact me with a time that suits your schedule.
Best Regards,
Simon Taylor
Software Engineer 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. They also set up a good interview discussion about how you fit the role and the office’s work culture.
What should my cover letter’s design look like?-
Your resume’s. Carry over all of that document’s basic format settings, like font style, line spacing, and page margins. When you style your cover letter like your resume, you make your application more cohesive and memorable.
How long should a 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 engineer. Give just enough detail to pique hiring managers’ interest so they take a closer look at your resume.
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