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Software Developer — Free Cover Letter Template

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Software Developer Cover Letter Sample:

[Full name]

[Physical address]

[Telephone number]

[Email address]

[Date]

Re: Application for the position of software developer

Dear [recipient’s title and last name,]

I would like to apply for the position of software developer as advertised [mention where you saw the advertisement.] I have extensive experience in software design specializing in [#1 software specialty] and [#2 software specialty] that perfectly fit the advertised job requirements.

I received my [qualification] from [institution and location,] and have [insert number] of years in [software development, software design, IT, or similar.] In my [current or previous role] at [insert company name] I [was/am] responsible for [discuss your core responsibilities.] Most recently, I was [talk about your major accomplishments in software development or design.]

I am impressed with [mention notable characteristics or milestones you appreciate about the company] and feel that my experience with [mention specific software skills] would be of great benefit to [company name.]

Please find my resume attached. Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions you would like to discuss.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

How to Write a Software Developer Cover Letter:

$0.00 USD
2 Hours
How to Write a Software Developer Cover Letter:

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

1. 

Address your letter.

1.1 

Address the hiring manager directly.

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.

1.2 

Avoid generic greetings.

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. Evans" or "Mr. Costa."

2. 

Start with an introduction.

2.1 

Keep your introduction brief.

Keep your introduction brief.

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

2.2 

Mention that you meet the stated job requirements.

Mention that you meet the stated job requirements.

Your writing should reflect the exact job title and you should briefly highlight key job advertisement requirements that you meet, for example, that you have two years' post-tertiary experience as a software developer.

2.3 

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

Indicate that you 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 developer position.

3. 

Outline your qualifications and experience.

3.1 

Briefly discuss your qualifications.

Briefly discuss your qualifications.

Refer back to the job advertisement and directly address the stated requirements. Write a few sentences on your qualifications and training as a software developer and where you studied.

For a software developer position, employers usually look for at least a Bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or similar.

3.2 

Highlight your years of experience.

Highlight your years of experience.

Mention how many years you've worked as a software developer. Briefly go through your work history, mentioning only the most relevant jobs. Keep this to a single sentence as you will be discussing your exact duties and work experience further on.

3.3 

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

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

Start by matching prominently featured duties and responsibilities mentioned in the job ad with core skills and competencies from your resume. For example, if the job ad requires that you'd need to develop software specifications, mention the extent of your experience 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 full-stack development, software life-cycle design, code testing, and more.

4. 

Talk about your most recent job.

4.1 

Discuss your most recent role and responsibilities.

Discuss your most recent role and responsibilities.

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

4.2 

Showcase major accomplishments in your previous job.

Showcase major accomplishments in your previous job.

Discuss your biggest achievements in your previous job, for example, successfully developing and installing new systems, optimizing user interfaces, and more.

4.3 

Add metrics to your job achievement descriptions.

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, leading the development of an android app by writing 80% of the code in React Native and achieving excellent stability with less than 10 crashes per 10,000 users. The more specific you are, the better.

5. 

Celebrate the organization.

5.1 

Mention a few things you know about the company.

Mention a few things you know about the company.

Do a bit of research and highlight two or three specific things that show your enthusiasm and admiration for the organization, for example, their achievements in the industry, corporate culture, community involvement, or favorable 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 excellent interpersonal skills. Let them know that you are eager to join their team.

5.2 

Mention the reasons why you want to work there.

Mention the reasons why you want to work there.

Indicate why being a software developer at their organization appeals to you. Typically, this would include mention of their line of business and how you envisage adding value to their products or services.

6. 

End with a call to action.

6.1 

Mention that you would like to hear from them.

Mention that you would like to hear from them.

Refer the reader to your attached resume and any additional documents that may have been requested. Invite them to look at an online portfolio or website that reflects a range of your software development projects.

Encourage them to contact you via email or phone should they need additional information. Let them know that you look forward to hearing from them.

6.2 

Close your letter by thanking the reader and signing off.

Close your letter by thanking the reader and signing off.

Offer your thanks for their time and consideration. End your letter by adding "sincerely" or an acceptable synonym and sign off with your full name.

The 12 Best Cover Letter Tips for 2024

Our guide to writing a great cover letter for your next job application.

FAQs:

What should be included in a well-written software developer cover letter?

  • Your full name and contact details.
  • The reason why you are writing.
  • A few paragraphs describing your skills and qualifications.
  • A call to action.

How long should a cover letter for a software developer position be?

A cover letter should ideally not be more than one page long. The letter should be concise, easy to read, and it should highlight your skills and qualifications.

What qualifications do software developers need?

Most software developer positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, software engineering, or similar.

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