Software Developer Cover Letter

Software Developer Cover Letter (With Examples)

Cover letters are a crucial part of any job application, and they can help set you apart from the competition. While the resume gives a quick rundown of your experience, a cover letter is a chance for you to speak directly with the hiring manager and explain why you think you would be a good fit for the position.

Resumes list off the bare bones of your experience, but cover letters allow you to go deeper. You can explain what skills you have recently acquired, highlight accomplishments you have made, and tell the company, in your own words, a bit about yourself.

For a software developer, this is a chance to show off your interpersonal, communication, and writing skills.

While it can seem daunting, you are in luck, as there are several templates out there to get you started and put you well on your way to landing your dream job. Try looking through the Microsoft Word and Google Docs templates before you get started to give you an idea of what people expect in a cover letter.

Parts of a Cover Letter

Each cover letter, regardless of the job you are applying to or the experience you have, tends to follow the same main format: an opening, a body, and a closing.

Your cover letter should open with your address and contact information, the address of the company you are applying to, and a greeting to the hiring manager or supervisor.

Then, in the body of your letter, you will state that you believe you are a good fit for the position and explain why. Since your resume simply lists out your experience, your cover letter is your opportunity to expand on that experience, give specifics, and highlight accomplishments.

Finally, in the closing, thank the hiring manager or supervisor for their time, express your hope to hear from them soon, and give a formal signature.

Software Developer Cover Letter Opening

Cover letter openings tend to be the same across the board, with only a few exceptions. In terms of formatting, you will want to stick to the usual 12pt Times New Roman font. Typically, the header of the document will include your name as well as your contact information. To start the actual letter itself, add today’s date to the top of the document.

Then, start a new paragraph and include the hiring manager’s information: name, job title, and address, This is one chance you have to prove that you have done your research, so include as much information as you can find.

A hiring manager will typically include their contact information along with the job listing, but including more information such as the company’s address and the hiring manager’s full name and phone number will show that you have at least Googled the place and maybe did some more research through their LinkedIn.

After listing off the date and the contact information, start off your letter with a greeting. If you have the hiring manager’s full name, use it. This gives your letter a more personalized touch, and it shows again that you have done your research. If you don’t have the hiring manager’s name, consider using “Dear Hiring Manager.”

If you want to come across as formal and professional as possible, add the prefix “Mr.” or “Ms.” before their name. If the company appears more casual, greeting the hiring manager by their first name may be appropriate, but err on the side of formality, just to be safe.

However, if you are unsure of the hiring manager’s gender, or if they have a unisex name such as Jessie or Pat, avoid using this tactic.

Software Developer Cover Letter Body

While this next part is not as formulaic as the opening lines, there is still a general outline you can follow.

Start the body of your letter by stating why you are writing to them. Mention what job you are applying to, and consider adding where you found out about the opening.

Next, explain why you believe you would be a good fit. Try using the language in the job listing itself. For example, if the job listing mentions a need for someone with exceptional writing skills, feel free to write, “I possess exceptional writing skills.”

When listing off the reasons you are right for the job, include some technical skills, some soft skills, and some of the most relevant experience you have.

This will help you come across as someone who is well-rounded and able to help out in many different ways. You can choose to list these skills in paragraph form or in a bulleted list, but for the latter, try to keep it short with only five to six points.

In this section, you can also take a few lines to describe and emphasize a few of your accomplishments, especially if these accomplishments are easily backed up with numbers.

For example, it is better to write, “I managed ten employees and improved productivity by 15%,” rather than “I improved workplace morale.” Having the stats to support your accomplishments gives them more credibility.

You may also choose to tell the hiring manager a bit about yourself. You can describe your most recent position and the responsibilities you had there, or you can describe your career so far, making sure you explain how your experience gives you a unique set of skills and perspectives.

For many of us, it can be difficult to write about ourselves, especially if we are prone to Imposter Syndrome. However, this is your time to shine, and you deserve to have your hard work recognized. Do not be afraid to brag a little; this is the time to do it.

Software Developer Cover Letter Closing Lines

Now that you’ve gotten the hard part done, and you have described yourself in the best light possible, it is time to wrap up your letter. It is important to make sure that your letter does not come to an abrupt end, so it would be wise to include a concluding statement.

Start by reiterating your interest in the position.

Include your contact information one more time.

Thank them formally, and end with a professional signature.

“Regards” and “Yours” can also be appropriate closings.

Example of a Software Developer Cover Letter

Once it is all put together, your cover letter should look something like this:

Final Thoughts

Writing a cover letter may seem like overkill, especially if you are convinced that no one will actually read it. However, the act of submitting a cover letter alone is able to set you apart from your competition. If it is a well-written cover letter, you are far more likely to catch the eye of the hiring manager and possibly land an interview.

Luckily, there are several templates at your disposal, which can make writing these letters as easy as possible.