Software engineer cover letter example

Why a software engineer cover letter matters

Even if you’ve already used a software engineer resume example to prepare a strong resume, it still helps to draft a unique cover letter. A cover letter is an opportunity to share your personal story or to explain your relationship with the person who may have referred you to the company.

Cover letters are particularly important for software engineers. Your resume already details your technical skills; in your cover letter, you can showcase your soft skills, such as communication and leadership. You can also explain how your professional achievements align with the job description or how you will be an asset to the company.

Key components of a software engineer cover letter

What is the most important element to include in a software engineer cover letter? After your initial introduction, you should focus on three major points: Discuss your past education and achievements, your present skills, and your possible future with the company to which you’re applying.

Past achievements

Introduce yourself briefly, then include a paragraph describing your background. Expand on anything mentioned in your CV. This is where you might mention specific aspects of your education, or you can list major accomplishments relevant to the company or role in question.

Present skills

Next, highlight any specialized skills you may have. This might include programming languages, web development skills, or other core competencies that would be useful for a software engineer role. But don’t forget to highlight your interpersonal skills or any experiences with project management or leadership.

Future role

Finally, conclude the letter with a call to action based on the future role. For example, you might offer to schedule an interview or make yourself available for any additional questions about your candidacy. You might also include a final sentence about the value you will bring to the company. Then, close the letter with a professional sign-off.

Software Engineer Cover letter format

The following are the basic parts of a cover letter. Software engineers can use this format to draft a letter for their next job.

Greeting: Open your letter with a professional greeting. If possible, use the hiring manager’s name when addressing the letter instead of writing “To Whom It May Concern.”

Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and explain the purpose of your letter. Be specific. Use your full name, and state that you are writing in reference to the advertised job title.

Body: The body will be the largest portion of your cover letter. In this section, you will describe your past accomplishments and current skill set.

Closing: Sign off with a professional phrase, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards.” You can sign your cover letter by hand or with an e-signature.

Sample cover letter for software engineers

Before you draft a cover letter of your own, look at some cover letter examples for software engineers. You can also use a resume template to draft a professional resume or check out these resume examples.

Cover letter example: Software engineer role

Dear [hiring manager’s name]:

My name is [your name], and I am writing to express my interest in the software engineer role at [company name]. Given my background in computer science and strong record of innovative solutions, I believe I could be a valuable asset to your organization.

I earned my Bachelor of Science from [university name], where I demonstrated strong competency in programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++. That foundation proved invaluable during my role at XYZ Technologies, where I focused on full-stack development and helped design and implement an industry-leading customer relationship management (CRM) platform that increased efficiency by more than 20%.

I’ve long admired your company’s commitment to leading-edge technology as well as your commitment to sustainable development. My prior experiences would align perfectly with your desire for innovation and creative problem-solving.

I look forward to contributing to your company’s goals. If you would like to speak further about my candidacy, I am available at the contact information provided. I am excited about the possibility of joining your team. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Cover letter example: Software development team lead

Dear [hiring manager’s name]:

I am [your name], and I am applying for the position of software developer team lead posted on your company’s career site. My track record of project development and team management would perfectly align with the position’s requirements.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in computer science from [university name], I assisted ABC Resources with a series of complex projects, many of which involved advanced programming languages and technical frameworks. Additionally, I had the opportunity to hone my team-building skills by managing team members from multiple departments.

My leadership style is highly collaborative, providing space for team members to be heard and play a role in the finished product. But I also have experience in delegating tasks in order to meet strict deadlines and adhere to the highest standards of excellence.

I would love to speak further about this opportunity. Should you have additional questions about my candidacy, I can be reached at the contact information above. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Dos and don’ts

Remember that your cover letter is designed to create a good first impression. Here’s what to include — and what to avoid.

Do

What are the best practices for drafting and submitting your cover letter?

Personalize your letter by addressing the hiring manager
Tailor your cover letter to the company and role
Use concise language and limit your letter to one page
Provide specific, quantifiable examples (e.g., raised efficiency by 15%)
Break sections into paragraphs to maintain readability
Proofread the letter to make sure it’s error-free

When in doubt, have someone look over your CV and cover letter, and ask them for suggestions on how to improve.

Don’t

Avoid these common mistakes when creating a cover letter:

Never use the same letter for multiple companies
Refrain from confessing weaknesses or failures in your cover letter
Avoid exceeding one page for your cover letter

You can also use cover letter templates for a fast way to draft professional letters.

Additional tips

Here are some tips for crafting a cover letter that will help you get noticed.

Research carefully: Do some research about the company you’re applying to. With this information, you can tailor your cover letter to be more suited to the specific role or the company’s larger goals.
Balance technical and soft skills: Software engineers tend to focus on their technical skills, but hiring managers may be equally interested in your soft skills. Display both with these CV templates. Make sure to include communication skills, team-building experience, or other interpersonal skills that may prove valuable.
Quantify your impact: Brag about your accomplishments, but make sure you attach numbers to them. For instance, you might say that you increased system architecture efficiency by 25%.
Stay positive: Your cover letter should showcase your strengths. Always focus on the positive things about yourself or your recent positions. Now is not the time to discuss dissatisfaction with your current or former employer.

Stand out from the crowd with a cover letter

A software engineer cover letter should make a good impression by showcasing your strengths. It should also be specially tailored to every company — and every position — you apply to.

Offering specific data can add clarity to your prior achievements. And by staying brief, you’ll have a better chance of communicating your core strengths to company hiring managers.

Do you need help creating a cover letter for your next software engineering position? Start by exploring the extensive collection of tools and resources from Jobseeker. We’ll guide you through the best practices for writing engaging cover letters so you stand out from the crowd.