Even in a field dominated by coding and algorithms, the power of words shouldn't be underestimated. And a well-crafted software engineering cover letter can be the key to opening the door to your next career opportunity.

In our forthcoming tips, examples, and templates, we'll help you articulate your technical skills and talents in a way that resonates with employers across industries. Let's shift your job search into high gear!

Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample

Hired by:

Hired by: allen institute

Software Engineering Intern Cover Letter Example

Hired by:

Hired by: CampusLogic, Inc.

Senior Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample

Hired by: Dale Christian School

Hired by: Dale Christian School

See more examples like these

Keep reading to learn how to:

• Navigate useful software engineering cover letter examples
• Format your software engineering cover letter properly
• Craft an effective cover letter header and headline
• Tailor your software engineering cover letter with personalized details
• Write an attention-grabbing cover letter introduction
• Describe your best software engineering qualifications properly
• Include relevant action words throughout your cover letter
• Conclude your software engineering cover letter persuasively
• Avoid common mistakes in a software engineering cover letter
• Pair your cover letter with a relevant software engineering resume
• Explore the average salary and job outlook for software engineers
• Find essential resources for aspiring software engineers

Software automation engineer cover letter example

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Why does this cover letter example work? 

• Clear expression of interest: The candidate clearly expresses their interest in the Software Automation Engineer position at PT Technologies, Inc. and mentions where they found the job posting, demonstrating proactive job search efforts.
• Relevant qualifications and experience: The candidate highlights their degree in Software Engineering from Lehigh University, their leadership experience as President of the Engineering Society, and their over 3 years of experience as a Software Automation Engineer at NCLH Corporation, Inc. These qualifications align well with the requirements of the role.

What could be improved?

• Lack of numerical achievements: The cover letter lacks specific numerical achievements or quantifiable results to support the candidate's claims of success and proficiency. Adding metrics such as the percentage of test automation achieved, the number of automated test scripts developed, or the percentage improvement in testing efficiency would strengthen the candidate's credibility.
• Limited mention of company and role: While the candidate mentions their confidence in aligning with the requirements of the role, they could improve by providing more specific details about why they are interested in PT Technologies, Inc. and how their skills and experiences uniquely qualify them for the Software Automation Engineer position. Adding insights into the company's projects, technologies, or culture would demonstrate genuine interest and a deeper understanding of the role.

Software engineering intern cover letter sample

Created with

Hired by CampusLogic, Inc.

Why does this cover letter example work?  

• Strong self-learning initiative: The candidate showcases their self-taught journey as a Full-Stack Software Engineer, demonstrating initiative, determination, and a passion for problem-solving. This self-learning attitude reflects adaptability and resilience, valuable traits in the fast-paced field of software engineering.
• Relevant skills and axperiences: The candidate highlights their experience working on web-based applications using a variety of technologies such as React, Angular, Symphony, REST API, Redux, and Django. They also mention their recent role as a Junior Software Engineer at a US-based startup, where they showcased their ability to learn new skills quickly and deliver features on time.

What could be improved?

• Lack of company-specific information: While the candidate expresses enthusiasm for the Software Engineering internship at CampusLogic, they could improve by including more specific details about why they are interested in the company and how their skills and experiences align with the organization's goals and values.
• Limited quantifiable achievements: Similar to the previous cover letter, this one lacks specific numerical achievements or quantifiable results to support the candidate's claims of success and proficiency. Adding metrics such as the number of features delivered, the percentage improvement in project efficiency, or the impact of their work on user engagement would enhance the candidate's credibility and demonstrate the value they can bring to the internship role.

Junior Java developer cover letter example

Created with

 Why does this cover letter example work?

• Relevant experience and achievements: The candidate effectively highlights their three years of experience as a Junior Java Developer at FPSG, Inc. and The App Experts, Ltd., showcasing their involvement in designing, testing, and implementing JSP pages, HTML pages, and Servlets. They also mention their contribution to redesigning the organization's website, which won the 2018 CSS Design Award. These specific examples demonstrate their practical skills and achievements in the field.
• Strong technical skills and certifications: The candidate demonstrates a solid educational background and proficiency in a range of technical skills, including Java, JavaScript, HTML, DHTML, C++, PHP, Eclipse, and JUnit. Additionally, they hold certifications as an Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer, further validating their expertise and qualifications for the Junior Java Developer role.

What could be improved?

• Limited interpersonal skills mention: While the candidate mentions their technical skills and work ethic, they could further emphasize their interpersonal skills, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. Providing examples of successful teamwork or client interactions would enhance their overall candidacy and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a collaborative work environment.

1. Format your cover letter the right way

Formatting your software engineering cover letter correctly is essential. It makes your application look professional and ensures your skills stand out. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Font and size: Choose a clean, professional font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman. Stick to a 10-12 point size for readability.
• Margins and spacing: Use 1-inch margins on all sides. Single space within paragraphs and double space between them to make your letter easy to read.
• Alignment: Align your text to the left. This is standard and ensures your cover letter looks organized and professional.
• Length: Keep your cover letter to one page. Hiring managers, especially in software engineering, often skim documents. Being concise is key.
• Professional tone: Maintain a professional tone throughout. Avoid jargon that might be unclear to non-technical readers, but include relevant technical terms to showcase your expertise.
• Consistent formatting: Match the formatting of your cover letter with your resume. This shows attention to detail and consistency, traits valued in software engineering.
• Highlight your skills: Use formatting like bullet points sparingly to draw attention to key skills or accomplishments. This can help make your technical proficiencies stand out.

By following these formatting guidelines, your software engineering cover letter will look professional and polished. This ensures that your technical skills and experiences are the focal point, giving you a better chance to impress hiring managers.

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2. Craft an effective software engineering cover letter header and headline

The header of your software engineering cover letter is the section at the top that contains essential contact information. And why is it crucial? It sets a professional tone and ensures the hiring manager can easily reach you.

Your header should include:

• Your contact information: Your full name, phone number, email address, and optionally, your LinkedIn profile or GitHub link.
• The date: The date you are sending the cover letter.
• Recipient’s information: The name of the hiring manager (if known), the company name, and the company address.

Let's take a look at two contrasting examples:

Why is this example weak? The greeting "To whom it may concern" is too generic and shows a lack of research and personal touch. It's missing a phone number and additional contact details like a LinkedIn profile or GitHub link —  valuable for a software engineering role.

Why is this header effective? It simply includes comprehensive contact information, making it easy for the hiring manager to reach you. What's more, the header contains the hiring manager's name, showing that you did your research. It further adds relevant professional links (LinkedIn, GitHub) which are particularly useful for showcasing your work in software engineering. The layout is clear and professional, making it easy to read.

By structuring your header correctly, you present yourself as a professional and detail-oriented candidate, setting a positive tone for the rest of your cover letter.

Once your header is in place, the next step is to craft a compelling headline. It should grab the hiring manager's attention and provide a snapshot of what you bring to the table. It's your first chance to make an impression and set the tone for the rest of your letter.

A strong headline should contain:

• Specificity: Clearly state the role you’re applying for and highlight a key strength or achievement.
• Relevance: Mention skills or experiences that are directly related to the job.
• Conciseness: Keep it brief and to the point.
• Engagement: Make it interesting enough to encourage the hiring manager to read further.

Whyis it weak? This headline sample is too generic and doesn’t highlight any specific skills or achievements. It lacks engagement and doesn’t compel the reader to continue. 

Why is it strong? It specifies the role and includes relevant experience (5+ years in full-stack development), it highlights a key strength, implying the ability to drive innovation. And what's more, it’s engaging and tailored to the company, showing you’ve researched and personalized your application.

A strong headline can make a significant difference in capturing the hiring manager's interest and encouraging them to read your entire cover letter. Make sure it reflects your strengths and aligns with what the company is looking for in a candidate.

3. Tailor your software engineering cover letter with personalized details

All cover letters should be tailored to address the specific needs of each employer — or else they can end up sounding generic, boring, and invaluable to the reader.

Tailoring a cover letter requires you to sprinkle personalized details not just in the headline but throughout the entire letter. This can include references to the company’s values and goals, or explanations of how your skills can assist the company in its current projects or partnerships.

Additionally, you should always include a personalized greeting on your cover letter. This type of greeting addresses a specific person by name and lets them know that your letter is tailored for them.

But what to do when you can't find the name of the hiring manager? Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you can’t find the name of the hiring manager. In such cases, it’s still important to keep your greeting professional and relevant.

4. Write an attention-grabbing information cover letter introduction

In software engineering, you impress your clients and employers with well-written code — in a cover letter, you impress employers with a well-written introduction.

A strong introduction on a cover letter should include:

• A brief overview of your professional history (years of experience, specializations, etc.)
• A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
• A mutual acquaintance (when possible) that can serve as a professional reference

Why is it so bad? This introduction is weak because it's vague and generic. It doesn't provide specific details about the applicant's experience or why they're enthusiastic about the company. It also lacks a personal touch or reference to a mutual connection.

Why does it hit the mark? This introduction works well because it highlights relevant experience, shows enthusiasm for the company, and includes a mutual connection to establish credibility.

Crafting a strong, attention-grabbing introduction is essential for a successful software engineering cover letter. By providing specific details about your experience, showing genuine enthusiasm for the company, and leveraging any mutual connections, you can make a compelling case for why you're the ideal candidate.

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5. Describe your best software engineering qualifications properly

Now that you have hooked the employer’s attention with an impressive introduction, strive to impress them further with concise descriptions of your most relevant qualifications.

The best qualifications to discuss in a cover letter are your relevant skills and accomplishments. These types of qualifications are the easiest to relate back to the employer’s specific needs, as well as to demonstrate your professional value.

Finished projects are an excellent way to display your talent. Give a clear description of your position on each project, such as "software development team lead". Include numerical data that give further context and demonstrate the project's success.

All in all, highlighting your achievements with numerical data in your software engineering cover letter can significantly enhance your candidacy. By effectively communicating your contributions to past projects, you demonstrate your value and potential impact to prospective employers.

6. Use powerful action words in your software engineer cover letter

Action words are the driving force behind impactful and dynamic cover letters. They not only convey your skills and experiences effectively but also grab the attention of hiring managers.

In a software engineer cover letter, powerful action words are crucial as they:

• Demonstrate leadership: Action verbs can illustrate your leadership skills and ability to lead teams or projects effectively.
• Show impact: Strong verbs highlight your contributions and achievements, quantifying your impact on projects and teams.
• Convey confidence: Using assertive action verbs portrays confidence in your abilities and expertise as a software engineer.

By incorporating these powerful action verbs into your software engineer cover letter, you can effectively communicate your skills, experiences, and achievements, capturing the attention of hiring managers and positioning yourself as a standout candidate in the competitive job market.

7. Conclude your software engineering cover letter persuasively

The last crucial detail to include in your software engineering cover letter is a persuasive conclusion.

In this conclusion, an employer should find:

• How and when they can best contact you
• When you intend to follow up
• A formal sign-off

Why is it ineffective? This conclusion is weak because it lacks specific instructions for contact and follow-up. It also lacks enthusiasm and fails to leave a lasting impression on the employer.

Why does it work? This conclusion is effective because it expresses enthusiasm for the position, provides clear instructions for contact, and sets expectations for follow-up.

Crafting a persuasive conclusion is essential for leaving a positive impression on potential employers. By providing clear contact information and expressing enthusiasm for the position, you can encourage further communication and increase your chances of securing an interview.

8. Avoid common mistakes in a software engineering cover letter

Before you hit send on your software engineer cover letter, it's crucial to ensure you've sidestepped common pitfalls that could sabotage your chances of landing the job.

From generic templates to lackluster enthusiasm, these missteps can overshadow your qualifications and diminish your appeal to potential employers. By identifying and avoiding these mistakes, you can elevate the impact of your cover letter and position yourself as a top candidate in the competitive field of software engineering.

Let's explore some of these pitfalls and learn how to steer clear of them for a standout application:

• Using generic templates: One common mistake is using generic templates that lack customization for the specific job or company. Instead, tailor your cover letter by researching the company and incorporating specific details about why you're interested in the position.
• Focusing too much on job duties: Another mistake to avoid is focusing too much on job duties rather than highlighting your achievements. Emphasize your accomplishments by quantifying results and showcasing how your contributions benefited previous employers.
• Writing lengthy or dense paragraphs: Avoid writing lengthy or dense paragraphs that may lose the reader's attention. Keep your paragraphs concise and focused, using bullet points or short paragraphs to highlight key points and accomplishments.
• Neglecting to proofread: Neglecting to proofread your cover letter can create a negative impression. To prevent this, proofread your cover letter carefully and consider asking a friend or colleague to review it for errors before submitting.
• Failing to convey enthusiasm: Failing to convey genuine enthusiasm for the position or company can weaken your cover letter. Express your excitement for the opportunity and explain why you're passionate about the work the company does.
• Ignoring specific instructions: Ignoring any specific instructions provided in the job posting, such as including certain information or formatting requirements, can be detrimental. Always read the job posting carefully and follow any instructions provided to ensure your cover letter meets the employer's expectations.

By avoiding these common mistakes and following best practices, you can create a compelling software engineer cover letter that increases your chances of securing an interview.

9. Pair your software engineer cover letter with your resume

When applying for a software engineering position, your cover letter and resume work hand in hand to present a comprehensive picture of your qualifications and experiences.

While your resume outlines your skills and professional history in a concise format, your cover letter provides an opportunity to delve deeper into your motivations, achievements, and compatibility with the role and company.

Your resume typically follows a structured format, listing your education, work experience, skills, and achievements in a clear and concise manner. On the other hand, your cover letter allows you to personalize your application by highlighting specific experiences, accomplishments, and qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Maintaining consistency in design between your cover letter and resume is essential. Using the same font, formatting style, and color scheme ensures a cohesive and professional presentation. Consistency not only reflects attention to detail but also reinforces your brand and identity as a candidate.

Pairing your cover letter with your resume creates a cohesive application package that provides a comprehensive overview of your qualifications and fit for the role. Employers often review both documents to have a deeper understanding of your background, skills, and motivations.

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10. Average salary and job outlook for software engineers

According to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average yearly salary for software engineers was $130,160 in May 2023. This figure underscores the lucrative nature of the profession and highlights the earning potential for individuals in this field.

Looking ahead, the employment outlook for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers is exceptionally promising. The BLS projects a remarkable 25 percent growth rate in employment for these roles from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

The increased need for software engineers is because more and more companies are going digital, using mobile technologies, and relying heavily on software to run their businesses.

Over the next decade, about 153,900 openings for software developers, quality assurance analysts, and testers are projected each year, on average. This robust demand reflects the critical role that software engineers play in driving innovation, enhancing efficiency, and addressing the evolving needs of businesses and consumers in an increasingly technology-driven world.

11. Essential software engineering resources for job seekers

Embarking on your software engineering career journey can seem daunting. But worry not; these specially curated resources will put you on the fast track to success:

1. GitHub: This platform isn't just for storing and sharing your projects. With its numerous open-source projects, you can contribute to real-life applications and grow your skills and portfolio.
2. Stack Overflow: An invaluable resource for any software developer, Stack Overflow lets you find answers to your coding problems and allows you to engage with a vast community of programmers.
3. LeetCode: To ace those technical interview rounds, LeetCode offers an array of coding challenges that simulate actual interview problems.
4. Coursera/Udemy: Coursera and Udemy house a range of courses across different aspects of software development to help sharpen your skills or learn new ones.
5. LinkedIn: Besides professional networking, LinkedIn lists numerous job openings. Remember to optimize your LinkedIn profile with relevant keywords to attract potential employers. You can even turn your LinkedIn profile into a polished resume within a few seconds.

Leveraging these resources can help navigate your software engineering job search more effectively, bolster your skills and ultimately land that dream job. Onwards and upwards!