3 Software Developer cover letter examples [Land top jobs]

Are you ready to secure your next exciting position as a software developer?

Then you need to produce a quality cover letter that’s going to showcase your most impressive skills and experience (and metrics), to prove that you’re an excellent fit for the role.

But if you’re better with programming languages than traditional ones, we can help. Check out our top tips below, complete with software developer cover letter examples to guide you.

Software Developer cover letter examples
Writing your Software Developer cover letter

What to include in your Software Developer cover letter
Software Developer cover letter templates

Software Developer cover letter example 1

Software Developer cover letter example 2

Software Developer cover letter example 3

These 3 Software Developer cover letter examples will provide you with some good ideas on how to format a cover letter, along with the type of message you should be trying to put across to recruiters.

To further understand exactly how you can write a cover letter that will get you noticed, check out our further guidance.

How to write a Software Developer cover letter

Here’s a simple process to write your own interview-winning cover letter.

Write your cover letter in the body of an email/message

When you send a cover letter with a job application, you should always write your message into the body of your email – or the body of the messaging system if you are sending via a job website.

Why do this?

Simply because you want to get your message seen as soon as the recruiter opens your application.

If you attach the cover letter as a separate item, this means the recipient will have to open it before they can read it – slowing down the process and potentially causing frustration along the way.

So, write your cover note in the body of your email/message to ensure you make an instant connection with the reader.

Start with a friendly greeting

Start you cover letter with a greeting that is professional but friendly.

This will build rapport with the recruiter whilst showing your professionalism.

Hi, hope you’re well
Hi [insert recruiter name]
Hi [insert department/team name]

Avoid overly formal greetings like “Dear sir/madam” unless applying to very traditional companies.

How to find the contact’s name?

Addressing the recruitment contact by name is an excellent way to start building a strong relationship. If it is not listed in the job advert, try these methods to find it.

Check out the company website and look at their About page. If you see a hiring manager, HR person or internal recruiter, use their name. You could also try to figure out who would be your manager in the role and use their name.

Head to LinkedIn, search for the company and scan through the list of employees. Most professionals are on LinkedIn these days, so this is a good bet.

Identify the role you are applying for

After you have greeted the recruiter, it’s important to state the job you are applying to.

Recruiters are often managing multiple vacancies, so they need to know exactly which job you are referring to.

Be as specific as possible and use a reference number if you can find one.

Here are some examples you can use;

I am interested in applying for the role of admin assistant with your organisation.
I would like to apply for the role of Sales assistant (Ref: 4057393)
I would like to express my interest in the customer service vacancy within your retail department
I saw your advertisement for a trainee project manager on Reed and would like to apply for the role.

See also: CV examples – how to write a CV – CV profiles

Highlight your suitability

The bulk of your cover letter should be focused around highlighting your suitability for the job you are applying to.

Doing this will show the recruiter that you are suitable candidate and encourage them to open your CV.

The best way to do this, is by studying the job advert you are applying to, and find out what the most important skills and knowledge are.

Once you know the most important requirements, you then need to highlight your matching skills to the recruiter. In a few sentences, tell them exactly why you are a good fit for the job and what you can offer the company.

Keep it short and sharp

It is best to keep your cover letter brief if you want to ensure you hold the attention of busy recruiters and hiring managers. A lengthy cover letter will probably not get read in full, so keep yours to around 3-6 sentences and save the real detail for your CV.

Remember the purpose of your cover letter is to quickly get recruiters to notice you and encourage them to open your CV, so it only needs to include the highlights of your experience.

Sign off professionally

To round of your cover letter, add a professional signature to the bottom, giving recruiters your vital contact information.

This not only gives various means of contacting you, it also looks really professional and shows that you know how to communicate in the workplace.

Include the following points;

A friendly sign off – e.g. “Warm regards”
Your full name
Phone number (one you can answer quickly)
Email address

Optional

Profession title
Professional social network – e.g. LinkedIn

Here is an example signature;

Warm regards,

Gerald Baker
Senior Accountant
07887500404
Gbaker213@hotmail.com
LinkedIn

Quick tip: To save yourself from having to write your signature every time you send a job application email, you can save it within your email drafts, or on a separate document that you could copy in.

What to include in your Software Developer cover letter

So, what type of information should you write about in your Software Developer cover letter?

The specifics will obviously depend on your profession and the jobs you are applying to, but these are the key areas you should be covering.

Your industry experience – Tell recruiters the types of companies you have been working for and the roles you have held in the past.
Your qualifications – Highlight your most important relevant qualifications to show employers you are qualified to do the roles you are applying for.
The impact you have made – Demonstrate the positive impact you have made for employers in previous jobs. Have you saved money? Improved processes? Made customers happy?
Your reasons for moving – Employers will want to know why you are leaving your current/previous role, so provide them with a brief explanation here.
Your availability – When will you be able to start a new job? Check your current contract to find out your notice period if you are in a position already.

Software Developer cover letter templates

Copy and paste these Software Developer cover letter templates to get a head start on your own.

Template 1

Hi Sarah,

I am delighted to apply for the Graduate Software Developer position at MedTech Ltd. With a degree in Biomedical Engineering and a passion for leveraging technology to improve healthcare, I am confident in my ability to develop innovative software solutions that will make a difference.

During my studies, I focused on medical imaging and developed a prototype for an AI-based diagnostic tool that demonstrated high accuracy in detecting abnormalities for which I received the Starton Innovation Prize. Furthermore, I interned at Claxton, a leading medical device company, where I contributed to the development of the UK’s first telemedicine platform. I am proficient in programming languages including MATLAB and Python, and I have experience with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow and scikit-learn, which will enable me to contribute to the building of advanced healthcare applications for MedTech Ltd.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to join your team and contribute to advancing healthcare technologies. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience.

Best wishes,

Tom Gordon

Template 2

Dear Mr Skeane,

I hope you’re well. I am writing to apply for the Software Developer position at Glide Ltd and, with over four years of experience in full-stack development and a proven track record of delivering high-quality e-commerce solutions, I believe I would be a good fit for the role.

In my current role working in the UK offices of Shopify, I led the development of a responsive web application, resulting in a 30% increase in mobile sales in 2020. Additionally, I have gained extensive experience integrating third-party APIs to streamline payment processing, improving the checkout workflow for customers. I am proficient in multiple frontend technologies such as React and Angular, and I have a strong command of backend frameworks like Node.js and Django. My ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and manage complex projects will ensure seamless integration and delivery of new applications and legacy updates.

I am eager to be part of your innovative team and contribute to the growth of Glide’s platforms. Please find attached my CV and availability for an interview. Thank you for considering my application.

Kind regards,

Lisa Scheiffer

Template 3

Hi Sunni,

I am excited to apply for the Senior Software Developer position, bringing with me a wealth of experience as an accomplished Java expert, with 20 years of experience delivering cutting-edge software solutions for global e-commerce and data management firms.

As an Oracle Certified Java SE 8 Programmer, I have led the design and development of scalable Java applications for over 100 companies using Spring Framework and microservices architecture, implementing RESTful APIs and optimising database performance using SQL and non-SQL technologies. My proficiency in Agile project management has enabled me to drive efficiency in the product lifecycle and maintain robust CI/CD pipelines. As a result of implementing automated testing strategies and increasing unit test coverage by 30% during my tenure at SanTech International, we achieved a substantial 25% reduction in production defects, enhancing software reliability and customer satisfaction. Additionally, during my role at Lance Consulting, I led the successful development and deployment of a Java-based microservices architecture which improved system performance by 48% and increased scalability.

I am eager to further discuss my expertise during an interview and am available at your convenience.