Get Results With a Software Developer Cover Letter

Software developers are behind every computer and phone application you can’t live without. They used their skills and expertise to create programs that allow people to complete specific tasks, provide maintenance and creatively solve problems.

Like other careers in the tech industry, software developers are in high demand, so there might be some stiff competition for a single software development position. While you may think it’s unnecessary, a cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself and convince potential employers that you’re the right person. To help you, this page will:

• Teach you how to write your software developer cover letter
• Provide professional software developer cover letter examples you can use as inspiration
• Give expert cover letter writing tips to make the most of your software development cover letter

A key aspect of nailing your cover letter is tailoring it to the job. You might have an assortment of hard skills, technical skills and soft skills you can talk about but you should focus on things that directly relate to the job description and the company. Let’s use this example of a software developer job posting and what’s listed in bullet points:

Essential duties and responsibilities: 

• Work throughout the software development life cycle, including the design algorithms and flowcharts
• Integrate software components and third-party programs
• Troubleshoot, debug and update software
• Write technical documentation for reference and reporting
• Communicate and collaborate with different stakeholders, team members and key contributors on project status and software performance

Requirements: 

• Five or more years of experience as a software developer
• BA in computer science, engineering or related field
• Skilled in coding languages such as C++, Java and/or JavaScript
• Knowledge of frameworks such as AngularJS or Git
• Familiarity with Agile development methodologies
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and collaboration skills
• Ability to work independently
• Proven ability to work under pressure

You might be skilled in additional coding languages or have other soft skills that are just as important to do the job (such as great organizational skills, interpersonal skills or excellent time management) but you should focus your cover letter on the skills and requirements the recruiter listed. Don’t deviate from what’s in the job description and avoid repeating information that’s already on your resume. 

Feature abilities and experiences relevant to the software development position and ensure it doesn’t cross into software engineering territory. The jobs might be similar but they do have some differences.

• Software engineers work across teams, including with outside resources, to develop and test entire computer software and applications. For more on writing a software engineer cover letter, check our software engineer cover letter example page, where we give tips to write a professional cover letter and land that software engineer job.
• Software developers are part of the software engineer’s team and work more closely with creating the software and application. They mainly interact with other developers and programmers.

Create Your Cover Letter

Not sure what your cover letter should look like? Here’s a software engineer cover letter sample to help get you started: 

Dear Mr. Smith,

Since 2018, I have served as a software developer for [Example Company], where I have developed innovative solutions for several multimillion-dollar clients. On a day-to-day basis, I am responsible for a multitude of software development tasks, including design, coding, documentation, testing and implementation.

Since I started my career in full-stack web development, I have participated in several proposals and presentations that have landed million-dollar contracts. Additionally, I have worked closely with our development team to integrate business and user needs into high-quality solutions while staying within budget requirements.

My experience and knowledge in the field show that I can help your company excel by working as a software developer. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to discussing this opportunity to further showcase my work capabilities. 

Sincerely,
Jane Johnson

Follow our expert tips to make the best use of your professional cover letter:

Header and contact information

Your cover letter will likely start with your name and contact information in the header. Typically, you’ll include your full name, email address, phone number and job networking profile links such as LinkedIn. From there, you can go on to write your cover letter using a template that matches your resume template.

Salutation and opening paragraph

Your software developer cover letter should be addressed to the hiring manager or department leader. Avoid generic salutations like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern” and look up the hiring manager’s name. You might find it on the company’s website or LinkedIn. Once you have it, use it to address the letter to them (e.g. “Dear Mr. Brown,” “Dear Dr. Brown,” or “Dear Ms. Brown.”)

The salutation is followed by the first paragraph. Introduce yourself with a hook and list your best or most interesting accomplishments immediately to capture the reader’s attention. While most candidates start a cover letter with a self-explanatory introduction, such as “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to apply for this position,” the best cover letter will immediately convey some sort of relevant and impressive experience. Additionally, you can mention your years of experience in this section as well.

For example:

Dear Mr. Brown,

When I started working as a software developer six years ago, I never imagined the impact my work would have on other people. I’ve used my coding skills to create, develop and regularly update applications, such as BetterSleep, that have positively impacted people’s lives, an outcome that aligns with SunnyTech’s mission and I hope to continue in your software development position.

Body paragraphs

In the second paragraph of your cover letter, you can talk about what skills set you apart from other candidates. You can choose one or two skills mentioned in your software developer resume to further expand on, use metrics to showcase how your abilities have been a valuable asset in previous positions and state your case as to why you’re the best candidate for the job.

For example:

As a software developer, I have used programming languages such as Python, HTML and SQL to meet and surpass client expectations. BetterSleep had an estimated budget of 3M dollars and together with other software developers and programmers, we found creative solutions and created an application that is user-friendly, easy to navigate and saved 10% of the budget. Through weekly reports and database documentation, we successfully handled an increase in registrations of 30%, and actively updated the software, always keeping in mind the user’s satisfaction.

Closing paragraph

Once you’ve proven you’re the best fit for the position, it’s time to create a bold call to action. Don’t hesitate to ask for an interview and always thank the recruiter or hiring manager for their time. For example:

Thank you for taking the time to review my resume. I look forward to hearing from you to discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to your software development team and company.

Sincerely,
Poppy Smith

For a more detailed guide with extra examples, check our How to Write a Cover Letter article.

Create Your Cover Letter

Find additional cover letter tips and examples in our resource library!

• Web Developer Cover Letter Examples: Capture your web development skills following our examples and writing tips.
• Cover Letter Format Tips: Get the best cover letter formatting advice in our article to create a perfect cover letter.
• Cover Letter Examples for Hundreds of Jobs: Our library of sample cover letters features hundreds of jobs.
• Cover Letter Basics: Find out what the cover letter basics are to write a strong cover letter.

Ensure your software developer resume looks and reads professionally with our resume resources.

• Resume Builder: Follow the step-by-step guidance of our resume builder to make a resume in just a few minutes.
• How to Write a Resume: Our resume writing guide was written by experts and takes you section by section.
• Resume Examples: Get inspired by our hundreds of samples for different jobs and industries.
• Software Developer Resume Example: Use our software developer resume sample as a foundation to write your resume.
• Resume Formats: Learn all the tips and tricks to choosing the right format for your resume.

Now that you have everything you need to get started, let’s quickly recap the most important tips:

1. Tailor the cover letter to the job description.
2. Avoid repeating information that’s already on your resume.
3. Research the hiring manager’s name and address the cover letter to them.
4. Hook the reader with an engaging introduction.
5. Highlight relevant skills that directly relate to the job and company.
6. Talk about the impact your skills had on your current or previous employers.
7. Share what attracted you to the job posting and company. 
8. Thank them for their time and consideration.
9. Invite the hiring manager to contact you for a job interview.
10. Sign off with your full name.

Create Your Cover Letter