Embarking on your journey as a budding software engineer, you've likely realized the critical role a cover letter plays in the application process. This vital document is your chance to showcase a professional triumph that your resume doesn't fully capture, telling the engaging story of your proudest moment. Striving for a balance of formality and originality, it's essential to avoid stale clichés and ensure your message is concise—aiming for no more than one compelling page. Let's dive into crafting a cover letter that stands out without rehashing your resume.
- Introduce your profile to catch recruiters' attention;
- Use professional templates and examples to make sure your software engineer intern cover letter follows the best industry standards;
- Settle on your most story-worthy achievement to shine a light on what makes your application unique;
- Write a software engineer intern cover letter, even when you lack professional experience.
Ready to start with the basics: upload your resume to Enhancv's AI, below, to see the software engineer intern cover letter it would write for you.
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Software Engineer Intern cover letter example
Ava Johnson
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasis on Relevant Experience: The cover letter highlights the candidate's role at Google where they led a project, demonstrating leadership skills and expertise in machine learning which is pertinent to the role they are applying for.
- Quantifiable Achievements: Mentioning the specific outcome of enhancing an algorithm by 12% showcases a measurable impact, offering the hiring manager a clear indication of the candidate's potential contribution to their company.
- Alignment with Company Goals: The applicant does well in matching their interests and experience (data-driven excellence, transformative cloud-based solutions) with the company’s focus on innovative cloud solutions, showing that they have the qualities the company values.
Standard formatting for your software engineer intern cover letter
Structure your software engineer intern cover letter, following industry-leading advice, to include:
- Header - with your name, the role you're applying for, the date, and contact details;
- Greeting - make sure it's personalized to the organization;
- Introduction paragraph - no more than two sentences;
- Body paragraph - answering why you're the best candidate for the role;
- Closing paragraph - ending with a promise or a call to action;
- Signature - now that's optional.
Set up your software engineer intern cover letter for success with our templates that are all single-spaced and have a one-inch margin all around.
Use the same font for your software engineer intern cover as the one in your resume(remember to select a modern, Applicant Tracker System or ATS favorites, like Raleway, Volkhov, or Chivo instead of the worn-out Times New Roman).
Speaking of the ATS, did you know that it doesn't scan or assess your cover letter? This document is solely for the recruiters.
Our builder allows you to export your software engineer intern cover letter in the best format out there: that is, PDF (this format keeps your information intact).
The top sections on a software engineer intern cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, the date, and the employer's contact details to ensure the letter is directed appropriately and to make it easy for the recruiter to follow up with you.
- Greeting: Address the letter to the specific recruiter or hiring manager by name if possible, to show that you've done your research and are personally invested in this application.
- Introduction: Briefly state your interest in the software engineering internship and give a concise overview of your relevant skills and academic background, making a strong first impression.
- Body: Elaborate on your technical skills, coding projects, or any previous internship experience that demonstrates your ability to contribute to the role, showcasing why you would be a valuable asset to the team.
- Closing: End with a confident statement expressing your enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn and contribute, and a call to action, such as looking forward to discussing your application in an interview.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Java, Python, C++): Demonstrates the technical foundation necessary for contributing to codebases and the ability to learn new technologies quickly.
- Experience with software development tools and methodologies (e.g., Git, Agile/Scrum, TDD): Indicates familiarity with collaborative development practices and the adaptability to various project management styles.
- Strong problem-solving skills: Essential for debugging and implementing effective solutions to complex software challenges.
- Internship or project experience in software development: Shows practical application of skills and the ability to handle real-world programming tasks.
- Understanding of algorithms and data structures: Critical for writing efficient code and essential to tackling technical interviews.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities: Reflects the intern's capacity to work well with diverse teams, articulate ideas clearly, and collaborate on multi-faceted projects.
Personalizing your software engineer intern cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your software engineer intern cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department] Team,
- Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear [First Name] [Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
The software engineer intern cover letter introduction: focusing on your unique value, with a creative twist
You are not the only one wondering how to start your software engineer intern cover letter. Those first two sentences introduce your profile and should be memorable.
No pressure.
When beginning your software engineer intern cover letter, immediately point out the unique value of working with you. In other words, what you promise to bring to the role by using your past track record of success.
Start your software engineer intern cover letter with a creative twist by telling a joke or stating something relatable. Select this type of introduction only if it aligns with the company culture.
The middle or body of your software engineer intern cover letter body: a great instrument to tell a story
Now that you've set the right tone with the greeting and introduction of your software engineer intern cover letter, it's time to get down to business.
Hear us out, the body of your software engineer intern cover letter is the best storytelling instrument you have, in your job-hunting arsenal.
Writing the next three to six paragraphs, take the time to reassess the advert to discover job-crucial requirements.
Next, choose one accomplishment that covers those key skills and talents.
Use precisely that achievement to tell an exciting story of how you match the ideal candidate profile.
In the undertones of your story or software engineer intern cover letter body, hint at the difference you'd make and sell your application as the perfect one for the job.
Time to wrap up your software engineer intern cover letter
Writing the closing paragraph of your software engineer intern cover letter is just as important as the salutation.
You have to make it personalized to the job advert and recruiter.
Experienced professionals advise candidates to end with a request or reminder for follow-up. Write that you're grateful for the opportunity, and, at the same time, hint that you're available for the next steps of the process.
Otherwise, you could also conclude your software engineer intern cover letter by facing the future. How do you see yourself, as part of the team? In particular, how would you settle in your new role in the first six months to a year?
No experience software engineer intern cover letter: making the most out of your profile
Candidates who happen to have no professional experience use their software engineer intern cover letter to stand out.
Instead of focusing on a professional achievement, aim to quantify all the relevant, transferrable skills from your life experience.
Once again, the best practice to do so would be to select an accomplishment - from your whole career history.
Another option would be to plan out your career goals and objectives: how do you see yourself growing, as a professional, in the next five years, thanks to this opportunity?
Be precise and concise about your dreams, and align them with the company vision.
Key takeaways
Your software engineer intern cover letter is your best shot at standing out by showing your motivation and the unique skills you'd bring to the job:
- Chose no more than one achievement, which you'd be talking about in the body of your software engineer intern cover letter, by focusing on skills and outcomes;
- Address recruiters with their first or last name, or "Dear Hiring Manager" in your software engineer intern cover letter greeting;
- Introduce in no more than two sentences what makes your profile unique (perhaps it's your motivation, enthusiasm, or appreciation of the company you're applying for);
- Select the same font you have used in your resume (avoid Times New Roman and Arial, as most candidates tend to invest in them);
- Close your software engineer intern cover letter with a promise of how you see yourself growing in the company and the benefits you'd bring about.
