Having a background in computer science is a valuable commodity on the job market, where it’ll help you land great opportunities at the best companies.
You could enter a number of lucrative and exciting fields, including data scientist jobs, software engineering jobs, network architect jobs, and more.
But to fully leverage your experience, knowing how to write a computer science cover letter is imperative.
You will need to effectively match your skills and experiences to the person specification listed in the job advert.
In this guide on writing a cover letter for computer science backgrounds, let’s take a look at Jason.
Jason Scott is a graduate of MIT with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in the field of computer science. He’s currently looking to find his dream role at a top tech firm.
Let’s journey with him as he navigates the dos and don’ts of writing a computer science cover letter.
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How to Write a Computer Science Cover Letter
1. Before You Begin Writing…
As keen as you might be (or not be) to start working on your cover letter, you should do some preparation before beginning.
Firstly, ensure you’re using appropriate cover letter formatting. For instance, don’t have the page margins too wide or too narrow. Ensure there is a spacious white border around the text. Generally speaking, between 0.5” and 1” should be adequate.
When it comes to the actual typography, avoid using fonts that look unprofessional, such as Comic Sans, and avoid serif fonts. Serif fonts can look exotic, but they are harder to read. Stick to solid sans-serif fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, or Verdana.
As you write your cover letter (or maybe adapt it), keep the job description you’re referencing in front of you. You want to make sure that you craft the cover letter to best demonstrate your suitability for the particular job you’re applying for. Personalized cover letter > generic cover letter.
Be aware of your most significant selling point vis-à-vis the job requirements. For example, do you perfectly fit the mold for what they’re looking for? Is your extensive experience the core selling proposition? Or perhaps you don’t have the experience yet, but you’re willing to learn, and you’re very enthusiastic about the company or the position? Whatever the case may be, showcase your best points honestly but effectively.
Read More: How to Negotiate Your Salary as a Remote Developer
2. The Cover Letter Header
Your cover letter should have your name, address, and the company’s details in the header at the top. Next, put a space followed by the date of writing. Follow this with the company’s details, which should include their address and preferably the name of a specific person within the organization.
Have a look at how Jason started his computer science resume:
Jason Scott 2035 Retreat Avenue Birmingham, AL 35203 January 6, 2023 Michael Benetton Hiring Manager Apple Inc. One Apple Park Way Cupertino, CA 95014
3. Salutations & the Introductory Paragraph
You are now ready to add your cover letter’s introduction, which should start with an appropriate salutation. Where possible, this should be addressing a specific person.
Firstly, this demonstrates that you’re a proactive candidate who conducts research and does preparation. Secondly, it’s much more impactful for the person reading the letter if you address them directly. Small details like this can increase your chances of getting an interview.
In addition, you want to find how the person you’re writing the cover letter likes to be addressed. For example, someone’s full name may be Michael Benetton, but he likes people to call him Mike. If that’s the case, you’re usually better off saying “Dear Mike” rather than “Dear Michael” to trigger that initial familiarity.
How can you find the name of the hiring manager? If it’s not on the job advert, check the company’s website or try calling their human resources department to ask. Also, LinkedIn is always a good resource. However, it won’t always be possible to discover the name of the person in question. In these instances, simply write “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Next, write an engaging introductory paragraph — a critical aspect of your cover letter. Recruiters review piles of resumes and cover letters, so you need to grab their attention immediately or risk missing this amazing job opportunity.
Concisely summarize why you’re applying to the particular company and job position and what you think makes you the ideal candidate. The more personal you can be, the better.
Here’s what Jason wrote for his comp sci cover letter:
Dear Mike,
I’ve come across your post on LinkedIn and saw that you’re looking for a software engineer with experience in routing AI technology. I’ve done my entire master’s dissertation at MIT on how to make AI routing tech more cost-effective and discovered ways to optimize existing technologies and cut costs by 23%. I’d be honored to join the team at Apple and help turn all the knowledge I’ve gathered into tangible results for you.
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Read More: Why a Cover Letter for Remote Jobs is Necessary in 2022
4. The Body of Computer Science Cover Letters
With your memorable intro paragraph done, you can begin writing the body of your CS cover letter. Basically, there are different ways of approaching this.
To start with, you can write a few paragraphs (between one to three is ideal). Alternatively, you could have sections with bullet points that showcase your achievements.
You will have to decide the most effective way to proceed based on your situation. Consider the position you are applying for and the information you need to convey. Then, pick a format that best presents the relevant information in the most impactful manner.
For instance, if you have numerous achievements you wish to highlight, bullet points might be the best structure. However, if you want to detail fewer examples and go for a more story-like approact, regular body paragraphs could be preferable.
Remember that your cover letter supports your computer science resume. As such, you can use this space to add more depth to essential skills, experience, and accomplishments to demonstrate your suitability for the position. Don’t simply repeat what you’ve written in your CV, as this will contribute no additional value to your job application.
Here’s what Jason wrote on his sample computer science cover letter:
To keep this short, I am outlining the main reasons why I think I’m a strong fit for your needs below:
- I have experience working at a Silicon Valley firm as a software engineering intern. During my time there, I was selected as “best team player,” and I took great joy in learning from others and sharing my knowledge.
- I have had a passionate interest in routing technology since I was a teenager. I carried this interest throughout my education at MIT, where it led me to my final dissertation project for my master’s. My partner and I were able to create several breakthroughs in making the technology more cost-efficient and better able to be applied in the real world. I’d be more than happy to illustrate these to you during an interview!
- My dream is to implement the technology I’ve worked on, and I feel that this position gives me the best opportunity to do that. Apple has the best people and the resources necessary to make the most of these technological breakthroughs.
- I buy into the ethos of Apple, of thinking differently and standing out. I admire the beautiful simplicity of the products, and it’s something I’ve learned to apply when I write my own code. If you check my resume, you can follow the link to my GitHub and see how I structure my code.
5. Ending a Cover Letter For Computer Science
Your final paragraph should summarize the main reasons why you are the ideal candidate for the job. It shouldn’t be overly long. Add a few short sentences, each matching an area of expertise with a critical requirement from the job description. Don’t forget to also add a final call to action!
After that, thank the hiring manager for taking the time to read your cover letter. End your letter with “Sincerely,” followed by your name underneath.
Here’s Jason’s comp-sci cover letter closing:
So, to quickly summarize, I believe that I have the technical know-how you need to give Apple an advantage in implementing upcoming routable AI endeavors, and I’d love to be part of the team and help bring this technology to market. Please reach out to me at 205-555-8899 or by email at jason.example.scott@gmail.com if this interests you, Mike. I’d love to have a chat and start working on this together. Sincerely, Jason Scott
Read More: 10+ Tips for Preparing for a Remote Senior Developer Zoom Interview
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Top Computer Science Cover Letter Tips to Remember
1. Keep Your Cover Letter Brief
Brevity is one of the essential tips for writing cover letters. Every sentence should be a considered, concise point that adds clear value to your application. No more than one page in length will typically suffice.
2. Tailor Each Comp Sci Cover Letter To The Job In Question
A CS cover letter is an opportunity to explain in detail why you are a fitting candidate for a job. Accordingly, you should tailor each one to the job description of every job you apply for. Take some time to clearly explain how your experience is relevant to the duties and expectations for each role.
3. Attach And Email Your CS Cover Letter
Once you’ve written your cover letter, you’ll need to send it to the employer. To do this, first, save it to your local drive, then open your email client and write an appropriate message. Keep it brief and polite, as Jason manages in the example below:
Dear Mike,
Please find my resume and cover letter regarding my application for the software developer role attached. If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
Jason Scott
Next, all you need to do is attach the cover letter and your computer science resume.
4. Don’t Be Too Bubbly
While it’s good to be enthusiastic in your application, going over the top can work against you. For example, it may not be appropriate to state that you’re “extremely excited” about working at a company, depending on where you’re applying to.
As a general rule, avoid using these types of adverbs in your cover letter. Try to minimize the use of adjectives and show your excitement and passion through your writing.
5. Always Have Someone Else Proofread Your Computer Science Cover Letter
As with any important document, proofread your cover letter before sending it out. If possible, have a friend or family member read through it for you, as well. A different set of eyes helps to ensure you identify and address all mistakes.
6. Quantify Your Achievements
Statistics and numbers are a great way to quickly and impactfully convey your achievements. For instance, if you’ve “increased the completion time of software development projects by 23%,” state this.
This type of information effectively shows hiring managers what you’re capable of much better than without numbers. Think about how you can quantify your successes, and then include these in your cover letter.
7. Be Specific & Don’t Repeat Yourself
This tip goes very well with the previous one. The more specific details you can offer, the stronger and more authentic your cover letter will appear. So be as specific as you can be. At the same time, never make your cover letter read like a repetition of your resume. That’s a big mistake and one that you must avoid.
Now You Know How To Write A Computer Science Cover Letter!
Following this guide on writing a computer science cover letter for software engineering jobs should help you stand out from other candidates.
If you have any questions or points to add, leave a comment below, and we’ll get back to you shortly. Alternatively, if you have any stories about your experience in the computer science job market, we’d love to hear them!
Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your job hunt!
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