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Software Developer cover letter example

Engineering managers skim for your stack, what you've shipped and how you work with a team. This example is from the same developer as our CV example, applying for a senior full-stack role, and every claim in it comes from his CV.

Goes with Arjun Mehta's Software Developer CV · Checked

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The letter

What each paragraph is doing.

Arjun Mehta is made up, and so is Pīwakawaka Labs, Wellington. Every fact in the letter comes from Arjun's CV, the way a real one should: nothing new, just the parts of the CV this job cares about most.

Arjun Mehta

Wellington · 021 555 0156 · arjun.mehta@email.com · github.com/arjunmehta

Nikau Tamihana, Engineering Manager

Pīwakawaka Labs, Wellington

Re: Senior Full-Stack Developer

Kia ora Nikau,

I'm applying for the Senior Full-Stack Developer role. I have five years building web apps in TypeScript, React and Node.js, and at Tūī Digital I build features for a citizen-facing services platform.

Your ad puts weight on quality and accessibility, and those are areas I've led on. I raised automated test coverage on our core booking service from 40% to 85%, and I led the accessibility fixes that brought the platform in line with WCAG 2.1 AA. I also mentor two junior developers through code reviews and pairing. Earlier, at Harakeke Software, I moved deployments to an automated pipeline, which cut release time.

I want to keep building software that lots of people rely on, and your work on tools for community health providers is the kind of problem I'd like to work on next. A senior role would let me spend more time on the mentoring and code quality I already enjoy.

I'm a New Zealand resident based in Wellington, and some of my code is at github.com/arjunmehta. I'd be glad to talk through any of this, or pair on a problem as part of your process.

Ngā mihi,

Arjun Mehta

  1. 1Opens with the job and the proofThe stack and years of experience are what a hiring manager filters on, so they come first, followed by the kind of product he works on.
  2. 2Evidence with measurable resultsTest coverage from 40% to 85% and WCAG 2.1 AA are specific and checkable, and mentoring shows the senior behaviour the role asks for.
  3. 3Why this company and this levelIt gives a reason for the company and a reason for the step up, both grounded in work he already does.
  4. 4Work rights, a link and a practical closeStating residency answers a common screening question, and offering to pair fits how tech teams like to assess people.

Opening lines

Other ways to open.

The first line decides whether the rest gets read. Each of these names the job and leads with proof. Swap in your own facts.

  • “I'm applying for your Full-Stack Developer role, bringing five years with TypeScript, React and Node.js on a citizen-facing services platform.”
  • “I raised automated test coverage on a core booking service from 40% to 85%, and I'd like to bring that focus on quality to your platform team.”
  • “Having led the accessibility work that brought a public platform in line with WCAG 2.1 AA, I'm applying for your Front-End Developer role.”
  • “I'm applying for the DevOps-focused Developer role, with experience moving deployments to an automated pipeline and cutting release time.”

Common mistakes

What gets software developer letters skipped.

  • Listing every technology you've ever touched.

    Match your stack to the ad and give one result for the most important parts, such as test coverage or accessibility work.

  • Describing projects without saying what you did.

    Use 'I' for your own work and give the outcome, like leading the accessibility fixes rather than 'the team improved accessibility'.

  • Skipping the cover letter because it's a tech role.

    When the ad asks for one, write three short paragraphs. It's a chance to show how you communicate, which matters in code reviews and with stakeholders.

  • Not mentioning work rights.

    Say whether you're a citizen, resident or on a visa. Many New Zealand employers screen on it early.

Write yours

A letter like this, for every job ad.

Paste a software developer job ad into SmartCVs and it writes your cover letter alongside your tailored CV. The free plan gives you 3 job scans a week, each with both.

How cover letters work in SmartCVs
  • Written in the same step as your tailored CV, from your profile and the job ad
  • Three or four paragraphs, in plain, professional language
  • Every fact from your profile: a number your profile doesn't have is dropped before you see it
  • Edit any line, copy it into an application, or download PDF or Word

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Something else on your mind? Email support@smartcvs.ai and a person will reply.

Do software developers need a cover letter in New Zealand?

Not always, but many ads ask for one, and it helps when you're changing level or domain. Keep it short and specific.

Should I include my GitHub link in the cover letter?

Yes, if it has work you're happy for them to read. Put it in the closing paragraph as well as on your CV.

How technical should the letter be?

Technical enough to show your stack and results, but readable for a recruiter who may see it first. Save deep detail for the interview.

More cover letter examples

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