Here’s a sample Cover Letter we recently produced for a Software Engineer in Hong Kong.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- About the Software Engineer Role
- What Hiring Manager Look For In Software Engineer Cover Letter
- Software Engineer Job Opportunities
- Job Hunting Tips from our Resident Headhunter
Software Engineer Cover Letter [Full Sample]
Here’s a full Software Engineer Cover Letter sample, which we wrote for a client recently.
[If you know the name of the Hiring Manager, personalise your application by addressing the person directly. Job ads on LinkedIn, for example, display the name of the person posting the ad.]
It is with great enthusiasm that I submit my application for the position of Senior Software Engineer at XYZ Company. Through my 8-year career, I’ve come to specialise in developing, testing and delivering over 10 scalable and reusable enterprise web applications for start-ups and SMEs across the Fintech, Banking and Insurance industries. I particularly excel in Java, Python and JSON, and building RESTful web services. I’m experienced in leading multiple cross-functional development teams of up to 15 using various Agile methodologies, namely Kanban, FDD and DSDM. As such, I am confident that I will be able to continue designing secure, scalable and maintainable software that enables XYZ Company to achieve its business objectives. [Identify your best skills and focus areas that best fits the job requirements and include this in the overview of your experiences. Metrics help to establish context and scale for your work.]
- Presently, I am a Senior Software Engineer with ABC Software, where I direct teams of up to 8 full-stack developers, overseeing end-to-end software development life cycle of our 3 core products, used by over 130 clients. Amongst my various achievements during my tenure, I am most proud of driving the software development life cycle for 2 core products that are used by >50K end users, contributing to 85% of ABC Software’s monthly revenue stream. I oversaw the entire software development life cycle of both projects, from requirements gathering to final rollout. [Highlight your best achievements and include metrics where possible! For more senior software engineer roles, showcase your ability to lead strategic initiatives that deliver impact on employees and within the organisation]
XYZ Company has been heralded by many technological publications as the future of electronic payments. Industry pioneers such as PayPal and Square have also shared that XYZ Company is championing the innovation and development of secure and transparent electronic payments. My extensive background and knowledge in Fintech and the financial industry, coupled with my technical expertise and practical experience in product development will allow me to effectively drive the development of secure and scalable projects that are built with high quality code. [Focus again on your key skills as required by the job ad. Highlight relevant working experiences and that are directly relevant to the target job role.]
I am thrilled at the possibility of being part of such a renowned firm, and would love the opportunity to meet with you and discuss the value that I can bring to XYZ Company. I appreciate your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to contact me at any time via mobile at +852 1234 5678 or by email at name@gmail.com. [End off your Cover Letter with a call-to-action – show your enthusiasm in meeting your potential employer, and provide them ways you can be contacted.]
Yours sincerely,
James Lee
About the Software Engineer Role
Software engineers build computer applications and software according to rigorous software development methodologies and design principles. They are familiar with the entire software development life cycle, from requirement gathering to development, documentation, testing, debugging, and product rollout.
The best software engineers build scalable, maintainable and reusable code that is efficient and easy to understand. They also juggle effectively between business and technology, and are able to translate complex business objectives and into technical requirements that can be integrated as lines of code in their software.
Software engineers are also curious lifelong learners who consistently expose themselves to a variety of programming languages and frameworks. These are always changing, and the best software developers are constantly broadening their knowledge and skill sets.
While software development and programming bootcamps are common these days, applicants with a Computer Science or related technical degree are preferred candidates. A Computer Science degree reassures employers that the candidate has a basic understanding of overarching software development principles and patterns that a bootcamp may not teach. For applicants who do not have a Computer Science degree, it is best to showcase your skills with Personal Projects.
What Hiring Managers Look for in Software Engineer Cover Letters
- Be specific about the tools you are familiar with! Software development is a massive field with hundreds of languages, frameworks and tools. Be specific about the languages and frameworks you excel in, and let your Achievements demonstrate your proficiency.
- While software engineering is a technical role, it is ideal if you can tie in how your software development experiences and Achievements contribute to your company’s revenue stream and bottom line. You could even share how you have improved efficiency in operations or processes; for example, custom scripts you’ve written and implemented to enhance your team’s productivity.
- If you are a fresh graduate, or are thinking of making a career switch to Software Development, mention personal projects that you have embarked on or completed outside of your day job. This demonstrates your initiative and zeal for learning, placing you a cut above other prospective candidates.
Software Engineer Job Opportunities
- Join LinkedIn groups or follow companies you wish to work for to keep abreast with new job openings.
- Alternatively, you can reach out to these headhunters in Hong Kong to learn about any vacancies they may be trying to fill out.
Job Hunting Tips from our Resident Headhunter
- Create a winning cover letter and send it along your resume. The cover letter will serve as an introduction about yourself and is a great venue to answer the question “Why should we hire you?”
- Be active on social media, particularly on LinkedIn. Make sure to create a strong online profile that represents you and you professional experiences. Here’s our comprehensive guide on writing a great LinkedIn profile.
Before You Go…
Before you start sending out applications, send us your resume for a free CV feedback analysis from our team. We’ll review your CV in detail, share personalised feedback on its strengths and weaknesses, and show you how you can improve it.