Computer Science Cover Letter

You may be well-versed in several programming languages, but do you know how to skillfully present your qualifications in a cover letter? Demonstrate to employers you’re capable of developing and improving technologies with a stellar cover letter, and your IT skills are sure to get you a job.

Whether you’re writing a computer science cover letter for an internship or applying for a job out of college, these three tips will help you write a cover letter that proves you’re the right person for the position:

1. Highlight your computer science skills

As we continue forward in the 2020’s and technology keeps improving, your computer science skills will continue to be in high demand. But to assure employers you’re a great fit for their open position, showcase your knowledge of computer technology, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and creativity throughout your cover letter.

Computer science positions (internships and full-time jobs) require a highly specialized skill-set, so you should emphasize your top relevant technical skills in the body of your cover letter when outlining your experience.

Here are some important computer science hard skills employers look for:

Not sure how to fit these skills into your own cover letter? Here’s an example taken from the body text of a computer science cover letter to give you an idea:

Before working at Macroworks, I was a web development intern at Spin.io in Detroit, Michigan, where I was primarily responsible for fixing bugs, implementing UI enhancements, maintaining pages via WordPress, and using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build and enhance web pages.

Though employers will pay close attention to your technical abilities, your soft skills are also important because they make you easier to work with. Soft skills like active listening and attention to detail are important character traits when it comes to maintaining quality assurance for computer-based solutions.

Here are other key computer science soft skills to highlight throughout your cover letter:

• Innovation
• Patience
• Accuracy
• Time management skills
• Organizational skills 
• Communication skills
• Critical thinking
• Project management skills
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Leadership skills
• Decision-making

And here’s an example of how you can incorporate some of your top soft skills into the cover letter body text:

At both Macroworks and Spin.io I demonstrated my ability to hit deadlines, maintain strong attention to detail, and produce top-notch code.

2. Open with a strong introduction

Computer science-related work is inherently technical. Most applicants know that the job has basic requirements, so most of your competition will be qualified for the role. Simply stating you have the right skill-set for the job won’t be enough to catch a busy hiring manager’s attention.

Start off strong with a memorable cover letter introduction to show employers what makes you uniquely qualified. Knowing how to start your cover letter in a compelling way will inspire hiring managers to get in touch so you may discuss your qualifications further.

Here’s how to write a strong computer science cover letter introduction:

• Show genuine excitement for the opportunity. When applying to be a computer science intern or professional, it’s important to assure employers you have both the skills and passion to meet the demands of this analytical role.
• Align your talents to the job so employers can see you have the right skill-set to create and improve software. For example,

While working as a software engineering intern at Macroworks in Ann Arbor, Michigan, I gained substantial experience identifying and fixing bugs, as well as coding in Java, Python, and Swift — all skills I’m confident that would be useful at XYZ Company.

• Lead with an impressive accomplishment. To prove your worth as a computer scientist, provide an example of how your knowledge and skills have made a real impact. For example,

I also assisted in the development and rollout of a widget that helps cyclists locate their nearest bike lane, which is now one of Spin.io’s most popular products.

Looking up high-quality job applications in similar fields, such as a software engineer cover letter, can give you more ideas for technical achievements in computer science.

3. Use an easy-to-read cover letter format

Although programming jobs are essential to all industries, the job market isn’t any less competitive for a computer scientist. To boost your chances of landing an interview, use the standard cover letter format to best convey your desire and qualifications to work for a company.

Presenting your relevant background in a professional cover letter not only shows employers you’re serious about their computer science-related job, but it also makes it easier for them to assess if you’re qualified.

Here’s how to correctly format your computer science cover letter:

• Include your contact information in the header (name, phone number, professional email address)
• Choose a traditional cover letter font between 10.5–12 point font size (readability is key)
• Place your cover letter margins between 1” to 1.5” on all sides
• Communicate your skills and experience concisely. Avoid writing an overly long (or short) computer science cover letter. The ideal cover letter length is generally 250–400 words.
• Save your cover letter as either a PDF or Word Doc