AWS Data Engineer cover letter example

What’s the point of a cover letter? You’re an AWS data engineer, a data specialist, and an algorithmic thinker with a long list of technical skills. Shouldn’t your resume speak for itself? 

The short answer is no. The longer answer is that yes, in some ways your resume is enough, but when you’re looking to gain the advantage and secure the interview, going the extra mile can only help – especially if develop an AWS data engineer cover letter that directly addresses the needs of your prospective employer by pointing out exactly how you can solve their problems.

While your resume details your overall career, your application letter gives you the opportunity to express both your desire for the specific job and how you approach your work. Another benefit is the expanded space to highlight exactly how you achieve greater efficiency in storing and accessing data.

Just how you do that is the subject of this writing guide corresponding AWS data engineer cover letter example. For more ideas on this critical piece of your application, we offer a library of free cover letter examples and writing guides for you to check out. This guide, however, will focus specifically on:

• How to differentiate yourself in your AWS data engineer cover letter
• The structure you should apply
• Ways to make the most of each paragraph
• Errors that can sink your application and ways to avoid them

Best format for an AWS data engineer cover letter

While this document is less structured than a resume, all cover letters contain common sections. Before you type your first word, you should understand this framework. 

The format of an AWS data engineer cover letter should contain the following elements:

• The cover letter header
• The greeting/salutation
• The cover letter intro
• The middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• The ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and call-to-action)

Let’s move on to advice and descriptions of each element.

This AWS data engineer cover letter example will give you a starting point for compiling your own:

Cover letter header

Distinguish yourself with a bit of design in the header of your AWS data engineer cover letter. Your first task here is to clearly list your name, title, phone, and email contact information as well as any professional social media accounts or links to your portfolio.

The secondary purpose of the header is to leave a positive visual impression on your reader. This element should also complement your resume design to create the feel of a complete package. Resume.io offers cover letter templates that correspond to our resume designs, to ensure a cohesive look. Choose complementary colors and fonts and keep in mind that your priority is to make it easy for recruiters to contact you.

See our cover letter sample:

Cover letter greeting

Although IT departments may be casual places, you are best off assuming a professional, yet warm, tone right from the start. This means opening your AWS data engineer cover letter with the standard “Dear Dr./Mr./Ms./Mx. [Last Name],” unless you are writing to someone you know.

A bit of due diligence should net you the name of a recruiter or contact person to address. A greeting that includes a name is more likely to get the attention of your reader. However, if your research comes up blank or you are addressing an entire department, you may default to “Dear IT Team,” or “Dear Hiring Department.”

Cover letter introduction

Chances are the recruiter has scanned your resume and has decided you’re worth further investigation. Use the introduction of your AWS data engineer cover letter to show them they were right to keep reading.

Within this first paragraph, you should offer a sentence that describes the depth and breadth of your experience with data. Keep in mind that employers are looking to hire someone because they have a problem. Start off by recollecting a proud achievement that highlights how you can ease their pain point and let them know that in the rest of your letter, you will describe in even more detail how you can help.

See our cover letter sample:

Cover letter middle part (body)

The body, or middle 3-4 paragraphs, of your AWS data engineer cover letter elaborate on your introduction by highlighting your effectiveness as a software developer and detailing how you use your skills and knowledge to build scalable systems that help ensure quality data.

Use one paragraph to create a bulleted list of the tools you use and an example of how you used them to solve a problem. Choose tools mentioned in the job description to illustrate that you not only have the skills your reader seeks, but you are an expert at using them.

Here are a few questions you should consider answering in your letter:

• How do I minimize downtime? What tools do I use?
• How do I ensure the quality and consistency of data? Give an example
• How can I best show the variety of tools I use in my job?

Use successes you have had that prove your value add.

How to close an AWS data engineer cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

Your reader has been intrigued enough to get this far, now it’s time to finish strong. The conclusion of your AWS data engineer cover letter is more than a simple wrap-up – it’s a one-sentence reminder of why you will make an excellent addition to the team.

If you have space, you may add a personal detail related to your career. That could be the mention of a mentor, the aspect of data engineering you like best, or a goal you are working on right now that will add to your skills. The goal of your letter is an interview, so politely request a time to discuss the position further. Finally, sign off with “Sincerely,” or “Best regards,” and your full name.

See our cover letter sample:

Basic mistakes in an AWS data engineer application letter (and how to avoid them)

• Too much jargon. Yes, every field has its own language complete with alphabet soup, but keep it to a minimum. Communication requires clarity and you want to make sure your message gets through the way you intended it.
• A robotic tone. AI is a great tool when used properly, but make sure you don’t sound machine-like. Aim for professional, but friendly. Have a friend or colleague read your letter to see if it sounds genuine.
• Typos, grammatical, and spelling errors. While your job does not require you to write essays, with all the tools out there, it just looks sloppy not to check for errors – and it reflects badly on your attention to detail. Spell check, Grammarly, or something like it, and careful proofreading go a long way.

Key takeaways

1. If you’re a data engineer, working with AWS cloud computing services is an advantage since it commands the biggest share of the market.
2. Take the time to write an AWS data engineer cover letter that is individualized for each employer’s needs and wants.
3. Use this one-page document to illustrate how you approach your job.
4. Create a design that meshes with your resume and leaves a positive first impression.