Computer Science Cover Letter Example

Every computer scientist is hard-wired to let their code do the talking – the intricacy of their work with machine learning, artificial intelligence and software modelling is there in those lines for other programming wizards to see. Only a computer scientist can truly appreciate the excellence of bleeding edge computer science. However, there is a time when other mere mortals need to understand and evaluate computer science achievements. When it comes to a job search, the computer science cover letter and resume will have to do much of the heavy lifting with the less mathematically minded people within their employers – the human resources department and those in leadership roles.

This computer science cover letter example and guide will look at:

• How to format your computer science cover letter to highlight your value.
• How to write the intro, middle part and closing sections and what to include.
• Bringing your coding prowess and achievements to the fore as much as possible.
• How to make any IT leader curious about what you can contribute.

Best format for a computer science cover letter

Every computer science professional will appreciate the need for a logical structure and well-thought out progression of any argument, so taking a moment to consider the format of a computer science cover letter is critical. Everyone reading the letter will be conditioned to expect a standard format, so there is no real reason to deviate too much. The content is the key to ensuring that they are curious enough to click through to your portfolio of work.

The format of a computer science cover letter is typically as follows:

• Cover letter header
• Greeting / salutation
• Cover letter intro
• Middle paragraphs (body of the letter)
• Ending paragraph of your cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

This computer science cover letter example may bring a certain inspiration:

Cover letter header

Every hiring manager needs to be able to find the contact details of the candidate easily. Your name, contact email, phone number and a link to your portfolio of work should be at the very top of the cover letter in the header. You might think that leading with something more interesting is a better idea, but once they have mentally noted that they have seen these aspects, the reader can then move on to the more interesting bits.

Goal of the cover letter header: Putting your contact details at the top of the letter is like balancing the simplest of mathematical equations. It just makes sense.

Cover letter greeting

Attention to detail is the ultimate calling card of a computer scientist, so make sure that you get the greeting right. Beginning with a “Dear Mr / Mrs / Doctor / Professor” plus their surname is the only way to start. Some cultures may be more informal, but never fall into the trap of calling someone by their first name before you have formally met them. Also, never write “To whom it may concern” – you can always research the person in question or maybe go with the “Dear Company team” option.

Goal of letter greeting: Getting the greeting right and checking it carefully will save you any embarrassment. You do not want any question marks over your attention to detail.

Cover letter introduction

The introduction of a computer science cover letter simply has to focus on some of the biggest projects that you have taken on and the problems that you have solved. Talk about only the most relevant achievements for the job in question and show that you have the capability to perform similar magic for them.

Avoid the temptation of simply listing your programming languages, software knowledge and hardware experience. All these factual aspects should be in your resume. The cover letter is for really hammering home the impact of the projects that you have contributed to. Talk about how you work in a team, your methodology when you go about your work and find the rarest achievements that others will not be able to boast.

Goal of the cover letter intro: The introduction should start with a laser focus on the most important achievements and only the most relevant coding and software skills.

Cover letter middle part (body)

The middle paragraphs of a computer science cover letter example should continue to outline how your past performance will prove your future potential. Pick one or two key projects rather than a long list. Your employer needs a little more detail in terms of the obstacles that you overcame and the problems that you solved. 

Try to offer more information than you have shared on your resume. A cover letter is an opportunity to show how you worked with others – computer science is definitely not an individual pursuit and the most successful computer science professionals understand that presenting their work and solving business problems with a wide team is key to success.

Goal of the body of your cover letter: The detail of your computer science pitch should lie within these paragraphs. The examples that you pick will be analysed carefully, so choose wisely. The hiring manager will assume that this is a reflection of your very best work.

How to close a computer science cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

The best close for a computer science cover letter should focus on the business impact of their work. Any programmer, software security professional or hardware guru can come up with something ground-breaking, but unless it genuinely impacts the bottom line, there isn’t much point in them doing it.

In addition, don’t be afraid to ask for an opportunity to meet and discuss the details of the role. This call to action shows that you are engaged in the opportunity and with the shortage of great technology professionals this will be something that an employer will want to hear. Finish with a note around why you would love to work for them.

Goal of the closing: Finishing with one last reminder of what you will bring will ensure that their next action will be to invite you to that crucial interview.

Mistakes to avoid in your computer science cover letter

Mistakes are the enemy of any computer scientist, so any errors within the content of a cover letter can hint at a certain lack of carefulness. This is something to avoid. The following common mistakes are basic, but if you are in a rush they can creep in:

1. Grammar and spelling: Use an online spellcheck to make sure that your grammar and spelling is on point. Writing might not be your strong point, so maybe ask a friend to give it the once over. Double check any code that you include in your portfolio.
2. Use technical language, but not too much: Your future employer wants to employ a human coder rather than an AI machine. There are so many more benefits in terms of how computer science professionals work with others around the business, so make sure that your cover letter contains enough elements of your humanity and how you go about your work with others.
3. Irrelevance: Do your skills actually fit the job in question? If you have written a cover letter that seems to be somewhat distanced from the job description, maybe this is not the opportunity for you. Have a rethink and only include the most relevant details. Hope is not a strategy, so don’t waste the time of a hiring organization that may well have use for your skills in the future (when you have a little more experience).

Key takeaways

1. Share the impact of your coding to persuade the reader to click through to your portfolio.
2. Make sure that your software knowledge, coding languages, data science work, machine learning and hardware expertise are as relevant as possible to the role.
3. Don’t diverge from the normal cover letter format. Include the right information in the right places.
4. Make sure that there are no mistakes – attention to detail is your superpower.