As a DevOps engineer, you’re well-equipped with a technical mind and IT know-how. But do you have a natural way with words? Before you land that all-important interview, you need to write a DevOps engineer cover letter that sells your professional skill set.
Master the art of cover letter writing and your bank account may thank you. DevOps engineers make an average of $98,475 in the United States, according to PayScale. To demand that type of salary, you need to be well-versed in the latest technological advances. So, how can you demonstrate your knowledge base in a short and simple cover letter?
Within this writing guide, and corresponding cover letter example, we will cover the following topics to help you excel:
- How to choose the best cover letter format including essential writing elements
- How to pique recruiters’ interest when writing each paragraph
- What tone and style to adopt when you’re writing your cover letter
- How to convey your work ethic in this introductory letter.
If putting pen to paper has your stomach doing somersaults, you’re not alone. Writing any type of formal letter can be a daunting task. That’s why Resume.io has created hundreds of cover letter examples to help inspire and guide you through the application process.
Best format for a DevOps engineer cover letter
First things first, let’s talk about the DevOps engineer cover letter format. The document needs to be clear, information-led, and concise. Avoid writing without a structure in mind. Be strategic and plan out each individual paragraph before you get to work on the letter.
The format for your DevOps engineer cover letter should include the following elements:
- Cover letter header
- The greeting (or salutation)
- The cover letter intro
- Main body (middle paragraphs)
- The conclusion (last paragraph with a call-to-action)
Keep in mind that your DevOps engineer cover letter is an introduction to you. It doesn’t have to be a memoir of your life so far. By creating a format you can avoid over-explaining your experience or skills. Recruiters don’t want to spend hours reading. Keep it simple.
If you’re looking for general writing advice, check out our comprehensive cover letter guide. We will also delve into how you can make the most of each paragraph you include.
Below you’ll find out adaptable DevOps engineer cover letter example which you can modify for your own experience:
Dear Ms. Lyre,
Having worked with AWS-based applications for seven years, I have managed migrations, streamlined workflows, and collaborated with engineering teams to ensure maximal business impact, but it was my bespoke on-premises and cloud solutions that made the most impact.
Managing and maintaining a $8 million continuous integration environment meant constantly adapting automated scripts to configure and test applications – working closely with my DevOps team members to develop best-in-class scalable solutions. We managed to reduce infrastructure deployment time by 150 percent, designing efficient CI/CD pipelines.
In terms of my tools and solutions knowledge, I am proficient in Datadog, Kubernetes, AWS, Google Compute, Openstack and Private Clouds alongside five major programming languages. I was a master trainer for our AWS business awareness courses, training 200+ of my colleagues to improve their broader understanding. I find pleasure in making DevOps accessible for those who are not technically minded.
My bachelor’s degree from Caltech in Software Engineering prepared me for the more theoretical aspects of my role but I find the most pleasure when solving a practical problem with my wider team. It is one thing seeking perfection in the logic of code, but that perfection is useless if it does not have the intended real-world impact. I was awarded company communicator of the year in 2017 for my no-nonsense explanatory approach.
I understand that you are hiring for several roles and I would particularly look forward to working with a number of new starters. I would enjoy embarking on a new journey and enclose my project portfolio to show how I can contribute.
Sincerely,
Marcel Winters
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Cover letter header
Your cover letter header sits at the top of the page. It includes your name, email address, and phone number. While it may not be the most exciting part of the letter, it’s vital. Should a hiring manager want to get in touch, you need to make it easy.
Don’t overcomplicate this element. This is a no-frills section. Include the basic information we have highlighted. Use a straightforward format without any additional details here.
Cover letter greeting
Words matter. When you’re writing your DevOps engineer cover letter, be selective in the terms you use. The greeting is the first line of your letter. Think that there’s no way to mess up this part of the cover letter? You might want to think again.
When you’re writing a formal letter, there are a few greetings you can use, such as “To Whom It May Concern,” “Dear [insert name],” and “Dear Team.” As a general rule, avoid casual greetings such as “Hey” or “Hi.” You’re applying for a professional role, and so employers will expect you to show some respect. Keep things above board.
The most effective greeting is “Dear [insert name].” If possible, find out the full name of the hiring manager before writing your cover letter. Now, you can address them directly.
Dear Ms. Lyre,
Cover letter introduction
Next, it’s time to move into your cover letter introduction. Don’t waste a recruiter’s time with fluff. Instead, get straight into the meat of your experience as a DevOps engineer. The hiring manager is looking for the most important details. Put them front and center.
To craft a powerful DevOps engineer cover letter, lead with what you bring to the role. How much experience do you have under your belt? What systems are you confident in using? How will your skill-set impact the greater business? Answer these questions in the intro.
Having worked with AWS-based applications for seven years, I have managed migrations, streamlined workflows, and collaborated with engineering teams to ensure maximal business impact, but it was my bespoke on-premises and cloud solutions that made the most impact.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs or body of cover letters include details of your professional experience so far. As a DevOps engineer, it’s important to use this space to cover all of the systems and programs you’re confident in using. Consider the value you will add to the business.
Talk is cheap. You also need to showcase your tangible achievements and accolades, quantifying them, wherever possible. Include details of your choice, past experiences and what you learned in each case. Avoid jargon but do include industry-specific terminology. There’s no room for casual language or colloquialisms when it comes to this cover letter.
Managing and maintaining a $8 million continuous integration environment meant constantly adapting automated scripts to configure and test applications – working closely with my DevOps team members to develop best-in-class scalable solutions. We managed to reduce infrastructure deployment time by 150 percent, designing efficient CI/CD pipelines.
In terms of my tools and solutions knowledge, I am proficient in Datadog, Kubernetes, AWS, Google Compute, Openstack and Private Clouds alongside five major programming languages. I was a master trainer for our AWS business awareness courses, training 200+ of my colleagues to improve their broader understanding. I find pleasure in making DevOps accessible for those who are not technically minded.
My bachelor’s degree from Caltech in Software Engineering prepared me for the more theoretical aspects of my role but I find the most pleasure when solving a practical problem with my wider team. It is one thing seeking perfection in the logic of code, but that perfection is useless if it does not have the intended real-world impact. I was awarded company communicator of the year in 2017 for my no-nonsense explanatory approach.
How to close a DevOps engineer cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Once you’ve made your case, all that’s left to do is sign off. You might be tempted to ramble in this last paragraph, but you don’t have to. Cover letter real estate is valuable. Include a few tailored sentences, expressing your desire to join the company.
Demonstrate your knowledge of the company’s hiring process. For example, if you have noticed that the business has a selection of vacancies, be sure to mention that too.
I understand that you are hiring for several roles and I would particularly look forward to working with a number of new starters. I would enjoy embarking on a new journey and enclose my project portfolio to show how I can contribute.
Sincerely,
Marcel Winters
Writing psychology: how to convey your work ethic in your cover letter
Your DevOps engineer cover letter shows an employer that you’re the best candidate for the job. Complete with a summary of your professional experience and some personal touches, this letter has the power to land you an interview. Put simply, your completed cover letter should aim to:
- Demonstrate your experience in the world of IT and DevOps
- Showcase your knowledge of existing systems and software
- Highlight the value that you will bring to the company and department
- Include personal touches about your professional accolades.
When an employer reads your cover letter, they should instantly connect with you as a candidate. Pepper the letter with action verbs to show that you’re a real go-getter. It’s all about crafting an image of a dynamic, high-achieving professional in a matter of words.
DevOps engineer cover letter with no experience
If you’re new to the sector, the information in our cover letter sample won’t apply to you. However, everyone has to start somewhere. While many hiring managers will be looking for candidates with a wealth of experience, you can apply for an entry-level role.
While you can’t focus on your professional experience, there are other things you can mention. For example, you may want to include details of any training you have, your passion for the ever-changing sector, and your future ambitions.
Key takeaways
- Your DevOps engineer cover letter tells an employer about the software you’re confident using, your professional experiences, and the value you will add.
- Use a formal style when writing this document — similar to our cover letter sample.
- Wherever possible, quantify your achievements to potential employers.
- Express your passion and interest in working for the company when signing off.
Writing a professional cover letter doesn’t have to be hard. Looking for some inspiration? Here at Resume.io, we have a selection of cover letter templates to help you get started.
