As an IT support professional, you make it possible for your colleagues to complete their work. So, how is your IT support cover letter supporting you to secure that dream job?
In this cover letter guide, along with the corresponding IT support cover letter example, we’ll cover the following topics to help you write the best cover letter possible:
- How to choose the best cover letter format and what paragraphs the cover letter should include
- How to maximise the effect of each cover letter paragraph (header, greeting, intro, body and conclusion)
- What approach to take when writing your cover letter
- What mistakes to avoid when writing your IT support cover letter.
Plus, if after reading this IT support cover letter guide you want some more ideas, we have a whole database of cover letter examples for your browsing delight.
According to the National Careers Service, IT support technicians can expect to work 35-40 hours a week. Annual salaries start at £18,000 and go up to £35,000 for experienced professionals in the role.
If you’re looking for additional inspiration for cover letter writing, you can check out our related cover letter examples:
Best format for an IT support cover letter
As an IT support technician, you know that taking shortcuts and improperly structuring your work can lead to issues. It’s no different when you’re writing your cover letter. The format of an IT support 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)
Dear Mrs Harvey,
I am writing to express my interest in the IT support technician position at Liversage Primary School. I hold a BA in Computer Science and have several years of experience working in IT support at Ringwood Tech Institute. During my time here, I specialised in maintaining the computer and technology needs of educational institutions and businesses.
In my most recent position, I was responsible for providing technical support to clients with a range of hardware and software issues. Through my efforts, I was able to diagnose and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, resulting in a 20% reduction in downtime for clients.
I am able to provide tailored solutions based on my extensive IT knowledge. For instance, in my last role, I successfully managed the upgrade of a client in the education sector's entire IT infrastructure. This included the installation of new hardware and software systems. Through my leadership, we were able to complete the project on time and within budget, resulting in increased productivity and ultimately saving the client 15% on their annual IT overhead costs.
I’m aware from your job posting that you have recently implemented a new intranet system. I read in the job description that a key responsibility in this role would be maintaining the associated software workflows so that teaching staff can use the system’s resources in their lesson planning. I have previously maintained cloud-based intranets and successfully handed them over to clients with minimal disruption.
I hope you will agree that my skills and experience would make me a great match for this position. Thank you for your consideration and I hope to discuss my application with you in person.
Sincerely,
Alan Watts
Cover letter header
The cover letter header plays a crucial role in your IT support cover letter. It should always be positioned clearly at the top of the document. This section serves as a way to provide your name and contact information to the hiring manager or employer. Make sure your contact details are clearly visible and easy to read.
We have a cover letter sample header in the IT support cover letter sample. Use this as a visual reminder of how to keep things looking professional and clear.
Cover letter greeting
Your cover letter greeting sets the tone for who you are as an IT support professional. Address the hiring manager with the standard greeting "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last Name]".
This is the best way to make a positive impression from the outset. While your technical skills may be exceptional, projecting a professional and polite demeanour in your cover letter opening is essential.
Remember, the cover letter provides an opportunity to talk about your hard skills and technical expertise, but also your ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively with others. By choosing the right greeting, you convey your interpersonal skills and commitment to maintaining a constructive work atmosphere. Who knew that little three opening words could have such a big impact?
Cover letter introduction
Your cover letter introduction is the paragraph that will let the hiring manager decide whether or not to read on. This should summarise all of your best bits as an IT support technician. Think about mentioning any important requirements the job description asks for in this opening paragraph.
Ideas on what to write in this section could include:
- A concise description of your most recent IT support role
- Any pertinent IT support qualifications or training
- Why this IT support role in particular spoke to you
- Where or how you came across their need for an IT support technician
Dear Mrs Harvey,
I am writing to express my interest in the IT support technician position at Liversage Primary School. I hold a BA in Computer Science and have several years of experience working in IT support at Ringwood Tech Institute. During my time here, I specialised in maintaining the computer and technology needs of educational institutions and businesses.
If you are lacking the training to make you among the strongest candidates for the job, hope is not lost. You could consider enrolling in an IT apprenticeship through the Chartered Institute for IT.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle paragraphs of cover letters are where you can really dig into your story as an IT support professional. Let's face it, in the competitive IT industry, a lacklustre cover letter won't cut it. The more engaging and captivating your cover letter, the higher your chances of landing that dream IT gig.
You want to leave no doubt in the minds of hiring managers that you are the go-to IT support pro they need on their team. Grab the hiring manager’s attention by choosing to expand on previous experience showcasing your relevant skills, knowledge, and accomplishments.
In the vast sea of job applications, you want yours to stand out for all the right reasons. Use this section to wow them with your technical prowess and enthusiasm for the field. So, go ahead and take that blank page, fill it with your unique story, and make it impossible for employers to resist the IT wizard that you are.
In my most recent position, I was responsible for providing technical support to clients with a range of hardware and software issues. Through my efforts, I was able to diagnose and resolve issues quickly and efficiently, resulting in a 20% reduction in downtime for clients.
I am able to provide tailored solutions based on my extensive IT knowledge. For instance, in my last role, I successfully managed the upgrade of a client in the education sector's entire IT infrastructure. This included the installation of new hardware and software systems. Through my leadership, we were able to complete the project on time and within budget, resulting in increased productivity and ultimately saving the client 15% on their annual IT overhead costs.
I’m aware from your job posting that you have recently implemented a new intranet system. I read in the job description that a key responsibility in this role would be maintaining the associated software workflows so that teaching staff can use the system’s resources in their lesson planning. I have previously maintained cloud-based intranets and successfully handed them over to clients with minimal disruption.
Keep it relevant
Even the best of IT support pros could miss out on a dream opportunity if they don’t follow this tip. The hiring manager may not fully understand the ins-and-outs of your role. But even if they do, you want to make it super easy for them to understand that you’re a good fit with these tips:
- Mirror the language used in the job description
- Expand on only the most relevant experience for this role in your cover letter
- Use strong action verbs to keep your writing style engaging and concise
How to close an IT support cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
Now that all is said and done, there’s nothing to do other than finish your IT support cover letter with a simple closing. Your last paragraph should be short and to the point. Remind the hiring manager of your availability for an interview and sign off with “Sincerely” followed by your name.
I hope you will agree that my skills and experience would make me a great match for this position. Thank you for your consideration and I hope to discuss my application with you in person.
Sincerely,
Alan Watts
IT support cover letter with no experience
If this will be your first IT support role, you might feel like you’re stuck in a Catch 22. To secure an IT support position you need to demonstrate IT support experience. Luckily, the cover letter is the perfect place to highlight the required skills for the position and explain how you’ve shown them in the past.
When writing your cover letter with no experience, consider your previous roles that didn’t fall under IT support title. Or if you’re new to the workforce altogether, explore how unpaid experience such as your studies or volunteer work helped you to acquire the necessary skills.
Don’t forget that if you are thin on the qualifications that may impress employers looking for an IT support technician, there are opportunities to improve your profile. For instance, you could undertake additional training to bolster your profile as a top IT support professional.
Training and networking opportunities
Getting started in any profession can be tough. If you’re keen on building a career as an IT support professional, check out associations such as the Chartered Institute for IT for resources and opportunities to strengthen your professional profile.
Key takeaways
- Set the tone for your professional IT support skills with a well-written cover letter.
- Speak the language of the hiring manager by mirroring the language of the job description.
- Include only the most-relevant experience in your one-page IT support cover letter.
At Resume.io, we want to support you to put together a top performing cover letter in a matter of clicks. If you want to simply start writing, consider our cover letter templates to optimise your job application process.
