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What every programmer should know about writing cover letters

• Posted by Brian
• Posted on October 4th, 2006
• View Comments

One of the more controversial points I detailed in Resume pitfalls every programmer should avoid, was to eliminate the objectives heading in your resume. I received a mixed response (although mostly positive), and I thought it only fair that I follow up on my recommended alternative — a brief, but well-written cover letter.

Although these tips could very well apply to several fields, I am going to focus specifically on cover letters written for programmers or Web developers.

Name drop

Do you know someone who works at the company where you are applying? Their name should be the first thing that appears on your cover letter. Recruiters and hiring managers nearly always sift through these applicants first. The individual should be a close friend, family member or previous co-worker. However, you should never name drop if you are skeptical of this source’s good standing within the organization.

State your business

Unless this is a cold cover letter, you should state the exact position for which you are applying. You can usually accomplish this in the same sentence as your name drop (if you have one).

Example:

Jane Doe and I worked together previously at ACME Labs, and she suggested I apply for the Systems Architect opening in your Silicon Valley office.

For a cold cover letter that is being sent out, research the specific job titles at each company and tailor the writing accordingly. Do not overstate your qualifications, or seek a position that is well beyond your career level.

Example:

As a Sr. Software Engineer in your Silicon Valley office, I will leverage four years of experience, and provide professional workmanship daily.

Notice the brevity, as well as the absence of the dreaded “I am applying for…” introductory statement. Avoid beginning sentences with the word “I” altogether, and steer clear of adjective overload. Without an obnoxious overtone, try to stick with a confident present tense.

Touch only on top qualifications

Be sure to highlight specialized qualifications first, or touch only on top qualifications. Recruiters and hiring managers want to know what skills you bring to the table that no other candidate possesses. This is definitely an instance when quality is much more important than quantity. Instead of listing buzzwords, or tossing around technologies, stick to specifics. Are you especially experienced with search algorithms and refinements, design patterns and architectures, or ecommerce compliance and standards? Be sure the employer can quickly and easily recognize the added value they receive by hiring you.

Explain gaps in work history

If you have a gap in work history greater than a few months, then the final few sentences (before your concluding statement) should explain why. Do not write excruciating details of a layoff, and especially if you quit or were terminated, be sure to absolve all parties of wrongdoing. The key is to communicate the separation graciously, regardless of the terms.

Example:

During the gap in work history between Month, Day, Year, and the present time, I have been diligently searching for new job opportunities. Employment with ACME Labs was a valuable experience, but the management team felt that my skills were better suited for another organization.

Any recruiter or hiring manager can read between the lines, but outright honesty is always better than letting underlying suspicions lay dormant.

Exclude salary requirements

Just like your resume, salary requirements should be excluded from the cover letter. This is an amateur mistake. If you possess the necessary qualifications, you will either receive a request for a phone interview, or they will ask you to email salary requirements. Hold your composure if they want this sent by email, and politely request that you discuss salary by phone. The best excuse to offer up is that you value your privacy, and choose not to send salary information electronically.

Finally, never, under any circumstances, provide a salary history. This is a rare request, and is an attempt by penny-pinching recruiters and hiring managers to low-ball you.

The final outline

The body contents of your cover letter should be outlined as follows:

1. Name drop
2. Position for which you are applying
3. Unique skills
4. Work history gaps
5. Concluding statement

Your cover letter should never be more than 6-10 sentences, or two to three short paragraphs, even when detailing a gap in work history. Remember to avoid the personal, and stick to business — leave out marital status, children, hobbies, location, opinions and commentary.

Formatting rules for cover letters have been consistent over the years, and a library book or quick online search will reveal common approaches. Typically, the cover letter will be written in an 8.5″x11″ document with one inch margins. Appearing first will be your name and return address, followed by the prospective employer’s name and address. Next will be a greeting salutation, then the body contents, and finally a signature block.

Opinions may vary on the spacing of a cover letter. Personally, I have always preferred double spacing for the body contents and single spacing for everything else. However, the mailing addresses and your signature block should be offset by several lines from the greeting salutation and body contents.