As a programmer, you're a digital architect, carefully creating the digital foundations, structures and infrastructure that allows businesses to flourish and functions to run smoothly. Your expertise in programming allows you to bring ideas to life, turning concepts into reality through code. At CVapp.ie, we know how difficult it can be to find an organisation or business that can help you bring your talents to life. That’s why we’ve created our special cover letter guide. We’re here to help you create an optimised, engaging cover letter!
Before we begin, it’s important to know that most cover letters contain the following structure:
We’ll begin with the first essential element: the cover letter header.
Headers help establish your professional identity and help employers get in touch with you. That’s it! While headers are often the easiest part of the cover letter, it’s essential that the contact information you’ve listed in the header is accurate. Here, you’ll want to include important contact information, such as your full name, phone number, and email address. If you have an online portfolio that showcases your professional work as a programmer, you can include this here, too! It’s also important that your header is well-formatted and presentable, since it’s usually the first visual element employers see. We’ve got a range of professional design templates in the CVapp.ie Cover Letter builder. Simply choose the design you like best, input your information, and you’re done!
Hey. Yo. Sup. What’s the common denominator with all of these greetings? They may be normal ways to greet friends, but they’re terrible ways to address potential employers: avoid them at all costs!
When it comes to addressing employers, it’s best to opt for professional, formal greetings, such as “Dear Mr. Ward,” or “Dear Mrs. Kelly.” A bad greeting can slash through your chances of being taken seriously by employers, so a more formal greeting is the best option. Where possible, always use the name of potential employers when it’s known to add a personalsed touch to your cover letter. If you’re unsure of the name, addressing your cover letter to “Dear Company X” will suffice.
Dear Mr. Jennings,
The introduction of your cover letter should be engaging and capture the reader's attention. Nobody wants to read a vague or boring cover letter! As a programmer, you can start by opening your cover letter with an interesting anecdote, a thought-provoking fact, or simply expand upon any accomplishments you’ve had in your programming career. Try to infuse your introduction with your passion for programming and highlight any relevant experience you have in the field. How long have you been working as a programmer? What are your strengths? What coding languages are you proficient in? Ultimately, a strong introduction should demonstrate your excitement for the position and set a positive tone for the rest of the cover letter.
As a programmer, I believe that efficiency, an investigative mind and an analytical nature are the cornerstones of success as a programmer. With over a decade's worth of programming experience and expertise, I am excited to apply for a programmer role at Reynold & Riley IT. My passion for programming began when I was a young child. I loved learning how to construct and deconstruct computers with my father. Although it was thrilling to learn about external hardware, I have always been deeply curious and wanted to explore the inner workings of IT, software and the power of computers. This was the beginning of my programming journey. I have been working with coding languages such as JavaScript, C++ and Python for over ten years. My family often like to joke that I'm fluent in code first, and English second!
In the body paragraphs of your cover letter, focus on highlighting your skills, accomplishments, and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the programming position you’re applying for. You can expand upon your existing skills in programming languages or tools you are proficient in, and emphasise projects you have completed successfully for other businesses or clients. If you’ve attached a work portfolio, you can also expand upon these projects here, outlining your professional programming strengths and any unique abilities you may possess. Use quantifiable achievements to demonstrate your impact, such as the number of lines of code you wrote, any improvements you made, or successful project completions. Additionally, you can mention any relevant certifications or degrees that showcase your technical expertise. Each body paragraph should focus on a different aspect of your skills or experiences, providing detailed examples that demonstrate your qualifications. When you’re done, review your body paragraphs to ensure that it’s as tailored as possible to the job description and the requirements listed. We recommend reading over the description a few times to gain a good understanding of what employers are looking for!
Although I have been coding for years, I received formal education in programming to supplement my technical coding knowledge. I received a Bachelor of Science in Computing (Hons) at Dublin Business School with a major in Data Analytics. This enabled me to understand how algorithms and artificial intelligence can be leveraged to compose more effective and structured code for clients.
Furthermore, I've had the opportunity to design, write, modify and tst code for over 400 clients across the years. I particularly enjoy creating more efficient databases, systems and applications, testing code prototypes and collaborating with staff and clients to bring successful projects to life.
Finally, the conclusion of your cover letter should reiterate your interest in the position and your enthusiasm to connect with employers soon. You can summarise your main qualifications and how they align with the job requirements and include a strong call-to-action statement to encourage employers to reach out. For example: “I would love to discuss the opportunity with you. Would you be available next week?”
Be sure to end your conclusion by thanking the reader for their time and consideration. To close, you can choose a professional sign-off such as “kind regards” or “yours sincerely” followed by your name. Once you’ve proofread your letter and it’s received your stamp of approval, you’re ready to start applying for jobs! Well done!
I would love the opportunity to discuss my career experiences and achievements, skills and expertise with you more. Please find attached my contact details. I hope to talk with you soon.
Yours sincerely,
Lennon McKenna
CVapp.ie is here to support your professional growth throughout all stages of your career. Be sure to check out the CVapp.ie website and blog for more career tools and resources. Good luck, we believe in your greatness!