How to write a job-winning back-end developer cover letter
Back-end developers are responsible for optimizing the more technically complex aspects of computer programs and other digital products and platforms.
Becoming a back-end developer takes time, effort, and commitment. When you are ready to begin applying for jobs in this role, you need a strong cover letter that showcases your talent and experience in the position.
Unleash the power of your back-end developer skills and take your career to new heights with a stellar cover letter! In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive into the art of crafting a captivating cover letter that showcases your expertise, passion, and drive as a back-end developer.
Keep reading to learn more about:
- Creating a visually appealing cover letter header and headline
- Personalizing your back-end developer cover letter properly
- Writing an eye-catching introduction that impresses employers
- Showcasing your top skills and accomplishments as a back-end developer
- Finishing your back-end developer cover letter with an effective conclusion
1. Create a visually appealing back-end developer cover letter header and headline
Before an employer begins to read your cover letter, they will already form a first impression of you based on the appearance of your cover letter.
As such, it is of the utmost importance to give your cover letter visual appeal and a strong visual structure by creating a cover letter header and headline.
Starting with the header, this is a short section of text that includes key identifying information about you and the company you are applying to, such as:
- Your name and professional title (typically, you should make your title the same or similar to the title of the position you are applying for)
- Your professional contact information (whenever listing contact information, such as an email address, avoid including unprofessional or personal information — if you do not have a professional-sounding email, it may be best to create one before applying)
- The name and address of the company you are applying to
Here's an example of a well-formatted back-end developer cover letter header
Jason Eggers, Back-End Developer
(123) 456-7890 | jasoneggers@email.com | linkedin.com/in/jason-eggers
To: Unity Software Developers
1234 Street Address
Boston, MA 02108
Next, you will create your cover letter headline. A headline serves as a title statement, assisting you in creating a great first impression and hooking the reader’s attention.
In a cover letter headline, you should include:
- Relevant keywords (such as the name of the position)
- Memorable trigger words (such as “skills” or “achievements”)
- Powerful adjectives, verbs, or adverbs (such as “benefit” or “employ”)
- Personalized statements (such as “your company” or “your clients”)
Here's an example of a well-written back-end developer cover letter headline
My 3 Essential Skills as a Back-End Developer & How I Will Employ Them for Your Business Needs
2. Personalize your back-end developer cover letter properly
When you read a letter, you want to know that the person who wrote it was thinking specifically of you.
The same goes for employers — they do not want to read generic cover letters that have probably been copied and pasted to ten different companies. They want to read a nicely tailored letter that addresses their specific wants and needs.
To accomplish this, you must personalize your cover letter with details about the exact employer you are writing to. This can include references to their company values, explanations of how your skills can benefit their company, and more.
Additionally, you should always address your letter to a specific person at the company, ideally the person who is most likely to read the letter. This is what we call a personalized greeting.
Here are 3 examples of personalized back-end developer cover letter greetings
- Dear Chief Developer Jon Snow,
- Dear Lead Developer Mason Matthews,
- Dear Mr. Jon Snow & Mr. Mason Matthews,
3. Write an eye-catching introduction that impresses employers
Although your header, headline, and personalized greeting have done some of the work in hooking the employer’s attention, the remainder of the job is handled by your cover letter introduction.
To impress employers, your introduction should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history
- A statement on any specializations in back-end development you possess
- A mutual acquaintance (when possible) who can serve as a professional reference (a former employer, a professional mentor, etc.)
Here's an example of an impressive introduction from a back-end developer’s cover letter
Dear Chief Developer Jon Snow,
I am a seasoned back-end developer with more than 11 years of specialized experience in programming language translation software. My professional mentor, Mrs. Jane Jackson, is on your company’s corporate Board of Directors and advised me to reach out to you directly regarding this opportunity.
4. Showcase your top skills and accomplishments as a back-end developer
When you describe your skills, accomplishments, and other qualifications, it is crucial to include information that is highly specific and relevant to the job you are applying to.
For example, if an employer is looking for a back-end developer trained to use Python, you should not only state your experience with Python but also provide an example of how you have used Python in your previous work or place of employment.
Here are 6 skills to describe in a back-end developer’s cover letter
- Fluency in programming languages
- Debugging back-end systems
- Creating back-end components
- Integrating back-end processes to front-end interfaces
- Communicating effectively with other developers
- Strict adherence to deadlines
Here are a few examples of how to describe accomplishments in a back-end developer cover letter
- As a back-end developer for [Former Employer], one of my key responsibilities was testing the core system for bugs and errors. After developing a new automated response system for identifying such errors, I reduced the overall occurrence of bugs by 35%, as well as reduced the need for human intervention by 50%.
- I successfully implemented a robust and scalable back-end infrastructure for a high-traffic e-commerce website, resulting in a 50% increase in website performance and a significant reduction in downtime."
- I collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and deploy a RESTful API that streamlined data retrieval and improved overall system efficiency. This led to a 30% reduction in response time and enhanced user experience."
- I played a key role in optimizing database queries and query performance, resulting in a 40% reduction in database response time and significantly improving application speed and reliability."
- I designed and implemented a secure authentication and authorization system, incorporating industry best practices and encryption protocols. This enhanced data security, mitigated potential risks, and ensured compliance with privacy regulations.
5. Finish your back-end developer cover letter with an effective conclusion
Like any good back-end system, a well-written cover letter needs to be finished effectively.
To write an effective conclusion, make sure to include:
- Instructions on how and when an employer can contact you
- When you wish to hear back and when you plan to follow up
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a back-end developer cover letter
I express my deepest thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to review my letter and consider me for this position. As I am eager to learn more about this opportunity, I do plan to reach out to follow up if I have not heard back by next Monday afternoon. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890 any day of the week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Warm Regards,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.
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