A cover letter is one of the ways to prove your eligibility for the job. A job application is usually based on a CV with a cover letter. Since many applicants are not into writing, here is an article to provide the best cover letter writing tips for software Engineering Jobs in New Zealand.

How to Write a Software Engineering Cover Letter?

Software engineering is an active field that offers various job opportunities in New Zealand. As one of the required engineering fields, Software engineering is concerned with the manufacture and the design of many software programs through creating their own designs and determining their effectiveness and accuracy. Many operations fall under the tasks of a software engineer’s work. That’s why employers list many requirements to select the right candidate. How does a potential software engineer prove that he/ she is the one? A cover letter can put more persuasion and help in selecting the target applicant. To offer the best professional impression, it’s recommended to sign up for Fratres. Fratres is a job portal that helps worldwide job seekers improve their employability and learn about the best application tips. Take a look at; What are the 20 Highly demanded Job Roles in New Zealand?

A Software Engineering cover letter is a specific cover letter that includes the following rules:

1.A format:

A letter should look like a letter and differs from any written material. It consists of a professional heading that includes:

Name of the candidate

Contact information

Date

The Employer’s name

Name of the company/ organization

Contact information of employers

A professional opening addressing your reader such as Dear Sir,/ Dear Madam,

2.A template:

Gone are the days where people used to send a letter written on plain paper. Nowadays, some templates fit a specific professional field and put more value to the content. People think that a template is for adorning the letter. But, this small effort tells a lot about your taste, personality, interest in recent trends, and many other first-look impressions. Which Template to use for Cover letters New Zealand?

3. A cover letter closing line: a small mistake people make is that they don’t give importance to closing the letter. They rewrite their contact information in case of a near meeting and rewrite their name followed by a signature. There is no harm in writing a few lines to thank the reader for the attention and to aspire to a near meeting. Try to follow the etiquette of closing your letter in a formal and friendly way. Take a look at; 13 Best Online jobs for Students in New Zealand

Software Engineering Cover Letter Example:

A cover letter should not exceed one page. It consists of an introduction, body, and conclusion. Here is what to write in each section.

1.An Introduction:

First, introduce yourself, your current professional situation ( an experienced software engineer, a recent graduate, a student, etc..), mention the job title you are applying for, and its location. Example: My name is ACA. I am a software engineer achieving three years of professional experience. I am writing this letter, aspiring to get hired at (write the company’s name/organization) as a Software Engineer.

Tip: if you don’t have an experience, try not to reveal this information at the beginning. Keep the suspense and motive employers to find more about you. Example: My name is XY. I am applying for a Software Engineering position published through Fratres, under the number of reference 0120. After reading the requirements, I found out that I am the exact profile you are looking for.

As you can see in this example, the applicant didn’t mention that he/ she is a non experienced candidate. That’s why it’s better to avoid this information and not place it at the beginning to make readers find more about you.

2. The Body:

Although a cover letter is a brief document, it includes a rich body consisting of three paragraphs. Here is what you should put in each:

1st paragraph:

If you are an experienced candidate, you can mention what makes you apply for this job. Example; “I am applying for Software Engineering positions for various reasons. First and foremost, my decent experience pushed me to look for job opportunities elsewhere. Second, I got easily promoted as a Software Engineer in a short period of activity. During my previous entry-level position, I developed more creative thoughts and participated in Software major teams to learn the basics. I managed to apply my skills less than expected. During my probationary period, I noticed a technical problem with the old version of the program. My manager directly approved my application without completing the training. I was very fortunate to join a master team of software engineers in a respectful company in no time. This shift enabled me to develop a good network and helped me get acquainted with the recent project managers”.

In case of not having job experience, you can describe your reasons for applying for this job as the following. I have applied for this position for various reasons. First, I am seeking to prove myself by starting my career path in this organization/ Company. Second, I have the best qualifications listed in the offer. Third, I am very excited to build my career prospects in this field, as I am ready to apply my expertise and knowledge in designing software programs and updating them.

2nd paragraph:

 In this section, you can explain what makes you the best candidate. In this paragraph, you should provide the qualities that make you eligible for the job, the skills, and your strengths. Example; “I intend to settle in a professional environment suitable to my field of expertise. I have gone through various tasks during my previous experiences. I can design various software that can be multi-functional. I can test the software and update it for final execution. I can also get integrated with a technical team to overview the Software testing and functioning. My experience made me aware of teamwork, people review, and criticism and developed my abilities to solve problems and update new strategies. I am very glad to have dealt with various professional settings and projects that build my career upon solid skills.

If you do not have professional experience, you devote this paragraph to writing about major college achievements, internships, and final projects. Example, I am sure that my decent application will meet the requirements. Despite my young age, I managed to fulfill excellent professional training in New Zealand. I got the opportunity to participate in tech camps,  in which I contributed to a digital project aiming at improving the user experience in storing medical info. Since a pandemic disease invaded us, I chose to structure my final year project in college upon developing a medical application to help people get the vaccine and get the opportunity to travel under these conditions. My project gained principal appreciation and I had the promise to launch this tentative software. I have excellent analytical skills that help me identify the software issue and restore its old version. Now, I have applied for a software engineering position. I have the intention to contribute positively to this company. I also have the necessary skills required for the job.

3rd paragraph:

This paragraph includes your future projects. What can you do in case of getting this job or to get this job? Example:

As a software engineer, I am ready to commit to the work policies, bring better performance rates, and collaborate with all the team to fulfill my duties better.  

3.Conclusion:

This section highlights your interest in the position and your intention to meet the recruiter for further information on the job. You can demonstrate your delight to join the company and invite your recruiter to check your CV. Don’t forget to thank the reader for the time and attention to read your letter. Example:

I hope that my past experience and milestones have depicted a suitable profile for the job. I invite you to look at my CV to learn more about my degrees, achievements, and skills. I am looking forward to seeing you in a job interview to discuss this position further. Please contact me at ( put your contact information). Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

Your name

Signature.