Applying for an IT job? Start with a top-notch cover letter. Learn from our cover letter examples, templates, and samples, no matter your level — experienced IT professional, intern, or student dipping into the tech world. Learn how to demonstrate your tech skills in a cover letter and move closer to landing your ideal IT job.
Julia Belak Certified Professional Résumé Writer Last updated: April 8, 2024 Average: 4.9 ( 144 votes )
Crafting an effective IT cover letter might often feel like configuring a new software system — it takes skill, precision, and careful attention to detail. To help you on this journey, we're offering useful tips, insightful examples, and foolproof templates. Let's load that career drive and begin this rewarding adventure.
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Hired by: Cactus communicationIn this guide, we'll teach you everything you need to know about writing a cover letter as an IT professional. Keep reading to learn:
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Having the right content is only half the battle won. The other half is presenting it in an easily digestible and navigable manner. So, let's dive into how you can properly format your IT cover letter.
Remember, make your formatting user-friendly, or in this case, reader-friendly, and you'll be half-way to success.
Use our AI Cover Letter Writer to generate a great first draft of your cover letter. Find the right words fast with the help of the world’s most powerful language model — OpenAI’s GPT-4.
The header of your IT cover letter is like its identity card. It presents basic but crucial information. But what exactly should you include here?
Your header should contain:
But that's not all - do a bit of research and include the recipient’s information.
Now, let’s compare two examples:
John Doe
johndoe@email.com
123-456-7890
Why is it incorrect? It's simply incomplete. It contains only the basic contact information for the sender, but it lacks the recipient's information and the date, which is usually expected in a professional cover letter.
John Doe | johndoe@email.com | (123) 456-7890 | 123-456-7890
To: Mr. Smith Brown
Director of Recruitment
Tech Forward Co.
1234 Their St
Their City, State, Zip
Why does it work? All important pieces of information for possible future contact are there. The recipient's details, which include the relevant person’s name, job title, and the company's details, are not left out either, lending the effort a sense of personal touch and added professionalism.
Pro tip: Even if the job ad doesn't mention who to address your letter to, it's worth making the extra effort to find out. A little sleuthing on the company's website or LinkedIn can help you find the right person - adding a personal touch to your cover letter that could set you apart from the rest.
The headline of your IT cover letter is your prime real estate. This single line determines whether the employer will want to read more. But how do you create one that sparks interest? Let's get down to it.
Application for IT Job
Why is it weak? Although this headline is not incorrect, it's generic and doesn't offer much to capture the reader's curiosity. There are likely to be many applications for an IT job, without specifics, your application can easily get lost in the crowd.
Certified IT Professional with 10+ years in Cybersecurity Eager to Innovate at Tech Forward Co.
Why is it strong? This headline packs a punch with specificity. It establishes credibility with the mention of certification and experience, specifies the area of expertise (cybersecurity), shows intent (innovation), and signifies interest in the company. This level of care and detail can quickly capture the interest of the reader, compelling them to dig deeper into the cover letter.
Remember, a compelling headline arrests attention, bringing your cover letter to the forefront amidst a sea of generic applications. The perfect combination opens the the door to new opportunities.
With the header and headline of your cover letter in place, your next step is to create a greeting.
We recommend always using a personalized greeting over a generalized one. Unlike generalized greetings — such as “To Whom It May Concern” — a personalized greeting will address a specific person or department by name. In doing so, this shows employers you have excellent attention to detail.
If you've done your part in thoroughly researching the company but cannot pinpoint an exact person who will review your cover letter, try out one of the following alternatives:
The headline and greeting of your cover letter do a lot of the heavy-lifting when it comes to initially attracting an employer’s attention. To keep the employer interested, however, you will need a powerful introduction that includes:
Let's bring in an example for better understanding:
To whom it may concern,
I am an IT worker and I've been working in various jobs for many years now. I am applying because I need a job and I think your company might be a good fit.
Why does it fall flat? This opening lacks specificity, and comes across as unenthusiastic and impersonal. It also misses the opportunity to establish a connection via a mutual acquaintance. Crucially, there's nothing here that sets the applicant apart from other candidates.
To the [Company Name] Hiring Manager,
I am an IT Specialist with 4+ years of experience working in academic and classroom settings. As a part-time IT support professional for [Former Employer], I had the pleasure of meeting your company’s Assistant IT Manager, John Smith. After observing my work, Mr. Smith highly recommended I apply for this position.
Why does it hit the mark? This introduction is sure to grab attention. The writer begins by specifying their professional background, setting the context right away. Sharing the detail about working closely in academic settings gives insight into the candidate's experience. Furthermore, mentioning the meeting with the company’s Assistant IT Manager creates an immediate connection.
With the employer’s attention now firmly hooked, you can delve into a more in-depth explanation of your professional strengths and qualifications in your body paragraphs. An effective IT cover letter should contain between 2 to 4 body paragraphs that answer these key questions:
Focusing on accomplishments is particularly important, as they help immensely with showing employers the real-life value you can offer their company.
Each example not only marks a significant achievement, but also quantifies the value added, showcasing the impact you've made in your previous roles. This portrayal of real-life scenarios helps employers visualize the benefits you can bring to their company.
Injecting your IT cover letter with strong action words can make it far more compelling. Action words, also known as action verbs, add energy to your sentences, making your duties and achievements stand out.
Using such verbs, you paint a clearer picture of your role in past experiences and exhibit your dynamic approach. They drive your narrative, ensuring the reader's engagement and clarity.
To help you jazz up your cover letter, here's a list of 10 powerful action verbs ideal for an IT cover letter:
Remember, while your skills and experiences are key, expressing them energetically can make all the difference! So shake off those dull "responsibilities included" phrases and replace them with these power-packed verbs.
As an IT professional, it is essential to highlight your skills and experience. One way to do that is to include information about significant projects you have completed, including those from school, work, or personal projects.
Providing details on the scope of the project, technologies used, and the results achieved can help demonstrate your abilities and provide concrete examples of your work.
I led a team of four developers to design and develop a responsive and user-friendly e-commerce website. I conducted requirements gathering, created wireframes, and managed the development process from conception to deployment. This project demonstrates my ability to manage a team, deliver high-quality results, and use various technologies to achieve the project goals.
The final element of any good cover letter is a strong closing statement. In this statement, you should aim to include:
Let's have a look at two contrasting examples:
Thank you for your time. I'm waiting for your response.
Why does it fall short? The closing statement reads more as a demand, rather than a polite request, and it leaves out any note about following up, making it sound somewhat passive.
As your new IT Specialist, I will bring a high level of quality and professionalism to help your company reach its digital goals. I am eager to further discuss this opportunity with you directly and am available to meet any weekday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The best way to reach me is at (123) 456-7890.
I look forward to hearing from you within the week and will reach back out to touch base after that time has passed.
Why makes it effective? The candidate clearly expresses their eagerness and readiness to contribute to the target company's digital goals. Making their availability known shows their open and proactive approach to communication. Finally, indicating a follow-up within a specific time period signals their interest and persistence, yet their tactful phrasing ensures it doesn't come off as overbearing.
Applying for a dream IT job can sometimes lead to over-excitement, often causing candidates to overlook small but impactful mistakes. Here are a few common slip-ups and how to sidestep them.
With keen attention and thoughtful writing, you can ensure your IT cover letter avoids these common blunders and stands out instead for all the right reasons.
Having a well-crafted cover letter isn't the entire run; it charts the course with your resume forming the stride. Here's how to pair your IT cover letter with your resume effectively.
A cover letter is your opportunity to tell your story, to elaborate on your achievements, and describe your passion for the job and the company. On the other hand, your resume is a brief, facts-based summary of your skills, experiences and achievements.
Both are equally important in conveying your value as a potential employee, but their purposes are distinct.
When pairing them, consistency is key. Use the same header, font, format and layout for both your cover letter and resume. This seamless design integration gives the impression of professionalism, attention to detail, and a mindful approach to your job application — valued attributes in any IT professional.
In a nutshell, your cover letter and resume are a dynamic duo, each highlighting different yet complementary aspects of your professional persona. Treat them with equal importance to create a lasting impression on your prospective employer.
Our AI Resume Writer is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4 language model and it can produce well-written resumes in seconds. Simply enter your job title and let artificial intelligence do the rest.
If you're contemplating a career path in IT, the forthcoming statistics offer encouraging news. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) provides some insightful data worth considering.
As of May 2022, IT professionals took home an average annual wage of $100,530. This attractive paycheck reflects the high demand for IT expertise in almost all sectors of the economy.
The outlook is equally promising. From 2022 to 2032, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow at a pace that significantly outstrips the average for other professions.
Therefore, if you're considering a leap into the IT industry, or looking to advance within it, this data indicates a positive path. With approximately 377,500 new job openings anticipated each year on average, the field remains ripe with opportunities.
All in all, the IT industry continues to be a rewarding field in terms of both salary and job market prospects.
Staying ahead in the constantly evolving field of IT requires resourcefulness, especially while job hunting. To make your search easier, we've gathered a list of reliable resources specially dedicated to IT professionals:
Tapping into these resources can really up your game in your job search. Keep your CV updated, network persistently, stay patient, and with the right set of tools, that coveted IT job could soon be yours. Happy hunting!
Your IT cover letter should ideally fit on one page. Stick to three or four brief paragraphs that highlight your most relevant skills, achievements, and why you're a great fit for the role.
If you know the hiring manager's name, it's best to address the letter to them directly (e.g., Dear Ms. Johnson). Should the job posting not indicate a name, 'Dear Hiring Manager' is a suitable alternative.
Highlight those skills that align with the job description. These may include specific programming languages, project management, problem-solving abilities, IT certifications and other relevant technical and soft skills.
Your cover letter should complement, not repeat, your resume. Use it to provide context for your achievements and expand on the most pertinent aspects of your experience or motivation for applying.
While a template can be a good starting point, you should always customize your cover letter for each job application. Tailoring your letter enhances its effectiveness by demonstrating how your IT skills specifically match the position.
