Computer Science (CS) Cover Letter Examples (Guide)

Tom Gerencer, CPRW

Career Expert

Updated 06/10/2022

As seen in:

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In a few minutes, you’ll have a job-getting computer science cover letter. But first—

Do you really need a cover letter? Does anybody read them?

What do you say in one? “Hi, I’m great, here’s my resume, please hire me?”

Writing a cover letter is nobody’s idea of fun.

So, let me show you how to do it fast, in a way hiring managers appreciate.

In short, let’s set you up with a cover letter for computer science that actually says something.

This guide will show you:

Computer science cover letter examples better than 9 out of 10 others.
Proven templates to make the best computer science internship cover letter in the stack.
How to write a computer science cover letter step-by-step (even with no experience).
How to describe your experience in a cover letter for computer science internships and get any job you want.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Computer Science Cover Letter for a Resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.

Make sure your computer science resume is up to par by reading: Computer Science Resume: Sample & Complete Guide.

Interested in checking out other IT cover letter examples? Here they are:

Want to explore your options further? See our full selection of cover letter examples for every career: Best Cover Letter Examples.

Sample Computer Science Cover Letter

Hiring Manager Name

Title

Mailing Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Date

Your Name

Title

Current Company (If Any)

Mailing Address

Phone Number

Email Address

Dear [Hiring Manager Name],

Boosting user experience scores by 55% at Nextor, Inc. was one of my proudest moments. I believe I can top that as a computer science professional at Google.

Google is renowned for its extremely competent and intelligent employees. Here are ways I believe I fit that description well:

Prototyped 26 new product features each year at Nextor, Inc.
Led three DevOps teams of four employees each.
Decreased rework 25% through directed best practice implementation.

With seven years of computer science experience, I'm ready to take the next step with the world's greatest tech company. I'm excited to see how I can grow my skills and value in the rich environment Google provides.

Can we pick a time to discuss how my work at Nextor can convert to an enhanced experience for Google's users?

Best Regards,

[Your Name]

PS—I’d love to tell you how I increased customer retention by 45% at Dorendo Solutions.

Wow. The hiring manager’s head just threw a broken pipe error. That computer science cover letter example crashed her server.

Can you believe she’ll read your resume with care?

Let’s look at the back end so you can write one just as dynamic.

The Best Computer Science Cover Letter Template

Now you’ve seen a great sample cover letter for computer science jobs.

But what makes it tick?

The most important thing? A solid cover letter format.

You can put our great cover letter template to work for you in minutes.

The Best Computer Science Cover Letter Template [Checklist]

Heading
- Your name, title, and contact info
- The date
- The addressee's details
- City (optional, but it helps)
Salutation
- Dear [hiring manager’s name] is perfect.
- Dear Hiring Manager works if you can’t find the name (but try hard to find the name!)
Main Body: Three-Paragraph Computer Science Cover Letter Format
- First: A “hook.” Mention the most jaw-dropping fact about you. (In a cover letter for a computer science internship, that may be just an attaboy from a professor.)
- Next: Say why you want the job. This keeps the focus on them.
- Last: Use bullet points with more achievements. These show how you can solve their problems.
Call To Action
- Don’t just ask for an interview—make an offer.
- Don’t use the boring “Thank you for your time!”
Cover Letter Ending
- Use a “sincerely” synonym.
- Add “PS” with another achievement. (It draws the eye like a stack of money.)

Want more info to write the best computer science cover letter on record? See this guide: Cover Letter Format: A Complete How-To Guide

Plus: see the next section on how to write a killer opening for a cover letter.

A Computer Science Cover Letter Opener Managers Love

Does anyone read cover letters?

Sadly, most hiring managers don’t read cover letters.

But that’s because most cover letters are identical.

“Here’s my resume, please read it.”

Where’s the trash can?

The right first sentence can spotlight your computer science internship cover letter like Donald Knuth amid a field of Luddites.

These two CS cover letter examples give a walkthrough.

Computer Science Cover Letter Examples [Opening Paragraph]

wrong
I'm a computer science professional with 8 years of experience. I'm writing to apply for the computer science position.

Try… Fail. That could be anyone.

So do it like this computer science cover letter sample:

right
Boosting user experience scores by 55% at Nextor, Inc. was one of my proudest moments. I believe I can top that as a computer science professional at Google.

That’s a cuspy first sentence in a cover letter for computer science.

The glowing achievement makes the manager stop and smell the new employee.

Don’t have an achievement that good? Still a student and writing a computer science internship cover letter with no experience?

Pick your best accomplishment.

Computer Science Cover Letters [Opening Tips]

Use the hiring manager’s name. Can’t find it? "Dear Computer Science Team Hiring Manager" works.
Use "Ms." instead of “Miss” or “Mrs.”
For added functionality, include your online portfolio in your contact info.

Pro Tip: Put in the effort and learn the hiring manager's name. About 84% of hiring managers toss computer science internship cover letters without their names.

Need help to get past “Hello, World” in your software engineer cover letter or cover letter for computer science internships? See our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

Write a Great Computer Science Cover Letter Middle

Come with me.

We’ll step into the hiring manager’s mind.

She’ll actually read a cover letter for computer science that has a great first sentence.

But will she keep reading?

Make sure she does. These CS cover letter samples show how.

Computer Science Cover Letter Examples [Middle]

Pretend the job is looking for a (1) leader who can (2) prototype and (3) implement best practices.

Here’s a cover letter middle that commits:

Google is renowned for its extremely competent and intelligent employees. Here are ways I believe I fit that description well:

(1) Prototyped 26 new product features each year at Nextor, Inc.
(2) Led three DevOps teams of four employees each.
Decreased rework 25% through directed (3) best practice implementation.

The manager who wouldn’t hire you with that computer science cover letter sample can’t count to 20 with shoes on.

The bullet points draw the eye and add accomplishments.

Bonus Points

Personalize achievements in a cover letter for computer science. Read the job ad, highlight the skills, and pick matching wins from your past.

Pro Tip: Writing a cover letter for a computer science internship with no experience? Highlight your best academic achievements in your letter. Even a commendation from a professor works.

Are you writing a computer science internship cover letter, or a computer science student cover letter for entry-level jobs? See our guide: Internship Cover Letter Guide with Examples

How long should a cover letter be for computer science graduate jobs? See our guide: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

How to End Computer Science Cover Letters With a Bang

How do you end a cover letter?

Well, imagine a hiring manager named Ellen.

She’s with you so far. She’s thinking about calling you.

Then the last sentence of your cover letter for computer science looks:

Needy
Pushy
Wishy-washy
Unintelligent

See the problem?

It’s so easy to blow it in a cover letter’s final words.

But so easy to land it like a successful SpaceX booster.

Just make an offer, like the programmer cover letter examples below.

Computer Science Cover Letter Examples [Ending]

wrong

So can I have the interview?

Thank you for your time.

That’s Hindenbuggy. It’s needy and generic.

But check out the next of our computer science cover letter samples:

right

Can we pick a time to discuss how my work at Nextor can convert to an enhanced experience for Google's users?

Best Regards,

Robert Abogado

PS—I’d love to tell you how I increased customer retention by 45% at Dorendo Solutions.

Ahh. That’s an offer. Something the hiring manager actually wants.

Do that with a cover letter for computer science jobs, and you’ll need a database for all your interview requests.

Pro Tip: See that “PS?” It pulls the manager in like the Almighty Sarlacc. Put an accomplishment in a PS and you’ll boost your interview rate.

Want to nail your computer science student cover letter ending? Need more examples of solid offers that will make the manager pick up the phone? See our guide: How to End a Cover Letter: Sample & Complete Guide [+20 Examples]

Key Takeaway

Here’s a recap of how to write a computer science cover letter:

Start with a great template. The template for programmer cover letters above will save a lot of gritted teeth.
Use a solid hook. Lead off with your best achievement. That shows the manager you aren’t writing a generic CS cover letter.
Make it personal. In the middle of your cover letter for computer science, add achievements. Make sure they show how you can solve the company’s problems.
End with an offer, and a PS. Don’t just ask for the interview. Offer to give them something in the interview. Plus, put one more accomplishment in a “PS.”

Do you have questions about how to make a good computer science internship cover letter? Want to share an example of a computer science cover letter that worked for you? Give us a shout in the comments. We’d be happy to reply!

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