Programmer Cover Letter
Techies are tough people to deal with. Coding and development is the world they live in, and this makes them forget the minute decency that is expected out of an applicant when applying for a job. These d'bugging chaps continue sending the same mundane resume over and over again to each potential employer. Come on guys, this is not exactly what you should be doing. This is really worse. Hey, at least accompany your resume with a proper and formal cover letter.
Letter Writing tips for Techies
In a good cover letter you must reflect your candidature and thus push-sell yourself along with your skills and talents for the position that you are applying for and also to the company. The first and foremost tactics of selling yourself is to make it quite clear and transparent to the person making the hiring decisions as to why you want to work for this particular organization or company. Try and be enthusiastic and let your cover letter carry a personal touch; make sure that the letter addresses the reader. Keep in mind that you are introducing yourself and talking to a respectable person and not just a "recruiter" in general. A good cover letter should always address a real person and it is of utmost importance that as an applicant you use the proper title.
Show your Interest
It is your cover letter along with your resume that introduces you and your skills and talents and strengths to the head-hunch. So be bold, direct and ask or a meeting. After all, the goal of a cover letter and especially a good and a well-written one is to try and help you get the best possible deal. Initially, focus on the point and make it clear as to why should the recruiter want you amongst the endless sea o applicants and then go ahead to make it clear as to what exactly you want i.e. your interest in choosing this company for getting the job.
Naming References
By any chance, do you know any person working for the same company where you are an applicant? If yes, then DO NOT forget to name them. Let their name be the first thing to appear on your cover letter. When it comes to technical hiring, recruiters tend to sift these applicants at the very first. However, references should never be named if you are skeptical of the person's good standing in the company.
Highlight only your Top Qualifications
It is advisable that you highlight your specialized qualifications first. Recruiters at the very onset want to know the skills and talents you possess that bring you to the table. This is an instance when quality counts over quantity. Listing buzzwords or tossing around technologies is not a very good idea. Instead, stick to specific requirements as per the company's interest. Define your experiences as an ASP or ASP.NET developer, your design patterns and the like. Make sure that the employer can recognize the value-added-advantages easily they'll be receiving by hiring you.
End Cordially
Conclude your cover letter with an open-ended statement that shows you're expecting an interview call. (say something passively like, "I'll wait for you to call me up."). Let your employer realize your interest. This is a good place to put in your contact details. End your letter with a cordial tone. "I look forward to meet you in person and discuss with you my knowledge and experience that will definitely prove to be beneficial to your organization needs. Please feel free to reach me at 312-433-1234. Thank you for your consideration."