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Write to Grab Attention
Hook, Line, and Sink the Job 🐠
In the world of developer job applications, your cover letter is competing with hundreds of others. Your mission? Make yours the one they can't forget.
Let's break down how to write a cover letter that grabs attention than a production bug alert:
The Opening Line: Your Hook
Forget "I am writing to apply for..." That's the literary equivalent of a blank screen. Start with a bang.
Instead write,
I've admired your product since I started learning to code. Now, I'd like to help make it even better.
Yesterday, I was using your app. Today, I'm hoping to help build its future.
I've been following [Company Name]'s growth in the [specific] sector, and I'm inspired by your approach to [particular aspect of their work].
The Tone: Be Human
You're a developer, not a robot 🤖. Write like it.
Tip: Read your letter out loud. Does it sound like you, or a corporate bot? 🤖
Instead of
"I am a quick learner with a passion for coding."
Try
"Give me a new framework and a weekend, and I'll come back with a working prototype and a lot of questions. I excel in continuous learning."
The Structure: Make Every Word Count
Think of your cover letter as prime real estate. Every sentence should earn its place.
Use the AIDA formula
- Attention: Your opening hook
- Interest: Why you're excited about this specific role
- Desire: Why they should want you
- Action: Clear next steps
My background in UX design, coupled with my newly acquired full-stack skills, allows me to bridge the gap between design and development. I can ensure that beautiful designs are implemented with clean, efficient React components.
In just 9 months, I've gone from writing my first line of code to contributing to open-source projects with over 100 stars on GitHub. I'm excited about bringing this steep learning curve and fresh perspective to [Company Name]'s innovative projects.
The Story: Show, Don't Tell
Anyone can say they're passionate. Prove it with a story.
Last year, I observed that my neighbor's small business was losing customers because of an outdated website. In just one weekend, I developed a new responsive site for them. As a result, their online bookings skyrocketed by 150% within a month.
The Unique Angle: Stand Out
What's your factor? What can only you bring to the table?
My 'only' factor is my passion for accessibility. I specialize in developing applications that adhere to WCAG standards, ensuring inclusivity and usability for all users, regardless of their abilities.
I stand out with my passion for cybersecurity, where I not only develop secure applications but also conduct penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and ensure robust protection against cyber threats.
My unique angle is my background in graphic design, which complements my front-end development skills. This enables me to create visually appealing and user-friendly interfaces that enhance the overall user experience and brand identity.
The Company Connection: Show You've Done Your Homework
Reference something specific about the company that excites you.
Your CEO's recent talk on ethical AI development resonated with me. It's why I've been contributing to open-source projects focused on algorithmic fairness in my spare time.
Your adoption of Next.js for building fast and SEO-friendly web applications, combined with React Native for developing native mobile experiences, reflects a forward-thinking approach to full-stack development.
As someone who specializes in these frameworks and has a strong command of AWS services like EC2 and RDS, I'm excited about the opportunity to contribute my skills in creating robust and scalable solutions that meet your business objectives.
The Anticipation: Leave Them Wanting More
End with a sentence that makes them want to pick up the phone immediately.
After reviewing your website, I identified ways to enhance security protocols. Let's talk about how my expertise in cybersecurity can help safeguard your users' data.
After reviewing your website, I noticed some opportunities for performance optimization using Next.js. I'd love to discuss about it with you.
Tips for Maximum Impact
-
Use Power Verbs
"Executed," "Engineered," "Transformed" instead of "Worked on" or "Helped with"
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Quantify Achievements
Numbers grab attention. "Improved app performance" is okay. "Slashed load times by 60%" is memorable.
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Use Short Paragraphs and Bullet Points
Make it skimmable.
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Inject Personality
A touch of humor or unique perspective can make you memorable.
-
Tailor, Tailor, Tailor
Reference specific projects or technologies the company is working on.
-
The 1% Improvement Technique
After writing, ask a non-tech friend to read it. If one part made them say "wow" or "interesting," amplify that. If their eyes glazed over anywhere, rewrite that part.
Pitfalls to Avoid
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The Overpromise
"I will revolutionize your entire tech stack"
-
The Desperation
"I'll do anything to work for you"
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The Novel
Keep it to one page. Be concise. You don't need to go overboard.
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The Gimmick
Unless you're applying to a very quirky company, avoid outlandish formats or stunts.
Before and After Example
Before (Boring):
I am a recent graduate looking for my first job as a developer. I know React.js, Next.js and TypeScript and am a hard worker
After (Attention-Grabbing):
During my three-month web development internship, I noticed the team struggling with CSS specificity issues. Taking initiative, I created a simple style guide and conducted a lunch-and-learn session, which helped reduce CSS-related bugs by 25%.
As a junior developer at TechStart, I'm excited to bring this proactive problem-solving approach to your innovative projects. By the way, I saw your team uses React – I'd love to share how I taught myself React hooks through building a real-time collaborative drawing app
Remember, Your cover letter is not just about getting the job. It's a against TikTok, Email, and a thousand other distractions. Make every word fight for attention and make them to meet you.
Write something that makes them think, "I've got to talk to this developer!"
Now go write an opening that even a CEO can't ignore. Your dream job is waiting!
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