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Software developer: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

Use this CV templateUse a cover letter

Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Graduate developerEntry level

Noah Bergman
30 Kingsland Road
London E2 8DA
040 66969 586 · noah.bergman@example.com

Routewise Ltd
Robin Shaw
140 Shoreditch High Street
London E1 6JE

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Junior backend developer

Dear Robin Shaw,

My dissertation answered a question your product asks every day: how do you plan delivery slots so fewer vans drive empty? I built a planning service in Python and tested it on anonymised data from a delivery company; empty runs dropped noticeably in simulation.

As a student and part-time developer I built REST APIs with PostgreSQL and Docker, with good test coverage because I like to sleep at night. At my part-time job I integrated a payment provider and learned how much error handling matters when money is involved.

My code is public – the link is on my CV. I would be glad to talk about the role.

Yours sincerely,

Noah Bergman

Enclosures
CV
Degree certificate

Use this cover letter
2Career changer after a bootcampCareer change

Eric Wood
20 Mare Street
London E8 4RP
030 23125 255 · eric.wood@example.com

Pixelworks Studio
50 Brick Lane
London E1 6RF

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Junior web developer

Dear Sir or Madam,

For ten years I mixed live concerts as a sound engineer. When venues closed, I started coding – first out of curiosity, then with a plan: a year of self-study and a twelve-week full-time bootcamp.

My final project is a rehearsal-room booking tool that a music charity has used for six months. I built it with JavaScript, Node and a small database and still maintain it; users report bugs straight to me, which is the most honest code review there is.

I know I am starting as a junior. An agency with many small projects would be the best place for me to learn fast.

Yours faithfully,

Eric Wood

Enclosures
CV
Bootcamp certificate
Project link

Use this cover letter

All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Noah Bergman in the Modern design
Read the CV as text

Noah Bergman

Software developer (BSc Computer Science)

30 Kingsland Road, London E2 8DA · 040 66969 586 · noah.bergman@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 10/2024 – 09/2026
    Part-time backend developer
    Coinflow Ltd, London
    • Payment provider integration
    • Tests and error handling
    • Code reviews

Education

  • 2022 – 2026
    BSc Computer Science
    University of London, London
    • Dissertation: delivery slot planning to reduce empty runs
  • 2015 – 2022
    Secondary school and sixth form
    Hackney Academy, London

Skills

Python, REST APIs, PostgreSQL, Docker, Automated testing

Languages

English (Native), Swedish (C1 – advanced)

Interests

Open source, climbing

Use this CV template

Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

Engineering teams want to see what you have built. A link to a public project or a concrete example from work says more than a list of technologies. Show how you solve problems, work with others and care about quality.

  • Relevant degree, apprenticeship or demonstrable practice

  • Experience with the stack in the advert

  • Tests, code review, version control, CI/CD

  • Interest in users and the domain

  • Projects people can look at

Tips for your application

Do

  • Link to projects or code.
  • Describe one problem and your solution.
  • Mention testing, reviews, accessibility.

Don’t

  • List technologies without context.
  • Show other people’s code as yours.
  • Share an employer’s confidential details.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. Talk us through a project you are proud of.
  2. How do you handle a bug in production?
  3. How do you give feedback in a code review?
  4. How do you keep learning?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
Do developers need a cover letter?

Not always, but a short one with a project example and a reason for choosing this team makes you stand out – especially as a junior or career changer.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.