Design a job-winning ux or ui cover letter in 5 simple steps
UX and UI professionals play a vital role in any software or web development team by optimizing front-end interfaces to create high-quality user experiences. Without talented UX and UI professionals, selling software that satisfies customers would be near impossible. To earn a position in this role, you need to optimize your cover letter as well, highlighting your very best professional traits and qualifications.
In this guide, we go over the 5 simple steps to follow to write an excellent UX or UI cover letter. Keep reading to find out:
- How to design your UX/UI cover letter header and headline
- Ways you can tailor your UX/UI cover letter for specific employers
- What you should say to make your cover letter introduction compelling
- Which key details to include when describing your UX/UI qualifications
- How to conclude your UX/UI cover letter as effectively as possible
1. How to properly design your UX/UI cover letter header and headline
Designing a visually appealing cover letter header and headline is your first key step in writing a UX or UI cover letter. These elements not only give your letter structure but also make it easier for the reader to locate key information about who you are and how to contact you.
Starting with your header, this cover letter element should include:
- Your full name
- Your professional title (typically the name of the position)
- Your professional contact information (email address, phone number, etc.)
- The name and address of the company you are applying to
Here is an example of a well-formatted UX/UI cover letter header
Catelyn Stark, UX Professional
(123) 456-7890 | catstark@email.com | linkedin.com/in/cat-stark
To: Harold & Sons Media Design Co.
UX Design Department
1234 Street Address
Los Angeles, CA 90001
After you complete your header, you can begin writing your headline.
A headline is a title statement used to hook the employer’s attention. In this headline, you should include a relevant keyword, such as the position title, as well as an eye-catching trigger word, number, adjective, and verb.
Additionally, you should include a personalized element that lets the reader know this letter is written specifically for them, such as “your business” or “your clients”.
Here is an example of a well-written UX/UI cover letter headline
My 3 Exceptional Skills as a UX Designer and How These Skills Can Benefit Your Clients
2. How to tailor your UX/UI cover letter for specific employers
As you did in your headline, including personalized statements and details throughout your cover letter is highly important. This can greatly boost the overall value a cover letter has to an employer, making them more likely to both continue reading and get in contact with you.
Tailoring a cover letter in this way requires you to research the employer and their company before beginning to write. As you complete this research, important information to search for as a UX/UI professional can include:
- The company’s professional values, goals, and current projects
- Software and applications the company uses
- Specific design styles the company favors or prefers
- Who at the company reviews job applications
This last piece of information can be used to create a personalized greeting — a type of greeting that is essential on any tailored cover letter, as it addresses a specific person by name.
Here are 3 examples of personalized UX/UI cover letter greetings
- Dear Hiring Manager Jonathan Star,
- Dear Mr. Jonathan Star,
- Dear Lead UX Designer Jack Jones,
3. How to make your UX/UI cover letter introduction compelling
Once you begin writing the actual body text of your cover letter, the first thing you will write is the introductory paragraph. Introductions are always important, as they can be the deciding factor in whether an employer is interested in you or moves on to the next candidate.
In a cover letter introduction, you should include:
- A brief overview of your professional history (years of experience, industry knowledge, etc.)
- A statement on why you are enthusiastic about applying to this company
- Any specialized areas of expertise you possess
Here is an example of a compelling introduction from a UX/UI cover letter
Dear Lead UX Designer Jack Jones,
I am a UX professional with 6+ years of experience designing and optimizing interfaces for educational technology used in K-6 schools. As a longtime admirer of your company’s award-winning work, I am greatly excited to be considered for this position. My long history working in educational technology has provided me with the essential skills needed to bring a high level of commitment and quality to your company’s future projects.
4. Which key details to include when describing your UX/UI qualifications
With your introduction out of the way, the next paragraphs of your cover letter will describe your key qualifications — such as skills and accomplishments — that make you the perfect candidate for the job.
When choosing what details to include when describing these qualifications, it is crucial to select the details that are the most relevant to the employer. Figuring out what is and is not relevant can often be as simple as combing back through the job posting and looking for keywords, such as specific skills, that the employer has stated they are looking for or highly value.
Here are 6 skills to describe in a UX/UI cover letter
- Client consultations
- Usability testing
- Developing storyboards
- Creating personas and usage scenarios
- A/B testing processes
- Resrearching UX trends
Here is an example of how to describe an accomplishment in a UX/UI cover letter
In my role as a UX designer at [Former Employer], I was responsible for overseeing and implementing A/B tests for new mobile application launches. As a result of my testing efficiency and accuracy, I helped to raise the company’s average usability score for mobile apps from 6.2/10 stars to 9.8/10 stars.
5. How to effectiely conclude your UX/UI cover letter
A cover letter conclusion should nicely wrap up the contents of the letter by reiterating your excitement and the best way to get in contact with you.
In a concluding statement, an employer should find:
- An enthusiastic sentence saying you are looking forward to hearing from them
- When you plan to follow up if you have not heard from them (this type of statement can often help to encourage the employer to contact you quickly)
- The best time, days, and method for contacting you
- A formal sign-off
Here is an example of an effective conclusion from a UX/UI cover letter
I am incredibly eager to learn more about this position and your team, and I thank you for taking the time to review my application. At your earliest convenience, please call me at (123) 456-7890 to discuss this opportunity further. The best times to reach me are between the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. I hope to hear from you by next Wednesday and do plan to follow up that afternoon if I have not yet heard back regarding this position.
Appreciatively,
[Applicant Name]
If you have ever wondered how a cover letter differs from a resume, this article will tell you everything about the key differences between the two.