Embarking on your ethical hacker job hunt, you've hit a common snag: crafting that standout cover letter. It's tempting to regurgitate your resume, yet your cover letter should narrate your proudest professional conquest - not rehash details. Avoid clichés, keep it formal but fresh, and remember: brevity is key. Let's dive in and compose a one-page wonder that'll hook your future employer by spotlighting your most impressive cyber feat.
- Write a ethical hacker cover letter that helps you stand out (and get the job);
- Understand how to start and end your ethical hacker cover letter with the appropriate greeting;
- What to include in the body of your ethical hacker cover letter to put your best foot forward;
- Your most important achievements - how to present them as part of your ethical hacker cover letter.
And if you want to make your life even easier, simply drag and drop your ethical hacker resume into Enhancv's AI cover letter generator, and it will write your cover letter for you in just a few moments.
If the ethical hacker isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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Ethical Hacker cover letter example
TIMOTHY DUNCAN
Lafayette, LA
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Professional Alignment: The cover letter emphasizes the candidate's alignment with the organization's mission and values, presenting a strong narrative of shared goals which is crucial for roles that require adherence to ethical standards like Certified Ethical Hacker positions.
- Demonstrated Experience and Impact: Specific metrics (e.g., reduction of exploits by 350%, 245 security audits, 700 vulnerabilities identified) are provided to showcase the candidate’s past effectiveness in similar roles, which is persuasive evidence of capability for a cybersecurity job.
- Explicit Mention of Certification: The candidate specifically mentions being a "Certified Ethical Hacker," which is a highly-relevant certification for the role in question, immediately establishing professional credibility and expertise in a niche sector of cybersecurity.
- Customized Contributions: Citing tailored strategies and annual savings of over $100K for previous clients not only illustrates the candidate's problem-solving skills but also indicates how they may offer bespoke security solutions for the prospective employer.
Designing your ethical hacker cover letter: what is the best format
Let's start with the basics, your ethical hacker cover letter should include your:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing statement
- Signature (that's not a must)
Next, we'll move to the spacing of your ethical hacker cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced (automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates).
Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.
Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.
Finally, ensure your ethical hacker resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).
P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.
The top sections on a ethical hacker cover letter
- Header: Include your contact information, date, and the recruiter's contact information to ensure that your cover letter appears professional and is easy for the recruiter to reference.
- Greeting: Address the recruiter or hiring manager by name to personalize your cover letter and demonstrate attention to detail, which is crucial for an ethical hacker role.
- Introduction: Clearly state the position you're applying for and succinctly mention your relevant experience in cybersecurity or ethical hacking to immediately establish your qualifications for the role.
- Professional Highlights: Detail your most significant achievements in ethical hacking, including any successful vulnerability assessments or security improvements you've contributed to, showcasing your skills and experience in the field.
- Closing: Reiterate your interest in the role and the value you’d bring to the organization, and mention your availability for an interview, as this reflects your proactive communication skills, important for an ethical hacker to work effectively with a team.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Strong understanding of network protocols and security vulnerabilities: Essential to identify security weaknesses and to communicate how to fix them effectively.
- Proficiency in penetration testing tools and techniques (such as Metasploit, Nessus, Burp Suite): Recruiters look for experts who can use these tools to uncover vulnerabilities and provide actionable solutions.
- Excellent problem-solving skills: Indicates the ability to think like a hacker and anticipate cyber-attack strategies to protect the organization proactively.
- Familiarity with various operating systems and programming languages (like Linux, Windows, Python, C/C++, Java): Allows for a better understanding of potential security flaws in different environments and applications.
- Strong ethical standards and a clear understanding of legal boundaries: Demonstrates the ability to conduct hacking activities responsibly and legally, safeguarding the company’s reputation and data.
- Good communication skills and the ability to document and report findings: Important for explaining technical details to non-technical stakeholders and ensuring that others can act on the cybersecurity recommendations provided.
What greeting should you use in your ethical hacker cover letter salutation
A simple "Hello" or "Hey" just won't work.
With your ethical hacker cover letter salutation, you set the tone of the whole communication.
You should thus address the hiring managers by using their first (or last name) in your greeting.
But how do you find out who's recruiting for the role?
The easiest way is to look up the role on LinkedIn or the corporate website.
Alternatively, you could also contact the organization via social media or email, for more information.
Unable to still obtain the recruiter's name?
Don't go down the "To whom it may concern path". Instead, start your cover letter with a "Dear HR team".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Director,
- Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],
- Dear Dr. [Last Name],
- Dear [Full Name],
The ethical hacker cover letter introduction: focusing on your unique value, with a creative twist
You are not the only one wondering how to start your ethical hacker cover letter. Those first two sentences introduce your profile and should be memorable.
No pressure.
When beginning your ethical hacker cover letter, immediately point out the unique value of working with you. In other words, what you promise to bring to the role by using your past track record of success.
Start your ethical hacker cover letter with a creative twist by telling a joke or stating something relatable. Select this type of introduction only if it aligns with the company culture.
What to write in the middle or body of your ethical hacker cover letter
Here's where it gets tricky.
Your ethical hacker cover letter body should present you in the best light possible and, at the same time, differ from your resume.
Don't be stuck in making up new things or copy-pasting from your resume. Instead, select just one achievement from your experience.
Use it to succinctly tell a story of the job-crucial skills and knowledge this taught you.
Your ethical hacker cover letter is the magic card you need to further show how any organization or team would benefit from working with you.
Final words: writing your ethical hacker cover letter closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your ethical hacker cover letter allows you that one final chance to make a great first impression.
Instead of going straight to the "sincerely yours" ending, you can back up your skills with a promise of:
- how you see yourself growing into the role;
- the unique skills you'd bring to the organization.
Whatever you choose, always be specific (and remember to uphold your promise, once you land the role).
If this option doesn't seem that appealing to you, close off your ethical hacker cover letter with a follow-up request.
You could even provide your availability for interviews so that the recruiters would be able to easily arrange your first meeting.
Which story should you tell in your ethical hacker cover letter when you have zero experience
Candidates, lacking professional experience in the field - this one is for you.
Your ethical hacker cover letter is an exercise of integrity, honesty, and, above all, spinning a positive narrative around your strengths.
And what better way to capture recruiters' attention than with your most job-relevant achievement (this could be from your internship or volunteering experience)?
Make sure to back up your success with transferrable skills that are relevant to the job (e.g. how your year, studying abroad, has taught you to be more motivated and handle multicultural environments).
Another safe card you can bet on is your career dream: in the body of your ethical hacker cover letter, go into the details of how your ambitions would help make the company you're applying for better.
Key takeaways
Creating your ethical hacker cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
