Technology·Entry Level

Entry Level Security Engineer cover letter

Write an entry-level Security Engineer cover letter with no experience. Get tips for recent graduates, examples, and templates to land your first Security Engineer job.

Breaking into a Security Engineer role without extensive experience requires highlighting your potential. This guide shows you how to write an entry-level Security Engineer cover letter that emphasizes your Application security foundation, Network security knowledge, and eagerness to grow.

Entry Level focus areas

Emphasize potential over experience. Focus on academic achievements, internships, volunteer work, and transferable skills that demonstrate your readiness for the role.

educationinternshipstransferable skillsenthusiasmeagerness to learn

What to highlight at entry level

  • 1Academic projects and coursework
  • 2Internships and part-time work
  • 3Volunteer experience
  • 4Vulnerabilities you found and fixed
  • 5Security programs you built
  • 6Incident response experience

Key skills to mention

Application securityNetwork securityPenetration testingIncident responseSecurity auditingCompliance

Example opening for entry level

As a recent graduate eager to launch my career in technology, I'm excited to apply for the Security Engineer position at [Company]. While I may be early in my career, my academic projects and internship experience have given me a strong foundation in Application security and Network security.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Being too vague about security work
  • Not mentioning compliance experience
  • Ignoring soft skills (training, communication)
  • Focusing only on offensive security

Frequently asked questions

How do I write a cover letter with no experience?

Focus on transferable skills, academic projects, internships, and volunteer work. Show enthusiasm for the role and company, and demonstrate how your education has prepared you for this position.

Should I mention my GPA in an entry-level cover letter?

Only mention your GPA if it's strong (3.5+) and you're a recent graduate. After a year or two of work experience, focus on professional achievements instead.

How do I stand out with no work experience?

Highlight relevant coursework, personal projects, volunteer work, and any leadership roles. Show you understand the industry and have done your research on the company.

What certifications matter most for security engineers?

CISSP is widely respected. OSCP for offensive roles. Cloud security certs (AWS, GCP) are increasingly valuable.

Should I mention bug bounty experience?

Yes, if relevant. Bug bounty success shows practical skills. Include notable finds or rankings.

Get started

Try it free. €5/month after.

Write your entry security engineer cover letter

Other experience levels