You have your heart set on working at a specific company… but they don't have any current job openings that coincide with your skills.
Has this ever happened to you?
A letter of interest could be just the thing you need! And the best part? With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can make your letter of interest stand out from the crowd and earn you the first spot in line when a position opens up.
In this article, we're going to walk you through the process of writing a letter of interest that's both professional and unique. Whether you're a seasoned job seeker or just starting out, we'll share tips and tricks to help you write a letter of interest that's sure to get noticed.
What is a letter of interest?
A letter of interest is a formal document that is sent to an organization or individual expressing interest in a particular job, position, or other opportunity. The letter is a way to introduce yourself and explain why you would be an ideal fit for the opportunity. It is a great way to make a good first impression, and it can be used to stand out from other applicants.
The prospecting letter should be professional and include information about your background and qualifications, as well as any relevant experience you may have. It should also include a clear and concise statement of your interest in the opportunity, and be sure to include any questions you may have.
By sending a letter of interest, you are demonstrating your initiative and enthusiasm to the employer.
Why should you send a letter of interest?
Why send a letter of interest? It allows the recipient to understand your career goals, qualifications, and how you would add value to the organization. When you send this letter of interest, you're asking if there are any job opportunities that match your skill set and experience. You can send a letter of interest whether the company is hiring or not.
Sending a letter of interest is a proactive approach to job searching and helps establish early communication with a potential employer, potentially opening up new job opportunities or making a positive impression for future openings. It's a great way to establish initial contact with a company and get you on their radar.
You might also send a letter of interest to request and schedule an informational interview with someone at the company who has experience in your desired field. In your letter of interest, express your interest in gathering information and advice from an experienced professional in order to gain a better understanding of the industry or career path you are interested in pursuing.
By writing a well-crafted letter of interest, you can demonstrate your professionalism and motivation to the recipient, which increases the chances of them agreeing to an informational interview and/or considering you for future opportunities.
What is the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter?
While a letter of interest and a cover letter may include similar content, they are two very different documents, and each an independent document.
Letter of interest
A letter of interest is a document you might send to a company you're interested in working with. Unlike cover letters, a letter of interest is not necessarily tailored to a particular job posting and is sent unsolicited to employers to express your interest in opportunities with the organization. It is used to initiate a relationship with the company and position yourself for potential job opportunities in the future.
Sending a letter of interest is a type of cold outreach — meaning the company did not ask for your letter. You might also hear this referred to as a letter of intent, or simply an LOI, or an inquiry letter.
Cover letter
A cover letter is something you send during your job search. It is typically sent along with a resume when applying for a specific job opening. Its main purpose is to introduce yourself and explain why you are a good fit for the position. A cover letter should highlight your skills, experience, and achievements that are relevant to the job description and role you are applying for and demonstrate how you can contribute to the company.
While a cover letter and a letter of interest contain similar information, the intent and the timing are different.
What makes a good letter of interest?
A good letter of interest should have the following:
Demonstrated research
Make sure you thoroughly research any company you want to send a letter of interest to. The more information you can gather, the more details you'll have to help you draft your letter. Show that you have done your research on the company and the industry and explain why you are interested in learning more.
Here are some ways to research a company you're interested in:
- Read one or two recent press releases
- Read any relevant news articles you can find on the company
- Spend some time on the company's website to learn their values and goals
- Search for current employees on professional websites such as LinkedIn
Address your letter to the right person
Spend some time researching the company and looking on LinkedIn or the company's corporate website to figure out who to address your letter to. Since there isn't a specific job open yet, it may be hard to find a hiring manager. But it's important to find a name — employers will respond better to a letter that is personalized.
If possible through your research, find the name of someone in the department you're interested in. The company's “Our Team” page or something similar may list people that run different parts of their business. From there, you can look for a person that reports to them on LinkedIn.
You can call the company on the phone if an exhaustive Internet search doesn't turn anything up. Don't be afraid to introduce yourself and explain what you're looking for — this might actually leave a better impression, or you may get the opportunity to speak with a hiring manager on the phone.
When you find a name to address your note to, include their full name and job title. You want to acknowledge their role and that working with them or for them is a goal of yours.
If you have exhausted all options and you truly cannot find a name, use a generic address such as:
- To whom it may concern
- To the hiring manager of DEPARTMENT OF INTEREST
- To the human resources manager at COMPANY OF INTEREST
Use a hook
Since this is a type of cold outreach, and you don't personally know the recipient of your letter of interest, you need to find a way to grab their attention from the moment they begin reading your letter.
Your job is to convince the recipient that you are worth his/her time. A great way to do that is by showing off your knowledge about the organization and the value you can contribute. Maybe the company recently expanded, won an award, or launched a new product. That kind of hook will grab someone's attention and show you've done your research.
Professional tone
A letter of interest is a formal document that should be written in a professional and polite manner, using proper grammar and spelling. Using a professional tone conveys professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for the recipient. It sets the tone for further communication and can positively influence the recipient's perception of the writer.
Prove your skills
Ideally, your letter of interest should convince someone who has never met you or heard of you that you're the perfect fit for their company. That's a tall order! Sweeten the pot by including numbers that show how you've been an asset to other companies in your employment background.
Personalize your letters
It's okay to work from the same letter of interest template for each letter of interest you send, but make sure each one is personalized and tailored to that company and the specific recipient. If possible, mention the recipient's name and specific details about the company or industry that interest you. Explain specifically why you'd be a good fit for this company's culture and workplace.
Clear purpose
The intention of the letter should be very clear to the recipient. The clear purpose of a letter of interest is to express your interest in a particular company, organization, or position and to inquire about potential job opportunities or future prospects. It allows you to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the company or industry and make a request for an informational interview with an experienced professional.
The goal is to make a positive impression and establish a connection with the recipient, in the hopes of potentially securing a job interview or starting a dialogue for future opportunities.
Respect for the recipient's time
The letter of interest should show your respect for the recipient's time and indicate a willingness to arrange a meeting at their convenience.
Follow-up information
Include your contact information in the letter of interest and offer to follow up with the recipient if they are interested in scheduling an informational interview.
How long should a letter of interest be?
A letter of interest should typically be a few short paragraphs, or one page in length or less, usually around 200-300 words. It's important to keep the letter concise and focused while still being able to provide enough information to demonstrate your interest in the company or position and to highlight your relevant skills and qualifications.
The goal of a letter of interest is to generate interest and make a positive impression, not to provide a detailed account of your entire career history. Stick to the most relevant information, and keep the tone professional, concise, and to the point.
How to write a letter of interest
In a letter of interest, you want to outline your skills and show how you'd be a perfect fit for the job. However, you're writing this letter because there is not a specific position available for you at the moment. Therefore, you want to showcase how your overall skill set can be an asset to the company.
Highlight your relevant skills and qualifications and mention your area(s) of expertise. Make the company as excited about you as you are about the potential of working there. Use the following letter of interest format as a guide.
Opening paragraph
In the first paragraph, you want to briefly introduce yourself. Make it clear what kind of work you are interested in and why you're writing the interest letter. Share your enthusiasm for the company, and identify any specific ways you can contribute to the success of the organization.
Mention your awareness that there aren't currently any open positions aligned with your skill set, but outline your skills that they won't want to miss out on.
Paragraph two
In the second paragraph of your letter of interest, outline what you bring to the table. Impress the employer with your track record of previous work experience and your deep understanding of the value you would add to the team.
Highlight quantifiable data and statistics in your resume accomplishments that show how you've made a positive impact at other companies, and show your excitement about doing the same as a prospective employee at the company. You want them to be impressed with your skills, but they key to a successful letter of interest is by showing what you can do for the company.
Teal's free AI Resume Builder can help you write metric-driven achievements using our Achievement Assistant tool.
Closing paragraph
The final paragraph of your letter of interest is referred to as the call to action. You're calling on the reader to act. You're encouraging the hiring manager to connect with you and schedule an interview with you, so make sure you include your contact details.
In this paragraph, you may ask for an informational interview or a coffee chat to show your interest in learning more about the company. Make it clear that you are flexible with your availability and will make time that fits with their schedule.
Letter of interest examples
If you're looking for a letter of interest example, you're in the right place. Use these letter of interest samples to help you get started.
[Hiring manager's name],
Congratulations on [target company name] recently winning XYZ award! I'm a big fan of what you do and how you do it. [Mention something specific about the company that you like (the company's goals or company's mission).]
I'm currently in the process of advancing my career and I feel I would be a great fit for your team. I have a degree in marketing from ABC University. I have worked in marketing for the past 15 years, helping companies like [name previous employers] promote their products. [If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.]
You can reach me at [email address] or [phone number]. I know you aren't currently hiring for any positions that match my skill set, but I hope you'll keep me in mind for a future job opening. Would you be available sometime within the next few weeks for an informational interview or simply to get coffee? My resume is attached and feel free to contact me with any further questions.
Thanks in advance for your time.
[Your name, email address, and phone number]
Subject: Request for Informational Interview
Dear [Name of the recipient],
My name is [your name], and I have been following [company name]'s trajectory since it launched in XYZ year. I am reaching out to you today as I am extremely interested in learning more about the [industry/company] and the opportunities available in this field.
I've been following [company name] for a while now, and I continue to be highly impressed by the work that you and your team are doing. Your work has motivated me to pursue a career in this field, and I would like to gain more insight and advice from someone who has extensive experience in this area.
I am writing to request an informational interview with you. I understand that your time is valuable, and I would be honored if you could spare a few minutes to talk with me about your experiences and offer any guidance that you think might be helpful. I would be happy to arrange a time and place that is convenient for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read my email, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best regards,
[Your name, email address, and phone number]
Dear [Hiring manager's name],
I recently read an article about [target company name]'s approach to XYZ, and my interest was instantly piqued. I am writing this letter to express my interest in the [industry/company].
After researching your company and the work it does, I am very impressed with its mission and the positive impact it has on the community. I am confident that my skills and experiences would positively contribute to the organization.
I have [insert relevant experience and/or education], which has allowed me to develop strong [skill or quality related to the position]. For example, [provide a specific example or accomplishment that showcases the skill]. Additionally, I have a proven track record of [provide another example or accomplishment that demonstrates your abilities].
I am excited about the prospect to bring my skills and experience to your team and make a meaningful contribution to [company name]. I believe my passion for [field or industry related to the position] and my commitment to excellence would make me a valuable asset to your organization.
Thank you in advance. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further.
Sincerely,
[Your name, email address, and phone number]
Final thoughts on letters of interest
When you write a letter of interest, it may not get you immediately hired, or even get a call from hiring managers or a specific person right away, but there are advantages to sending a great letter of interest to a potential employer. It shows the employer or hiring manager two valuable skills, interest and initiative.
This type of cold outreach might feel a little uncomfortable, especially since you don't have a personal connection with the recipient of your letter of interest. Keep in mind that you are reaching out to someone who has the ability to hire job candidates. Because cold outreach can be intimidating, use the communication templates located within Teal's Job Application Tracker as a place to start.
Sending a letter of interest can make a difference in your job search. And while sending a resume with your letter isn't required, it could get your resume into the hands of the hiring manager before a job posting of an open position goes public. So, make sure you know how to tailor your resume to a job, that it is optimized, and it represents you as the most qualified candidate for future opportunities.
Sending a letter of interest is just one part of what can be an exhausting job search process. If you're applying for multiple jobs or sending many letters of interest at the same time, keeping track of each company, position, contacts, follow up dates, etc. can be overwhelming. Teal can help you streamline this process and ease any job search frustration.
Use Teal's Job Application Tracker to help keep everything straight. This free Chrome extension lets you bookmark jobs, understand what information you should include when you reach out, and easily follow up with contacts you've made. Get started with Teal today and easily document your journey toward your dream job!
By following these tips and crafting a compelling letter of interest, you can increase your chances of securing an interview and advancing your career.
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