How to Write a Letter of Interest (38 Samples and Examples)

Suppose you have your eye on a particular company. You have the skills and expertise to work in a position at the company; however, the only problem is that it is not hiring. Rather than waiting for the company to advertise an open position which can take a long time, you can set yourself up to get the position using a letter of interest. This will give you an advantage as you are able to cut the line by applying in advance. However, to use a letter of interest, you must first understand what it is and how to write it.

The letter of interest is a formal document to express your desire to work for a company even though it has not advertised a specific job opening. It outlines your skills, experiences, and qualification to a recruiter. The aim of writing a letter of interest is to introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in working in the target company. It is also referred to as a letter of inquiry, prospecting letter, letter of intent or statement of interest.

There are several apparent differences between a letter of interest and a cover letter. First, a letter of interest is an unsolicited document. In contrast, a cover letter is sent in response to an advertised job opening by the company and is therefore expected by the recruiter. The cover letter must be sent along with other application documents such as your resume or CV, whereas a letter of interest can be sent as an independent document.

A cover letter is only used when applying for a specific position. It explains why you believe you’re the best candidate for the job advertised. On the other hand, the letter of interest is not tailored to any specific position within the company as it mainly focuses on expressing interest in working for the organization. It can be written by anyone at any level, whereas a cover letter is usually written by individuals who have the experiences, skills, and qualifications required for the position.

Letter of Interest Template

Before you can begin writing a letter of interest, there are a few considerations you should make. The following pre-considerations will help ensure that you compose a compelling letter. They will also help in easing the writing process.

Research the company

It would be best to start by researching the company using various means such as visiting their website, reviewing their mission statement, social media, current press release, or company news. Next, find out the company’s goals and values to help make your letter more relevant to the hiring manager. Finally, show how your core values tie into the reasons for your interest in working for the target company.

Find connections

Next, you should look for connections within the target company who can help you with an informational letter of interest. This will help you learn more about the company and the position you may be interested in occupying. It will also help you tailor your letter to the target company, therefore, ensuring that it stands out.

Learn your recipient’s name

Finally, learn the name of the recipient of your letter of interest. Addressing the recipient by name is a clear sign that you have taken time to learn about the target company. You can find the name on the company website or even your connections. You may address the recipient as ‘Dear Hiring Manager” if you are unsure or unable to find their name.

A well-written letter of interest can lead to rewarding results, enabling the hiring manager to see your potential. Therefore, you must understand how to write a compelling letter. Each element of the letter plays a crucial role in ensuring that your interest is appropriately conveyed.

You can use the following guidelines when writing a letter of interest:

Header

The header should begin by outlining your full name and contact details, the date of writing, and the employer’s name and contact information. These details help ensure that the letter follows the appropriate business format. It also gives the letter a professional look.

Greeting 

The letter of interest should address the hiring manager by name and must therefore avoid ineffective greetings like ‘To whom it may concern or ‘Dear Sir/madam.’ The hiring manager’s name can be obtained from the company’s website, LinkedIn, or Google. You can also call the company to request the hiring manager’s name politely. 

Introduction

You should then begin the letter with a brief introduction. The introduction provides the hiring manager with basic information about who you are and the letter’s purpose.

The following elements should be highlighted in your introductory paragraph:

Introduce yourself

Start the introduction by outlining who you are. You should also state where and how you heard about the company. The self-introduction should be straightforward.

Why are you writing

Next, outline your reason for writing the letter of interest. Express enthusiasm about the possibility of working for the target company. You can relate the reason to the company’s goals, products, policies, among other qualities that have attracted you to it.

Find a hook

The hiring manager is not expecting your letter; therefore, it is crucial to grab their attention to ensure that they get your message across. You can hook the hiring manager by outlining how much you know about the company and the value you can contribute. These details help ensure that your introduction makes an excellent first impression.

Body of the letter

The body of the letter of interest outlines the skills and experiences that the company may find valuable. It would help clarify what area you’re interested in pursuing within the company.

These details can be broken down into the following elements:

Include recent skills you’ve developed

The body should outline the skills you have developed from recently held positions. These skills should be broken down into both hard and soft skills. Indicate these details in a list to make them more noticeable and impactful.

Write about your strengths

Showcase your strengths by outlining your qualifications and key accomplishments. Provide quantifiable data when outlining your achievements. You should also combine the data indicated with a compelling story to help strengthen your message.

Describe your employment background

Briefly describe your employment history to show you have experience. While describing your background, you can highlight how your experience positively impacted past companies or projects you worked on. It would be best to include any experiences that may be of value to the company.

Explain why this job is the right fit

You should explain why you are the right fit for the job by linking relevant skills and values to the company. The statements used should convey your confidence in yourself. Be specific when demonstrating how you may fit into the organization.

Conclusion

The letter’s conclusion should include a call to action that highlights your interest in further discussion about the company and the possibility of having an informational interview. You can also indicate that you are willing to send your CV or resume upon request by the hiring manager. Finally, it would be best to express gratitude for the hiring manager’s time and consideration.

Signature

Sign off the letter with an appropriate word or phrase such as ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Kind Regards.’ Below it indicates your signature. Finally, end the letter of interest by indicating your full name.

When to Write a Letter of Interest?

Several occasions may warrant the need to write a letter of interest. For instance, if you read about a company that you believe can be a good fit for your skillset, then you should write the letter. You can also write a letter of interest if you see or hear about a new business opening or expansion that you would be interested in working at.

You may also consider writing it if your contact informs you of a job opening that is yet to be advertised to the public or in the event you’re looking to specialize in a particular area. Finally, you should consider writing a letter of interest if you find a company with appealing work culture, location, mission statement, or values that you admire.

Let’s take a look on the given template and samples that you can use to include appropriate information in your letter of interest.

A letter of interest template is a fillable document that after filling serves the same purpose as a handwritten/typed LOI does. Below-provided are free templates that can be edited as per needs:

When writing a letter of interest, there are several do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind. Knowing and understanding them will help you compose a more compelling letter.

The do’s and don’ts of writing a letter of interest include:

Do’s

Note down a list of considerations that you should make when writing a letter of interest:

Include versatile skills

The letter of interest should contain a versatile set of your skills, experiences, and qualifications because, unlike a cover letter, you are not responding to a specific job description. Instead, it provides an overview of what your abilities are. Indicating versatile skills also helps set you apart from other peers in the industry.

Be specific

The letter of interest should contain specific experiences that help showcase your ability to use your skills. They help show what you have to offer. The hiring manager can also form a picture of how you would fit into the company.

Personalize it

Personalize the letter of interest by directly addressing the individual responsible for receiving the letter in the organization. It enables you to establish a personal connection with the recipient. It also shows that you put effort into writing the letter.

Keep it concise

Your letter should be concise so as not to deter the recipient. It also helps your letter stay focused on key attributes that the company may value. The letter of interest should have at least three paragraphs.

Don’ts

There are a few mistakes that can render your letter of interest ineffective. They include the following:

Generic letter

Avoid writing a generic letter. The recruiter may think that you’re not taking the opportunity seriously. This can result in the letter being discarded.

Overly confident

Do not indicate statements that demonstrate overconfidence. They can sound demanding and unprofessional. You should instead show your confidence in your skills and abilities with a statement  such as, ‘I believe that my skills and experiences make me a good fit for your company.’

Use of humor to stand out

The letter of interest is a formal document that should not contain humor. Though humor can help you stand out, it can make the letter seem unprofessional. It may also be offensive if thought is not put into the expression indicated.

No proofreading

You must proofread the letter of interest upon completion. It helps you identify both grammatical and typographical errors. It also ensures that your letter is polished.

No follow up

If a significant period has passed without a response, you should be reaching out to the recipient. It will help show that you are proactive. For example, you can make a phone call to the company or write a follow-up letter.

Final Thoughts

The letter of interest is a document that conveys your desire to work for a company even though it has not advertised an open job position. It aims to compel the hiring manager or employer that the company requires your skillset.

Though some elements of a letter of interest are similar to those of a cover letter, there are apparent differences, such as that a cover letter is written in response to a job posting, whereas the letter of interest is unsolicited. When writing a letter of interest, ensure you introduce yourself, outline your skills and qualifications and explain why you are interested in the company.