Even when the employer has not yet posted the particular job you are seeking, a letter of interest, also referred to as a letter of inquiry, is intended for expressing your most important skills, abilities, and accomplishments to a hiring manager. A letter of interest ought to be less generic and concentrate on the reasons you’re looking for work at the organization, but a cover letter should highlight your skills as they relate to a particular post.
In this post, we’ll go over when a letter of interest is necessary and provide pointers and samples to help you create your own.
A letter of interest: what is it?
A letter of interest is a statement used to bring your profile to the attention of prospective employers at companies where you want to work yet there aren’t any available positions that match your skills. This letter may also be called a “statement of interest,” “letter of inquiry,” or “letter of purpose.” It includes a general message that expresses your interest in an organization and your goal to obtain employment there. The prospective employer or recruiter can then determine whether any open positions that are currently or shortly are compatible with your qualifications.
Also, a letter of interest can assist recruiters in bridging the gap between your talents and their hiring requirements because different titles frequently correspond to different responsibilities depending on the firm. A prospective employer or recruiter may advise you to add their name in your letter of interest for improved prospects of succeeding in getting in touch with them for an informative interview first.
Letters of Interest versus Cover Letters
What distinguishes a letter of interest from a cover letter? A cover letter and a letter of interest are two distinct documents. You outline in a cover letter why you believe you are a suitable candidate for a specific position (instead of in a letter of interest, where you outline the reason why you are a value to the organization more broadly). A cover letter is required when applying for a certain position with a company.
When should I send a letter of interest?
A cover letter should only be sent together with your CV when applying for jobs; a letter of interest may be submitted whenever you like. A letter of intent is a technique to demonstrate interest without applying to most organizations that don’t post all of their available positions.
A letter of interest might be utilized in the following scenarios:
- You came upon a fascinating company that fits your skill set while reading an article about it.
- You notice a sign or an advertisement for a new company launching or expansion where you’d like to work.
- A source alerts you about a position that hasn’t yet been made public.
- You discover a business with an alluring mission, culture, or setting, and you want to be among the first to learn about any openings there.
- You’re seeking a position with greater specialization.
How to draft a letter of interest
There are a few crucial components you should put in your letter, though every letter of interest ought to be distinct and produced just for the firm in which you’re interested.
- Your name
- Your contact details
- Date
- Name of the employer
- Contact details for the employer
- Greeting
- Introduction sentence
- 2-4 paragraphs for the body
- Final paragraph Signature
The same format as a formal business letter ought to be utilized for your name, contact details, and details about the company. Let’s talk about the information that belongs in the body of the text.
1. Begin with a brief introduction.
You should briefly identify yourself and state your purpose for writing in the first paragraph. In this section, you should explain why you are enthusiastic about the possibility of operating for the firm and why you love its objectives, offerings, strategies for marketing, or any other pertinent trait.
2. List recent abilities you’ve acquired
Similar to a cover letter, your first paragraph should highlight any significant achievements as well as the specific hard and soft abilities you acquired from your most recent corporate effort. Whenever feasible, use numbers to quantify your impact.
3. Explain your professional history.
Explain your most important abilities and achievements from a different work experience in the second paragraph. Choose a significant project or event that occurred when you accomplished a significant milestone, a major organizational goal, or had some other significant influence.
4. Justify why this position is a good fit.
Utilize the final paragraph to connect your beliefs and skills to the firm and your desire to work there. Convey enthusiasm for potential future steps and appreciation for their attention and time.
Advice on writing a letter of interest
It could feel impossible to send a letter of interest into a black hole. Here are some pointers to improve your chances of receiving feedback from potential employers.
Look into the organization.
Your letter may seem more pertinent to the reader if you are well-versed in the organization’s objectives and core principles. You may connect your own fundamental beliefs to the reasons you’re interested in the firm by looking at its vision and mission, social media presence, most recent news releases, and other company announcements.
Network
You can receive more suggestions on how to make your letter stand out by developing contacts with people who work at the business to which you’re submitting a letter of interest. To find out additional information regarding the company and its position there, if it’s appropriate, ask your contacts to participate in an informational interview.
Find out who your audience is.
Adding the recipient’s name in the greeting might distinguish your letter right away. You can find out about recruiting stakeholders who might be in charge of reviewing letters of interest by conducting online research or by contacting people in your network. It is much more advantageous if you have the opportunity to communicate with them via email, at a networking function, or in an informational interview. Using the salutation “Dear Hiring Manager” is fine if you’re unsure.
Incorporate a variety of skills
In contrast to a cover letter, where you can highlight pertinent talents using keywords from the position description, a letter of interest must act as a more general summary of your most noteworthy achievements. The abilities, credentials, and experience that distinguish you from competitors in your field and that you intend to use going forward should be highlighted.
Format for a letter of interest
Your letter of interest must be appropriately formatted to be understandable and persuasive. For a sample of how to write your letter of interest, see the example below:
Example:
Introductory Paragraph
Body paragraph one
Body paragraph two
Last paragraph
Pieces of a letter of interest
Below are a few samples for a letter of interest based on the guidelines above and structure. They are intended to serve as general sources of inspiration instead of a precise blueprint while you write your letter.
Example 1
Kenny Curtis
111-222-3344
June 21, 2021
Harris & Hitch
Olive Road, 111
Dear Recruitment Manager,
I’m Kenny Curtis, a brand manager, and I’m interested in any available positions at your organization. Harris & Hitch is known for developing creative marketing initiatives that are built on a solid foundation of effective strategic research. I’ve developed a knack for coming up with innovative and effective marketing ideas thanks to my over six years of experience working with reputable companies. I’m hoping to use my abilities and my passion to give back to the community in conjunction with Harris & Hitch’ wide range of nonprofit clients.
I created three of the highest-earning marketing campaigns for Blue Gate while working there previously. My efforts include a branding campaign that increased response rates by 77%, an email win-back approach that resulted in over $2 million in renewed subscriptions, and a mobile remarketing campaign for the business’s largest client that was nominated for a CLIO award. My manager praised me for exhibiting strong abilities in creating long-lasting customer relationships, igniting creative inspiration, and coming up with fresh strategies to increase income in significant target verticals.
I place a high priority on the need to keep up with the most recent trends and to be ready to react in the fast-evolving digital marketing landscape, having led over 25 significant digital marketing projects over the past three years. My interest in technology and commitment to skill improvement has kept me abreast of developments in mobile marketing tactics.
I appreciate you giving me a moment of your time. Harris & Hitch’s commitment to improving the world for the disadvantaged ultimately and for their clients is something I have long appreciated. I am excited about the chance to work with your team because these are principles I uphold in my job. I think that Harris & Hitch will benefit from my expertise in digital marketing, and I look forward to meeting with you to talk about how we can collaborate most effectively.
Sincerely,
Kenny Curtis
Example 2
Florinda Alexandra
111-222-3344
sflores@email.com
June 21, 2021
Rainbow Blue
10 Hawthorn Lane
Dear Catherine Brown,
I’m Florinda Alexandra, and I’m writing to you as a devoted customer of Rainbow Blue. When I visit your coffee shop, I always appreciate the welcoming ambiance and friendly greetings I get. I was hoping to introduce myself as an expert barista and see if there were any openings for me to join your team. I’m not simply another 20-something looking for work at a coffee house. Coffee is my life, and I love Rainbow Blue to the moon and back.
I mastered our famous coffee swirl in a record-breaking two weeks at my previous job as a barista for the coffee house at Coastal Surf. I learned how to brew lattes in just 14 days, and I also learned how to create a fantastic ocean wave to lay above the steaming cup. I am confident that I could rapidly master any foam production for this new role. I would also love to explore Rainbow Blue’s other menu options, such as pastries, teas, and other food options, in addition to my current passion for coffee.
I am energetic and enthusiastic, and I could easily fit in with the lively workforce at Rainbow Blue. I thrive under pressure and can maintain a smile even during the early-morning and late-night rushes that would annoy some individuals. Along with all of these abilities, I also have a great memory as well as being known to match drink orders with customers’ faces to shorten long lineups. I am committed to the duties that are not connected to coffee in addition to these skills I have behind the counter. I would appreciate coming on board to serve as the barista you require whenever you require one because stocking can be enjoyable!
I greatly appreciate your thought, and I look forward to hearing from you soon. You can contact me at either falexandra@email.com or 111-222-3344.
Sincerely,
Florinda Alexandra
A typical letter of interest error to avoid
Making it too generic
Frequently, a large number of applicants may contact employers with resumes, cover letters, or letters of interest. The company might assume that you aren’t serious about the chance if your letter of interest isn’t tailored specifically to the position you’re looking for.
Being overconfident
Although having confidence is important, having it too much can worry an employer. While it’s important to show that you’re a good fit for the job, you should refrain from using phrases like “You’ll regret not hiring me” or “Nobody can match what I can have to offer.”
Stand out by being humorous
Although it’s wonderful to give your cover letter a unique touch, humor can appear insulting or unprofessional.
Not doing a proofread
Employers may perceive errors in your cover letter as unprofessional and lacking in precision. When submitting your cover letter, make sure it is well-proofread. Send it to a close friend for peer assessment or try reading it aloud.
Failure to follow up
Try contacting the receiver again if it has been more than a week since you last heard from them. Request for an informational interview and take the initiative.
Conclusion
Did the organization reply to your interest letter? Fantastic, now is your opportunity to submit your application! Keep in mind that you require a cover letter that destroys the prospects of others in addition to a resume that rocks.
Frequently Asked Questions about a Letter of Interest
- How should a letter of interest for a job be drafted?
Tell the recruiting manager a little bit about yourself and the reason you’re writing. Describe your passion for the business and why you’d like to work there. Discuss your contributions to the table. Tell the recruiting manager why having you on the team will be beneficial.
- How should you format a brief declaration of interest for employment?
The excellent statement would address your passion for the field, business, or organization, explain how the position will advance your professional goals, and show that you are well-versed in and have a keen interest in the organization.
- Which example of interest is the best?
Personal hobbies are pursuits one engages in for leisure. These include pastimes, athletic endeavors, creative endeavors, free time, volunteer work, cultural interests, religious activities, conventional activities, educational endeavors, and personal growth.