A letter of interest is an invaluable document written to express enthusiasm about a company or a job in it. It’s an essential tool in any professional’s arsenal that can help them get ahead of the competition long before there’s a job posting.
If you’re proactive when it comes to advancing your career and finding work, this article is for you. You’ll learn exactly what a letter of interest is and how it’s different from similar job application documents. We’re also going to teach you how to write it with ease by following a detailed guide and expert examples. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
A letter of interest is a document written to express your enthusiasm about a job opportunity, promotion, networking, etc.
This document is not the same as a cover letter—a letter of interest is written proactively when there are no apparent job opportunities.
A letter of interest should include a catchy intro, a body with your skills and achievements, and a closing paragraph with a call to action.
Is a Letter of Interest The Same as a Cover Letter?
A letter of interest is not the same as a cover letter, as these two documents serve vastly different purposes.
You should write a cover letter when applying for a job opening. This document typically follows a resume, and it should be tailored to the specific role that you’re after. This means you want to highlight all the abilities and experiences relevant to that job.
On the other hand, a letter of interest (also referred to as a prospecting letter, statement of interest, or expression of interest) is designed to demonstrate your eagerness to work for the company, even when there are no apparent job opportunities.
Ultimately, no matter the differences between a letter of interest vs. a cover letter, they are also similar—they both aim to showcase your skills and qualifications. However, though a cover letter focuses on a specific role, a letter of interest aims to highlight a broader set of competencies that make you perfect for the company as a whole.
Note that a letter of interest vs. a letter of intent isn’t the same thing. While many confuse the two, it’s important to know that a letter of intent is a business agreement document and has nothing to do with a letter of interest.
When Should You Write a Letter of Interest?
You should write a letter of interest whenever you’re interested in a company, and you want to work there but haven’t found a suitable job opening or advertisement. By submitting this letter, you’ll get on the company’s radar and potentially create a job opportunity out of nothing.
Another use case for a letter of interest is for promotion purposes or if you want to take on another role within the company where you’re already employed. You can even write and send this document when networking and looking to join a community or get in touch with other professionals or mentors.
The proactive nature of this letter makes it suitable for almost every occasion. You don’t need to wait for an explicit opportunity before submitting a letter of interest for a job, internship, promotion, or even volunteer work.
Here’s a brief letter of interest template you can follow when writing yours:
Brief Letter of Interest Template
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I would like to express my interest in joining [Organization’s Name]. With my background in [Your Field], I believe I can help [Organization’s Name] achieve its goals.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
What to Include in a Letter of Interest
A letter of interest is a business letter, so you should typically start it with your and the recipient’s contact information in the heading.
After that, you want to greet the reader with a formal salutation to introduce them to your writing. A proven structure to follow when writing a letter of interest consists of three paragraphs, which are:
Letter of Interest Mandatory Sections
Introduction. This should be a brief paragraph where you want to introduce yourself, express your interest, mention how you heard about their organization, and explain why you’re contacting them.
Body. This paragraph is the centerpiece of your letter of interest, and it should highlight what makes you a competent professional. You should talk about your most prominent skills and experiences that’d make you a strong member of their team while being clear about what type of work you’re looking forward to.
Closing statement. The final paragraph should feature a call to action to persuade the reader to contact you. You should also thank them for their time before including a complimentary close and a sign-off.
How to Write a Letter of Interest in 4 Simple Steps
Let’s check out the guidelines that you should follow to write an impactful letter of interest.
#1. Choose the Right Format
A letter of interest should follow a business letter format since it’s used in professional correspondence. This is a common format that recruiters, hiring managers, and other HR professionals are used to. More than that, if you follow it, you’ll get a clean and professional document that’s easy to read.
Here are some tips on how you can accomplish that:
Letter of Interest Format
#2. Find an Attention-Grabber
An attention-grabber is a strong opening sentence that hooks the reader and convinces them to pay close attention to your letter of interest. Keep in mind that HR professionals are often busy and likely don’t give their full attention to every email or document they receive, especially if it’s not a resume or cover letter for an advertised job position.
That’s why you want to show that your letter of interest is worth reading right off the bat. A good way to go about it is to mention something specific about the organization that you want to join. For instance, you can mention one of its recent projects or events and how it inspired you to get in touch with them.
#3. Emphasize Your Skills & Experience
Once you have the reader’s attention, you want to capitalize on that by highlighting your skills and experience. That will convince them that you’d be a welcome addition to their team. One of the best ways to do so is to emphasize the exact abilities you know are needed in the company that you want to work in.
For that reason, you want to research the company and find out as much information as you can about their work, team, goals, and culture prior to writing your letter of interest. The details that you discover will help you determine which of your competencies and accomplishments would show their HR professionals that you’re the perfect fit for their organization.
#4. Suggest Next Course of Action
As you’re bringing your letter of interest to a close, you want to suggest how you’d like to proceed. This is best done by adding a call to action in the last paragraph formulated to help you accomplish the purpose of your letter.
For example, if you’re looking to join a company, you can let HR managers know that you’d be excited to have an interview whenever it's convenient for them.
On the other hand, if you’re sending a letter for networking purposes, you can invite the recipient to chat or exchange ideas with you.
Letter of Interest: 3 Top-Notch Samples
Let’s examine a couple of letters of interest samples we wrote to show you what yours should look like.
#1. Sample Letter of Interest for a Job Inquiry
For starters, here’s an example of a commonly written letter of interest for a job position:
Letter of Interest for a Job Inquiry Example
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my interest in a potential job opportunity at Neutrino Labs. I have been following your work for years, and your recent efforts to make renewable energy more affordable made me eager to join your team.
With a master’s degree in environmental engineering and 7+ years of experience in project management, I have perfected the ability to lead interdisciplinary teams on large-scale projects. At my former company, I spearheaded a sustainability initiative that resulted in a 15% reduction in energy consumption, saving the company upward of $150,000 per annum.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my proficiency in renewable energy can contribute to Neutrino Labs reaching its goals. Please let me know if we can schedule a meeting.
Best regards, Dennis Ramos
#2. Sample Letter of Interest for a Promotion
Here’s how you can write a letter of interest for a promotion:
Letter of Interest for a Promotion Example
Dear Ms. Johnson,
I am enthusiastic about exploring advancement opportunities within Aurora Finance. Over the past five years, I’ve had the pleasure of contributing to organizational success in multiple roles, most recently as a senior analyst.
My result-oriented approach helped boost client satisfaction by 27% through continuous process improvements. I am particularly proud of spearheading a project to develop tailored analytics software that sped up decision-making processes by up to 33%.
Thank you for your time, and please let me know if we can schedule a time to talk.
Sincerely, Lois Bunnell
#3. Sample Letter of Interest for Networking
Finally, here’s how you can write a letter of interest for networking purposes:
Letter of Interest for Networking Example
Dear Mr. Jack,
I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been following your work for a while, and your commitment to innovation in the field inspired me to contact you to explore potential opportunities in digital marketing.
As a marketing operations manager with five years of experience and in-depth proficiency in data analysis, I’d love a position where I could use my competence to manage a small team.
I hope you know someone in the industry and would be willing to introduce me to them. I’d be more than happy to return the kindness in the future. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
Kind regards, Robert Sanders
5 Tips & Best Practices for Writing a Letter of Interest
Before we finish this comprehensive guide, here are a few expert tips that will help you craft an outstanding letter of interest:
Tips To Help You Craft an Outstanding Letter Of Interest
Be concise. The shorter your letter of interest, the higher the chances the recipient reads it carefully. That’s why you should stick to the three-paragraph format and make sure that every word in your letter counts.
Personalize your letter. By addressing the recipient by their name and ensuring that the writing is personal, you’ll connect with them on a deeper level and improve your chances of a positive outcome.
Emphasize your unique qualities. You should talk about the specific skills and achievements that set you apart from other professionals. Moreover, you should tailor them to match the company’s needs, as that will help you leave a memorable impression.
Proofread with care. You want to send a spotless letter of interest with no errors or typos. Not only do mistakes draw the wrong kind of attention, but polished writing also demonstrates professionalism, diligence, and attention to detail.
Follow up. If you don’t receive a response in a week or two, you shouldn't shy away from sending a follow-up email. By politely restating your interest, you can tip the scales in your favor and bring a potentially discarded letter of interest back on the recruiter’s radar.
Final Thoughts
A letter of interest is a potent tool in any job-seeker arsenal that leverages your enthusiasm, skills, and experience to open doors to hidden business opportunities. A compelling letter can land you a job interview or a promotion, expand your networking circle, and more.
Better yet, it’s a simple letter to write once you know the basics. The rules remain the same whether you’re writing a letter of interest for a teaching position or for the role of a software developer. You want a catchy intro, an information-packed body, and a finishing paragraph with a call to action. Best of luck!
