How To Write A Letter Of Interest (With Examples)

So, you’ve decided to go for your dream job at a company you love. After searching through the company’s job listings, you’ve come to the unfortunate realization that the position you want is not available at the moment. However, that doesn’t mean that all hope is gone.

You don’t have to wait around for a job opening to be posted on the company’s website. You can always make the first move and send them a letter of interest.

Showing initiative is a great way to get noticed by hiring managers and recruiters. You can even take this opportunity to try to arrange an impromptu interview. Many companies open to receiving letters of interest. If the candidate is strong enough, they might be willing to make an opening for them or even create a whole new position.

Unlike a cover letter, which is meant to highlight your skills for a specific position, a letter of interest focuses on why you would be an overall great asset to the company. When hundreds of other people are actively pursuing the same job, writing a letter of interest can set you apart from the crowd.

Read on to learn more about what a letter of interest is, how to format one, and to review sample letters that will help you create your very own letter of interest.

What Is a Letter of Interest?

A letter of interest is used to express an interest in a company that does not currently have a job opportunity for your desired position. It is also known by two other names: an inquiry letter or a letter of introduction.

When writing this letter, you will need to show the company why hiring you is a great idea. Think of yourself as a salesperson trying to sell the hottest item on the market: yourself. You’ll need to pull out all of the stops to show why you would be an incredible addition to the company.

However, simply letting the company know that you want to work with them is not enough. Like a cover letter, you will need to include a list of skills and qualifications that will highlight your experiences and show why you would be a commodity.

This letter aims to make a positive impression and have the company remember you should a vacancy arise.

How to Write a Letter of Interest

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write a letter of interest that’ll get you calls from hiring managers and recruiters:

1. Research the company. Check out their website’s “About Us” page, learn their mission statement, and check out recent news articles about the company. If you have any connections that work there, reach out to ask for an insider’s take on any new developments or changes in leadership or practices

   When you have a deep understanding of a company’s values, policies, objectives, and challenges, you can write a letter of interest that makes you sound like you already belong there.

2. Address the letter personally. The little bit of extra time it takes to find the name of the recruiter or hiring manager who will receive your letter goes a long way. These are busy people, and when they see a letter addressed “To Whom It May Concern,” it’s pretty easy for them to delete the message without even looking at the contents.

3. Introduce yourself. Unlike normal application materials, nobody is expecting a letter of interest. That means it’s prudent to start by briefly introducing yourself.

   Then, you should get straight to the point about how you learned about the company and why you’re reaching out (to express interest in learning more about job opportunities).

   It’s essential that you have a creative angle early on in your letter. Remember, the recipient is under no obligation to respond to you, so it’s on you to make this letter interesting enough to warrant an answer. A great hook is stating a challenge that you know the company is facing and then immediately introducing yourself as the perfect solution.

4. Highlight your most impressive qualifications. Whether it’s a fancy degree, a bulleted list of certifications, or in-depth knowledge and skill with a certain technology or process, your body paragraphs should include your most noteworthy assets.

   If these don’t really “pop” as much as your actual work history, feel free to lead with that instead.

5. Discuss your experience. It’s hard for a person to be intrigued by qualifications alone. Most folks want to see how you’ve put that knowledge to work. With that in mind, try to tell a quick but compelling story about a time when you made a significant impact on the productivity, profitability, or success of a project.

   The best stories also include numbers. Things become less abstract when you can tell someone a quantifiable fact about the value of your past work.

6. Finish strong. Lastly, remember to request an interview so that you may further discuss your interest and present them with an opportunity to get to know you better.

   In your closing paragraph, thank them for their time and let them know you are looking forward to speaking with them soon. Then end it with your signature and contact information.

   If you have a completed and optimized LinkedIn profile, a personal website, or an online portfolio, feel free to include links in your signature.

How to Format a Letter of Interest

Great content is definitely important, but it’s also essential to use the correct letter of interest format. Here is the proper format for a letter of interest email:

• A formal greeting

• Introduction paragraph

• 1-2 body paragraphs

• Closing line with call to action

• Sign-off and signature

Try to use an eye-catching subject line, but also include key information so the recipient knows what to expect. We’d be more specific, but it’s up to you to determine what an appealing subject line would be for the company in question, based on your research.

If you’re sending a physical letter of interest instead of an email, be sure to follow proper business letter formatting. Include your contact information, the company’s contact information, and the date at the top of the page.

Letter of Interest Templates

Letter of Interest Example

Author

Melissa Martinez

Melissa is an exceptionally hard-working, creative individual, with great organizational and time management skills. She has been writing and researching professionally for over seven years. She graduated with a BA in English from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez.