A letter of interest, sometimes referred to as a prospecting letter or letter of inquiry, is an exploratory document sent to organizations who do not publicly state they are hiring for a specific role. These positions are generally available across areas like HR, accounting, or sales. If you are looking for more specialized positions, you might send a letter of interest in case recruiters have an opening in the near future or have another position that fits your qualifications instead.
Because different titles often belong to different roles depending on the company, a letter of interest can help recruiters bridge the gap between your skills and their hiring needs. If you are able to connect with a hiring manager or recruiter for an informational interview first, they might direct you to include their name in your letter of interest for better chances.
Letter of Interest
A letter of interest really isn’t so different from a cover letter, save for the fact that the job you’re interested in doesn’t exist yet. Because of this, letters of interest will contain many of the same elements as a cover letter: an eye-catching opening paragraph, a brief overview of your accomplishments in previous roles, a description of why you’re passionate about the company and a call-to-action to encourage employers to move forward. The main difference will be that you have to convince the company that they have a need for your skillset.
How To Write A Letter Of Interest?
While each letter of interest should be unique and written specifically for the organization you’re interested in, there are a few elements you should include in your next for attraction
- Your name
- Your contact information
- Date
- Employer name
- Employer contact information
- Greeting
- Introduction paragraph
- Two to three body paragraphs
- Closing paragraph
- Signature
Your name, contact information, and information about the employer should be formatted just like a professional business letter.
Introduction
Introduce yourself, where/how you heard about the organization, and why you are contacting them (I.e. to inquire about job opportunities).
Body
This is where you prove that you have skills and experience that are valuable to the employer. At the same time, you want to be clear about what types of work you are pursuing. You don’t just want any job with the organization, but rather a position that suits your background and interests.
Closing Statement
Here’s where to include a call to action. You want to make it crystal clear that you are interested in speaking more about the organization and work opportunities. Keep in mind that the employer may not have any openings at the moment, so what you are asking for is essentially an informational interview.
Letter Of Interest Template
Dear [Recruiter/Hiring Manager’s Name],
INTRO PARAGRAPH: Grab the reader’s attention right away with a unique opening line connected to why you’re passionate about the company and/or how you can help them overcome their challenges and reach their goals. Acknowledge that you know they aren’t currently hiring for a relevant position, but that you wanted to express interest regardless and share more details on your background.
BODY PARAGRAPH(S): Dive into your most noteworthy accomplishments and prior experience. Discuss the projects you executed, initiatives you led, the skills you developed, and the impact you had, making sure to include relevant metrics. Then, describe some of the ideas you have for the company.
CLOSING PARAGRAPH: Re-emphasize how you could help the company, why you’re passionate about them, and why you’d make a great hire.
CALL-TO-ACTION: Prompt the reader to take whichever action you feel is appropriate, link to relevant supplementary materials (i.e. work samples, portfolio, LinkedIn profile), and thank the reader for taking the time to read your letter.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Letter Of Interest Examples
Letter Of Interest Vs Cover Letter
What is a letter of interest?
- No typos. No mistakes. None.
- Use a plain business font such as Arial or Courier New. The 12 points are fine. Nothing larger. The ink color is black. Nothing else is acceptable.
- Use plain white paper. 20 or 24 pounds. Whenever possible print your letter of interest and supporting documentation with a laser printer. Inkjet printer ink can smudge easily.
- Include a sentence or two which becomes that written picture of you and why you are one of the best candidates out of all the applications which they have received.
- The letter of interest is one page. No longer.
When do you use a cover letter?
How To Write A Letter Of Interest?
1. Choose A Proven Letter Format To Get A Massive Response
2. Start Your Letter With A Hook
3. Highlight Your Relevant Skills And Work Experience In The Middle Section
4. Finish Your Letter With A Compelling Call To Action
5. Use These Tips To Boost Your Interest Letter Effectiveness By 75%
What Is A Letter Of Interest?
A Letter, Also Known As A Letter Of Inquiry Or A Prospecting Letter, Is Sent To Companies That May Be Hiring, But Haven’t Listed A Specific Job Opening To Apply For. You Can Use A Letter Of Interest To See If The Company Has Any Job Openings That Would Be A Good Fit For You.
How Do You Write A Letter Of Interest?
Use The First Paragraph To Explain Why You’re Writing.
Market Yourself And Your Qualifications In The Second Paragraph.
Avoid Cliches.
Use The Third Paragraph To Conclude Your Letter And Provide Contact Information.
Close The Letter With A Thank You.
What Is A Letter Of Interest For A Job?
Provided You Have A Target Company In Mind, You Can Use The Letter To Make Yourself Known To A Hiring Manager. On The Other Hand, A Cover Letter Can Only Be Used When Applying For A Specific Job. A Cover Letter Is Used To Respond To A Job Posting When The Employer Is Actively Looking To Fill A Position.
How To Write A Letter Of Continued Interest?
- An Expression Of Gratitude For Being Deferred/Waitlisted (Think Positive—You’re Still In The Running!)
- A Statement About Your Continued Interest In The School
- An Acknowledgment That The School Is Your First Choice (If This Is True)
- A Few Specifics On Why You’re Interested In The School (Professors, Programs, Opportunities, Facilities, Etc.)
- Mention If You’ve Visited The School, As This Can Further Indicate Interest
- Improved Sat Or Act Scores
- Higher Gpa
- New Awards, Honors, Or Created Opportunities
- A Closing That Reiterates A Thank You For Time/Consideration