Letter of Interest: Samples + Writing Guide

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Table of contents

What is a letter of interest?
Letter of interest vs. cover letter
Letter of interest sample
Letter of interest examples
How to write a letter of interest
Four tips for writing a letter of interest

Is there a dream job you’ve been fantasizing about? Something so perfect that you’re tired of waiting around for the job listing to magically appear? It might be time to write a letter of interest. Some positions never get advertised on traditional job boards. A letter of interest is a great way to open conversation between you and that dream role.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a letter of interest is and how to write one. Here are some of the topics we’ll cover:

What makes a letter of interest different from a cover letter.
Some sample letters of interest for various purposes.
How to write a letter of interest, including what to put in each section.
Some helpful writing tips for making a persuasive letter of interest.

Pro Tip:

Make sure your resume is ready to go so that when you send in your letter, you’re able to include it or provide it on request.

What is a letter of interest?

A letter of interest, also called a “letter of inquiry,” is a way of reaching out to an organization that you’d like to work for. Instead of responding to a job opening, a letter functions more like a “cold call.” You might send a letter to a company if you feel like you’d be a really good fit for them, but they don’t have any current job listings.

Your letter of interest for a job expresses your desire to learn more about the company and to inquire after any relevant positions that may become available.

Think of a letter as a “foot in the door” pitch. It’s your opportunity to introduce yourself to an organization, whether or not they’re actually seeking new employees. Often, the letter is used to request an “informational interview,” where the applicant can meet with the organization to introduce themselves and learn more about the company and its needs.

Letter of interest vs. cover letter

One of the best ways to understand what a letter of interest is is to take a look at what it isn’t. A letter of interest is not a cover letter. It may seem like the two fill similar roles, but there are some very key differences between them.

A cover letter is a document that is sent, almost always accompanying a CV or resume, to explain an applicant’s qualifications and why they’re the right choice for an available position.

A cover letter and a letter of interest do have similar content, but a letter of interest is written without a job description. When you write a letter of interest, you are approaching an organization that you have not applied to and stating your desire to work there or to be considered for future suitable positions.

A cover letter is written during the application process of a job, internship or opportunity. A letter of interest, on the other hand, can be sent for the following reasons:

When there is a company that you really want to work for.
When there is a particular type of job that you know you want.
When there is an industry that you are trying to break into.
When you are looking for your first job or changing careers.

Letter of interest sample

There’s no better way to understand what a letter of interest is than to take a look at an example. The following is a sample letter of interest for a data scientist inquiring into opportunities at a marketing agency:

Andrea Hirschfield
1111 Data Lane
Chicago, IL
(555) 555-5555
example@email.com

Andrew Kaplan
Morgan Marketing Solutions
1111 Market St.
Chicago, IL

Dear Andrew Kaplan,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is Andrea Hirschfield, and I am a highly skilled data scientist with a passion for transforming raw data into actionable insights. I am writing to express my interest in exploring potential data science opportunities within your esteemed marketing agency, Logan Marketing Solutions. I am interested in the predictive algorithms that Logan Marketing Solutions has been developing and would be eager to apply my skills to help integrate data insights into these processes. I believe that my extensive experience in data analysis, machine learning and predictive modeling can contribute significantly to your organization’s success.

I hold a master’s degree in data science from the California Institute of Technology, where I specialized in statistical modeling and data visualization. Over the past six years, I have worked with various companies in the marketing sector, helping them optimize their marketing campaigns, improve customer segmentation and enhance personalization through data-driven strategies. I am proficient in programming languages such as Python and R, and have extensive experience with data manipulation and analysis tools like SQL, Excel and Tableau.

In the past, I have:

Developed a customer segmentation model for a retail client, resulting in a 20% increase in targeted marketing campaign effectiveness.
Implemented a machine learning algorithm to predict customer churn for a subscription-based company, leading to a 15% reduction in customer attrition.
Created an interactive dashboard for a marketing agency to track and visualize key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss potential data science roles at Logan Marketing Solutions and explore how my skills can contribute to your organization’s growth. If possible, I would appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and your organization better through an informational interview. Please find my resume attached for your review. You can reach me at example@email.com or (555) 555-5555 to schedule a conversation at your convenience.

Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to discussing your organization’s needs.

Sincerely,

Andrea Hirschfield

Letter of interest examples

The previous sample was a general inquiry into an organization’s potential roles. There are a few other contexts which might shape your letter of interest.

Sometimes, applicants write a letter of interest when there is a job that they feel they would be perfect for but there are no openings listed. However, applicants interested in pursuing an internship or an informational interview may also use one in order to get in touch.

Let’s take a look at some letter of interest examples to help get yours off the ground!

How to write a letter of interest

Now that you’ve seen some letter of interest examples, you have a solid idea of what a letter of interest might look like. You may have noticed that each letter consisted of three main sections: an introductory paragraph, one or more body paragraphs and a closing paragraph. Whether you’re after your dream job or just trying to land an internship, these three parts will always be important. Let’s go over each one.

STEP 1

Introduction

In the introduction of your letter of interest, summarize who you are and why you’re writing. If there’s a particular reason that you’re drawn to this organization, you may include that here. Your introduction doesn’t need to be very long, but it should at least cover who you are and what you do.

STEP 2

Body paragraphs

If your letter of interest is a sandwich, then the body paragraphs are the meat. This is the section where you should discuss your qualifications, experience and skills. Whether it’s a particular job, an internship or just to be considered when roles become available, you’re writing your letter of interest with a goal in mind. The body is the section where you get to explain why you should be considered. Be specific about why your experience fits in well with the organization or the role.

Pro Tip:

Don’t treat your letter like a resume and list your entire work history. Keep it short and sweet by sticking with relevant experience and skills. Include some soft skills and a brief rundown of your most relevant technical skills.

STEP 3

Closing paragraph

Your letter of interest should end with a call to action. Now that you’ve wowed the recipient with your skills and experience, let them know what you actually want from them. In most cases, this will look like providing your contact information and asking them to reach out. This is also a good place to include your request for an informational interview if you are seeking one.

Four tips for writing a letter of interest

Personalize it:

Don’t just address your letter to the company and hope the right person reads it. Do your research and find somebody within the organization who might be open to considering you. Address the letter to this person and discuss in detail why you’re interested in the organization.
Be specific:

Be clear about what you’re trying to accomplish. If you want an interview, say so! It’s also a good idea to call attention to specific roles, projects and areas of expertise that you have that the organization could use. Give the reader plenty of reasons to give you a call.
Keep it focused:

A letter of interest shouldn’t be much longer than a page, so only include relevant information and keep your history brief. Details are important, but you don’t want the reader to lose track of your goals.
Provide your contact information

If all goes well and the organization is interested in meeting you for an interview, it should be easy for them to contact you. Make sure that your contact information is up to date, accurate and easy to find.

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Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.