Find a Job You Really Want In
Knowing how to write a letter of interest allows you to get your foot in the door for your dream job, even if they aren’t hiring. This is an email or letter that you write to a company expressing your interest in employment opportunities.
In this article, we’ll go over how to write a letter of interest, provide a sample letter of interest for a job and a letter of interest template, as well as when to write a letter of interest.
Key Takeaways:
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Before writing your email expressing interest in a job, you should research the company to know who to send it to and how you should address them.
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You should start your letter by introducing yourself and highlighting your experiences and qualifications and why you would be right for this position.
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At the end of your job interest email, you should thank them for their time and let them know you are looking forward to speaking with them and link your online portfolio for them.
How to write a letter of interest
To write a letter of interest, you should start by researching the company and addressing the letter to the recruiter or hiring manager personally. For more details, 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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How to format a letter of interest
Your letter should consist of a formal greeting, paragraphs, and a sign off. Here is the proper format for a letter of interest email:
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A formal greeting
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Introduction paragraph
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1-2 body paragraphs
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Closing line with a call to action
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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 examples
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Mechanical engineer letter of interest example
Dear Ms. Yurna,
I recently read an article about how ABC Inc. is innovating new manufacturing solutions for a green future. My name’s Bill Trent, and as a Mechanical Engineer with 5+ years of experience working with solar and wind energy, I had to reach out when I saw you’re beginning production of new street-level mini-wind turbines for city traffic in Chicago.
When my current company decided to start investing in solar panels in urban environments, they chose me to lead the engineering side of things. We were able to install over 100 panels in three months, thanks to my cheap and easily replicable processes for producing panels at scale. I have a drive to make our country’s urban areas cleaner, more sustainable, and more aesthetically pleasing.
I know ABC Inc. shares my values and is committed to the same goals. I’d love a chance to talk more about this new venture you’re starting and how I could be an asset to you. Below I’ve included links to my website, where you can see some of the projects I’ve worked on and the impressive results our team achieved.
I would appreciate a chance to arrange an informational interview. I’m available both virtually and in person if you have a chance to discuss my sincere interest in joining the ABC Inc. team.
Sincerely,
Bill Trentwww.billrenews.com
(555)-544-3332 -
Sales lead letter of interest example
Dear Mr. Tomson
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Sales Lead position at XYZ Company. I have a passion for sales, a proven track record of exceeding targets, and a customer-centric approach. I am confident that my skills and experience align perfectly with the needs of your company.
As a sales lead, I am eager to leverage my expertise in implementing effective sales strategies, mentoring sales representatives, and contributing to the overall success of the sales department. I am confident my proactive and results-oriented approach will be an asset in driving revenue and achieving corporate objectives.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the continued success of XYZ Company. Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my resume for your review and I look forward to the possibility of speaking with you in the future.
Sincerely,
Emily Hoff -
Marketing manager letter of interest example
Dear Mrs. Potter
I am delighted to express my interest in the Marketing Manager position at ABC Corp. As a highly driven and creative marketing professional, I am confident that my strategic vision, leadership abilities, and extensive experience in the industry align perfectly with the objectives of your corporation.
During my eight years as a marketing professional, I have successfully developed and executed innovative marketing campaigns that have elevated brand awareness and driven substantial business. One of my previous achievements was spearheading a cross-channel digital marketing campaign for a previous employer. This resulted in a 30% increase in website traffic and a 25% boost in lead generation.
I am eager to discuss in greater detail how my qualifications can add value to your marketing team at ABC Corp. Enclosed is my resume for your review and I look forward to the possibility of arranging an interview to discuss how I can contribute to the continued success of your marketing department.
Sincerely,
Leah Everly
Letter of interest template
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Letter of interest template
Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Jane Smith, I am a recent graduate from the [Name of Institution or University] with a degree in [Name and type of degree received], and I am currently looking for a position in the [Name of the area] area.
For the past [the amount of time you have been hearing about the company], I have heard nothing but good things about [Name of Company]. Your innovative way of thinking and attention to detail in the field of [name field of interest] is precisely the environment that I would love to work in.
For the [amount of time in your current position], I have been working as a [name of position]. I am sure that my background in [mention strengths and qualifications] will make me an ideal candidate for this position and your company.
I would love to be considered for this position and the opportunity to work closely with you. Please let me know if you have any questions or need me to provide any additional information.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
[You LinkedIn Profile]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Number] -
Letter of interest template:
Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname],
I am writing to express my interest in working for your company. I have been a huge fan of [Name of company] for years. And I have wanted to work with your company ever since I first heard about it at the [name the event the company spoke at]. Your development of [name product] is impressive, and I believe it would be a privilege to be a part of such a fantastic project.
I am an exceptionally hard-working, creative individual with outstanding organizational and time management skills. I believe that my background in [mention strengths and qualifications] would make me a real asset to your company.
I appreciate your time and consideration. If possible, I would love the opportunity to interview with you at your earliest convince.
Please let me know if you have any questions or need me to provide any additional information.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[You LinkedIn Profile]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Number] -
Letter of interest template
Dear Mr./Ms. [Surname],
My name is John Smith, and I have recently graduated from the [Name of the institution] with a degree is [Name of degree]. After reading about [name of company] in [title of article], I cannot stop thinking about how amazing it would be to work for your company. I am currently seeking employment opportunities in name field of interest].
I have many skills and qualifications that I believe would make me a strong candidate for your company:
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[mention at least three strengths and capabilities]
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope that we can meet soon to discuss this matter further.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[You LinkedIn Profile]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Number] -
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.
When to write a letter of interest
A letter of interest can be written at any point, unlike a cover letter which is sent with your resume. A letter of interest is usually sent as a way to express interest in a company without applying for an open position. Here are some reasons to send a letter of interest:
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After seeing an advertisement or announcement for a new business or for a business expansion that you are interested in
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Someone lets you know about a position that will be available but hasn’t been publicly announced
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You find a company with appealing company culture, values, or location and are interested in working there
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You want to work in a specialized field
Letter of interest FAQ
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How do you start a letter of interest?
Introducing yourself and explaining why you are writing is how you start a letter of interest. This should be your opening paragraph. You then want to go straight into how you learned about the company and your interest in learning more about job opportunities.
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How long should a letter of interest be?
Your letter of interest should not be longer than a few paragraphs. Your letter should consist of a formal greeting, an introduction paragraph, one to two body paragraphs, a closing line with a call to action, and a signoff and signature.
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How should you end a letter of interest?
You should thank the recipient for their time and consideration to end a letter of interest. Your final paragraph should consist of your gratitude and how you look forward to potentially hearing back from them. You want to be confident but not too pushy.
Final thoughts
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 are 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.
References
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Author
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.
