Crafting a Job Interest Letter
Letter of Interest for a Job
A letter of interest, 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. A letter of interest is a great way to get your foot in the door with a company you are interested in.
How to Write a Job Interest Letter
A letter of interest is often more appropriate when making yourself known to a company that hasn’t posted a specific opening to which you’d like to apply.
Learn the Purpose
A letter of interest is one of the many tools available for a job seeker. You can think of a letter of interest as a slightly more personal version of a cover letter when used in the job-seeking process. A letter of interest will accompany your resume and other requested documentation, but it also gives you the opportunity to spell out what makes you a great fit for a position or within a company. A letter of interest provides a portrait of you, which is backed up by the facts in your resume.
Determine Necessity
There are situations that call for a letter of interest and others that do not. If, for example, a job posting requests a resume and cover letter, then sending a longer letter of interest might immediately disqualify you in the eyes of the person choosing candidates to interview.
Cover Letter: A cover letter is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience. The letter provides detailed information on why you are qualified for the job you are applying for.
Research the Company
Part of the purpose of a letter of interest is to explain what makes you such a good fit for the company. This requires knowledge of the company’s background, products, services, and culture. This not only helps you form a more authentic connection between your experience and the job you’re seeking.
Find the Hiring Manager’s Name
Basic greetings such as “To Whom It May Concern” can come across as lazy—or worse, rude. Do a little research about the company to determine whose desk your letter will land on, and address it directly to the person. This will immediately make your letter of interest less generic, and it displays an attention to detail that all employers want.
Organize Your Thoughts
Categorize your education and work experience, and start thinking about how you can apply it to the company or organization to which you wish to apply.
Writing Your Letter of Interest
First Paragraph: Explain Your Purpose
Whether the company has requested a letter of interest with your resume or you’re sending a more exploratory inquiry letter, you should use the introductory paragraph to explain why you’re writing.
Second Paragraph: Market Your Qualifications
Now that you’ve established your interest in the company, use the second paragraph to connect your skill set to the prospective employer.
Avoid Clichés: The second paragraph is where you will most likely find yourself tempted to use self-marketing clichés, so be especially mindful of them as you compose this paragraph. Do not, for instance, write that you “think outside the box.” This isn’t only a cliché, but it also lacks concrete detail. Instead, write about a specific instance where you updated a process in a novel way that saved a previous company time and/or money. This concretely illustrates the idea without resorting to a cliché.
Third Paragraph: Conclude and Provide Contact Info
Once you’ve explained what makes you the perfect candidate for the company, concisely conclude your letter with contact information and an explanation of any additional documents you’ve included, if applicable.
Close with a Thank You
Show gratitude for the recipient’s time and consideration as you finish the letter.