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How to Write a Letter of Interest—Plus the Template You Need

Who doesn't love getting a complimentary letter in their inbox? Well, that's kind of what a letter of interest is—and here's how to write a letter of interest to your dream company.

By Caileen Kehayas Holden
November 28, 2023

Who doesn’t love an unexpected compliment or a surprise in the mail?

That’s how we’re looking at the letter of interest—as an unexpected way to communicate respect, admiration, and interest in an organization.

A letter of interest is a great way to open lines of communication with a company or organization. Whether you’re looking to explore current job openings or insert yourself as a consideration for future job openings, the letter of interest is a great way to get yourself on the radar.

It's a way to communicate your achievements in a business letter that isn't quite part of the formal application process—and to get added to human resources' files for later.

And, since you might already know that we are huge fans of the informational interview, we think the letter of intent is the perfect companion to it.

Whether you're actively job searching, trying out some networking, or testing the waters before you apply to a specific position, a letter of interest is a great way to start the conversation.

Let’s dive in.

What Is a Letter of Interest
Why Should You Send a Letter of Interest
Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: What's The Difference?
When to Write a Letter of Interest
What to Say in a Letter of Interest
What's Included In a Good Letter of Interest?
How Long Should a Letter of Interest Be?
How to Format a Letter of Interest
How to Write an Effective Letter of Interest
Letter of Interest Template
Letter of Interest Examples
The Letter of Interest + Informational Interview

What Is a Letter of Interest?

When you send a formal document to a company or individual that expresses interest in a specific job, opportunity, or organization, it's called a letter of interest. This formal letter provides a professional way to introduce yourself, your skills, and share what you'd be a good fit for the opportunity. Think of a letter of interest as a written first impression with the goal of standing out among other candidates.

Some things that might be included in this professional letter include:

A summary or short sentence that explains your interest
Relevant information about your background
Skills and qualifications
Current and past work experience

A letter of interest is also a great way to let the employer know you're excited about the role and can take the initiative to reach out.

Why Should You Send a Letter of Interest

People send a letter of interest for a variety of reasons. The most obvious reason is sending a letter of interest because you're job searching and you want to let the recruiter or hiring manager know you're interested in the role! You might also share some of your work experience, why you're interested in the role, and what makes you qualified for the position.

Also, sending a letter of interest when you're applying for a specific job is a very proactive approach to your job search. You can stand out among other applicants and (hopefully) land that initial phone interview.

Send a letter of interest to a company when they are not specifically hiring. You can share more general background information, career goals or career interests, skills, and qualifications.

You can also ask the recipient if they are hiring or if they know of any roles that would be a good fit for you.

Another reason you might send a letter of interest is for networking—or, specifically, to request an informational interview.

Asking for an informational interview with an employee who works at a company you're interested in is a great way to learn about the organization, company culture, and leadership. It also can give you a better understanding of the career path or role you're pursuing. Plus, they might share potential job opportunities with you if they are impressed with your informational interview!

Plus, a well-written and impressive letter of interest can showcase your professionalism, motivation, and initiative. These all make it easier for a person to agree to an informational interview!

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: What's The Difference?

A letter of interest is not the same thing as a cover letter. Cover letters are typically attached to the hiring process for a specific job, where you highlight your experience and skills as they pertain to the job at hand.

In contrast, a letter of interest conveys a more generalized interest, appreciation, or admiration in an organization. A letter of interest is a little “colder” than a cover letter because it is unexpected and detached from a particular job application or current opening.

The great thing about a letter of interest, as opposed to writing a cover letter, is that you have free reign to express your interest as well as what you could bring to the particular company—all without adhering to the limitation of one specific job.

When to Write a Letter of Interest

Here's a quick recap of when you should send a letter of interest!

You're job searching and interested in a specific job opening
You're job searching and letting your network know what skills you have in case they have any leads
You're interested in having an informational interview with an employee at a company you might want to work at
You're sending a cold email to an organization to inquire about working there (maybe you love a company and want to see if they are hiring any summer interns)

What to Say In a Letter of Interest

Before discussing what we will include in the letter of interest, let’s decide to whom we are sending the letter.

For Example: If you’re a digital marketer with a long-held dream of working at a certain company, you might want to seek out the Director of Marketing or a Senior Manager.

Before sending a completely cold email, scour your LinkedIn connections and network. You never know. You might know someone who knows someone. If you do, ask for an introduction. From here, you’ve warmed up your letter of interest from the very beginning.

Salutation + Compliment

In your letter of interest, greet the person professionally by name. Yes, take the extra three minutes to search for the manager's name—and make sure that you spell it correctly!

If this is a cold email, start off by explaining why you’re reaching out. Here are a few reasons you might include:

You admire a particular project this person spearheaded.
You’re impressed with the direction the organization has taken during this person’s tenure.
You've found inspiration in a recent article or podcast about the company.
You admire this person’s career and, specifically, admire the work they have done at this current organization.

For an extra bold move, you could even pitch yourself in a job title that you already hold—and illustrate how the company could benefit from hiring their first ever [insert job title here]. This could be appealing to an organization hiring for a ton of open roles, especially if you have the skill set to streamline a certain growth project.

Your Interest + Your Skills

Now that you’ve buttered your contact up (just kidding, sort of), get into the meat of why you’re writing this letter of interest.

Expand on why the company interests you. From there, explain how your skills, qualifications, and experience could bring unique value to the company.

You might take this opportunity to explain how you envision yourself in a particular role at the organization. An even gutsier move? Explain how the company could benefit from hiring you as their very first digital marketer (or whatever title you’d be interested in that they might not have ever hired).

Letters like these take the guesswork out of the recipient’s hand. Use your letter of interest as a pseudo cover letter—but one where you’re the only applicant for a job that might not even exist yet. Let your imagination pen the letter from there. This is the magic of the letter of interest.

Pro Tip: If this is a cold-er letter of inquiry that isn't related to a specific job, look at some recent job descriptions anyway. Pay attention to the language used, expertise desired, and values the organization holds in high esteem. Sneak that into your own letters to show that you've done your research—and to show that this isn't a letter you're blasting off to 100 other companies.

Conclusion + Your Contact Information

It's time for your big sign-off!

Conclude your letter (we’ll talk about length in the next section) by expressing your interest in exploring any opportunities further. Just like you used your opening paragraph to tease your many accomplishments, use your closing paragraph to reiterate your expression of interest and why you think you'd be a good fit.

in your signature, be sure to include contact information in case they want to follow up with you.

What's Included In a Good Letter of Interest?

Take into account the following things when you're writing your letter of interest:

Research the company
Research the specific job (if applicable)
Research the specific recipient
Grab the reader's attention—especially if it's a cold email
Connect the dots—find commonality and humanize your letter
Be professional
Be concise
Make your learning goal clear—does the person reading this easily understand why you're sending it?

How Long Should a Letter of Interest Be?

Following up on our tip above, your letter of interest should be concise and to the point! No one has the time to read a super-long letter. The goal of the letter of interest is to create interest from the reader and make a positive impression.

We recommend a few short paragraphs (250- 500 words) or one page as the maximum length. Please don't include your life story and every detail of your career history. Stay focused on sharing the most relevant information and tailor the letter to the person you're sending it to.

How to Format a Letter of Interest

If you're sending a letter of interest because you're applying for a specific job, you will want to explain why you're the right fit for the position. Using the job posting as a guide, determine the most relevant skills, experience, areas of expertise, and qualifications that you can share.

If you're writing a letter of interest and you don't have a specific job in mind, you will want to tell your professional story and outline how you can bring value to an organization. You might even be able to use your resume or LinkedIn profile as a guide—any place where you've summarized your key accomplishments.

Letter of Interest Format

Make the company excited to learn more about you! Here's an example of how you can format your letter of interest:

Introduction or First Paragraph

Start the first paragraph by briefly introducing yourself and why you're writing this letter of interest. Next, explain what kind of work you are interested in and why. Maybe you're a big fan of the company. Or maybe you have the exact skills the job calls for so you're confident you can become a valuable contributor to the company. Whatever it is, you will use that information to wrap up your first paragraph and either discuss your application for a specific job or outline the skills you have that would be great for any future job openings.

Body or Second Paragraph

You teased how awesome you are in the first paragraph. Now, use the second paragraph to back it all up! Explain how your past work experience makes you a fit for this role or show examples of how you bring value to an organization.

Use data, facts, and case studies of your own career successes to get the employer excited about you. The goal here is to show the employer you make an impact in your jobs and can do the same for them!

Conclusion or Closing Paragraph

The final paragraph in your letter of interest is going to tie all of this together with a clear call to action. You will make it clear what you want: an interview, an introduction, any job leads, etc.

And, to increase your chances of a reply, be very open and flexible with any schedule. For example, if you're asking for a phone interview, tell them you're open to a time that's convenient for the interviewer.

How to Write an Effective Letter of Interest

We get pretty excited about the letter of interest. We think it allows for creativity that most hiring documents don’t inspire. With that excitement might come lots (and lots) of prose. As a reminder, here’s our big tip. Keep your letter of interest to one page or less.

If you’re emailing your letter of interest, the one(ish)-page rule still applies. As mentioned earlier, a good rule of thumb is to keep your letter of interest between 250 and 500 words.

Remember, this is essentially a cold email. Keep it complimentary, simple, and short. Don’t write a tome about your long-standing obsession with the organization. Be respectful of the recipient’s time and inbox.

As always, make sure you proofread before sending your letter of interest—or any correspondence.

Letter of Interest Template

We know you've read this far to get the letter of interest sample. We compiled some guidelines to help you craft a prospecting letter that is brief and impressive.

Use this sample letter of interest as a starting point to impress your future potential employer.

[GREETING], [NAME],

Thank you for taking the time to read this email.

I am reaching out to you for two reasons. The first is that I recently read your article on [SUBJECT] and it really hit home for me in my current career. I especially love your take on [SUBJECT].

Secondly, I have been a huge fan of [ORGANIZATION] and your work there since [YEAR]. A little about myself? I am a seasoned digital marketer who specializes in [SKILLS]. My most recent project with [COMPANY] earned me [RECOGNITION + RESULTS]. I would love to bring my [PASSION], [SKILL], and [EXPERIENCE] to [COMPANY]. I have heard that the team at [COMPANY] is great and I would love the opportunity to join.

I was hoping you might have availability to meet for a coffee and discussion if your schedule permits. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE NUMBER] if that’s convenient for you.

Thank you for your time!

Best,

[NAME]
[CONTACT INFORMATION]

Letter of Interest Examples

[GREETING], [HIRING MANAGER NAME],

I hope your week is going well! I recently saw on LinkedIn that you're celebrating a work anniversary at [COMPANY NAME]— what a milestone! [MENTION SOMETHING ABOUT THE COMPANY THAT YOU LIKE OR THE ROLES.]

I'm currently in the process of exploring my next career move and something that's a top priority for me is working at an organization where I can grow, develop, and advance long-term. I would love to learn more about your career path and how you've been able to do this.

Some quick background on me:
I have a degree in business from [SCHOOL] and here are just a few of my key accomplishments over my past 10 years working in operations:

- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.
- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.
- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.

Would you be available sometime within the next few weeks for an informational interview or simply to get coffee? I can make myself available whenever it's convenient for you. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE]. My resume is attached and feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[NAME]
[CONTACT INFORMATION]

[GREETING], [HIRING MANAGER NAME],

I hope your week is going well! I recently saw on LinkedIn that you're looking to hire [JOB TITLE] at [COMPANY]. I recently applied via your online system but wanted to express my interest directly to you.

I read in the posting that you're looking for someone who has experience with [LIST SPECIFIC EXAMPLES] and my current experience working as [JOB] has given me the opportunity to do just that! For example, [MENTION A CASE STUDY PROVING YOUR RELEVANT SKILLS AND PAST SUCCESSES]

I also have a degree in [MAJOR] from [SCHOOL] and here are just a few of my key accomplishments over my past 10 years working in [FUNCTION]:

- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.
- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.
- [ACCOMPLISHMENT] If possible, include brief statistics or case studies proving your relevant skills and past success.

I would love the opportunity to interview for this job opening to share how I can bring value to your organization and learn more about your company's goals. I can make myself available whenever it's convenient for you. You can reach me at [EMAIL] or [PHONE]. My resume is attached and feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Sincerely,

[NAME]
[CONTACT INFORMATION]

The Letter of Interest + Informational Interview

We’re being romantic here, but we think the letter of interest and the informational interview are a match made in pre-job application heaven.

Applying for jobs—and going through a rigorous hiring process—is tough on the candidate. But believe it or not, it’s also tough on the hiring manager, too. In an ideal, serendipitous scenario, your letter of interest leads directly to an opportunity. It definitely happens!

However, there are often due processes when it comes to hiring—both from an organizationally-responsible perspective and a legal perspective. When hiring time comes around, a hiring manager or recruiter is much more likely to reach out to formally interview someone with whom they already have a relationship. Ahem, that could be you.

Your letters of interest and (hopefully) accompanying informational interviews are the perfect ways to get this relationship rolling. If your letter of interest does lead to an informational interview, we have a few resources for you to explore:

In Conclusion, Why Write a Letter of Interest?

It's pretty simple. You've got nothing to lose in writing a letter of interest. It's a chance to reach out to a person you admire and an organization you love. Just go for it!

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Caileen Kehayas Holden

Caileen is an experienced content creator with a demonstrated history of working to achieve healthy and organic growth. Enthusiastically skilled in SEO, content strategy, and creating evergreen, valuable, and actionable content Caileen has been working for over two decades in content strategy and writing for career-oriented startups. Caileen is passionate about writing content to help folks determine the best career for their ever-changing lives—especially mid-career professionals who find their career needs changing due to parenthood, values, and ambitions.

Caileen's advice has been featured by Thrive Global, FlexJobs, Microsoft, WeWork, The Ladders, FastCompany, and more.