How to Write a Letter of Interest | Guide & Examples
A letter of interest expresses your enthusiasm for working at a company even when no specific job posting is available.
How to write a letter of interest is similar to writing other business letters. Stay concise and professional and include a call-to-action for your reader.
What is a letter of interest?
A letter of interest (also called a “prospecting letter,” “letter of inquiry,” or “statement of inquiry”) shows your general interest in working at a company, even if there are currently no job openings. It’s proactive and speculative, and its goal is to initiate a relationship with the company.
A letter of interest and cover letter are not the same thing. A cover letter is sent when applying to a specific job. It directly addresses the requirements of the job posting, and the purpose of a cover letter is to make the reader think you’re the best candidate for the role.
Both cover letter length and letter of interest length should be less than one page. Cover letters are slightly more detailed, so aim for 300–400 words, while letters of interest are more general and should be 200–300 words.
How to write a letter of interest
It’s key to understand how to write a letter of interest before getting started. While it may be tempting to use generative AI, its writing often lacks the personal touch and enthusiastic tone that make a letter of interest stand out.
Use the correct format
If you already know how to write a cover letter, you can apply much of what you know to writing your letter of interest. Both of these are business letters, and cover letter format and letter of interest format are very similar.
Research the company and its culture
Before writing, take time to learn about the company’s values, goals, and recent initiatives. Review its website, social media, and any current job openings, even if they’re not in your area of expertise. These channels can give you a feel for the company culture and brand style.
When writing a letter of interest, “I want to work for your company” isn’t enough to help you stand out. Mention something specific about the organization to show genuine interest. This will make your letter of interest more powerful and demonstrate that you’ve taken the time to get to know the company.
Before writing, Alia researches Verdana’s culture. She finds social media posts of employees volunteering with shelter animals and discovers through job openings for other departments that the company offers paid volunteer days.
Now, Alia has two strong connections to highlight in her letter of interest—her passion for animal welfare aligns with Verdana’s values, and her volunteer work matches a key company benefit. This research helps her craft a compelling letter that resonates with Verdana’s mission.
Address your letter to the right contact
How you start a letter of interest matters. Address your letter to a specific individual, and avoid using generic, outdated salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”
Instead, find the hiring manager for the department you’re interested in joining. Review the company website, look on LinkedIn, or call or email the company to ask.
Start your letter of interest the way you would address a cover letter: the salutation “Dear,” the full name of the contact (e.g., “Dear Rae Shen,”), and a comma or colon.
Show why you’d add value
Unlike a cover letter, which targets a specific job, a letter of interest showcases your overall value to the company. It should highlight how your skills, passions, and philosophy align with the company’s mission and goals to make you a valuable addition to the team.
Keep it short and engaging
Hiring managers are busy, so keep your letter of interest brief yet memorable. Cut any fluff and use strong, dynamic language. A few tips for doing this are:
- Cut filler words that don’t add value (e.g., “very,” “in order,” and “as a matter of fact”).
- Shorten phrases wherever possible (e.g., in most cases, “as well as” can be “and” or “also”).
- Remove hedging language (e.g., “I think,” “it seems,” and “perhaps”).
- Avoid negative-framed language (e.g., “shouldn’t” and “isn’t”).
- Use active voice and dynamic verbs (e.g., “launch,” “implement,” and “collaborate”).
“With more than five years of experience in brand design as well as digital marketing, I have developed visuals that I really believe diverse audiences can truly connect with.”
Everything that’s bolded could be rewritten to be shorter and/or more powerful:
“With over five years of experience in brand design and digital marketing, I have developed engaging visuals that effectively connect with diverse audiences.”
QuillBot’s Paraphraser Mobile App for iOS can help you trim your letter of interest so that it makes an impact in as few words as possible.
Letter of interest template
A letter of interest includes a header, date, salutation, three paragraphs, a complimentary close, and your name. Aim for 200–300 words.
Alia Thompson
Cityville, XY 12345
(555) 123-4567
alia.thompson@email.com
February 5, 2025
Dear Alex Randall,
I am writing to express my interest in potential design opportunities at Verdana Foods. I’ve been following the company’s trajectory since 2018, when I first tried Verdana products. As a graphic designer with a passion for sustainable living and a strong commitment to animal welfare, I greatly admire Verdana’s mission to create plant-based foods that reflect my personal values. And as an active animal welfare volunteer, I’d be a perfect fit for Verdana’s volunteer program.
With over five years of experience in brand design and digital marketing, I have developed engaging visuals that effectively connect with diverse audiences. In my previous role with GreenTours, I led a rebranding project that increased engagement by 40% through strategic design and targeted social media campaigns. I’ve enclosed my resume so you can get a clearer idea of my experience and skills.
I would love the chance to chat with you about how my skills and passions can contribute to Verdana’s continued success. Would you be open to a short meeting at your earliest convenience?
Sincerely,
Alia Thompson
If sending your letter of interest in the body of an email, you can ignore the header and date. Instead, put your phone and email at the bottom, below your name.
Letter of interest sample
This letter of interest sample is fictional, but it can give you an idea of how the finished product should look.
Marcus Taylor
marcus.taylor@email.com
(555) 555-6789
January 31, 2025
Dear Aidan Li,
I’m reaching out to express my interest in opportunities with TechForward. I’m particularly drawn to TechForward because of your commitment to creating cutting-edge solutions—like OneApp, which I use every day—and fostering a collaborative, inclusive work culture. I admire your dedication to not only pushing technological boundaries but also supporting your employees’ growth and development through your in-house seminars and workshops with industry leaders.
With over eight years of experience managing complex software projects, I have developed a strong ability to drive cross-functional teams toward delivering high-quality products on time and within budget. In my recent role at DevCo, I led a team that launched an innovative app, which has since gained over 100,000 downloads and a 4.5-star average rating on app stores.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet and discuss how my project management expertise can contribute to TechForward’s continued success and innovation. Please let me know if we can schedule a time to connect.
Best regards,
Marcus Taylor
Frequently asked questions about how to write a letter of interest
- How long should a letter of interest be?
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A letter of interest should be one page or less (or about 200–300 words).
When you write a letter of interest, focus on your enthusiasm for the company and interest in future opportunities. Keep things concise so as to not bore or overwhelm the reader.
When comparing letters of interest with cover letters, understand that cover letter length is a bit longer (300–400 words) because a cover letter goes into more detail about your application to a particular job.
QuillBot’s free Paraphraser can help you rewrite your letter of interest to be the ideal length.
- What is a letter of inquiry?
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A letter of inquiry is the same thing as a letter of interest. You write a letter of interest to express your desire to work at a company when no specific job opening exists.
A letter of interest and a cover letter are not the same thing. A cover letter details why you’d be the ideal candidate for a specific job opening.
Regardless of whether you write a letter of inquiry or a cover letter, make sure it’s error-free with QuillBot’s Grammar Checker.
- How do I write a letter of interest for a teaching position?
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To write a letter of interest for a teaching position, follow the general guidelines on how to write a letter of interest and adapt it for education.
Find the right contact at the school or school district you’re writing to (e.g., a principal, superintendent, or school board chair).
In the opening paragraph, express why you want to work for the school. Highlight specific initiatives, commitments, or accomplishments.
In the body paragraph, briefly summarize your experience and skills that make you a good fit for the school’s goals and mission.
When closing your letter of interest, include a call-to-action for your reader, like asking them for a brief meeting or call.
Before sending your letter, make sure it is as concise as possible by using QuillBot’s free Paraphraser to trim unnecessary words.
