Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter | Key Differences
When comparing a letter of interest and a cover letter, the main difference is when and why you send each letter.
A letter of interest is a letter sent to a company to show enthusiasm for potential job openings that haven’t yet been posted. It focuses on your general skills and experience and how you could add value to the company. A letter of interest is also called a “letter of intent,” “letter of inquiry,” or “statement of inquiry.”
A cover letter accompanies your application for a specific job. A cover letter is where you explain why you’re the best candidate for a specific position, highlighting skills and experience relevant to the job posting.
Letter of interest vs cover letter
Understanding the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter is key to using them effectively in your job search.
| What | Letter of interest | Cover letter |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Shows your interest in working at a particular company | Explains why you’re the best candidate for a specific job |
| Purpose | The goal of a letter of interest is to connect with the company and get considered for future opportunities. | The purpose of a cover letter is to get you the job you apply for. |
| When to send | No fitting job postings are open but you still want to connect. | You are applying for a job (a cover letter is necessary when the job application asks for one; otherwise, it’s recommended). |
| Length | One page, 200–300 words | One page, 300–400 words |
| Format | Business letters with full paragraphs | |
| Content | Same basic parts of a business letter (see below for an outline of each) | |
| Specificity | General: overall qualifications and value you’d add to the company | Specific: skills and experience relevant to the specific job |
| Writing style | Narrative (work in info from your resume, success anecdotes, and what motivates you) | |
| Tone | Professional, confident, and tailored to the company culture | |
| Addressee | Address a cover letter and letter of interest to the relevant hiring manager using “Dear” and their full name. If you have to address a letter without a name, consider directing it to the pertinent team. | |
| Call-to-action | Suggest a call or short meeting to discuss why you’d add value to the company. | Suggest an interview to better discuss the role and your qualifications. |
| File type | Save as PDF so your letter looks the same across devices. If sending as an email, leave out the date and put your contact info at the end, beneath your name. | |
How to write a letter of interest
When writing a letter of interest, you should aim to write 200–300 words. Research the company’s culture and mission (via their website, LinkedIn, socials, etc.) to tailor the tone of your letter.
This fictional letter of interest from a teacher can help you understand how to write a letter of interest.
Alex Carter
Springfield, IL 62701
alex.carter@email.com
(555) 987-6543
February 1, 2025
Dear Principal Reynolds,
I’m reaching out to express my interest in future teaching opportunities at Horizon Academy. As a passionate educator with six years of experience in elementary education and a Master’s in Technology Applied to Teaching, I admire your school’s commitment to student-centered learning and innovative teaching strategies. I would love the opportunity to contribute to your team.
In my current role at Springfield Elementary, I’ve developed engaging, differentiated lesson plans that support diverse learning styles, leading to a 15% increase in student reading comprehension scores. I integrated assistive technology in my classroom to ensure that reading scores also increased for students with dyslexia, autism, and ADHD. I also integrate technology and hands-on activities to create an interactive classroom environment that fosters curiosity and critical thinking. I’ve attached my resume for further details about my experience and skills.
I’m particularly drawn to Horizon Academy’s emphasis on project-based learning and would love to bring my experience in collaborative, inquiry-driven instruction to your students. I would love the chance to discuss how my passions and skills align with Horizon’s vision. Would you have time for a short call or meeting so we could connect? Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Alex Carter
Letter of interest example
Here’s another letter of interest example, this time from a made-up curator passionate about working at a particular museum.
Morgan Ellis
New York, NY
morgan.ellis@email.com
(555) 456-7890
February 11, 2025
Dear Dr. Wright,
I’m writing to express my interest in future curator opportunities at the Metropolis Museum of Art. As an art historian and curator with over eight years of experience, I admire your museum’s dedication to innovative exhibitions, community engagement, and the promotion of voices often overlooked in the art world.
In my current role at the Riverside Art Center, I’ve curated exhibitions that blend historical narratives with contemporary perspectives, increasing visitor engagement by 30%. On top of acquiring degrees in Art History, I completed a Master’s in Digital Humanities at Cosmopolitan University. This led me to specialize in developing immersive experiences that connect audiences with art through interactive programming, digital initiatives, and strategic collaborations. Last year, I curated two exhibitions I’m particularly proud of: Threads of Time, which examined Native American storytelling through the medium of textiles, and Echoes of the Past, which reimagined the works of great masters through digital formats like augmented reality.
I’m particularly drawn to the Metropolis Museum’s focus on interdisciplinary storytelling and would love to bring my skills in curation and engagement to your institution. Please let me know if we could schedule a time to connect. Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
Morgan Ellis
How to write a cover letter
Cover letter format is similar to a letter of interest, but cover letter length is slightly longer at 300–400 words. Incorporate keywords from the job posting to help your cover letter resonate with its reader and pass preliminary AI screenings.
Here’s an invented example from a linguist that shows how to write a cover letter.
Jordan Smith
jordan.smith@email.com
(555) 123-4567
January 8, 2025
Dear Shari Brooks,
I am excited to apply for the Linguistics Specialist position at LinguaLeap. With a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and three years of experience developing AI-driven language learning content, I am eager to contribute to your mission of making language acquisition engaging and effective. My background in computational linguistics and second-language acquisition aligns closely with the skills required for this role.
In my current role at LexiLearn, I design interactive grammar and vocabulary exercises. Last year, I developed dynamic verb tense drills that adjust difficulty based on user performance. For example, if a learner consistently struggles with the past perfect tense, the system provides additional explanations and targeted practice. This has led to a 20% increase in accuracy rates among learners within the first month of use.
I also have experience analyzing user data to refine course content, ensuring lessons are both pedagogically sound and engaging. For example, through participating in user interviews and A/B tests, I noticed users were skipping a particular set of drills because they lacked interactivity. In response, I collaborated with developers to integrate technology that enabled real-time linguistic feedback. This resulted in a 35% increase in completion rates for the module.
I am particularly drawn to LinguaLeap’s gamified approach to language learning and would love to apply my expertise to enhance your platform’s curriculum and user experience. Please let me know a convenient time to discuss how my skills can contribute to LinguaLeap’s success. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Jordan Smith
And always make sure your letters are error-free with QuillBot’s Grammar Checker.
Cover letter example
Here’s another cover letter example, this time from a fictional Human Resources professional looking to join the People team of a multinational company.
Maria Ramos
maria.ramos@email.com
(555) 987-6543
December 12, 2024
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the People Specialist position at GlobalTech Solutions. With over five years of experience in HR and fluency in both English and Spanish, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team and support the diverse and dynamic needs of your multinational workforce.
In my current role as an HR Associate at TechBridge, I manage a range of functions, including recruitment, employee relations, and benefits administration. My bilingual skills have allowed me to bridge communication gaps and streamline processes between English- and Spanish-speaking teams. Additionally, I’ve collaborated with department heads to implement a company-wide wellness program that’s improved employee retention by 15%. We designed the program to address both physical and mental well-being, offering a range of initiatives such as fitness challenges, mindfulness workshops, and personalized wellness coaching. I spearheaded the initiative by working with the wider HR team, other team leads, and external wellness experts to ensure the program was inclusive and catered to the diverse needs of our workforce.
Further, I’ve collaborated with our Operations team to organize events, both internally and externally. Last year, I organized various employee training seminars and worked with a cross-teams committee to host a networking event for tech professionals in Big City. The event attracted over 200 participants, including executives from top-tier companies, and included panel discussions on emerging technologies and workplace innovation. My role involved coordinating logistics, managing speaker schedules, and ensuring seamless communication between all stakeholders.
I’m particularly interested in GlobalTech Solutions because of your commitment to diversity and innovation in the workplace. I look forward to the chance to bring my skills in HR, cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and event logistics to your organization. Could we discuss how we may be a good match in an interview?
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards,
Maria Ramos
- Use active voice and avoid passive voice (e.g., “I implemented” instead of “It was implemented”).
- Trim filler words (e.g., “quite,” “in fact,” and “actually”).
- Shorten your prose wherever you can (e.g., “in order to” can be “to”).
- Remove hedging (e.g., “I believe” and “maybe”).
- Avoid words that may come across as unprofessional (e.g., “literally”).
- Stay away from negatively framed language (e.g., “can’t” and “won’t).
Frequently asked questions about letter of interest vs cover letter
- How long should a letter of interest be?
-
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?
-
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.
