What exactly is a letter of interest? When do you have to write one? During your job hunt, you may want to inquire about a position at a company that you want to work for but do not currently have an appropriate job posting available. So, how do you find gigs in the underground job market?
In this situation, you can submit a letter of interest indicating your willingness to meet with or speak with a hiring manager about the opportunities that may be open to you.
Table of Contents
This document is referred to as a letter of interest because you are writing to inform a prospective employer that you are interested in working for them. It is also known as an inquiry letter or a cold contact letter.
You can send it via email, LinkedIn’s messenger app, or regular mail. Even though paper mail may appear to be out of date, it is a method of getting your letter and resume noticed and read.
A letter of interest may not get you hired right away, but it does have many perks. It exemplifies that you have both enthusiasm and commitment, which are qualities that employers value. It also shows your ability to market yourself using personal branding. Your letter will be reviewed as a formal request for consideration for employment many times and filed in a human resources file. Guess whose letter and resume will be at the top of the pile rather than buried beneath a mountain of applications when a position becomes available?
Your goal is to learn precisely what the company of your dreams is looking for in an employee. Then you will become the mythical Ideal Candidate.
A letter of interest can be sent at any time. Because many companies do not advertise all of their open positions, a letter of interest is a way to express interest without applying for an open position.
It would help if you considered writing a letter of intent in the following situations:
Include information about the type of job you’re looking for, as well as how your skills and experience make you an excellent candidate for such positions, in your letter of interest. Your goal is to pique the hiring manager’s interest and get them thinking about you as a potential employee.
While each letter of interest should be unique and written specifically for the organization you’re interested in, there are a few tips to write a letter of interest.
The first and most important thing to remember when writing a letter of interest is that it is a business letter and should be treated the same. The standard business letter format should be followed. Always maintain a professional demeanor.
Professionalism does not imply tackiness. It is a good idea to try to match the communication style of the company you are contacting. Examine their marketing materials, job postings, and website. If they take a more casual approach to communication, so can you.
Before you start writing your letter, check your network of contacts to see if any of them have any connections to your target company. LinkedIn is an excellent resource for locating people and the most popular online networking site for professional, social, and career networking.
Your goal is to learn precisely what the company of your dreams is looking for in an employee. Check out the company’s social media feeds, as well as the careers and culture pages on its website, for hints about the types of people they hire. Read the job descriptions for their open positions, and they will provide you with insight even if the jobs are not a good fit for your skills.
Unlike a cover letter, which focuses on specific skills and traits for a specific position, a letter of interest should demonstrate to the employer that you have a wide range of skills that would make you a great fit in various situations. Think broadly, and you’ll find more opportunities open to you. What abilities would make you a valuable asset to the company?
The key to a successful letter of interest is to demonstrate what you can do for the company rather than what you can do yourself. Show excitement rather than idiocy.
Hiring managers and department heads don’t have much time to read your novella on why you’re fantastic. The key is to be concise while remaining memorable. Make every word count.
Filler words and phrases should be avoided. Maintain a lean and clean writing style. Use strong words to make your writing stand out.
Date
Contact Information
Salutation
Opening Paragraph-Introduce yourself briefly and explain why you’re writing to the hiring manager. Share your enthusiasm for the company, and explain why you want to work there.
First body paragraph-Write about your most recent achievements, experiences, and skills relevant to the position.
Second body paragraph –Discuss what you bring to the table. Tell the hiring manager why you’d be a good fit for her team. Showcase the qualities you possess that are compatible with the company’s mission and culture.
Final Paragraph- Close by requesting something. Use a call to action to persuade the hiring manager to contact you. You could request an informational interview, which would allow you to meet with the hiring manager and learn more about the company.
Signature.
Based on the tips and format provided above, here is an example of a letter of interest. It is not intended to be an exact template but rather to serve as a general source of inspiration as you create your letter:
Mary Johnson
(567) 456-0091
maryjohnson@email.com
March 15, 2021
Pixels Carriers
111 Cherry lane
Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Mary Johnson, and I am a marketing manager looking for open positions at your company. Pixel Carrier is known in the community for developing innovative marketing campaigns based on strategic market research. With over five years of experience at top agencies, I’ve honed my developing innovative and effective marketing strategies. I’m hoping to combine my skills and desire to help others with Pixel Carrier’s extensive nonprofit client portfolio.
In my previous position at Digitz media, I was responsible for creating three of the agency’s most successful advertising campaigns. My work included a rebranding campaign that increased response rates by 57%, an email win-back strategy that resulted in over $1 million in renewed accounts, and a CLIO-nominated mobile retargeting campaign for the company’s largest client. My manager commended me for demonstrating solid skills in developing high-value relationships with clients, inspiring innovative creativity, and identifying new ways to grow revenue in crucial target verticals.
As someone who has led more than 20 major digital marketing campaigns in the last two years, I place a premium on staying up to date on the latest trends and remaining adaptable in the rapidly changing digital marketing environment. I am determined to continue honing my skills, and my interest in technology has kept me on the cutting edge of mobile marketing strategies.
Thank you for your consideration and time. I have long admired Pixel Carrier’s commitment to making a difference for their clients and, ultimately, for the world’s underserved. I am excited to be a part of your team because these are values I live by in my work. I believe my digital marketing skills will give Crane & Jenkins a competitive advantage, and I hope to meet with you to discuss how we can best collaborate.
Sincerely,
Mary Johnson
Too generic
Typically, employers receive many resumes, cover letters, or letters of interest from candidates. If your letter of interest isn’t tailored to the position you’re applying for, the employer may assume you’re not serious about the opportunity.
Overconfidence
While confidence is admirable, overconfidence can be concerning to an employer. While you should show your enthusiasm for the position, avoid saying things like, You’ll surely regret it if you don’t hire me, or No one can compare to what I can bring to the table.
Using humor to make you stand out
While having a unique edge to your cover letter is excellent, humor can come across as unprofessional or offensive.
No proofreading
Employers may interpret typos in their cover letters as inattention to detail and unprofessionalism. Before sending out your cover letter, go over it several times with a fine-toothed comb. Try reading it aloud or sending it to a friend for feedback.
Fail to follow up
If you haven’t heard back from the recipient after a week, try reaching out again to follow up. Take the initiative and request an informational interview.
Focus on the needs of the company instead of your own needs and wants. Use specific examples and be personable. Don’t simply restate your resume – expand on it. If there are any required qualifications for the positions that aren’t included in your resume, address them in your cover letter.
After taking a good look at yourself, take a good look at the position – highlight those parts that interest you and the skills you have. The focus of the letter should be on WHY you are interested HOW you have fit and WHAT you have to give/provide them (and less about what you have to gain).
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