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How to Write an Engaging Letter of Intent [Tips & Examples]
In this article, we'll cover:
You may be applying for jobs right now and none of them seem to match your idea of a dream job at a dream company. Why not take this as a chance to create your own ideal position?
This is when a letter of interest comes into the picture.
A letter of interest is a great way of putting yourself out there first for potential dream companies to know about you and understand why you fit into their workplace culture. Who knows? You might be their dream employee!
Read on to find out how to format a letter of intent, how to write a letter of intent, tips on writing a letter of intent, and examples of letters of intent for employment and scholarships.
What Is a Letter of Interest?
A letter of interest, a letter of intent, or LOI are the same thing. It is a letter that voices your interest in working for a company or in pursuing a particular academic field.
When searching for a job, a letter of interest notifies an organization your availability for upcoming opportunities. In essence, you are pitching why your qualities and skill set are essential to the company.
📍 Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter
Do not confuse a letter of interest with a cover letter. A letter of interest, which broadly appeals to a company, is initiated by a candidate and can be submitted whenever. A cover letter, on the other hand, is more specific to an existing position and is written in response to a job posting. A letter of interest aims to relate to a company’s goals while a cover letter hones in on the descriptions of a job role.
What to Include in a Letter of Intent (Template)
When writing a letter of intent, make sure to include basic contact information, the desired position, your skills/qualities, and lastly, a call-to-action. The following is a basic format for a letter of intent:
🖋 Letter Header
State in your header that you are writing a “Letter of Intent” or “Letter of Interest”. Next, if you are writing a letter of interest for a job, include your contact details, the submission date, and the company’s name and address. If you are writing a letter of intent for a scholarship, you would typically also include your home address and the school’s address.
🖋 Salutations
When starting your letter of intent, search up, call, or email to find out the exact name of the hiring manager. You could also use LinkedIn or Facebook to find the recruiter’s name through the company’s updates. If you can’t find the name, mention the position of the person you are addressing to.
Examples of appropriate salutations to use for letters of intent for jobs or letters of interest for scholarships:
- Dear Mr. Sprague,
- Dear Jesse Sprague,
- To Hiring Team,
- Dear Dr. Warren,
- To Admissions Officer,
🖋 Opening Paragraph
Open your letter of intent with a brief introduction of who you are, the position of interest, and your reason for choosing the organization. Touch on your key skills or traits and relate it to the company’s values, goals, or mission.
🖋Body Paragraph(s)
The opening paragraph of your letter of intent is where you highlight your top relevant skills and traits. Your body paragraph is your chance to show the organization why your skills would be essential to the company’s aims.
Sample of how a body paragraph might appear in a letter of intent for an internship as a graphic design intern at a local news organization:
As a Graphic Design Volunteer who regularly assists in the creation of logos, online newsletters, and print collateral for 10-15 design cases per week, I believe my multitasking drive aligns with CityXCollective’s goal of delivering “quality news whenever and wherever”. I understand that both quality and quantity are determining factors for your viewers to tune in. With accuracy and speed in assembling varying print/digital graphical materials, all while following branding guidelines for 30 different businesses, I want to join your inclusive journey in print and digital news development.
🖋Closing Paragraph
The closing paragraph of your letter of intent is where you state what you want the company to do, your call-to-action. Invite them for an interview or meetup. Including your contact details is necessary in the closing paragraph of your letter of interest.
Sample of closing paragraph for a letter of interest for a teaching position:
Finally, I would love to meet up and discuss more about sharing your passion for enriching lives through teaching. Please find enclosed my resume which elaborates my experiences in managing classrooms. Do not hesitate to contact me at 122-234-5678 or at [email protected].
🖋 Sign off
Sign off with a closing phrase (Sincerely, Kind Regards, etc.), your signature, and name at the end of your letter of interest.
To simplify the process, you can use the following letter of intent template as a guide:
Letter of Interest
[Your Full Name]
[Email]
[Phone Number]
[Address, if necessary]
[State/Province, Zip/Postal Code]
[Date]
[Company Name]
[Company Street Address]
[State/Province, Zip/Postal Code]
Dear [Recipient Name] or [Hiring Team],
[Mention why you want to work at the company and describe the position of interest. Touch on why the company appeals to you and list the skills/qualities you could provide.]
[Dive into details about the work/projects you’ve done. Think about how you helped a previous company improve or what achievements you’ve accomplished. You could also focus on a singular memorable experience and the contributions you’ve made.]
[State the next step you would like for the recruiter to take, whether it be an interview or a follow-up call. Leave your email and phone number, inviting the recruiter to contact you.]
Thank the recruiter for their consideration or end with a closing phrase.
[Thank you for your consideration / Sincerely / Best Regards, etc.],
[Your Signature, if possible]
[Your Name]
💡 Tip: Expressing Interest in a Job Email
When expressing interest in a job email, remember to include in the subject line the position of interest, the company name, and your full name. If you are attaching additional documents (e.g. cover letter, resume) along with your letter of interest, specify that in your email message and be sure to include a brief summary of what you’re applying for.
Tips on How to Write a Letter of Intent
✅ Do your research and show that off in your letter of interest
Show you’ve done research on the company in your letter of interest. Scan through the company’s “About” on its profile or website to learn the objectives and skim through their typical job postings to get a feel for what types of candidates they’re looking for.
✅ Be brief and concise
Preferably, you want your letter of interest to be less than 250 words. A simple method is to aim for 2-4 sentences per paragraph, and add on or remove words from there.
✅ Underscore your skills and notable achievements
Show off your skills and accomplishments in your letter of interest by drawing on specific cases or going into detail (figures, improvement rates, etc.) about work/projects you’ve done.
✅ Create a hooking opening paragraph and an inviting closing
To engage the recruiter, start off your letter of intent with a hooking achievement from your past experiences or mention how the company’s products, services, or directions spoke to you. Invite the recruiter at the end of your letter of intent to discuss what you can offer to the company over a sit-down or a follow-up call.
✅ Lead with an inspiring experience
If you’ve been a long-time reader/user of a company, you could mention this in your letter of intent and recount why your experience motivated you to join them. If you’re new to learning about the organization, you could search for a news piece about them.
Letter of Interest Samples
📝 Sample Letter of Interest for a Job
The following is a sample letter of interest for a teaching position at a learning academy.
Jane Doe
[email protected]
(605) 123-4567
September 1, 2022.
To: ABC Academy
123 Reading Rd.
ON, M35 2X9
Dear Ms. Reader,
Passing by one of your Toronto branches and seeing the passion your teachers and students have for learning reignited my love for teaching. As a peer tutor who helped over 70 students achieve A-letter grades, I am writing to express my interest in joining ABC Academy as an English Educator in the future.
Growing up, it wasn’t until I went to a tutoring center that I began to enjoy learning subjects that were once challenging for me. I wanted to pass that sense of excitement from problem-solving to others too. From high school to university, I volunteered as a peer tutor where most of my students saw improvements by a letter grade or more. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts in English and possess in-depth knowledge about literature, historical works, and proper essay structures, all of which are in line with your curricula.
I will give you a call next week, at your convenience, to discuss more about what I have to offer. You can also reach me at (605) 123-4567 or [email protected] for further details. Please find enclosed a copy of my cover letter and resume.
Best Regards,
Jane Doe
📝 Sample Letter of Intent for a Scholarship Application
The following is a sample letter of intent for a scholarship that focuses on environmental issues. When writing a letter of intent for scholarships, discuss your motivation to pursue your studies and include field-related academic achievements.
Jane Doe
[email protected]
(605) 123-4567
123 Fern Ave.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V3R L1K
September 1, 2022.
To: Stanley Park University
Dean of Admissions
Faculty of Environment
555 Stanley Park Rd
Vancouver, BC, Canada, VN2 3RF
Dear Dr. Park,
With an ambition to eliminate environmental issues, I am writing to express my interest in the Sylvia Environ Scholarship Program. At present, I am a second year undergraduate with a 4.0 CGPA and am planning to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science.
My passion for environmental conservation started when I saw the effects that modern pollution in the form of electronic waste and deforestation had on our everyday habitat. Thrown out improperly, even digital mediums, once heralded as eco-friendly means for a sustainable life, can negatively impact countries responsible for their powering or disposal.
With public speaking and planning experiences on the Environmental Committee at Stanley Park University, I know how to encourage actionable awareness. I was a speaker at the conference Making Waste Management Manageable, where I discussed the causes of improper waste disposal and methods to reduce our daily ecological footprint. I have also worked as an Executive on our university’s Committee where I assisted landscape development, assessed the school’s carbon footprint, and planned events like Dark Hour to demonstrate the effects of e-waste.
Thank you for your consideration and I would be honored if I could be selected for the Sylvia Environ Scholarship Program.
Kind Regards,
Jane Doe
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Unlike a cover letter, a letter of interest emphasizes the relation between your skills/qualities and the company’s goals. Do not go into specifics about traits that seem impressive but are irrelevant.
- Make your letter of intent engaging by tying in a strong accomplishment or inspiring story. Include figures or a memorable narrative that guides your experiences.
- Remember to include contact details in the header and in your closing paragraph for your letter of interest. End with a call-to-action for recruiters to take the next step.
- Write a concise and specific letter of intent. Being concise boosts scanning while being specific about a relevant strength helps recruiters imagine you as their employee.
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--- Originally written by Flora Lai ---
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