What Is a Letter of Interest for a Job?
A letter of interest, or cover letter, is a letter that you send to a prospective employer along with your resume when applying for a specific job or inquiring about possible job opportunities at a specific company or organization. Your letter of interest is the first impression you make on an employer and determines whether or not he will review your resume and interview you, so a letter of interest should be professional, well-written and properly formatted, as well as specific, clear and concise.
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Purpose
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The purpose of a letter of interest is to introduce yourself and your professional background to a prospective employer and to convince her to read your resume and meet with you for an interview. A letter of interest should not only convince an employer that you have the best education, skills, job experience and other qualifications for the position but that you have something valuable to contribute to the company.
Types
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You can send a letter of interest as an application letter or an inquiry letter. An application letter of interest is used when applying for a specific, advertised job opening while an inquiry letter of interest expresses interest in a specific company or organization and inquires about any current or future job opportunities. Whether you send your resume in response to a job posting or to inquire about possible job opportunities, always include a letter of interest that explains why you are sending the employer your resume.
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Content
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Open your letter by explaining why you are writing and how you found out about the position or company. Use the second paragraph to explain why you are interested in the position or company and why the employer should hire you by calling attention to specific qualifications, skills, experience and education that are relevant to the position without simply repeating the information in your resume. Keep your focus on what you can contribute to the employer and the company, not what they can do for you. In the final paragraph, refer to your enclosed resume, indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for the position or to talk about possible job opportunities. Then state how and when you will follow-up, provide your contact information in case the employer needs more information and thank the employer for their consideration.
Formatting and Sending
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You can send your letter of interest as a hard copy or by email, as long as the letter is typed. On a hard copy, include your address and contact information, the date and the employer's address and contact information at the top of your letter. In an email, only include your address and contact information but place it below your printed name at the end of your letter. Address the hiring employer using "Dear" followed by the appropriate title and his last name. Close your letter with "Sincerely" followed by a space for your handwritten signature (for a hard-copy letter) and your typed name. Proofread your letter for errors before sending.
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