Letter Of Interest Vs. Cover Letter: What’s The Difference?

So, you’re considering getting a new job. You’re weighing your options and are looking around at the companies you’d like to work for, all while polishing your resume. Now the question is: do I add a cover letter or letter of interest? Or do I need to add any sort of letter at all?

In general, it’s best to err on the side of including a letter. However, that still begs the question of which one. And, for that matter, when do you use each type of letter? The answer will depend on the circumstances of your application.

If you’re applying for a listed opening, then you want to enclose a cover letter. However, if you’re just looking to throw your hat in the ring at a particular company, then you’d send a letter of interest. Letters of interest show that you are interested in a position at that company and hope to be thought of and notified as soon as one becomes available.

Key Takeaways:

What Is a Letter of Interest?

Letters of interest are a lot less common than cover letters. You may have also heard them called an inquiry letter or a letter of introduction. As the various names imply, letters of interest are much more abstract than a cover letter.

The idea behind a letter of interest is that you’re letting the company know that you’re interested in them specifically – not so much in a particular job or getting a new position right now. What you’re looking for is being remembered – positively – so that they’re likely to think of you should a position come open.

Letters of interest are also sometimes used when you have a contact that informs you of a job that will open soon. You can send in a letter of interest as a sort of pre-application before the job opening is actually posted. That’ll put you in the running right away – if they like your letter – and show that you’re interested enough to jump on the opportunity right away.

As you’re aiming to make an impression, you want to make sure that you get a letter of interest right. That also means it should be pithy; letters of interest aren’t usually longer than a page. Make sure you:

• Do your research. The point of this letter is to tell the company that you want to work for them in particular. Make it clear that you know some about the company in question, e.g., their goals, their culture, and their achievements.

• Learn who the right person to send it to and address it to them. This just further shows that you’re the type of person who does their homework. It’s also important not to send it to someone who won’t even bother to read it, as it isn’t their job. In addition, making letters more personalized makes them more likely to be remembered.

• Showcase your qualifications. Don’t be shy in a letter of interest. Think of it as a sales pitch; you’re telling the company why they want you in particular.

• Bring up any relevant experience. Experience is a major selling point in job applications, and letters of interest are no exception. Be sure to point out what experience you have that will make you a good addition to their team.

• And don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. In a letter of interest, you’re looking to be remembered and showcase yourself rather than point out how well you fit into a particular position.

  This means that you need to introduce yourself and point out how your personality meshes well with the company culture, the job opening you’re expecting, or how your skill set is especially impressive.

• Thank the recipient for their time. This is especially important with a letter of interest. This won’t be for a job that they’re looking to fill right now, so they’ll be taking time out of their schedule for something that isn’t immediately relevant.

  That’s also why it’s important to make a letter of interest punchy – you don’t want them to feel that you wasted their time.

For example:

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a letter that is included when you submit an application for a particular job opening. Often it goes with your resume and does the job of fleshing out your soft skills a bit, as well as showing your interest in the company you’re applying to.

Cover letters tend to be short and to the point; they shouldn’t be longer than a page. That means it’s vital to put in what’s important and leave out anything extraneous.

In a cover letter, you should:

• Address it as personal as possible. If you know the manager’s name, address it to them directly. If not, then try to find out. This is a way of showing that you research the company you’re applying to.

  Not all businesses will list the right person, or it may be unclear. So, if you’re unsure, then address it as best as you can, following business letter etiquette.

• List soft skills and experience that didn’t fit well in your resume. Don’t be a braggart, but don’t forget that you’re trying to sell yourself to the company. Not all skills and experience will fit nicely inside a resume due to the format of them, so don’t be afraid to list relevant skills and experience here.

• Mention why you think you’ll be a good fit. This generally goes in the last paragraph. Talk about the job or the company and how you think you’d be an asset to them. Hiring managers go through a lot of cover letters and resumes – they’ll take note of those who make an effort to personalize them.

• Thank the recipient for their time. It’s important to realize that the person you’re writing to is taking time to read your letter. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration. They’re likely to remember the polite gesture, even if they choose not to hire you. And it’s never good to be remembered as rude or unthoughtful.

For example:

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter FAQ

1. How do you address a letter of interest to the hiring manager?

   It’s best to address a letter of interest directly to the hiring manager by using their full name. As a letter of interest implies a special interest in this company, in particular, using a generic “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir/madam” is likely to make them think that you didn’t do your research.

   Most company websites will list who their hiring managers are, but if that fails, you can always try LinkedIn. If you can’t find it that way, then you can always try calling the company. If you’re willing to take the time to do that so that you can properly address your letter of interest, it’ll likely reflect well on you.

2. What are informational interviews for letters of interest?

   Informational interviews are interviews done with current employees to find out more about the company. If it’s specifically for a letter of interest, then it’ll be focused on finding out how to write an excellent letter of interest.

   That means you want information about the company and the hiring manager so that you can address it properly and highlight relevant skills and experience that you possess.

3. How often should I send letters of interest?

   Letters of interest should be sent out regularly. Any time you run into a company that you believe you’d like to work for, you can send them a letter of interest. However, be sure to see if they have a relevant position already listed before doing this, as it could reflect poorly on you if they do; it’ll show a lack of attention to detail.

   It should also be noted that many online systems don’t have any real way to send letters of interest. Be sure to check the company guidelines to make sure that they don’t ask prospective employees not to send letters of interest. Ignoring their request will not endear you to the hiring manager.

Author

Di Doherty

Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.