A letter of intent for a job is a general overview of your interest in working for a specific company, even if there isn't a specific job opening that you are applying for. The letter introduces your professional background, skills, and experiences and highlights your enthusiasm for the company and its values. A well-written letter of intent aims to help you land an interview.
This article provides guidance on how to write a letter of intent, including the appropriate structure, tips, and free samples that you can use.
If we seek to discover the importance of intent letters (or letters of interest) as a potential employee, we will focus on four aspects:
A letter of intent for a job is quite similar to a cover letter in that they both serve as an introduction to your application and highlight your qualifications for a specific position. However, a letter of intent is typically more general. It can be used to express interest in a company or industry, even if there isn't a specific job opening. In contrast, a cover letter is tailored to a specific job posting and focuses on how your skills and experiences align with the position's requirements.
Letters of intent for jobs are used when you want to convey your desire to work for a specific company or within a particular industry, but there isn't a specific job opening that you are applying for. They can also be used when networking or attending a job fair.
Moreover, you could submit your letter if the employer advertised several positions but not the one you're looking to apply for.
Below, you can find five tips on how to write the letter of intent that's most likely to open some doors for you:
Collect information about the company
It's basically doing your homework. Search for the company's website, look for its mission, values, targets, and initiatives, and ensure you don't miss much. See how they communicate their news to the general public and address clients, customers, or stakeholders. It would be nice if you could find the name of the person recruiting you (on Linkedin, for example) and address them directly. If that is not possible, start the letter with: "Dear Hiring Manager).
Reveal your interest in the company
Letters of intent are more about the employer rather than about the candidate. Ensure you point out how your interests and desire for professional performance align with the company's mission, vision, and goals.
Don't reduce your letter to vague language, you can add something recent, saying you saw on the news the latest updates regarding the company's financials. Add anything you believe would catch the employer's attention.
Share significant information about yourself
You need to be general enough to show your interest in the company, but also some specificity is desired. Consider what makes you stand out from the crowd and what you can bring to the table that is consistent with the company's mission and targets in the long run. Tailor your letter to the job and try understanding what the hiring manager is looking for.
Keep your letter succinct
Hiring managers receive many letters every day, so writing a novel about your interest in the company is not the way to go. Five paragraphs are enough to introduce yourself, speak about your strengths, and focus on why you would be a match for the company and the available job position.
Open with a clear subject line
If you want to ensure your letter will be read, don't add extravagant subject line. Something like "Introduction — [Your Name]" should work just fine.
There is no magic in writing a letter of intent. It's just like any other formal letter with a specific context. Bring your skills, knowledge, and expertise before the potential future employer. Below, you can find a few best practices that can help you make better choices and a better impression:
Each letter of intent is different because each employee, company, and job are different; however, a letter's format and content are standard. Find below the key elements we recommend that we include in a letter.
Include your name, address, phone number, and email address at the top of the letter.
Example:
Janet Largo
123 Main Street City, State, Zip Code
Phone: (444) 123-7777
Email: janet.largo@company.co
Address the letter to a specific person, if possible. If you cannot find a specific contact, use a general salutation such as "Dear HR Manager" or "To Whom It May Concern."
Example:
Dear Mr. Johnson,
Tip: Discover 10 additional salutations that you can use to open emails or letters.
Use the first sentence of the letter to formally introduce yourself and state the reason for writing.
Begin with a great opening that grabs the reader's attention and expresses your enthusiasm for the company and the industry.
Example:
I am writing to express my strong interest in joining [Company Name] as a [Desired Position or Department]. As a highly motivated professional passionate about [Industry], I have admired your company's growth and success. My skills and experiences align well with your organization's values and goals, and I am excited to contribute to your continued success.
Highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and accomplishments that align with the company's values.
Example:
In my previous role as a Project Manager at [Previous Company], I successfully led a team of 10 to complete a major software implementation project on time and within budget. My strong communication and organizational skills allowed me to effectively coordinate with cross-functional teams and ensure all project milestones were met. I am confident that my expertise in project management would make me a valuable asset to [Company Name].
Show how your profile differs from a typical applicant to the role you're aiming for.
Example:
Besides my professional experience, I am fluent in English and Spanish, which has allowed me to communicate effectively with diverse teams and clients throughout my career. I believe my language skills and multicultural background would be an asset to [Company Name] as you expand your global presence.
Your final paragraph could include a call to action, where you thank the hiring manager for taking the time to review your letter and resume.
You can also close the letter with an explicit request for an interview. It doesn't need to be special, just be sincere.
Example:
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss further my qualifications and how I can contribute to the success of [Company Name]. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to arrange a conversation. I am available at (444) 123-7777 or janet.largo@company.co.
Be professional. Use a simple sign-off to end your letter.
Example:
Sincerely,
Janet Largo
Tip: Looking for alternative ways to end your letter? We share ten additional examples.
Tip: Remember to tailor each element of the letter of intent to the specific company and industry you are interested in. Conduct thorough research on the company's values, culture, and recent news to ensure your letter is relevant and demonstrates your genuine interest in the organization. Don't forget to proofread and revise your letter before it is well-structured and error-free.
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
As a dedicated and innovative HR professional with over four years of experience, I have long admired your company's culture, interest for the environment, and excellent brand that combines purpose, impact and belonging. Believe my experience and people management knowledge will be a valuable asset to [Company Name] as the HR specialist.
I have consistently demonstrated my ability to build strong relationships with employees and management throughout my career. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I successfully implemented a new onboarding program that increased employee retention by 20% within the first year. My employee engagement and talent development expertise would make me a valuable asset to your team.
In addition to my professional experience, I am a certified yoga instructor and have previously organized wellness workshops for my colleagues. I would love to bring this unique perspective to [Company Name] and help promote a healthy work-life balance for your employees.
Thank you for considering my application. I am thrilled about the prospect of joining your team and contributing to the continued success of [Company Name]. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further and exploring how my passion for HR can make a difference in your organization.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Dear [Hiring Manager's Name],
As an experienced HR professional focusing on employee development and satisfaction, I admire your company's commitment to improving people's lives, your products and the overall evolution of the years. As many successful businesses, you need to hiring great people to keep active the innovation engine and continue to propel the business to new heights. In this way, I believe my skills, abilities and knowhow will make me an asset as HR Coordinator position at [Company Name].
In my previous role at [Previous Company], I played a key role in revamping the leave management system, which led to a 15% increase in employee satisfaction scores. I am confident that my experience designing and implementing employee-centric programs would make me an excellent fit for your team.
I am also an avid reader and have a personal blog where I share insights on the latest HR trends and best practices. I believe staying informed about the latest innovations in the area is crucial for success, and I would be excited to bring this passion for continuous learning to [Company Name].
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the chance to join your team and help you continue to succeed. I look forward to discussing my qualifications further and exploring how my people-centric approach to HR can empower your workforce.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Recipient's Name]
[Recipient's Position]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I trust this letter finds you in good health. I am writing to formally express my interest in the [Position Title] position that has recently opened up within our organization. I am confident that my skills, experience, and dedication make me a strong candidate for this promotion.
During my time at [Company Name], I have consistently demonstrated my commitment to our shared goals and values. My role as [Your Current Position] has allowed me to develop a comprehensive understanding of our operations and the challenges we face. I have taken every opportunity to broaden my skills and have successfully [mention specific achievements or initiatives you have led].
The prospect of serving as [Position Title] excites me because it aligns with my career aspirations and desire to contribute more significantly to our team. I am particularly interested in [mention specific responsibilities or projects related to the new position], and I am confident that my background in [mention relevant skills or areas of expertise] will enable me to excel in these areas.
In addition to my technical skills, I have honed my leadership abilities and have a proven track record of fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. I believe that my strong communication skills and ability to build positive relationships will be instrumental in leading our team to achieve its objectives.
I am committed to continuous learning and professional development, and I am eager to take on the challenges that the [Position Title] role presents. I am confident that this position will allow me to utilize my skills further and contribute to [Company Name] in a more significant capacity.
I appreciate your consideration of my interest in this position and would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my candidacy further. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to the possibility of discussing this exciting opportunity with you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Subject: Introduction — [Your name]
Dear [Recipient's name],
[In the first paragraph, introduce yourself, describe your experience level, and the reason for writing. Another option is to talk about recent relevant company/industry news or elements of the company that made you want to work there.]
[In the next one to three paragraphs, expand on your skills and experiences without restating facts from your resume. Correlate your background to the company’s mission, vision, or problems. Include a few examples of your achievements and if possible, add numbers. Finalize by highlighting why you are a great fit for the company.]
Taking into consideration [detail about the company’s vision, focus, or need], I believe my skills and experience can make me a valuable part of your team. If your [specific team or department]is on the lookout for a new [position you are interested in], please consider me [or another call to action]. I have added my resume and [any other relevant documents]. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your email address]
[Your phone number]
[Your city, state, and zip code]
Subject: Introduction — Jane Anderson
Dear Mary Jackson,
During my 10 years spent in HR and HR management for People Life Inc., I've always been impressed with your company's outstanding sales record and reputation for exemplary customer service. I am confident my experience and HR knowledge can make me a valuable asset to Green Life as your next HR manager.
In the past year alone as HR manager for PeopleLife Inc., I've built a new recruiting team and increased retention by more than 5%. In my prior role as Recruitment lead, I oversaw the day-to-day activities of a 5-person team, where we had clear goals and objectives. I have also managed the day-to-day issues for the board and supervised the payroll team when needed. Nonetheless, I was always on top of compliance.
I believe I am a great match for Green Life because I'm both people-driven and customer-focused. I'm passionate about motivating employees to achieve their goals and providing them with the support they need in the process.
I've attached my resume for you to review. Thank you for your consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mary Jackson
276-555-0113, maryjackson@email.com
Takeaways
You now have all the information you need to write the perfect letter of intent, so let’s go through some key points:
How do you start a letter of intent?
You have two options. First, you could open by introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the company. Alternatively, you could start the letter by describing a moment when you met the company, maybe a moment you enjoyed very much, and then introduce yourself.
How thoughtful is a letter of intent?
A letter of intent is, without doubt, a professional correspondence. So keep it professional, do your due diligence about the company, use a formal tone, and check for grammar and spelling. You should do your best to make a great first impression.
Why do companies ask for a letter of intent?
In some cases, the companies are the ones requesting a letter of intent, and this happens because they are undecided about the number of available positions they have or maybe about what type of candidate they are actually looking for. They may feel like a mid-senior level employee will suffice for a position, but maybe they really need a senior.
In practice, the companies that usually request this letter of intent are the ones that are new and trying to widen their pool of candidates.
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