How to write a strong letter of interest

Are you eyeing a position at a company with a great culture and competitive pay? Tired of waiting for an opening that aligns with your skills and experience? If this sounds familiar, it may be time to submit a letter of interest.

A letter of interest can open doors to opportunities you may not even be aware of. Unlike a cover letter, which responds to a specific job posting, a letter of interest is a way to introduce yourself to a company, highlight your skills, and show how you can add value. You’ll be on their radar before they start hiring. 

Also known as a letter of inquiry or a prospective job letter, a letter of interest is a strategy for job seekers and career changers. You can also use it when pursuing internal promotions.

You’ll learn how to write a letter of interest that gets noticed, as well as gain practical tips and see real examples. We’ve included a customizable letter of interest template to help you save time and stand out. 

What is a letter of interest, and when should you send one?

A letter of interest, sometimes called an unsolicited job letter or email of interest, is a proactive way to express your interest in working for a company. You can send this letter when they haven’t posted an open position. 

Instead of waiting for opportunities to appear on job boards, take the initiative to introduce yourself, showcase your skills, and explain why you’d be a great addition to their team.

Differences between letter of interest and cover letter documents

Although they look similar, there are key differences between a letter of interest and a traditional cover letter. Here’s a table comparing the two:

With that in mind, you can’t send your cover letter. That won’t have the desired effect. In fact, it may show the hiring team that you aren’t interested, since you didn’t take the time to create an appropriate letter.

What makes a letter of interest effective?

You might send a letter of interest when

• A company is not currently hiring: You admire their culture and want to be considered for future openings.
• Networking follow-up: You met someone at a conference or networking event who suggested you reach out.
• Career change: You want to transition industries and introduce yourself.
• Internal move: You’re applying for a different department or role before it’s officially posted.

It’s a proactive move that can put you ahead of the competition. If your letter is well received, you may want to ask the hiring manager or senior HR person to meet you for coffee.

Think of it as a way to get your foot in the door and break the ice. When a job is posted and you come in for an interview, you’ll already have a preexisting relationship with the people who decide whether you get the job. 

How to write an effective letter of interest

Curious how to write an effective letter of interest? A letter of interest works best when personalized, concise, and value-driven. Here’s the formula for success:

• Research the company: Know their mission, products, services, and recent achievements.
• Address a real person: Use the hiring manager’s or department head’s name.
• Open strong: Make the first two sentences memorable and relevant.
• Show alignment: Explain how your skills and experience fit their needs or goals.
• Be confident but humble: Show enthusiasm without overselling yourself.
• End with a call to action: Suggest a follow-up call, meeting, or coffee chat.
• Present yourself professionally: Use a business letter format and limit content to one page.

Proofread your letter for grammar and flow. Even minor errors can leave a negative first impression and harm your chances of getting a position in the future.

Best format for a letter of interest 

A clear, four-part structure keeps your letter professional and easy to read. The components you need to include are

Header

• Your contact information
• Date
• Recipient’s name, title, company, and address

Introduction

• Who you are
• Why you’re writing the letter
• A hook that connects you to the company

Body

• Highlight relevant skills, achievements, and experience
• Link those skills, etc., directly to the company’s future needs

Conclusion

• Reaffirm interest
• Include a call to action (CTA)
• Thank them for their time

Review a letter of interest sample so you can get a feel for how these elements work together. While you don’t need subheaders in your letter, you should have clear transitions between sections. Clunky writing or choppy transitions may negatively impact how the recipient views you. 

When someone’s first impression of you will be based on a letter, ensure the letter is polished and sharp. If possible, ask a trusted supervisor or colleague to review the document. 

How do you write a letter of interest?

Writing a letter of interest can be tricky without a job posting to reference. Once you have structure, it’s easier to personalize. The good news is you don’t have to build your document from scratch. Instead, you can (and should) use a template.

Jotform’s free, customizable letter of interest template gives you a ready-made starting point. The standard template has a sharp, focused structure. The fillable boxes are positioned in the appropriate locations throughout the letter.  Fill in the requisite information, including

• Your name, address, and contact information
• The recipient’s name, position, company, and business address
• The position or role you are interested in
• The company’s name in the body of the letter
• Your degree and field
• Your years of experience and list of abilities
• Your electronic signature

Our template

• Captures attention immediately
• Connects your value to the recipient’s needs
• Recaps your skills
• Closes with a CTA that encourages the recipient to reach out

The Jotform letter of interest template includes a strong introduction, focused body content, and compelling language to open the door to new opportunities.

Customizing the Jotform template

The Jotform team designed our letter of interest template to meet the needs of a wide audience. Regardless of your industry, role, or experience level, you can customize our template to express interest in future opportunities. It’s concise and focused from opening line to CTA. 

We understand that users will want to customize the letter for added impact. You can make changes to the template using our drag-and-drop online builder. Our tool lets you add or edit form fields, update the document’s wording, change fonts and colors, make aesthetic changes, and add branding.

Templates can jumpstart your process. They don’t deprive you of the opportunity to make a document your own. Jotform’s drag-and-drop online builder lets you design an engaging document so you can express your interest in professional opportunities and pursue growth.

Once you’ve finished customizing the template, e-sign it from any device. You can print it or send it via email and be on the way to landing your dream job.

Letter of interest samples by situation

When customizing our template, consider what hiring teams may be looking for regarding your knowledge base and area of expertise. Here’s a letter of interest sample for a marketing professional reaching out to a mid-sized tech company about a corporate role:

In our next scenario, the sender is a development coordinator reaching out to a nonprofit.

Let’s look at one more sample in which an employee is reaching out about an anticipated managerial role with their current employer.

In each sample, the letters lead with value before making an ask or inquiring about future opportunities. Apply this concept to your own cover letters. Highlight what you bring to the table before you ask the recipient to consider you for a position. The goal is to pique their interest and keep them engaged so they complete your letter. 

Sending your letter via email vs print

When composing a letter of interest, you have two options for delivering it. Sending it via email is the fastest and most convenient option. If you use this approach, make sure you

• Include a specific subject line.
• Keep the formatting simple to avoid any issues during delivery.
• Attach a PDF version for professionalism.

If you send a printed letter, make sure you

• Use quality paper.
• Include a handwritten signature for a personal touch.
• Ensure the document is sealed in a quality envelope.

There aren’t any right or wrong answers. Choose a delivery method based on the size and nature of the business. If you are writing to a small- to mid-sized law firm, going the extra mile with a handwritten letter can help you stand out. If you are reaching out to a large corporation, email is the best option.

Ready to reach out? 

Great opportunities aren’t always advertised. You can create them. By using Jotform’s customizable letter of interest template, you’re taking the first step toward connecting with organizations you admire.

When you’re ready to send a great letter, use Jotform’s template to save time and make an impact. Explore Jotform Sign, and our suite of drag-and-drop tools and forms, including our letter of interest template.

AS ALWAYS, CONSULT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE RELYING ON ANY FORM CONTRACT OR  CONTRACT TEMPLATE. THE CONTENT ABOVE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY.