How To Write a Letter of Interest (With Steps and Examples)

Updated 20 February 2023

A letter of interest allows you to introduce yourself to potential employers. You can use this letter to express your interest in working for a particular organisation, even if it doesn't currently have job openings. Understanding how to use this letter to highlight your interest and relevant qualifications can help you engage with hiring managers. In this article, we discuss how to write a letter of interest, explain the importance of this document and provide examples to provide further guidance.

How to write a letter of interest

If you're interested in a particular company, sending a letter of interest can help you start building connections there. This message expresses your reasons for wanting to work there while highlighting the skills, traits and experiences that make you a valuable employee. You can write these letters at any time because you're not applying for a specific job. Use the following steps as guidance for creating a letter of interest to send to potential employers:

1. Provide your contact details

At the top of your letter, create a header that includes your contact information. These details include your full name, current phone number and email address. If you want to show that you're a local candidate, you can also provide your city and state or territory. You can follow these details with the date. Placing this information at the top of your letter makes it easy for the recipient to contact you for further conversations.

2. Greet the recipient

Always try to contact a specific person at the organisation of interest and address your letter to them, adding a personal touch to your letter. Seek individuals with authority on hiring decisions, such as a manager or director of the department where you want to work. You can research company websites or social media profiles to help you find hiring managers' names and contact information. When possible, ask your professional network or friends and family whether they have connections at the company or know the name of someone to contact.

3. Introduce yourself

In your first paragraph, introduce yourself and your letter's purpose. Engage the reader by emphasising your enthusiasm about the organisation and potential opportunities to work there. Incorporate specific details that interest you most about the company, such as a recent news story, its products or its mission and values. These details prove you've done your research and have familiarity with the company and what it offers.

You can also highlight the type of role you're seeking. Because this is a letter of interest, you might mention that you're inquiring about potential job opportunities within a specific department. If you know someone who works for the organisation or department, get their permission to mention their name in the letter. The hiring manager may contact this person, and they can serve as a reference for you and discuss your qualifications.

4. Describe your relevant qualifications

The body paragraph serves as an opportunity to highlight your skills and experiences, proving why you're a valuable potential employee. Review the company's website or job postings for similar roles to understand its values and the traits and skills it seeks from candidates. Focus on one or two of your most relevant experiences or skills rather than going into detail about your entire career.

Emphasise what you can do for the employer, not what you're seeking from them. When possible, highlight achievements or positive results from prior roles. These details help you stand out, and measurable accomplishments can prove the value you offer as an employee. For example, you might mention an impactful project you managed at your last job.

5. Close with a positive impression

In your closing paragraph, you can reiterate your interest in working for the organisation and your most relevant qualifications. For example, you might highlight why particular skills or experience would make you a valuable asset to their team or help the department achieve its goals. You can also reference other relevant materials, such as a resume you attached to the email or a link to your website or online portfolio. These materials can provide the recipient with further insights into your qualifications.

Always thank the recipient for their time and consideration. This statement shows your appreciation and respect for the individual, helping prove your professionalism. As you close your letter, you may also include a call to action that encourages the reader to take specific steps. Format this statement as a request rather than a demand. For example, you may mention that you'd like to set up a phone call to discuss any opportunities they have on their team.

Tips for writing a letter of interest

You can use the following advice to help you write a letter of interest that engages hiring managers:

Research the organisation: Review the company's mission statements, websites, press releases and social media profiles to gain a deeper understanding of its operations and values. Incorporating these details helps you create a more personal connection and proves your genuine interest in working there.
Use your professional network: Your connections can tell you about potential opportunities at companies not published publicly. If you know someone at the company, they can also offer you tips for impressing the hiring manager and provide feedback on your letter.
Keep it concise: Sending a letter less than a page long helps keep your recipient engaged and shows respect for their time. You can also use simple, succinct language to focus your letter on only the most relevant information.
Proofread your letter: Reviewing your letter to ensure it's error-free helps show your attention to detail and professionalism. Consider reading it aloud to make sure that the content makes sense and flows well.

Letter of interest examples

You can use the following sample letters as inspiration for writing your own:

Example 1

Noah Williams
+61 3 1234 5678
n.williams@email.com.au
June 21, 2021

Dear Ms. Baker,

I recently read an article about SA Conversation's successful reintroduction of several species of animals just outside Sydney. I was thrilled to hear that the population of these locally extinct animals has been increasing steadily and touched by your organisation's efforts to protect our valuable wildlife. I have five years of experience as a marketing specialist and am writing to see whether you have opportunities on your marketing and communications team.

As a marketing specialist, I have strong proficiency in using metrics and market analysis tools to develop engaging social media and email campaigns. Last year, I directed five social media campaigns that led to a 45% increase in engagement with our target audience. My supervisors have also complimented me on my interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and clients.

I've used these skills to develop relationships with local influencers and community leaders, persuading them to create content for our websites and social media profiles that promoted our brand and increased our followers. I believe my experience can help SA Conversation develop innovative marketing and communications materials to spread its mission and important work in protecting our wildlife.

I've attached a copy of my resume so you can review my qualifications. Thank you for your time and consideration. I have admired your organisation's work for several years and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss potential job options at SA Conversation.

Sincerely,

Noah Williams

Example 2

Charlotte Nguyen
+61 3 1234 5678
c.nguyen@email.com.au
August 15, 2021

Dear Mr. Walker,

My family has had a subscription to the Sydney Daily News for my entire life. Growing up reading your newspaper, I appreciated its thoughtful yet fearless approach to the news. This work has inspired me to pursue journalism as a career. As a journalism student at New View College, I'm writing to you to discuss potential internship opportunities on your news team.

I've served as an editor at our school's student-run newspaper for the past two years, overseeing a team of eight reporters. In this leadership role, I collaborate with my colleagues daily to plan editorial content for our website and physical paper and assign work to our reporters. I make myself as available as possible for my team, editing and providing feedback on their work and hosting weekly training sessions to improve their reporting skills.

Before my editor role, I served as a reporter and am eager to return to writing as an intern on your team. I used my interpersonal and communication skills to build sources within our school and community, helping me develop ground-breaking stories for our students. For example, I helped uncover allegations of misconduct by a professor that led to their resignation and pushed the college to implement resources and reporting options for students in these situations.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I've attached my resume and a portfolio of my work to highlight my journalism experience thus far. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to set up a phone call or meeting to discuss potential internships at the newspaper. Please don't hesitate to contact me with additional questions or requests, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Charlotte Nguyen

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organizations mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.

How To Write a Letter of Interest (With Steps and Examples)