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What is a Letter of Intent?

A letter of intent is a formal letter for introducing yourself to an employer you want to work with but may not yet have any open positions. Instead of focusing on a particular role, this letter shows your interest in the company and the valuable skills and experience you can bring.

Why is a letter of intent important?

While mapping out your career, you may identify specific companies you want to work for because you believe in their mission or because they’re a strategic step in reaching your goals. A letter of intent is essential to build a relationship and get your name to the right people. It allows you to express your desire to join the team and advocate for yourself without tying yourself to a specific role.

Letter of Intent vs Cover Letter

While a cover letter focuses on convincing the employer you’re the right fit for a particular position, a letter of intent communicates your intention to join a company even if there are no job openings. A cover letter usually leads to an interview for the job, but a letter of intent may not result in any following steps. However, it’s an excellent way to get ahead of the competition when the time comes.

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PRO TIP:

A letter of intent follows the same format as a cover letter. Check out our free cover letter templates to craft your letter of intent!

Letter of Intent Template

Use this template to write your letter of intent:

Subject line: [Your Name] – [Current Title] Looking to Share Expertise

[Date]

Dear [recipient’s full name or Hiring Manager],

Introduction and hook: [Introduce yourself, state your intent and add an exciting hook to grab the reader’s attention.]

Motivation and alignment: [Explain why you are interested in the opportunity and how your skills, values, and goals align with the company’s. Highlight specific aspects of the organization that resonate with you.]

Contribution and value proposition: [Articulate what you can bring to the business. Discuss any unique strengths or perspectives that set you apart and how these attributes will contribute to the company’s success.]

Closing: Thank you for considering me to join this great team. I am eager to discuss further how my skills and experiences align with the goals of [company/institution]. I look forward to hearing from you.

Call to action: Please find my resume attached for your reference. I am available at [your phone number] or [your email address] to schedule a conversation at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

What to Include in a Letter of Intent

With just four primary elements, writing is a breeze when you follow this letter of intent format:

  • Greeting: A letter of intent should always start with a formal salutation.

  • Introduction: This is your chance to introduce yourself and quickly grab the reader’s attention.

  • Body: Use up to two paragraphs to elaborate on your skills, work experience and why you’re interested in joining the company.

  • Call to action: It’s always best to end with a thank you for reading your letter and an open invitation to talk further.

How to Write a Letter of Intent

Now that you’ve learned how to format a letter of intent, it’s all about giving it your unique touch. Follow these five simple steps to write your letter of intent:

1. Research the company

Researching the company is crucial to crafting your letter of intent. How else will you know if you’re actually interested in working there?

Try to learn everything you can about their mission, culture, achievements and competitors. This information will help you include specific details about the company that encouraged you to reach out while showing them your genuine interest. Additionally, you can find the name of the person you’re writing to and personalize your letter further. It’s important to display your initiative and due diligence.

2. Address your letter

If you find the full name of the person you’re writing to, address your letter with the formal “Dear, [recipient’s full name].” Other appropriate letter of intent greetings are:

  • Dear [Job Title]’s Hiring Manager,

  • Dear Head of [Job Title’s Department],

  • Dear [Department] Recruiter,

  • Dear [Recruiter’s Name],

  • Dear Hiring Manager,

  • Greetings,

3. Hook your reader

Knowing how to start a letter of intent is critical to ensure your reader stays until the end. Quickly introduce yourself, state your purpose, and, if possible, follow with a comment on recent company news or updates. This is a clever way to grab their attention and show you’re keeping up with the latest developments.

Use your hook to move on to the next paragraph to highlight how you identify with the company’s mission, values or goals. Elaborate on the qualities that make them your ideal workplace and connect them to your own.

4. Advocate for yourself

Because you wrote such a strong introduction, transitioning into talking about your qualifications and accomplishments should be straightforward. Showcase your most impressive hard and soft skills and expand on how your work style and career goals align with the company’s vision. Add specific examples of quantifiable achievements to emphasize the value you can bring.

5. Close with a call to action

In your final paragraph, thank the reader for their time and express your interest in continuing the conversation. Let them know you’re open to potential job opportunities. Always remember to include your contact information!

Letter of Intent Example

This letter of intent sample can help you think of unique ways to impress your future employer:

Subject line: Olivia Mendez – Account Executive Looking to Share Expertise

Jan. 16, 2024

Dear Margaret Smith,

Congratulations on your collaboration with Radiant Tech! Bloom’s commitment to revolutionizing the wellness industry inspired me to reach out. My name is Olivia Mendez, and I’m writing to express my sincere interest in contributing to the vibrant and innovative environment at Bloom Wellness.

I’m deeply aligned with Bloom’s mission to positively impact individuals’ lives by fostering a culture of well-being. The emphasis on holistic health, mindfulness, and community engagement resonates with my values and aspirations. I’m drawn to Bloom for its commitment to client success and dedication to employee growth and satisfaction.

In my five years of experience in the industry, I have consistently demonstrated a passion for promoting wellness and empowering individuals to lead healthier lives. My background in product development, advertising and influencer marketing has equipped me with the tools to contribute meaningfully to Bloom’s mission. In my previous role, I successfully launched a new meditation app that resulted in 3 million downloads in its first week, beating out our top competitor.

My adaptability, strong interpersonal skills, and passion for creating a positive work environment align seamlessly with the values I see reflected in Bloom. My unique blend of skills and experiences makes me an ideal fit for contributing to the continued success of Bloom Wellness.

I would like to discuss in more detail how my skills and experiences align with the needs of your team. I look forward to contributing to Bloom’s success and well-being initiatives.

Please find my resume attached for your reference. I am available at 555-555-5555 or oliviamendez@email.com to schedule a conversation at your earliest convenience.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Olivia Mendez

5 Tips to Write a Letter of Intent

Need more help? These expert tips can help impress recruiters:

  • Use active language: Action verbs and power words will help you convey a stronger message and show your value.

  • Make it brief: Your reader likely receives dozens of emails daily, so keep your letter to one page.

  • Establish a connection: If you have a friend or colleague in the company, ask for their permission to mention them as a reference.

  • Stay relevant: Only mention skills or experience pertinent to the company’s mission or goals.

  • Always proofread: Before sending your letter of intent for a job, ask a friend to review your letter.

Key Takeaways

Now that you have all the tools you need to write a letter of intent, let’s review some key points:

  • A letter of intent is ideal to start building a relationship with a potential employer, even if there are no open positions currently.
  • Researching a company’s mission, culture and values is crucial to create a compelling letter of intent.
  • Stay on top of industry news or company updates to have a strong hook for your introduction.
  • Always include specific examples of your achievements to show your value.
  • Don’t forget to close with a call to action and your contact information!
*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with JobHero.