Letter of Intent vs. Cover Letter Differences
A cover letter and a letter of intent might appear to be the same, but here are the important differences between a cover letter and letter of intent in a job application.
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Letter of Intent vs. Cover Letter
When you are looking to break the ice with hiring managers and begin a new job search, a great letter of intent or cover letter can be a wonderful way to make connections and open doors. But it’s important to know when each kind of letter is appropriate. Understanding the difference between a letter of intent and a cover letter is fundamental. This article will clearly explain the differences and similarities.
What Is a Letter of Intent?
- Before formally agreeing to work with a potential business partner
- When stating your interest in working for a potential employer
- While interviewing for law or medical school positions
You may also receive a letter of intent from an academic institution, bank, or business before they finalize their decision to do business with you. When a potential employer sends you a letter of intent, it may be because they are interested in hiring you, but have several roles open and are unsure of where they wish to place you.
What Is a Cover Letter?
Three Differences Between a Letter of Intent and a Cover Letter
While cover letters are useful but narrow documents that are intended to shed light on your years of experience to gain a specific job, letters of intent are broad documents that make first contact to open a dialogue. Of course, both documents should ideally lead to follow-up discussions, but letters of intent are designed to seek a broader range of outcomes, whereas a cover letter has a singular goal.
FAQs: Letter of Intent vs. Cover Letter
Q: What are the advantages of sending a letter of intent?
A letter of intent (LOI) can help you to catch a hiring manager’s eye and build a relationship before there is a firm job posting available. Most available jobs are not publicly advertised on job sites, and many are filled as a result of professional and personal networks. A letter of intent could help you gain access to the opportunities that don’t make it to job sites.
Q: What do cover letters and letters of intent have in common?
Letters of intent are not the same as cover letters, though they can appear similar on a superficial level. The main elements that they have in common are their structure, which is that of a basic business letter, and their professional and formal tone. Both documents should include personalized salutations and address the hiring manager directly. But writing a cover letter requires more discussion of your professional experience and achievements. A letter of intent is about the future, in short, while a cover letter showcases your past.
Q: Where can I find free cover letter templates?
If you want to create a unique and eye-catching cover letter, then you should not just consider cover letter examples. You should utilize the free cover letter templates available via the cover letter builder.