What Is a Letter of Intent? Examples & Writing Tips
Cover letter vs. letter of intent — what’s the difference? Here’s everything you need to know about writing a letter of intent.
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Cover letter vs. letter of intent — what’s the difference? Here’s everything you need to know about writing a letter of intent.
Use the following tips to create a professional letter of intent for a job:
Because a letter of intent is company-focused — not job-focused — you need to explain what it is about the company that makes you want to work there. Is it their mission? Do your own beliefs align with their goals? Has it always been your dream to work there as an adult? Whatever the case, focus on the company and not so much on what they can do for you.
It might be a little tricky to tailor a letter of intent the same way you would tailor a resume or cover letter, but it’s possible. Mention valuable skills and experiences that match what the company has to offer. If they work in the tech industry, highlight your top strengths relevant to this industry and what they do; if it’s financing, focus on your experience in that field. You’re letting them know what skills and experience you have in the hopes you’ll match with a job.
It’s your time to impress. Instead of writing every single thing you’ve done or listing mundane details, feature past accomplishments and major responsibilities. Talk about projects you’ve worked on and give examples of their positive results by using numbers or quantifiable metrics. You want to wow hiring managers and recruiters.
There’s a reason why you want to work for that specific company. Express how your career goals and passion match the company’s; explain why you believe joining their team is the right move for your career and how excited you are to contribute to their goals.
Your letter of intent must be written well if you want to be taken seriously. Typos, grammatical mistakes and formatting errors can really leave a sour impression on recruiters and hiring managers, regardless of how impressive your skills and experiences are. Read your letter carefully before submitting it or ask someone else to proofread it.
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Generally, a letter of intent is a formal document that expresses your serious interest in a company, graduate school or even a business agreement. The seriousness of the letter will depend on the context, however, it should be taken seriously regardless of the situation, as it can lead to other steps.
In the context of a job application, a letter of intent demonstrates your sincere interest in joining a particular company and serves as a formal introduction. It’s typically submitted along with a resume and depending on how it’s written and what you include, it may influence a hiring manager or recruiter into wanting to get to know you better.
No, a letter of intent (LOI) is not typically considered an offer or a legally binding agreement. When it comes to a job application, a letter of intent is a document where you express your interest in a company and formally introduce your qualifications to hiring managers and recruiters. You’re letting them know who you are and that you want to work for them possibly, so they consider you for any job opening that requires your level of experience and skills.
If you’re unsure where to start, take a look at our letter of intent templates and examples. You’ll see how our experts worded their document and its layout.
A formal letter of intent is a document expressing your interest in pursuing a particular course of action, such as entering into a business agreement, applying for a job or seeking admission into an academic program. The way this letter looks and what is written in it will depend on the contact but generally, when you’re writing a letter of intent for a job, you’re letting employers know that you’re interested in joining their company.
Unlike a cover letter, where you market yourself and your skills for a specific position, a letter of intent works by detailing your qualifications so recruiters think of you when a job that needs your skills opens.
You should send a letter of intent when you see a job opening you are interested in or when you are interested in working for a specific company. You can send more than one LOI, too. As these are nonbinding statements, there is no need for exclusivity, especially considering that there is no guarantee that a job title will become available at your chosen company.
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