The Difference Between Letters of Interest and Cover Letters
Letters of interest can be a useful way to get a job offer. What’s the difference between these types of prospecting letters and a standard cover letter?
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Letter of Interest
What Is a Letter of Interest?
Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter
- Often slightly shorter
- Requires more research
- Inquiring about a job without a listing
- Often doesn’t accompany a resume
On the other hand, here are a few things that you may notice about a cover letter:
- Often slightly longer
- Includes much more of your achievements
- Inquiring about a job with a listing
- Included with the resume you submit
Generally, a full job application with a resume and cover letter is part of a traditional job search. However, a letter of interest is all about identifying job opportunities that are outside the typical search. Many job seekers who send letters of interest just want to talk to a potential employer about how they can apply their years of experience to a particular job role. You can write the type of letter that works for your career needs.
Best Tips for Writing a Letter of Interest
FAQ: Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter
Q: What are informational interviews for letters of interest?
An informational interview is an interview with existing employees of a company to gather information that can help you write your letter of interest. You can also do these interviews to prepare for a job interview at the company. If you’re thinking about reaching out to a current employee, which some people do on job networking sites like LinkedIn, prepare with informational interview questions first.
Q: When should I be sending letters of interest?
Many companies don’t advertise their jobs prominently, which means a letter of interest can help you find a job more quickly. If you have the skills you need to impress a hiring manager, you should definitely send letters of interest.
Q: How often should I send letters of interest?
Any time you find a potential company that you think might benefit from having you for an employee, a letter of interest is a great starting point. Remember, do a search to ensure that there isn’t already a job posting active on the internet for your dream role at the company. If you send a letter of interest instead of a job application, it will not only cause you to miss out on an existing job opportunity, but it may even reflect poorly on you.