Almost everyone, at some point in their career, will have a goal to work at a particular company. Maybe it’s less than a goal and more like a dream. Either way, there’s a company that you’d love to work for, but they never seem to be hiring. How do you get your foot in the door of your dream company if they have no job openings?
The best way is to send a letter of interest. This letter will get your name in front of a would-be hiring manager and showcase a few of your skills so they know what value you bring. There is a particular way to write a letter of interest. Keep reading to learn how to get a hiring manager’s attention with a letter of interest.
What is the purpose of a letter of interest?
A letter of interest conveys that you are interested in working for a company. It highlights some of your skills and accomplishments and illustrates the advantages a company would gain if you were a part of their team.
Recruiting managers appreciate it when potential candidates show initiative. A letter of interest is a marketing technique akin to cold calling. Keep it short, yet enlightening as it is likely hiring managers and recruiters are unlikely to read anything that goes on and on. This isn’t the time to list everything you’ve ever achieved. It’s just a glimpse into your career history.
Since everything you send a company should have a call to action, use the letter of interest to request a meeting. This meeting could turn out to be an interview or it could be a short get-to-know-each-other opportunity.
What should be included in a letter of interest?
When writing a letter of interest for a job, it is essential to express why the company interests you. Showcase your talent and incorporate an example of how your talent effectively improved an aspect of business for a previous employer.
The goal is to use your letter of interest to pique the hiring manager’s interest in you and should contain the following:
- Introduction: Begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you are interested in the company or organization.
- Purpose: Clearly state the purpose of the letter, such as inquiring about job opportunities, requesting an informational interview, or expressing your interest in a particular field.
- Background: Provide a brief summary of your background, including your relevant education, work experience, and skills.
- Value: Explain how you can add value to the company or organization. Highlight your achievements and successes and how they can be relevant to the company’s needs.
- Connection: If possible, establish a connection between your experience and the company’s mission or values.
- Call-to-Action: End the letter by stating what you would like to happen next. This could be a request for an informational interview, a request to be considered for future job openings, or simply a request for further communication.
- Contact Information: Include your full name, email address, phone number, and any other relevant contact information, like links to online portfolios.
How to write a letter of interest
Since your letter is meant to get the attention of the hiring manager, remember to keep it concise, professional, and tailored to the company you are interested in using these tips:
Use a specific contact person
When possible, you want to address a human being using their name. Look the company up on LinkedIn or Glassdoor to try to find out who the manager is and write the letter addressed to that person. However, if you are unable to find a specific person, you can use the greeting, “Dear Hiring Manager.”
Research
Make sure to apprise yourself with relevant details about the company. Your mission is to find out what type of employee the company looks for in a candidate, then exhibit those qualifications within your letter of interest. Review company social media accounts for ideas about the company’s culture from their posts. Research their job listings for particulars in their requirements.
Introduce yourself
Explain what intrigued you about the company and why you’ve reached out to the recruiting manager. Describe your relevant experience, skills, and interests that align with the company’s mission or goals. Be specific and use examples to demonstrate your qualifications.
Demonstrate value
What value do you bring to the table? This is where you display your capabilities. If you were instrumental in elevating any gains or diminishing the loss for a past company, include that detail. Capture the hiring manager’s attention by showing them how you can help them achieve goals.
The Closing
You want to close the letter with a request. Inform the reader that you are interested in an informational interview. This will give you a chance to meet with the hiring manager and discuss more details about the company. Then close with a professional tone and include your contact information.
Review the letter
Before sending your letter, review it for grammar, spelling, and clarity. You’d be surprised how many letters reach hiring managers with simple spelling mistakes. Utilize robust and concise language and make sure there are no misspellings.
Example letter
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Your Email]
[Your Phone Number]
Jan 1, 2023
[Recipient’s Name]
[Company Name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
Dear John Smith,
I recently read an article in Writer’s Daily that highlighted your social media expansion. When the company’s Instagram reached 500,000 followers last month, I knew I wanted to be part of the team that brought your company’s readership to 1 million followers. I am confident that I would bring immediate value to your team and would love to find out how to become a member.
I have 7 years of experience working in digital promotions and would bring a track record of social media management to your expansion team. Recently, I was involved in a massive project where I was instrumental in increasing social media engagement by 65%. Additionally, I improved online sales revenue by 45%. These results are scalable and repeatable for your team.
I am particularly drawn to the collaborative culture I read about on your company’s website, as I’ve found that team cohesion makes for a very effective work environment. It is especially important in the world of marketing, where there is so much information that has to be shared and communicated cross-functionally.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications with you further and to learn more about [Company Name] and the work you do. Please feel free to contact me at [phone number] to arrange a time to speak.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your day. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Key takeaways:
As a new job seeker, you may not always find open positions available at the company where you desire to be employed. In this instance, you have to be proactive and reach out to them first. The letter of interest allows you to express your abilities before a position is even listed publicly.
Of course, a letter of interest is only one small part of attracting the hiring manager’s attention. You can bet once they have your name in front of them, they will, at a minimum, look you up on LinkedIn.
