Creating a Professional Letter of Interest

Note: Want to skip the guide and go straight to the free templates? No problem - scroll to the bottom.
Also note: This is not legal advice.

Introduction

Creating a professional letter of interest is essential for any job or internship application. Whether you’re looking to make a positive first impression or stand out from the crowd, crafting an eye-catching and impactful letter of interest requires dedication and care. Here, Genie AI, the world’s largest open source legal template library, provides step-by-step guidance on how to write a professional letter of interest that will get you noticed by potential employers.

From conveying your enthusiasm for the position and demonstrating your qualifications to researching the company and showing why you’d be the perfect fit for the role - all are key components of creating a successful letter of interest. It is critical to be concise, clear and direct in presenting yourself as well as showcasing your relevant qualifications in order to make an effective impression on potential employers. Expressing your enthusiasm for the job opportunity while detailing why you’d be an ideal fit can demonstrate your motivation and reliability as a candidate. Additionally, it is important to highlight examples of past experience when writing a letter of interest so that employers understand how well your skillset aligns with their needs - this demonstrates not only research into their company but also an eagerness to join their team.

Using Genie AI’s community template library allows any individual without needing a Genie AI account (or lawyer) access high quality legal documents which can be customized according to their specifications; this will help ensure that any applicant’s personal letter stands out in today’s competitive job market! Read on below for our step-by-step guidance on how to craft an effective professional letter of interest - so that you can increase your chances of success in applying for jobs & internships today!

Definitions (feel free to skip)

Salutation: A greeting or polite expression at the beginning of a letter.
Etiquette: The manners, conventions, or rules that govern behavior in a particular situation.
Concise: Brief and to the point.
Specific: Clear and precise.
Polite: Showing respect and consideration for others.
Formal: Characterized by following established forms and conventions.
Enthusiasm: Great excitement or interest.
Commitment: The state of being dedicated to something.
Persistent: Continuing to do something despite difficulty or opposition.

Contents

• Explain what a letter of interest is and why it is important.
• Discuss the etiquette of writing a letter of interest
• Research the organization you are writing to
• Include a formal salutation
• Keep the letter concise
• Be specific about why you are interested in the opportunity
• Include contact information
• Proofread and edit the letter
• Outline what should be included in a letter of interest
• A brief introduction about yourself
• Your relevant qualifications and experience
• A statement of why you are interested in the opportunity
• A polite and formal closing
• Explain how to make the letter of interest stand out
• Use keywords and language taken from the job ad
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment
• Highlight your unique skills and qualifications
• Show that you have done your research
• Offer tips for addressing the letter of interest
• Address the letter to the right person
• Use the correct title
• Include the person’s name and address
• Provide examples of effective letters of interest
• Discuss how to follow up after sending a letter of interest
• Follow up within 1-2 weeks after sending the letter
• Make sure to include any updates or changes in your qualifications
• Keep the follow up polite and professional
• Use your follow up to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity
• Don’t be afraid to follow up multiple times, but don’t be too persistent

Get started

Explain what a letter of interest is and why it is important.

• Understand what a letter of interest is and its purpose: a letter of interest is a letter expressing your interest in a particular position or organization. It is a way to introduce yourself to a potential employer or show interest in a company or job you found out about.
• Identify key elements: a letter of interest should include your contact information, a brief explanation of your background, why you’re interested in the position/company, and your qualifications.
• Explain why it’s important: a letter of interest is a chance to make a great first impression. It should demonstrate your enthusiasm and qualifications for the position/company, and create a connection between you and the employer.

You can check off this step when you have a clear understanding of what a letter of interest is, its purpose, and the key elements it should include, as well as why it is important.

Discuss the etiquette of writing a letter of interest

• Make sure to address the letter to the appropriate person or department
• Research the organization you are writing to and include specific information in your letter to demonstrate your knowledge of the company
• Use a professional and friendly tone
• Be sure to use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation
• Be concise and to the point
• Include a call to action at the end of the letter
• Include your contact information
• Proofread the letter carefully
• When you are satisfied with the letter, you can send it to the appropriate person or department.

Research the organization you are writing to

• Visit the organization’s website to read more about its mission, values and other relevant information
• Check out press releases and news articles related to the company
• Follow the company’s social media accounts to get the most up-to-date information about their activities
• Once you have a good understanding of the organization and their goals, you can move on to the next step.

Include a formal salutation

• Begin the letter with a formal salutation such as “Dear [Name of Recipient],”
• Make sure to address the recipient correctly; find a specific person to address the letter to if possible
• Be sure to double-check the spelling of the recipient’s name
• When you are done, check that your salutation is properly formatted and grammatically correct
• You will know this step is complete when you have a formal salutation in the letter that is correctly spelled and properly formatted.

Keep the letter concise

• Stick to one page
• Focus on the key points you want to make
• Avoid unnecessary details
• Keep your sentences concise and to the point

Once you can confidently say that your letter is limited to one page, is focused on the key points you want to make, and is free of unnecessary details, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Be specific about why you are interested in the opportunity

• Identify the key elements of the opportunity that appeal to you and your career goals
• Explain how your skills, experience, and qualifications make you a good fit for the position
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and industry and explain why that appeals to you
• Include specific examples of how your past experiences make you a great candidate
• Show your enthusiasm and excitement for the opportunity
• When finished, review the letter and make sure it is clear and concise
• Check that it is free of typos and grammatical errors
• When you are satisfied with the letter, you can move on to the next step.

Include contact information

• Include your name, address, email address, and phone number at the top of the page
• Make sure all information is accurate and up-to-date
• Double-check the spelling of your name
• When you are done, make sure all of your contact information is included and accurate in the letter
• Now you can move on to proofreading and editing your letter

Proofread and edit the letter

• Read the letter aloud to yourself to catch any errors
• Have someone else read through the letter and make any suggestions for improvement
• Double check for any typos, grammar, and punctuation errors
• Make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date
• Check that the formatting is consistent throughout
• When finished, save a copy of the letter for your own records

How you’ll know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step:

• Once you have read the letter aloud, made any necessary edits, and saved a copy for your own records, you can be confident that you have completed this step.

Outline what should be included in a letter of interest

• Identify the purpose of the letter of interest
• Greet the recipient
• Introduce yourself and explain why you’re interested in the position
• Highlight your qualifications and experiences that make you a good fit for the job
• Describe why you would be an excellent candidate and add in any relevant achievements
• Include a call to action
• Sign off the letter and provide your contact information

When you’ve included all of the above points in your letter, you can check off this step and move on to the next one.

A brief introduction about yourself

• Introduce yourself by name and provide a short summary of your professional experience
• Describe why you are interested in the position and the organization you are applying to
• Explain what qualities you have that make you a good fit for the position
• When done, check that your introduction is concise and highlights your strengths as a candidate
• Move on to the next step once you are confident that your introduction effectively captures the reader’s attention and showcases your qualifications

Your relevant qualifications and experience

• Make a list of your qualifications and experiences that are directly relevant to the opportunity
• Consider the job description and requirements and match your skills and experience to those
• Make sure to include any special training and certifications you have as well as any awards or recognition you have received
• Highlight any previous successes or projects you have completed that are relevant to this opportunity
• When you are done, review your list and make sure that your qualifications and experience are accurate and up to date
• Once you have completed this step, you will have a clear understanding of what makes you qualified for the opportunity and should be ready to move on to the next step.

A statement of why you are interested in the opportunity

• Choose a few key qualifications or experience that make you a great fit for the opportunity
• Explain why you are interested in this particular opportunity and why you feel it is a good fit for you
• Summarize how your qualifications and experience can benefit the organization
• When you’re done, proofread your letter and make sure it is free of any typos or grammar errors.

You’ll know you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when the statement you wrote explains why you are interested in the opportunity and how your qualifications and experience can benefit the organization.

A polite and formal closing

• End the letter with a polite phrase such as “Sincerely” or “Respectfully”
• Follow the polite phrase with a comma
• Include your full name below the polite phrase
• Sign the letter with your signature above your name
• Make sure your signature is legible
• You can check this off your list once you have included a polite phrase and your signature.

Explain how to make the letter of interest stand out

• Research the company, the job, and the industry that the company operates in to get a better understanding of the job and the company
• Address the letter to the hiring manager or the department that the job listing specifies
• Find unique ways to demonstrate that you are the right fit for the job, such as your qualifications, experience, and relevant skills
• Demonstrate your enthusiasm and excitement for the job and explain why you would be the perfect fit
• Show that you have taken the time to research the company and understand the job responsibilities
• Use professional language and make sure to keep the letter concise and to the point

Once you have done the above steps, you will have completed this step and can move on to the next step.

Use keywords and language taken from the job ad

• Take the time to read through the job ad carefully, and highlight any specific words, phrases, or ideas that are mentioned.
• Use these words and phrases in your letter of interest to show that you understand what the employer is looking for.
• Make sure the language you use matches the job ad and that the tone is professional.
• Once you’ve included the keywords and language, you can move on to the next step in creating your letter of interest.

Demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment

• Use a positive, confident tone throughout the letter and make sure to project your enthusiasm for the position and the organization
• Emphasize your commitment to the position and explain why you’re the perfect fit for the job
• Demonstrate your passion for the industry and your commitment to success
• Highlight any relevant experience and successes from past positions and explain why these experiences make you well-suited for the job
• Once you have written and proofread your letter, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step!

Highlight your unique skills and qualifications

• Take the time to review your qualifications and experience to determine how they relate to the position and organization you’re applying to.
• Identify the areas you possess the most knowledge and experience, and use those in your letter.
• Be specific and provide examples of your skills and experience to demonstrate your qualifications.
• Focus on the qualities and skills that make you stand out and make sure the letter is tailored to the position.
• Proofread and edit your letter to make sure you’re conveying the right message.

You’ll know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when you have a letter of interest that succinctly and effectively highlights your unique skills and qualifications.

Show that you have done your research

• Research the company and the position you are interested in: What do they do? What does the position involve?
• Demonstrate your knowledge of the company, the position, and how your skills and qualifications are a good fit
• Look for information about the company’s mission, values, and culture
• Tailor your letter of interest to the specific job, company, or industry
• Show that you have done your homework and have a good understanding of the company and position

How you’ll know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step:

• When you have included evidence of research in your letter of interest
• When you have tailored your letter to the specific job, company, or industry
• When you feel confident that you have a good understanding of the company and position

Offer tips for addressing the letter of interest

• Start your letter with the name of the person or organization you are writing to.
• If you don’t know the person’s name, use a generic greeting such as ““Dear Hiring Manager”” or ““To Whom it May Concern””.
• Be sure to double-check the spelling of the person’s name.
• Use a formal salutation such as ““Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name]””.
• Make sure you know the name of the organization and how to properly spell it.

When you can check this off your list:

• When you have finished writing the letter and it includes the person’s/organization’s name and a formal salutation.

Address the letter to the right person

• Research the name of the person who should receive the letter
• If a name is not available, use the title of the position instead
• Double-check the name, title, and address of the recipient before sending
• When you have the correct name, title, and address, you can move on to the next step.

Use the correct title

• Start the letter with ““Dear”” followed by the name of the hiring manager or appropriate contact
• If you do not know the name of the hiring manager, you may use ““Dear Hiring Manager”” or ““To Whom It May Concern””
• Put the title of the position you are applying for in the subject line of the letter
• When you have the correct title of the position, you will know you have completed this step and can move on to the next step.

Include the person’s name and address

• Include the full name of the person you are writing to in the address line.
• Include the person’s professional title, if available.
• Include the organization’s name and address.
• Make sure the address is up to date and correct.
• When you have the correct name and address of the person you are writing to, check it off your list and move on to the next step.

Provide examples of effective letters of interest

• Research and read several letters of interest from professionals in the same field as you
• Analyze the content and structure of the letters
• Note what you like and what stands out to you
• Make a list of the common elements that you find in the letters you’ve read
• Use these elements as a guide to writing your own letter of interest
• When you feel that you’ve used these elements to your best advantage, you can move on to the next step in the guide.

Discuss how to follow up after sending a letter of interest

• Develop a plan for follow up - decide how quickly you can follow up with the employer and what method you’ll use (e.g. email, phone call)
• Follow up within 1-2 weeks after sending the letter, if possible
• Be polite and courteous in all communication
• Ask if the employer has had a chance to review your letter of interest
• Ask if the employer has any questions or concerns
• Offer to provide any additional information that would be helpful
• Thank the employer for their time and consideration
• When you receive a response, make sure to follow up promptly and professionally
• When you receive a response, thank the employer for their time and consideration
• How to know when you can check this off your list and move on to the next step: When you have followed up with the employer and received a response.

Follow up within 1-2 weeks after sending the letter

• Check your email frequently in the days following your letter’s submission
• If you don’t receive a response within 1-2 weeks of sending your letter, call or email the recipient to follow up
• Make sure to be polite, professional, and concise when following up
• When you hear back from the recipient, you can mark this step as complete and move on to the next one.

Make sure to include any updates or changes in your qualifications

• Check if you have any new qualifications such as licenses, certifications, awards, or job experience that you can add to your letter of interest
• Add any updates to your resume, if applicable
• Ensure that your contact information is up-to-date
• Once you have included any updates or changes to your qualifications, you can move on to the next step
• You’ll know that you have completed this step when you are confident that your letter includes any updates or changes in your qualifications.

Keep the follow up polite and professional

• Use a polite and professional tone when writing your follow up letter
• Greet the reader in a friendly but professional manner
• Show appreciation for their time and attention
• Keep the letter brief but informative
• Avoid sounding overly aggressive or demanding
• Ask any relevant questions you may have
• Thank the reader for considering you for the position
• When you finish writing your letter, double-check for grammar and spelling errors
• When you are satisfied with the letter, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Use your follow up to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the opportunity

• Make sure to express your enthusiasm and excitement in your follow up
• Use positive language to convey your eagerness to learn more and show your interest
• Highlight any relevant qualifications that make you an ideal candidate
• Make sure to inquire about any updates or additional information they may need
• You will know you have completed this step when you have sent the follow-up and the recipient has responded.

Don’t be afraid to follow up multiple times, but don’t be too persistent

• Reach out to the company a few days after sending the letter of interest
• Follow up with a phone call or email after a few weeks have passed
• Be polite and professional when following up
• Don’t be too pushy or insist on a response
• When you feel like you’ve followed up enough, stop and wait for a response
• You’ll know when you can check this off your list when you feel like you have followed up enough and you have not received a response

FAQ:

Example dispute

Suing a Company for Breach of Contract after Letter of Interest

• The plaintiff must be able to prove that they entered into a legally binding contract with the defendant, either through a written document or verbal agreement.
• The letter of interest is evidence of the plaintiff’s intent to enter into a contract, and can be used to prove that the defendant had an obligation to meet the terms of the contract.
• The plaintiff must demonstrate that the defendant failed to fulfill their obligations under the contract, and that this failure caused the plaintiff harm.
• The damages that the plaintiff is seeking must be clearly stated and supported by evidence, such as financial records, expert testimony, or other proof of harm.
• A settlement may be reached outside of court, with the defendant providing damages to the plaintiff in the form of monetary compensation or other relief.
• If a settlement cannot be reached, the lawsuit will be decided in court, with the judge or jury determining whether the defendant is liable for breach of contract, and awarding damages to the plaintiff if they find in their favor.

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