Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter: Know the Difference and How to Write

A letter of interest and a cover letter both can serve to show your interest in the company to the hiring manager; meanwhile, they both have distinct purposes. A letter of interest reaches out to a company before any vacancy has been posted, while a cover letter accompanies the resume skills in response to an advertised role. 

In this article, we’ve discussed the difference between the documents; let’s see a letter of interest vs cover letter. 

What is a Letter of Interest?

A letter of interest, also known as a letter of intent or a letter of inquiry, is meant to communicate your skills, qualifications, and experience to the hiring manager, even though the company has not posted any job openings. It is a document that is used to get your name in front of a hiring manager and contains a broad statement, indicating that you hope to find opportunities there. 

How to Write a Letter of Interest?

Each Letter of Interest should be unique and specifically written for the company you’re interested in, and there are a few elements that you should include:

• Your name
• Your contact information
• Date
• Employer name
• Employer contact information
• Greeting
• Introduction paragraph
• Two or three body paragraphs
• Closing paragraph
• Signature

Let’s see what information you should include in your body paragraphs:

• Research the company: Your first step is to research the company that you admire and are eager to join, even if familiar with the company. 
• Address the right person: Whenever possible, use the name of the person while greeting instead of using “Dear Hiring Manager.”
• Start with an introduction: In your first paragraph, you should introduce yourself and the reason why you’re writing and also discuss why you admire its goals, products, marketing, or other relevant quality.
• Include the skills: In the first paragraph, include your soft and hard skills to specify your aim and goals.
• Describe your employment background: For your employment background, use the second paragraph in which you’ll discuss your experience. 

Example of Letter of Interest

Here are a few examples of letter of interest given below: 

• Example 1

  February 7, 2026

  Jane Smith

  Director, Human Resources

  United International

  123 Business Rd.

  Business City, CA 54321

  Dear Ms. Smith, 

  Recently read an article about United International’s new approach to digital marketing in Marketing Magazine Online, and I’m writing to inquire whether you have any marketing positions open. 

  I have five years of experience working as a Marketing Strategist for one of our local retail clothing stores. During my time in this role, I increased the number of website page views by 120% and reduced the cost of customer acquisition by 20%. In addition, our sales increased by 50% during that time. 

  My resume is enclosed with this letter so you can review my education, work experience, and achievements. I would appreciate an opportunity to talk with you or a member of the marketing team to see how my experience and skills could benefit your company. 

  Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you in the near future.

  Sincerely, 

  Signature

  Joseph Q. Applicant

• Example 2

  [Today’s Date]

  [Hiring Manager’s Name]

  123 Company Address

  Company’s City, State, Zip Code

  (xxx) xxx-xxxx

  Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name]

  I admire the innovative work [company name] is doing in digital marketing and would love the chance to contribute to the team. With two years of experience creating social media campaigns that boosted engagement by over 60%, I’m confident I can help you grow your brand.

  I’d be happy to discuss how my skills could support your upcoming projects. Please feel free to contact me at (555) 555-5555 or remail@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration.

  Sincerely,

  [Your Name]

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a one-page document you send with your resume when applying for a job. The document gives you the chance to introduce yourself and explain how your experience connects to the position. It is an important document as it gives the chance for the recruiter to see the qualifications that make you a good fit for the position. You can explain your interest in a specific job and show how your background prepares you for it.

How to Write a Cover Letter

A cover letter should include the following sections: 

• Address the hiring manager: Address the specific person by name whenever possible, instead of “Dear Hiring Manager.” Use a greeting such as “Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager], and avoid generic greetings like “To whom it may concern.”
• Opening Paragraph: Explain why you’re writing, the position you’re applying for, and what makes you a good fit in the first paragraph. 
• Body Paragraphs: In the second and third paragraphs, share more details about your experience, and use the space to highlight accomplishments that align with the employer’s needs. 
• Closing Paragraph: In your closing paragraph, strengthen your interest in the role, and summarize what you would bring to the position and how you can help them to achieve their goals. Also, include a polite call to action such as “I look forward to your response.”

Example of Cover Letter

Here are a few examples of cover letter given below: 

• Example 1

  Date

  Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager]

  I’m writing to express my interest in the Project Manager position at Ridgewell Solutions. With over seven years of experience leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex projects on time and under budget, I’m confident in my ability to bring strategic value and a collaborative spirit to your organization.

  In my current role at Everlight Systems, I’ve led multiple product launches from planning to completion, including a SaaS rollout that improved client onboarding by 30% and reduced churn by 18% over two quarters. I specialize in identifying process inefficiencies and transforming them into streamlined workflows, most recently implementing a project tracking system that cut internal turnaround times by 25%. My leadership style is grounded in communication, accountability, and a belief in shared team success. 

  I’m particularly drawn to Ridgewell’s reputation for innovation and its mission to deliver user-first digital solutions. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to projects that drive measurable outcomes while growing within a company that values agility and long-term vision. 

  Thank you for considering my application. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background in project management and operations can support Ridgewell’s goals. 

  Sincerely, 

  [Your Name]

• Example 2

  Date

  Dear [Name of the Hiring Manager]

  I’ve been passionate about teaching since I began tutoring for pocket money in high school.

  I have seven years of teaching experience, instructing children with a diverse range of abilities. I’m also successful at boosting achievement, having increased average grades by 15% at my current school. I believe this makes me an ideal candidate for the tutoring role at Brearley High School as advertised on LinkedIn. 

  I can be contacted at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or [Your Email]. I look forward to speaking with you soon.

  Sincerely,

  [Your Name]

Also Read: What is Career Coaching & How Does It Work in 2026? Roles, Responsibilities, Benefits, & More!

Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter: Key Differences

A letter of interest and a cover letter can serve as your initial communication with the hiring manager of a potential employer. However, they both have a distinct purpose; here are some points given below to understand the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter. 

Factor	Letter of Interest	Cover Letter
Purpose and Focus	A letter of interest extends beyond job applications and can be used to express your interest in a particular company. The primary purpose of a letter of interest is to show a candidate’s aims, goals, and objectives towards the company.	A cover letter is designed for a particular job application, where the candidate highlights the qualifications and experiences that make them fit for the position.
Format and Structure	The format of a letter of intent includes: Introduction Aims and goals Closing	The format of a cover letter includes: Introduction Qualifications and knowledge Closing
Timing and Formality	It can be submitted independently to express interest and is generally sent before formal negotiations or decision-making processes.	A cover letter can be submitted along with the resume when the company opens for a particular job.

Also Read: How Many Pages Should a Resume Be in 2026?

Final Thoughts

We see in the article that a letter of intent is a document that is submitted to the company even though the advertisement is not published for that particular post or job. On the other hand, a cover letter is a document that is submitted along with the resume for the job or a post that is advertised by the company. 

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