A letter of interest, also known as a letter of inquiry, is written to communicate your skills, qualifications, and experiences to a hiring manager even though the company has not posted the specific job you are seeking. While a cover letter should communicate your qualities as they are relevant to a specific position, a letter of interest should be more general and focus on the reasons why you’re seeking employment at the company.

Occasions, where you may consider writing a letter of intent, include:

• You read an article about an intriguing company that is a good fit for your skillset.

• You see a sign or announcement for a new business opening or expansion that you’re interested in working at.

• A contact informs you of a job opening that hasn’t been publicly announced yet.

• You find a company with an appealing culture, location, or mission statement and you want to be the first to hear about opportunities there.

• You’re looking for a more specialized position.