Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: What’s the Difference?
If job searching wasn’t already confusing enough with all its jargon, turns out there are different kinds of letters you might need to write. Cover letters and letters of interest? Yep, they both exist. They’re similar in that you’d send either one to a company you’d love to work for, but there are some big differences between them.
Let’s break down what sets them apart—and how to write each one (with examples!).
Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter
So, how is a letter of interest different from the (probably more familiar) cover letter?
In short:
- A cover letter is for a specific job opening.
- A letter of interest (sometimes called a letter of intent) is for when you want to work at a company but haven’t seen the right job posted yet.
Cover Letter:
- Written to apply for a specific open position
- Shows enthusiasm for that particular job
- Focuses on what you’d bring to that role
- Explains how your skills and experience match the job
- Usually sent with a resume and other application materials
Letter of Interest:
- Not tied to a job posting
- Expresses general interest in working for the company
- Focuses on how you could help the organization as a whole
- Talks about your skills and how they could benefit the company
- Doesn’t always include a resume
Bottom line? If there’s a company you’d love to work for and you think you’d be a great fit, you don’t have to wait for the perfect job listing—send a letter of interest. But if they do have an opening that matches your skills, go with a cover letter.
How to Write a Cover Letter
If you’re going the cover letter route, here’s how to do it right:
- Start strong. Hook the reader by explaining why you’re excited about this job or company.
- Pick 3-5 key qualifications. Scan the job description and highlight the skills/experience you have that make you a great fit.
- Show, don’t just tell. Use real examples from your work to prove you’ve got what it takes—and include numbers/results where possible.
- End with confidence. Reiterate your enthusiasm and key strengths.
Cover Letter Example
Hello Connie,
When I saw Vaxx America’s posting for a Program Manager, I was instantly hooked by your mission to boost vaccination rates and public health awareness. Your two-part approach—fighting misinformation while making vaccines accessible—is exactly what we need right now. Coming from a small town with low COVID vaccination rates, I’ve seen friends and family fall for false claims and end up seriously sick. I’d love to bring my nonprofit event coordination experience and passion for this cause to your team.
For the past two years at SexEdU, I’ve:
- Booked event spaces at 100+ college campuses
- Handled communications between the org and schools
- Planned and managed logistics for 130+ health education, screening, and vaccination events serving 100,000+ attendees
Recently, I stepped in for a program manager on medical leave, running a marketing campaign that brought in 200+ students for free STD testing—and secured an immediate follow-up event. Working closely with program managers showed me the ropes, and I’m ready to take that next step at Vaxx America.
Your work is crucial right now, and I’d be honored to contribute my event planning and program management skills to your team.
Sincerely,
Allan Peng
How to Write a Letter of Interest
- Address it to the right person. (Ideally, the hiring manager for the department you’re interested in.)
- Open with passion. Share what excites you about the company—show you’ve done your research.
- Introduce yourself. Briefly highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
- Explain how you can help. Connect your strengths to the company’s needs or challenges.
- End with an invitation to chat. Make it easy for them to reach out.
- Include links (LinkedIn, portfolio, etc.) so they can learn more about you.
Letter of Interest Example
Dear Connie,
As a nonprofit event coordinator from a severely under-vaccinated town, I’ve been following Vaxx America since day one (I was your 200th Twitter follower!). Your founder’s story about losing a parent to COVID-19—despite vaccines being available—hit close to home. I’ve lost friends the same way, and your work fighting misinformation and improving vaccine access is exactly what this country needs. I’d love to be part of it.
I’m Allan Peng, an experienced public health event planner looking to move into program management. I’ve organized 100+ health events, including on-site screenings and HPV vaccinations, and successfully promoted them to students.
Since Vaxx America focuses heavily on college outreach, my background could be a great fit:
- I’ve booked events at 100+ campuses and built relationships with student health and athletics departments.
- I know the ins and outs of securing spaces, coordinating with healthcare providers, and marketing to students.
I’d also love to support your content/marketing team. Having talked with vaccine-hesitant loved ones, I understand their concerns and the misinformation they encounter—especially in religious communities. I could help shape messaging that resonates with them.
I’d love to chat more about your goals and how I can help expand your campus outreach. Let me know if you’d like any additional details!
Best,
Allan Peng
