How to Write a Letter of Intent

This article was put together to answer all these questions. Here, you are going to learn how to write a letter of intent. The process of applying for a job looks simple until you are asked to submit your letter of intent. The question usually is “what is a letter of intent and how can I write it?”

How to Write a Letter of Intent

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How to Write a Letter of Intent

Having a better understanding of what a letter of intent is will help you get creative and prepare the best letter of intent for whatever purpose.

What is a Letter of Intent?

As the name implies, a letter of intent is a letter of interest. It is a letter that states your intentions to work for a particular company. Generally speaking, a letter of interest is a letter that shows your interest in a particular role or opportunity. It can be applied to different spheres of life, work, education, etc.

What is the Purpose of a Letter of Intent?

In the area of job search, the purpose of a letter of intent is to make yourself noticed by an employer. This aim could be achieved by a well-written or structured Resume, but an accompanying letter makes brings more results.

Continuously, if you are writing for a job that has not yet been advertised, a letter of intent will help you kick start the relationship with the employer.

How does a letter of intent differ from a cover letter?

Although you might submit a cover letter when applying for a particular role in a company, a letter of intent shows an employer that you are interested in working at their company. It is preferable in this case.

Even if there is no job listed. It can be sent at any time and may not result in some clear steps like a cover letter that usually results in an interview.

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When to Use a letter of intent

There are different cases where a letter of intent could be a better fit. These cases are when;

  • You’re submitting your resumes to employers at a job fair
  • You’re researching for companies and finding an employer that best fits your interests and career goals
  • You’ve heard or have been told that an employer is looking for new staff, even if there are no jobs posted
  • The employer has some jobs posted for other positions but also employs workers in your field or with your skills and experience

A letter of intent makes it easier to submit your resume to an employer even when there is no specific job in your specialty. This letter provides employers with the opportunity to see your value and interest in their company.

How to Write a Letter of Intent for a Job

Your letter of intent should be unique to your own set of skills, qualities, and experience. However, there are five main areas or elements that should be included in your letter.

Greeting or salutation

This is the first part of the letter and should be as professional as possible. It should follow the proper greeting format.

A good example is using a standard greeting like, “Dear Hiring Manager” or you can direct the letter to a specific person in the company.

Although you might be able to find the HR personnel of the company to address the letter to, you might not be sure whom to address. If you fall in the category of people who are not sure use a general greeting like “hello”.

Avoid being too familiar, like using the term “hey” or including the addressee’s first name. The main purpose of the letter if intent is to provide a very good first impression that might lead to hiring opportunities.

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Introduction

After the salutation, use the first or first two sentences of your letter to introduce yourself. This section should include your name, a brief explanation of your current level of experience, and your reason for writing this letter.

A good example is to state that you are a recent graduate. include information about your degree and the areas of your study. If you are currently employed and you are seeking to work at another company, then include your job title and the major reason why you are interested in the company and role.

Avoid putting any form of negative information in your letter of intent. You do not want to explain why you want to switch employers because of bad experiences with your current boss. Use positive reasons like career advancement or the opportunity to pursue a different role.

Body

This part of the letter should elaborate on your skills and experiences. This is a very good opportunity to provide more details about why you would be a very valuable addition to the company in a sentence or two.

Include some specific examples of the times you achieved a goal or contributed to the success of an organization. Quantify your achievements with numbers if possible. When you are expressing your interest in an employer, you should emphasize how your skills and experiences align with the visions and needs of the employer.

Call to action

This is a very important part of the letter and should not be neglected. This is the final paragraph where you should explain what you want the employer to do as a result of your letter.

A good example is to use this space to thank the employer for reading the letter and to contact you about potential job opportunities. You should also include your contact information in this part of the letter or after your signature.

Closing

The closing part of the letter should be a standard business closing letter ending style. For example, you can close the letter with “sincerely” or “thank you”. As stated in the explanation of the introduction, it is best to avoid being informal here. Avoid sign-offs such as “cheers”, “yours truly”, etc.

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Letter of Intent Template

Here is a very good template for a letter of intent;

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Chris Doz. I’m a recent college graduate from the University of California with a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering. Autoshores has a very impressive portfolio of work with an honorable mission to produce the best electric cars for all people, no matter their location and income levels. Please consider my request for employment on your Auto-engineering team.

During my time at the University of California, I studied different aspects of Mechanical and Auto-engineering, including design engineering, development engineering, and production engineering. I also took courses on basic engineering principles and automotive technology. I completed all my coursework with a 3.85 GPA. As an undergraduate, I worked as a staff engineering assistant for Unibright Motors.

As Autoshores, Inc. focuses heavily on high-quality car assembly, I believe my skills and experience will make me a valuable part of the team. Should Autoshores, Inc. be in the market for new engineers, please consider me for any entry-level engineering positions that may become available? I am also including my resume, having more details regarding my skills, experiences, and interests.

Thank you for your time,

Chris Doz

Tips for writing a letter of intent

There is no particular way to write a letter of content. These tips or best practices will help you produce the best letters for the best results.

  • Follow a very professional business letter format. If you send a physical copy of the letter, you should include your name, email, and job title at the top of the letter
  • If you want to email your letter, you should include your contact information in your signature under your first and last name.
  • If you are sending an email, include a clear subject line that explains why you are sending the email. If you want to apply for a specific job, add your name and your job title. If you are cold calling, include your name and a phrase like “software expert looking to share expertise” or “job inquiry”
  • Before starting your letter of intent, perform research about the company to get information about the culture, mission, and needs of the company.
  • Do not speak poorly of your current or past employers, focus on yourself and the potential of the employer you are addressing.
  • If you are looking for a new career advancement opportunity, including the level at which you want to be hired with the exact language “management”, or “senior level position”.
  • Do not include any desired salary range. This can be discussed with the recruiter following a successful interview.
  • You can mention a friend or a colleague who works in the same company as a reference.
  • Use very active language when you are describing your skills like “experienced Writer”, “strong communicator”
  • Keep your letter short, not longer than one page, and straight to the point.
  • Make sure you proofread or edit your letter before sending it.

These are the major tips to follow to produce a high-quality letter of intent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Letter of Good Intent?

A good letter of intent is a letter that possesses all the qualities listed above and states your intention to get a particular job or role.

How Long Should a Letter of Intent Be?

A good letter of intent should be no longer than 1 or 2 pages. The number of words should be between 400 to 800 words. You should use very clear and simple English.

Does a Letter of Intent Hold Up in Court?

A letter of intent could be a legally binding document, depending on how it is constructed and whether a court has declared it legally binding.

Is Letter of Intent Same as Application Letter?

Letters of intent are not the same as cover letters (letters that accompany your resume and formal job application). Letters of intent, on the other hand, can be sent at any time whether there is a job opening or not.

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