cover letter statement of interest difference

What’s a Letter of Interest and How’s It Different From a Cover Letter?

As if the job search needed more confusing terms and jargon, it turns out there are multiple kinds of letters you might need to write. There are cover letters and letters of interest?

Yes, yes there are. They’re both letters you’d send to companies you’re interested in working for, but otherwise there are some key differences.

Read on to learn what those differences are and how to write each kind—with examples.

Letter of interest vs. cover letter

So what’s the difference between a letter of interest and the probably-more-familiar cover letter?

Basically, a cover letter targets a specific job opening and a letter of interest (sometimes called a letter of intent ) expresses a desire to work for a specific company even though you haven’t seen a job posting that would be right for you.

A cover letter:

• Is written to apply to a known open position
• Expresses enthusiasm for the open job
• Focuses on what you’d bring to a specific role
• Talks about how your skills and experience line up with the job
• Usually accompanies a resume and/or other application materials

A letter of interest:

• Is not in response to a specific job posting or opening
• Expresses a desire to work for the company more broadly
• Focuses how you can contribute to the organization
• Talks about your skills and experiences and how you might be able to help the company
• Does not always include your resume

So if there’s a company you’d love to work for and you think your skills would be valuable to them, you don’t necessarily need to wait around for the perfect job opening. You can send a letter of interest. But if said company has posted a job that lines up with your qualifications, a cover letter is the way to go.

How to write a cover letter

If you’ve decided to go with a cover letter, here are a few basic steps:

• Write a strong, relevant-to-the-job, cover letter opening that will hook your reader and tell them why you’re applying for this position and/or are interested in this organization.
• Identify three to five key qualifications . Read over the job description and look for skills , experiences, or other qualifications that you possess. Choose the ones that most show that you’d be great at this job to highlight in your cover letter.
• Write about these qualifications . Demonstrate your abilities and knowledge with brief examples from your career. Don’t forget to include the results of your work and as many numbers as possible to show the reader what you can do for their company.
• Wrap up with a strong conclusion that reiterates your excitement for the role and key qualifications.

Read More: Your Complete Guide to Writing a Cover Letter (Plus Bonus Tips and Examples)

Cover letter example

Here’s a sample of what your cover letter might look like.

Hello Connie,

When I saw the posting for the Program Manager position at Vaxx America, I was immediately drawn to your mission of increasing vaccination rates and public health knowledge. Vaxx America’s two-pronged approach of combatting disinformation while creating easy opportunities to get vaccinated is exactly what our society needs right now. As someone from a small town with dismal COVID vaccination rates, I’ve seen many old friends and family members buy into disinformation and end up seriously ill. I’d love to bring my experience as an event coordinator for health-focused nonprofits and passion for this cause to your company.

For the past two years, I’ve worked as an event coordinator for SexEdU, where I booked spaces for events on over 100 college campuses; coordinated communications between the organization and different schools; and planned, managed, and coordinated all logistics for education, health screening, vaccination, and other events offered through the organization. I worked on a total of 130 events in two years that provided services for over 100,000 attendees.

Recently, I filled in for a program manager who oversees the org’s free on-campus health screening program while they were out for surgery, and successfully ran the marketing campaigns for their upcoming event and drew in over 200 students for free STD testing—and booked a follow-up event on the spot. Through these experiences, I worked closely with the program managers and saw what goes into their jobs day-to-day and I’d love to take the next step in my career at your organization.

We need Vaxx America right now, and I’d love to be part of the organization’s invaluable efforts. I’d be honored to bring my event coordination and program management experience to your team.

How to write a letter of interest

• Address your letter to the likely hiring manager for the department you’d most want to join.
• Open strong. Start with what stands out most to you about the company and why you’d like to work with them. Show that you’ve done your research by bringing in specific details about their story, their products, their strategies, or anything they’ve been in the news or on social media for.
• Briefly introduce yourself as a professional . Highlight the skills and experiences that would be most valuable to the company.
• Write about a few ways you can help the organization. Connect your skills to things that the company is working on or struggling with.
• Close with an invitation to talk more about what you can bring to their company.
• Include a link to your LinkedIn profile and/or a personal website or portfolio so they can learn more about you.

Read More: Ever Heard of a Letter of Interest? It Could Score You a Job at Your Dream Company

Letter of interest example

Dear Connie,

As an experienced nonprofit event coordinator and someone from a severely under-vaccinated hometown, I’ve been following Vaxx America from its beginnings. (I was even your Twitter account’s 200th follower!) Your founder’s heartbreaking story about losing a parent to COVID-19 when the vaccine was readily available hit close to home. I unfortunately lost several childhood and family friends the same way. What you all are doing to combat disinformation and make vaccination easy is exactly what the country needs right now—and I’d love to be part of it.

I’m Allan Peng, a versatile event planner for a public-health nonprofit who would love to make the transition into program management. I’ve coordinated more than a hundred health-related events, including some that offered on-site healthcare screenings and HPV vaccinations. I’ve also successfully marketed these events.

I know the ins and outs of pitching, coordinating, and running events on college campuses—which I saw was a key area of interest at Vaxx America. I have contacts in the student health, athletics, and other departments at over 100 schools from my previous work, and I can help you through the process of bringing healthcare providers to a college campus.

I’m also interested in contributing to your content and marketing team. I’ve spent a lot of time speaking with loved ones and acquaintances about vaccine hesitancy and I’m familiar with the underlying reasons and the sources of disinformation they turn to. I think my insight would be valuable as you create informational materials for this group of people—particularly those in religious communities.

I’d love to have an opportunity to learn more about your organization, as well as your short- and long-term goals and challenges. I can also share some more specifics on how I can help you branch out onto college campuses.

Thank you for your time, and please let me know if there’s any additional information I can provide for you.

Cover Letter vs. Letter of Interest vs. Letter of Intent

By Status.net Editorial Team on October 1, 2023 — 12 minutes to read

So, you’re job hunting and wondering about the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter. Don’t worry; you’re not alone. Many people are often confused about these two seemingly similar yet distinct job application tools. In this article, we will delve into the definitions, tips, and examples of each, providing you with the know-how to confidently use them in your job search.

 Cover Letter vs. Letter of Interest vs. Letter of Intent

• A cover letter is a document that you submit alongside your resume when applying for a specific job. This letter allows you to describe your skills, experiences, and enthusiasm for the position. It’s a chance to tailor your application to the requirements of the job.
• Learn more: How To Write a Cover Letter [Best Templates]
• A letter of interest (sometimes called an inquiry letter or prospecting letter) is a document expressing your interest in working for a company, even if there isn’t a specific job opening. This letter serves as an introduction to who you are, your expertise, and how you could be a valuable asset to the organization if an opportunity arises. In academic contexts, a letter of interest may be used when contacting potential research advisors or expressing interest in a particular research project.
• Learn more: Letter of Interest: Best Templates and Tips
• A letter of intent (LOI) is a document that expresses an individual’s or organization’s serious intention to engage in a particular activity or formal agreement. It is often used in legal and business contexts. In the context of academic applications or research proposals, an LOI may outline the applicant’s intention to apply for a specific program or funding opportunity, providing an overview of their plans and qualifications.
• Learn more: How to Write a Letter of Intent (Best Templates)

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: Real Life Examples and Tips

When you’re on the job hunt, it’s essential to understand the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter. Here are some real-life examples and tips to help you navigate these two valuable tools in your search for employment:

• You come across a job posting that catches your eye. Before you apply, you’ll need to prepare a cover letter tailored to the specific requirements mentioned in the job listing.
• However, when researching companies you’d like to work for, you might not always find an active job posting fitting your skills or interests. In this case, you’ll want to craft a letter of interest to communicate your desire to work for the company in the future.
• For example, imagine you are interested in working for a newly expanding company but are unaware of current job openings. In this situation, you would send a letter of interest highlighting your desire to be a part of their growth, offering your value and what you can bring to the table. This could potentially lead to an informational interview or being considered for future opportunities not yet advertised.
• On the contrary, if you come across an open job listing that fits your skills and experience, you will create a cover letter tailored to that specific position. In this case, your cover letter should discuss why you are the ideal candidate and how your experience aligns with the requirements of the listed job opening.
• While both tools are essential for your job search, remember to adjust your approach based on the situation. If you’re responding to a specific job posting, write a detailed cover letter that highlights your relevant skills and experience. Alternatively, when reaching out to a company that may not have any openings, focus on crafting a compelling letter of interest to signal your genuine desire to work for them.
• Related: Get More Interviews: Follow Up on Job Applications (Templates)

Key Elements of a Cover Letter

Introduction segment in a cover letter.

Start your cover letter with a strong intro that grabs the reader’s attention. Introduce yourself and briefly mention the job opening you’re applying for. This is your chance to make a strong first impression, so be concise and engaging. You can also establish a connection with the organization by stating how you found out about the job application or any previous encounters you had with them.

Job Tailored Statement in a Cover Letter

In this section, focus on the specific job opening and explain why you are the right fit for it. Highlight your relevant professional experience by discussing your achievements and how they align with the role you’re applying for. Don’t simply repeat your resume – instead, provide context and connect the dots for the reader. Show your enthusiasm for the role and your knowledge of the organization’s values and objectives.

Qualifications Showcase in a Cover Letter

Now it’s time to showcase your qualifications. Go beyond listing degrees and certifications by detailing the relevant skills and experiences that make you uniquely suited for this role. Relate your qualifications to the job requirements and provide examples of how you’ve applied them in your previous experiences. This will strengthen your case and give the reader a better understanding of your capabilities.

Closing Remarks in a Cover Letter

End your cover letter on a confident and positive note. Reiterate your interest in the role and briefly summarize your main points. Include a call to action, such as expressing your desire to discuss your candidacy further in an interview. This can solidify your proactive attitude and showcase your enthusiasm for the opportunity. Finally, thank the reader for considering your application and sign off with a professional closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards.”

Key Elements of a Letter of Interest

The passionate beginning.

When composing your letter of interest, start confidently and make sure to show your enthusiasm right from the beginning. Focus on conveying your genuine passion for the company’s mission and your interest in the role. A compelling opening sets the stage for the reader to engage with the rest of your letter.

For example:

As a long-time admirer of X Corporation’s commitment to sustainability, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to express my interest in joining the environmental team and contributing to your company’s expanding eco-initiatives.

Desire for the Role within the Company

Discuss your dedication to the industry and highlight your relevant work experience which demonstrates your commitment. By displaying your knowledge about the company, you showcase your investment in becoming a valuable team member. Align your skills with the company’s goals and reflect on how you can contribute to its growth.

Your mission of reducing waste and promoting environmental awareness aligns perfectly with my own career aspirations. With five years of experience as a sustainability coordinator, I believe my expertise in waste reduction programs could bring significant value to X Corporation.

Why You Stand Out

Now’s the time to sell yourself by emphasizing your unique qualities and achievements. Highlight relevant work experiences, educational accomplishments, and significant contributions you’ve made in previous roles. Make sure to connect the dots between your experiences and the job or company.

During my tenure at GreenTech, I was awarded the 2022 Eco-Innovator award due to my successful implementation of a recycling program which increased waste diversion by 75%. I desire to bring my innovative mindset and dedication to sustainability to X Corporation as we work together towards a greener future.

The Strategic Conclusion

In the final section of your letter of interest, reiterate your excitement about the role and the company’s mission. Leave an impression that you are a great fit for future opportunities and maintain a forward-looking approach. Include a call-to-action inviting a meeting or further discussion.

Thank you for considering my interest in X Corporation. I am eager to discuss further how my skills and experiences align with your environmental objectives. Please find my resume attached for your review, and I look forward to the possibility of contributing to your team in the future.

Key Elements for Every Professional Written Document

When crafting a professional document, whether it’s a Letter of Interest or a Cover Letter, there are several critical components to consider. These elements will help you present your skill set and experience effectively, showcasing the best version of yourself to potential employers.

• Clarity is crucial in written communication. Make sure your document is easy to understand and well-structured. Use concise sentences and avoid jargon whenever possible. Address your letter to the appropriate person, title, and department so that it reaches the right hands.
• Next, highlight your skills and experience as they relate to the position you’re applying for. When listing your accomplishments, try to focus on specific instances where you achieved measurable results. This will give hiring managers a clear picture of your capabilities and demonstrate your potential for success in their organization. Present your work history and educational background in a manner that showcases your growth and progress.
• Then, focus on customization . Tailor each document to the particular company or role you’re applying to, instead of using generic templates. Research the company’s culture, values, and mission, and incorporate them into your writing. This will show genuine interest and demonstrate how your skills align with their specific needs.
• Lastly, consider using formatting options like bullet points, bold text, or tables. This can help emphasize important information and provide visual relief within the document, making it easier to read and understand.

Pitstops: Review and Follow Up

As you craft your letter of interest or cover letter, it’s essential to review your work to ensure it speaks to the recruiter, hiring manager, or potential employer. Double-check for any errors in grammar or formatting and that you effectively communicate your qualities and suitability for the position or company.

Make sure to address the letter to the appropriate person. Use the hiring manager’s name when possible rather than resorting to “To whom it may concern.” If you’re unsure of the correct name, try researching online or tapping into your professional network for details.

Tailoring your letter to the specific company and position is key. Research the organization’s values, mission, and goals to align your content with the employer’s expectations. Demonstrate how you can benefit the organization and express enthusiasm for the potential opportunity.

A strong call to action at the end of your letter provides an opportunity for further conversation. Don’t be hesitant to express your interest in an interview or follow-up conversation. This shows initiative and helps you stand out as an active and motivated job seeker.

Once you’ve sent your letter, be patient but proactive. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time frame, it’s acceptable to follow up with a polite email or phone call. This demonstrates your continued interest and persistence, both qualities that are likely to be appreciated by employers.

Remember, the key is to be confident, knowledgeable, neutral, and clear. Your professionalism and attention to detail will be noticed, and your efforts may pave the way to new opportunities in your professional journey.

Final Thoughts on Crafting a Solid Letter of Interest and Cover Letter

When it comes to showcasing your career aspirations and abilities, creating a great letter of interest and cover letter is essential. By understanding the differences and strategically using them, you can stand out and make a lasting impression on potential employers.

In your letter of interest, focus on the company’s mission statement, culture and values. Researching their social media presence and website will help you align your own career goals with the company’s mission. Highlight your education, portfolio and any skills that might be relevant to their job description. Be sure to include specific numbers and examples that showcase your expertise to make your letter stand out.

For the cover letter, make sure you tailor it specifically to the job description and the company you are applying to. Emphasize how your professional background and hard skills make you an ideal candidate for the position. Remember to incorporate relevant achievements from your resume to add weight to your application.

Properly formatting both your letter of interest and cover letter is crucial. Employ various formatting techniques like tables, bullet points, and bold text to make it easy for the reader to understand and grasp the information you’re presenting. Be succinct and to the point; clarity is vital when explaining your career goals and professional expertise.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to crafting engaging, professional letters that will enhance your career search and open doors to new opportunities.

Related: How To Write a Cover Letter [Best Templates]

Letter of Interest (Best Templates and Tips)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the key elements to include in a letter of interest.

When writing a letter of interest, make sure to include these key elements:

• Your contact information: name, phone number, email, and address.
• Salutation: address the recipient with their formal title, such as “Dear Mr. Smith”.
• Opening paragraph: grab the reader’s attention and state the purpose of your letter.
• Qualifications: mention your relevant background, experience and skills.
• Connection to the company: express your enthusiasm and knowledge about the company.
• Closing paragraph: reiterate your interest and provide a call to action, such as requesting an informational interview.
• Complimentary close and signature: use professional terms like “Sincerely” and sign your full name.

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

A cover letter is typically written in response to a specific job opening, where you highlight your qualifications and tailor your experiences to the job requirements. Meanwhile, a letter of interest (also known as a letter of intent) is written when there isn’t a specific job advertisement, but you’re interested in a particular company or field. A letter of interest reveals your passion for the company/industry and explores potential opportunities.

3. Can you provide examples of effective cover letters?

You can find examples and templates here: How To Write a Cover Letter [Best Templates]

4. What are some essential tips for writing a letter of interest for a teaching position?

To write an effective letter of interest for a teaching position, follow these tips:

• Research the school: gather information about the school’s mission, goals, and programs to tailor your letter.
• Emphasize relevant experiences: describe your teaching background, classroom management skills, and student-centered approach.
• Showcase your passion: express your enthusiasm for teaching and relate it to the school’s objectives.
• Provide specific examples: use anecdotes to demonstrate how you’ve made a positive impact in students’ lives.
• Proofread carefully: ensure your letter is free from errors and professionally written.

5. How do you tailor a letter of interest for an internship or promotion?

To tailor your letter of interest for an internship or promotion, consider these steps:

• Address the recipient appropriately: find out the name and role of the person responsible for internships or promotions.
• Include relevant experiences: mention previous accomplishments or projects you’ve taken part in that align with the internship/promotion.
• Showcase your motivation: display your eagerness to grow and learn from the opportunity.
• Highlight company-specific knowledge or skills: show that you’ve done your research and understand the company’s culture or industry.

6. Are there any helpful templates for creating a letter of interest in Word?

Yes, there are several useful templates for creating a letter of interest in Microsoft Word. To access these templates, follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Word and click on “File”.
• Select “New” from the menu on the left.
• In the Search bar, type “Letter of Interest” or similar keywords.
• Browse the available templates and choose one that suits your needs.
• 5 Effective Examples: How to Write a Letter of Intent
• 12 Effective Examples of Letter of Interest (and Tips)
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Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: Difference, Tips and Examples

Applying for the job of your dreams can be stressful — but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools by your side, you will stay focused and composed even through the toughest application process.

But where do you start? We suggest you start at the beginning and build a strong application base — this includes a strong resume, cover letter and letter of intent. Below, we will look into the differences between a cover letter and a letter of interest and focus on the best practices for writing them both.

Table of Contents

What is the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?

The primary difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest is the purpose for which the letter is written.

A letter of interest is sent as an open offer and indicates that you are interested in working for a specific company in a potentially available role that matches your skillset and experience.

A cover letter, on the other hand, is typically sent out alongside your resume in response to a specific vacancy advertised by the company.

Basically, letters of interest focus on why you want to work for this company. Cover letters aim to explain why you are the best candidate for a specific job.

Cover letter example

Letter of interest example

How to write a letter of interest?

As we’ve mentioned above, when you write a letter of interest, you are not applying for a specific position. Instead, you are expressing your interest in working for a particular company.  Because of this, your job with the letter of interest is to emphasize that you have the overall skillset that would be beneficial to the company you are applying for. If there is a specific position you are aiming for, you can also try to tailor your letter of interest to that specific post and highlight relevant qualifications.

So, then what is the purpose of a cover letter?  Compared to the letter of interest, a cover letter is typically sent alongside your resume ( here’s how to write a resume ) and is used to apply for a specific position — you will typically send the resume and cover letter combo in reply to an advertised job offer. A cover letter is basically a collection of selling points that will get the recruiter interested in reading the rest of your application. Here’s how to write a cover letter . 

Let’s see how to best structure a letter of interest

First paragraph: introduction.

You should start off your letter of intent by introducing yourself and explaining what kind of work you do. This is also where you should explain why you are passionate about working for this company and what problems you can help them solve.

You can mention here that you know that they are not currently recruiting — but you may have the skillset and expertise that they wouldn’t want to miss out on.

Second paragraph: work experience

In this paragraph, you will need to pull out all the stunts to impress the recruiter with your experience and expertise. The goal is to make yourself as memorable as possible so that the recruiter will think of you the moment a position opens up.

In this part of your letter of interest, it’s best to focus on concrete achievements you’ve had in previous positions. You can mention the biggest projects you’ve worked on and how they’ve benefited the company, a crisis situation that you’ve handled, the amount of new business you’ve brought to the company — and more.

It’s also a good place to mention your most valued skills (foreign languages you speak, software you can use, personality traits that make you a good professional, etc.).

Third paragraph: call to action

Now it’s time to ask the reader of your letter to act. Think of what kind of outcome you are expecting out of your letter. Do you want them to email you, invite you for an interview, offer feedback on your letter, etc.

Include your most reliable contact information. Even if you have your email and phone in the header of your letter, you can repeat them here.

Tips for writing a letter of interest

When reading your letter of interest, the hiring manager should feel your enthusiasm and passion for working for their company. The tips below can help you make sure your enthusiasm and passion come through in your application.

• Personalize your application . This is one of the most important factors when it comes to the success of your application. Make sure you study the company you are applying for, learn about their mission and company culture. Then, do your best to make these elements come through in your letter of intent to illustrate that you are a good match for the in-company environment.
• Leverage your background . Include specific examples from your work experience that have allowed you to become a better professional. Avoid generalities and be as specific as possible — this will let the hiring professional see that you are genuinely passionate about your job and plan to bring all of your expertise to the new position.
• Explain your motivation . Another important piece of information to include is what has motivated you to write this letter and why you want to work for this specific company. This can include your career goals and how they align with the position you are applying for.

Letter of intent vs letter of interest

Even though these two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, there is actually a slight difference between the letter of interest and the letter of intent. This difference lies in the nature of commitment.

Basically, a letter of intent shows a higher degree of commitment compared to a letter of interest. It states your intentions to work for this particular company — and you may even have a particular role in mind. It’s very similar to a letter of interest in the sense that you should focus on why you want to work for this specific company. However, a letter of intent is more “serious” than a letter of interest and signifies that this company is your first and sometimes only choice.

Summing thins up

• A letter of interest is a letter that aims to express your interest in working for a particular company and inquire about potential employment opportunities.
• A cover letter is a letter that you send together with your resume when applying for a specific position. It serves as a brief introduction of your best qualities and aims to “sell” your application and get the recruiter interested.
• A letter of intent is similar to the letter of interest but presupposes a stronger level of commitment.

We hope that this has been helpful and you are now one step closer to landing the job of your dreams. Learn more about the application process in our blog. Here’s the next read we suggest: Cover Letter vs. Resume: What’s the Difference ?

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Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter

Do your homework

A letter of interest and a cover letter have much in common — they are both letters that job seekers send to employers in hopes of obtaining employment. 

But there are key differences you should be aware of, such as the circumstances when one or the other is appropriate, and how exactly they should be written.

What is a cover letter vs. a letter of interest?

The differences between a cover letter and a letter of interest are pretty simple:

• A cover letter is a one-page letter sent with a resume when applying for an open job that is publicly advertised in a help-wanted ad or some other kind of job listing.
• A letter of interest is a one-page letter sent to an employer that is not advertising an open job you want — but you really want to work for that employer anyway, that’s why another name for it is an expression of interest. You’re writing to let the employer know what skill sets you have that appear to match its needs, and to inquire whether there might be any openings that match your qualifications.

So if you’re a lion tamer, and you find a job listing for a circus that’s seeking an experienced lion tamer, you need to write a cover letter to send to the circus with your resume, applying for this specific job opening.

But if you’re a lion tamer and you’re not aware of any job openings in your field — BUT you’re aware of a popular circus that has lion shows and employs lion trainers — why not launch a pre-emptive strike and reach out to the circus first? 

That’s where you need a letter of interest (also known as a “letter of intent,” a “letter of introduction” or an “expression of interest”). So what is a letter of interest exactly? It is a way of expressing your interest in working for a specific company in your field that you admire or respect, even if it hasn’t announced that it’s hiring.

Or if you’re toiling round-the-clock for a failing tech startup somewhere in Silicon Valley, perhaps what you’d really like is a job with Google , Facebook or Apple. Maybe you have a specialized skill that could be useful to any or all of these companies, but you’ve scoured their job listings and nowhere do they mention an opening for your specific “superpower.” This is where you need a letter of interest.

Do your best to find the right person to address your letter of interest to. Then, find out as much as you can about that person. A human connection can make all the difference, especially if there is no job posted.

How to write a letter of interest vs. a cover letter

The idea behind a cover letter is pretty straightforward: it provides a personal appeal for the job, showcasing your character, offering reasonable arguments regarding your value as a professional and aims to connect with the hiring manager on a human level. The letter of interest, however, has one additional element in its writing: a direct offer to take you on as an employee, with you as the initiator of this procedure.

Here’s an example to highlight the idea in practical terms:

A private school in Schenectady, New York, has posted an opening for a high school Spanish teacher, and it just so happens that you’re an out-of-work high school Spanish teacher in Schenectady, New York! All you have to do is apply for the job.

But maybe you’re friends with the lady from Peru who currently teaches Spanish there, and she’s told you that the Spanish classes are completely overwhelmed, they’re turning students away, they need another Spanish teacher, and they’re thinking of promoting French teachers from within who don’t really excel in Spanish. So they haven’t yet posted any job opening for a new candidate, but they really need one.

Your letter of interest to the administration of this school, offering your services as a Spanish teacher in Schenectady, might look like a gift from heaven to the principal, superintendent and school board. Why should they post the job at all if they’ve already found the perfect candidate?

The content: letter of interest vs. cover letter 

The difference between an expression of interest vs. cover letter occurs mostly in the first paragraph. In one, you are introducing yourself and letting the employer know you’re interested and either know they may have an opening soon or are aware there is no opening. In a cover letter, you are letting the employer know that you are responding to a job listing.

Here’s an example of the lead paragraph of a letter of interest you might send:

Dear Dr. Anderson:

As a high school Spanish teacher with eight years of experience at public schools in New York, I recently learned that your Spanish program might be able to use a new “profesor.” My old friend Lety Álvarez, your current Spanish teacher, tells me that the current demand among your students for Spanish classes exceeds the supply of teachers, and I’d like to inquire whether you might be interested in expanding your staff with a new “maestro de español.”

The rest of this letter might be almost exactly the same as a cover letter, stressing your work experience, educational credentials, certifications and special skills. 

Or you might not have any inside intel on a potential job opening, but you’ve identified a reputable company at which you know your skills would be a good fit:

Dear Mr. Stroud: 

Having practiced personal injury law for six years in the Bay Area, I’ve met your attorneys in court, sparred with them before judges and even had lunch with a few of them, and I’ve been consistently impressed with the excellence of your team. Although I’m not aware that you’re currently advertising any openings, I’d be honored if you would be willing to discuss whether my qualifications and experience could be a valuable complement to your firm. 

Is a statement of interest a cover letter? 

No, they may contain similar information overall, but they are used in different circumstances. 

Should I write a statement of interest?

Absolutely, if you want to work at a company that does not have a job listed that suits your skills. Otherwise, stick with a cover letter.

What should a letter of interest include?

Like your cover letter, the statement of interest should include your work experience, educational credentials, certifications and special skills, but your first paragraph should explain why you are writing and why you chose the company you did.

A key difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest is that one is solicited and one is not. If an architectural firm posts an opening for a junior architect , then it’s going to expect to receive multiple applications from people responding to the ad.

But if an architectural firm never posted any openings — yet you send a letter of interest out of the blue — then the onus is on you to explain what you like about this company, how it got your attention and why you want to work there.

You’ve got one big advantage: You’re showing great initiative in reaching out to a company you’ve noticed that isn’t necessarily hiring. But you’ve got one big disadvantage: The company isn’t necessarily hiring. 

So it’s essential in writing a letter of interest that you research the company in depth, learn everything you can about it, and be prepared to explain why you want to work there.

If you’re looking for places to start the research for your letter of interest or cover letter, here are a few ideas:

• Dun & Bradstreet’s Hoovers : You can try it for free or head to the library.
• Vault : Research companies by name or industry.
• The Fortune 500 and its other lists such as best companies to work for.
• LinkedIn for information on the company and its workers.
• Use your own resources: If you know someone who works at your target company, reach out.
• The company website!

Should I include a resume with a letter of interest?

In a word, yes, you should include a resume with a letter of interest. Why wouldn’t you? 

Including a resume is not considered an absolute must when sending a letter of interest, while it is with a cover letter format . But if you pique an employer’s interest with an exploratory letter, wouldn’t the hiring manager want to see more information about your work experience, education and job skills? 

It’s best to give your target employer more than one way to review your qualifications — to linger on the thought of whether you might be a possible hire. 

Tips on when to write a cover letter vs. letter of interest

Covering the basics in a cover letter or letter of interest

Whether you’re writing a cover letter or a letter of interest, some things don’t change. Despite the differences described above, here are some basic rules that apply to both cover letters and letters of interest:

• Use an attractive header that includes your name, occupation, address, phone number and email. Review the free cover letter templates at Resume.io, find one you like and make it your own. You can use these templates for either a cover letter or a letter of interest.
• Use an appropriate greeting, like “Dear Ms. Barr,” that identifies the person responsible for hiring by name. “ Dear Sir or Madam ” is not going to work here —you need to research the company you’re targeting and figure out who makes the hiring decisions.
• Write a provocative introduction in which you introduce yourself, identify the type of job you’re seeking, and provide a compelling preview of your qualifications for this job.
• Use the body of your letter to highlight your work experience, education and skills , and also to identify why you want to work for this company specifically. You can’t just write one cover letter OR letter of interest and send the same letter to 50 different employers.
• Conclude your letter with a final paragraph that contains some kind of call to action, respectfully urging the recipient to get back to you to discuss how to follow up on your proposal.
• Close with an appropriate sign-off, such as “Sincerely” (or an equivalent phrase), followed by a return and your full name.

Whether you need to write a cover letter or a letter of interest, the templates, examples , guides and occupation-specific job-search advice at Resume.io are always available to you. 

Best of luck in your job hunt!

Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter: Differences & Which Is Best

A letter of interest is sent as an open job application. Meaning, you're interested in applying for a job even if it’s not being promoted but cover letters…

Cover letters and letters of interest are both for job applications. A cover letter supports your resume and responds to a job description. It’s written for a specific role and company, explaining why you’re a good fit. A letter of interest is more like a cold call—you use it to apply and connect to a particular company you admire, even if they aren’t currently hiring. In it, you focus on why you want to work for them and how you can contribute toward their growth.

Cover letters are for companies actively hiring for a certain position. Letters of interest are for companies that aren’t actively hiring. 

A letter of interest is for inquiring about potential roles for a certain company that you’d love to work for. It tells hiring managers how your skills, experience, and aspirations can make you valuable asset. 

Use a cover letter when you want to secure a job title that a company is hiring for. But if there's no advertised job opening and you still want to connect, send a letter of interest.

What is a Letter of Interest?

A letter of interest is also known as a letter of intent. It's a formal letter where you express your interest to potentially work for a certain company. You send this to connect with an organization that greatly inspires you. It allows you to inquire about potential career and work opportunities for a specific company, even when they’re not currently seeking new employees. 

Letters of interest are typically sent to employers of an organization that isn’t hiring. You most likely won’t find them hunting for candidates for your job position. 

You might want to use a letter of interest to introduce yourself to your dream company. There’s a chance it could lead to opening an opportunity.

What is a Cover Letter?

Cover letters are typically sent with your resume. 

The aim of your cover letter is to secure a job interview by explaining how and why you’re a good match for the position that the company is hiring for. This means highlighting your professional skills and experience in relation to the job description.

The Difference Between a Cover Letter and Letter of Interest

The biggest difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest is their purpose. 

• Letters of interest focus on your intentions and why you want to work for the company. 
• Cover letters focus on why you’re the best person to hire for the job position they’re hiring for.

A letter of interest is a documented letter that’s sent as an open job application. You’re expressing interest to work for a certain company, but usually not for a specific role. You do this by highlighting your skills, experience, and interests. 

Letters of interest aren’t limited to one type of job position. You could get matched to an alternative or similar role. It all depends on your skill set and how the organization can get the most value from you. 

In contrast, a cover letter is sent as a targeted job application to secure a position at a company. They target a job vacancy. They’re also sent along as a secondary document to complement your ATS resume . 

The Essentials of a Letter of Interest

In terms of the format for a letter of interest, it’s pretty much similar to a cover letter as it’s made up of the following:

• Header section
• Opening paragraph
• Closing paragraph

What makes it different from a cover letter though, is the contents within each section. 

You’re not writing for an available vacancy. Instead, it’s tailored towards a specific position that isn’t currently being advertised or promoted. Therefore, there should be more emphasis on why you’re interested in working for them specifically and what makes you a good company fit. 

Letter of Interest Sample

In the above cover letter template , the candidate states the position and company they’re interested in. Then, they introduce themselves by providing a brief background of their professional skills. They also make it clear why they’re making an application. 

At this stage, hiring managers aren’t actively looking for a new employee. That’s why it’s important to set the agenda and make the purpose of your letter clear. 

After the opening paragraph, they begin to focus on showing why they match the job position they seek. This is shown throughout the letter while displaying interest by describing the value they have to offer in phrases such as:

• “My ability to work as a team player… have allowed me to excel in the field of Human Resources”
• “What I would bring to the position includes…”
• “I would come to work every day determined to fulfill Amazon’s vision…”
• “In review of your team’s objectives…”

In the closing paragraph, they’ve tied it all back to the company objectives. You’ll notice too that they’ve referred back to the company’s mission statement alongside their business culture.

This time, we’ll analyze how cover letters are written and pick up on some key points. 

You’ll find that there are no huge differences between the two and that they’re both pretty similar to one another.

The Essentials of a Cover Letter

The format of a cover letter includes:

Compared to a letter of interest, you’re more focused on explaining why you’re best suited for the role. There’ll usually be more emphasis on the job description criteria rather than the company values (although this is an area that should still be focused on).

Cover Letter Sample

Compared to the letter of interest example, the format is quite similar. 

You’ll notice the cover letter still talks about where the candidate’s enthusiasm comes from. 

However, it doesn’t revolve around the candidate’s interest and the company values as much. It revolves more around how and why they’re the best person for the job. As opposed to focusing on the company culture, it mainly focuses on their skills and what to write in a resume for work experience . 

How to Write a Letter of Interest

This is how to write a letter of interest: 

• Do your research into the company’s background.
• Address the hiring manager or head of department. 
• Start with a hook by introducing yourself and expressing why you look up to the company. 
• Showcase your skill set by highlighting your top career achievements and significant projects you worked on. 
• Make a direct statement about how your background allows you to uniquely contribute to the company. 
• Express your availability for new opportunities and willingness to learn.
• Politely inquire about potential job openings or career opportunities.
• Thank the reader for their time and consideration. 
• End with a formal sign-off.

Your letter of interest lets employers know how you can uniquely contribute to their organization and help them reach their goals. Sharing an emotional story on how the organization inspires you isn’t always enough to get a response or secure a position—you’ll have to emphasize key skills that would strongly benefit the company.

1. Know the Background Information

The background information includes the following:

• Company culture
• Mission statement
• Social media profiles
• Team members

It also includes being familiar with some of the content the organization has posted. This is important for not just showing you’re genuinely intrigued by what they’re doing. But to match their values. 

2. Use the Background Information in Your Letter

It’s time to put your research to use. 

For example, greet your employer by their name. On top of getting their attention, it indicates your level of interest alongside your research skills. 

Since you’re inquiring about working for an organization that isn’t actively hiring, you need a good reason why you’re making the application. That doesn’t just mean endlessly telling them about yourself and flattering them. It’s about showing how you’d be a committed asset that can help them reach their goals. 

3. Share Where Your Interest Comes From

What was the driving factor that made you reach out? 

This is a good way to get your reader curious from the start of your letter. Yes, you know a thing or two about them… 

But the next part is to focus on what that’s got to do with you. 

For instance, was there a recent post or project you saw that’s relevant to your skillset or career goals? Essentially, you’re using some of the details from the previous step with your reason for wanting to work with them to hook your hiring manager in. 

4. Clarify Your Interest

You’ve already mentioned where your interest comes from. 

Clarifying it means making it clear what you’re after (i.e. seeking a job opportunity) and why you’re after it. Be as specific as you can because it’s likely that they’re receiving all types of requests left and right. 

That said, do keep your letter of interest concise. Respect the company’s time and get straight to the point. 

5. Showcase Your Career Highlights

You’ve shown you know your stuff about the company. 

The next step is to showcase your career highlights to prove you’re someone that’s a good fit. Without any evidence of how you’d be beneficial, it won’t make yourself compelling enough to consider hiring. 

So, sell yourself. Demonstrate how you’d be valuable to their organization by sharing the following:

• Workplace achievements
• Qualifications

6. Link Back to the Company’s Needs

How will your strengths help to meet the needs of the company you’re applying for?

Reflect on what the company is working towards. It’s effective to link your skills back to their mission as well as what they’re looking to achieve. If you emphasize the fact you know what it takes to get results, it can make you stand out as a professional.

7. Make the Next Steps Clear

State how you’d like to proceed. That could mean following up via email or requesting a meeting to discuss further. 

Try to avoid using standard generic phrasing to reiterate your interest. On top of exuding self-confidence, it can impress your employers by the fact you’re not only skilled. But that you’re passionate enough about wanting to be of service. 

Do Letters of Interest Actually Work?

Yes, they work. It’s a good route to take when you’re looking to make a targeted application for a dream company you want to work for. To maximize your chances, you’ll need to show you’re an ideal fit in terms of both professional skills and company culture. 

Should You Use a Cover Letter or Letter of Interest?

If you’re applying for a specific position in the company that isn’t currently available but you’re open to future opportunities, use a letter of interest. But if you’re applying for an open job vacancy, use a cover letter . Even if they’re not requested by your employer, you can still send them along with your resume. 

In other words, only send a letter of interest to a company that isn't marketing an available job vacancy. Compared to a cover letter, this type of application is more long-term.

Tips for Writing a Letter of Interest

Showing no enthusiasm for a potential career opportunity doesn’t leave a good impression on your hiring manager. 

At the same time, you don’t want to sound too desperate. That’s what the tips below are for. 

Align With The Company Culture

There’s better chemistry and engagement when employees are fulfilled. It also helps to cultivate a positive environment, which leads to better work performance.

Part of the criteria of an ideal employee is someone that cares about the company’s success. These are the people who are passionate about achieving the set targets and goals. They’re also the type of people who are more likely to stay.

Use Your Personal Background 

Outside of your professional summary , do you have other relevant life experiences?

Personality traits or hobbies that align with the job and company values position you as someone who matches the role. It helps you stand out because you have something new to bring to the table. 

State Your Intentions & Motivations

Why are you applying for this specific company?

Let your employers know what you’re after. When your resume objectives correspond with the company’s goals, it can spark an interest in wanting to read the rest of your application. Even better if you could support your answer with previous experiences and accomplishments that prove your value. 

Action Verbs and Power Words 

Weak action verbs resume are words that convey action. It’s an easy yet effective way to add spice to your letter. These emphasize your impact and contributions when describing previous duties and responsibilities. 

Likewise, resume buzzwords to avoid make certain points stand out. 

Both types of words can improve your letter by making it twice more engaging when used in the right context. 

Include a Personalized Call to Action

Personalize your call to action at the end of your letter by tying it back to your intentions and the company’s needs. 

Here are a few example sentences:

• “I believe that my proven experience and passion for digital marketing will…”
• “I am confident that my skills, experience, and enthusiasm will be a great asset to…”

Then, clarify the next steps moving forward. 

For instance:

• “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my experience would be…”
• “I am available to discuss this position in more detail at a convenient time”

Use Rezi AI Cover Letter Writer to Speed Up the Process 

Do you need a cover letter? If so, you can use Rezi AI Cover Letter Writer . 

Here’s how it works:

• Enter the name of the company you’re applying to. 
• Add the job title you want to highlight. 
• List key skills that are relevant to the role.
• Press “AI Writer Ready.” 

Then, you’ll have a full cover letter generated based on your background. 

Explore Rezi 🔥 Comes with 5,000 AI Credits, and is free forever, no credit card required.

Or, see below for a live demonstration of how to instantly generate a cover letter or letter of interest.

Let’s recap on the differences between a cover letter and letter of interest:

• Cover letters are used to apply for job openings at a company. They’re tailored to the company’s job description and cultural values. 
• Letters of interest are used to inquire about career opportunities at your dream company. They’re focused on showcasing how your skill set and interests can make you a valuable contributor.  
• A letter of interest isn’t as commonly used as a cover letter. Although they may not immediately lead to an interview, they can help you get your foot in the door and make a connection. 

While there’s a clear distinction between their purposes, both will still highlight your value as a professional. 

Don’t be afraid to send your application details to a company that’s not currently recruiting. There’s no harm in trying to get in front of your dream company. At the very least, you’ll get to introduce yourself with the possibility of getting a positive response. 

Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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Letter Of Interest Vs. Cover Letter: What’s The Difference?

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• Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter
• Cover Letter vs. Resume

Find a Job You Really Want In

So, you’re considering getting a new job. You’re weighing your options and are looking around at the companies you’d like to work for, all while polishing your resume . Now the question is: do I add a cover letter or letter of interest? Or do I need to add any sort of letter at all?

In general, it’s best to err on the side of including a letter. However, that still begs the question of which one. And, for that matter, when do you use each type of letter? The answer will depend on the circumstances of your application.

If you’re applying for a listed opening, then you want to enclose a cover letter. However, if you’re just looking to throw your hat in the ring at a particular company, then you’d send a letter of interest. Letters of interest show that you are interested in a position at that company and hope to be thought of and notified as soon as one becomes available.

Key Takeaways:

What Is a Letter of Interest?

Letters of interest are a lot less common than cover letters. You may have also heard them called an inquiry letter or a letter of introduction . As the various names imply, letters of interest are much more abstract than a cover letter.

The idea behind a letter of interest is that you’re letting the company know that you’re interested in them specifically – not so much in a particular job or getting a new position right now. What you’re looking for is being remembered – positively – so that they’re likely to think of you should a position come open.

Letters of interest are also sometimes used when you have a contact that informs you of a job that will open soon. You can send in a letter of interest as a sort of pre-application before the job opening is actually posted. That’ll put you in the running right away – if they like your letter – and show that you’re interested enough to jump on the opportunity right away.

As you’re aiming to make an impression, you want to make sure that you get a letter of interest right. That also means it should be pithy; letters of interest aren’t usually longer than a page. Make sure you:

Do your research. The point of this letter is to tell the company that you want to work for them in particular. Make it clear that you know some about the company in question, e.g., their goals, their culture, and their achievements.

Learn who the right person to send it to and address it to them. This just further shows that you’re the type of person who does their homework. It’s also important not to send it to someone who won’t even bother to read it, as it isn’t their job. In addition, making letters more personalized makes them more likely to be remembered.

Showcase your qualifications. Don’t be shy in a letter of interest. Think of it as a sales pitch; you’re telling the company why they want you in particular.

Bring up any relevant experience. Experience is a major selling point in job applications, and letters of interest are no exception. Be sure to point out what experience you have that will make you a good addition to their team.

And don’t be afraid to talk about yourself. In a letter of interest, you’re looking to be remembered and showcase yourself rather than point out how well you fit into a particular position.

This means that you need to introduce yourself and point out how your personality meshes well with the company culture , the job opening you’re expecting, or how your skill set is especially impressive.

Thank the recipient for their time. This is especially important with a letter of interest. This won’t be for a job that they’re looking to fill right now, so they’ll be taking time out of their schedule for something that isn’t immediately relevant.

That’s also why it’s important to make a letter of interest punchy – you don’t want them to feel that you wasted their time.

For example:

Dear Mr. Stanley Jones, My name is June Cooper, I’m a recent graduate from Mary Baldwin University with a degree in English, and I’m looking for a position in the marketing department. For the past five years, I have heard a tremendous number of positive things about Bright Electronics. Your innovative way of thinking and attention to detail in the field is precisely the environment that I would love to work in. For the past two years, I’ve been working as an administrative assistant . I’m sure that my ability to keep track of deadlines and my writing skills will make me an ideal candidate for this position and your company. I’d love to be considered for this position and the opportunity to work closely with you. Please let me know if you have any questions or need me to provide any additional information. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best regards, June Cooper LinkedIn [email protected] 555-555-5555

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a letter that is included when you submit an application for a particular job opening. Often it goes with your resume and does the job of fleshing out your soft skills a bit, as well as showing your interest in the company you’re applying to.

Cover letters tend to be short and to the point; they shouldn’t be longer than a page. That means it’s vital to put in what’s important and leave out anything extraneous.

In a cover letter, you should:

Address it as personal as possible. If you know the manager’s name, address it to them directly. If not, then try to find out. This is a way of showing that you research the company you’re applying to.

Not all businesses will list the right person, or it may be unclear. So, if you’re unsure, then address it as best as you can, following business letter etiquette.

List soft skills and experience that didn’t fit well in your resume. Don’t be a braggart, but don’t forget that you’re trying to sell yourself to the company. Not all skills and experience will fit nicely inside a resume due to the format of them, so don’t be afraid to list relevant skills and experience here.

Mention why you think you’ll be a good fit. This generally goes in the last paragraph. Talk about the job or the company and how you think you’d be an asset to them. Hiring managers go through a lot of cover letters and resumes – they’ll take note of those who make an effort to personalize them.

Thank the recipient for their time. It’s important to realize that the person you’re writing to is taking time to read your letter. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration. They’re likely to remember the polite gesture, even if they choose not to hire you. And it’s never good to be remembered as rude or unthoughtful.

Samantha Gordon 4200 Cypress St. Charlottesville, VA 22903 Phone: (847) 445-9607 Email: [email protected] University of Virginia School of Medicine Dear Mr. James Freeman, I am writing about the intermediate administrative assistant position listed on your human resources site. Administration is an area where I believe I will be very effective. I am organized, enjoy challenges, and have a level of autonomy, as well as strong interpersonal skills. Being an aspiring novelist , I am used to long-term projects and have spent considerable time strengthening my written communication and typing speed, as well as being extremely proficient with Microsoft Word and OpenOffice Writer . I am also practiced at altering plans and problem-solving, as I’ve had to come up with the most effective techniques and lessons for each client I’ve had in dog training. I have long wished to work at the University of Virginia, as I have great respect for institutions of learning. I am hoping to make a lasting career with an institution I respect. The field of medicine has always interested me, and I would enjoy learning more about it in my occupation. Working in conjunction with the pediatrics department would also be a fulfilling role to be in, as it would give me a sense of being able to help make a difference in people’s lives. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you. Samantha Gordon

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter FAQ

How do you address a letter of interest to the hiring manager?

It’s best to address a letter of interest directly to the hiring manager by using their full name. As a letter of interest implies a special interest in this company, in particular, using a generic “to whom it may concern” or “dear sir/madam” is likely to make them think that you didn’t do your research.

Most company websites will list who their hiring managers are, but if that fails, you can always try LinkedIn. If you can’t find it that way, then you can always try calling the company. If you’re willing to take the time to do that so that you can properly address your letter of interest, it’ll likely reflect well on you.

What are informational interviews for letters of interest?

Informational interviews are interviews done with current employees to find out more about the company. If it’s specifically for a letter of interest, then it’ll be focused on finding out how to write an excellent letter of interest.

That means you want information about the company and the hiring manager so that you can address it properly and highlight relevant skills and experience that you possess.

How often should I send letters of interest?

Letters of interest should be sent out regularly. Any time you run into a company that you believe you’d like to work for, you can send them a letter of interest. However, be sure to see if they have a relevant position already listed before doing this, as it could reflect poorly on you if they do; it’ll show a lack of attention to detail .

It should also be noted that many online systems don’t have any real way to send letters of interest. Be sure to check the company guidelines to make sure that they don’t ask prospective employees not to send letters of interest. Ignoring their request will not endear you to the hiring manager.

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Di has been a writer for more than half her life. Most of her writing so far has been fiction, and she’s gotten short stories published in online magazines Kzine and Silver Blade, as well as a flash fiction piece in the Bookends review. Di graduated from Mary Baldwin College (now University) with a degree in Psychology and Sociology.

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• Career Advice >
• Business Terms >
• Letter Of Interest Vs Cover Letter

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: What's the Difference?

In This Guide:

What is a cover letter, what is a letter of interest, what’s the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest, how to write a cover letter, how to write a letter of interest.

In your job seeking process, you will encounter various documents you can use to boost up your application.

However, some of them may seem almost identical, which puts the question – how to know which one to use?

A great example of that are the cover letter and the letter of interest.

They are quite similar in their structure and content, but if you use the wrong one, you will most probably mess up.

But how to know which one is the right one?

We’ve got you covered, in this article, we are going to find out the answers to the following questions:

• What's the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?

And we are going to leave you off with an example of a letter of interest, so that you can fully understand its structure and purpose.

So, if you are ready to dive into the topic, let’s get started.

Upload & Check Your Resume

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A cover letter is a one-page document that goes hand-in-hand with your resume.

It is a part of your application documents for a dedicated open position that the company is actively looking for an employee.

If you want to really get it right with this one, you should know how to tell a story with your cover letter .

A letter of interest is a one-page document that is sent out to a company that you desire to work for.

Unlike the cover letter, a letter of interest is not sent out for a specific position, but rather for a company, no matter if they currently have an open position.

In your letter of interest, you describe your interest in the company, as well as your qualifications, and ask your potential employer if they have open positions that would suit your expertise.

When it comes to choosing between a cover letter and a letter of interest, it is essential for you to know what sets them apart.

While exploring what each type of letter is, we encountered their biggest difference. A cover letter is used for applying for specific positions, but a letter of interest presents an interest in the company and explores any possibilities for an unlisted job opening.

But that is not the only difference between the two letters.

The second difference between the two is directly connected to the first one, and it is about the timing for sending the letter out.

As the cover letter is designated for a specific position, it is supposed to be sent out while the position is active.

However, the letter of interest can be sent out at any time, as it is not connected to any job opening, but expresses your interest in a company.

A big difference between the two is the accompanying documents. While a cover letter has to always go hand-in-hand with a resume and any other needed application documents, a letter of interest can be sent out without any other documents.

Furthermore, their content also can differ because of it, because unlike your cover letter, your letter of interest would no longer be used to compliment your resume, and thus, it can be kept more general in its content.

Now that you know the differences between the two letters, it would really help you out to get a better understanding by exploring how each is written.

When it comes to writing a cover letter , there is a clear structure you need to follow to get it right.

It goes like this:

How to write a cover letter

• Introduce yourself – that’s where you provide basic information about yourself, and you present your interest in the position you are applying for
• Explain why you are the right person for the job – that’s a key moment where you need to match the company’s culture and mission, so that they would see you not only as a fit for the position, but a fit for the company
• Use your past accomplishments – you should mention your work-related accomplishments to strengthen up what you have included in your resume, and demonstrate your skills and expertise
• Finish with a call-to-action – that’s a key moment, as you would want to make the recruiter check out your resume, as that’s where you can really shine with all your skills and expertise

If you want to take an extra step and really nail your cover letter, don’t hesitate and check out our Cover Letter Builder .

When it comes to your letter of interest, there is a quick way around it – you can just trim down your cover letter from any position specific information, and add in a little bit about what made you write to the company.

But if you really want to nail it, you can start building it from the ground up.

In order for you to do it right, you need to take some steps, that are really similar to building a cover letter:

How to write a letter of interest

• Introduce yourself – provide basic information about yourself and provide a summary of your background
• Explain why you are writing – provide some information about why you have chosen to write to the company and what makes them appealing to you
• Show that you are a good fit to the company – do your research in the company’s mission and culture, and use everything you find to highlight how you would fit perfectly into their team
• Highlight your experience and skills – don’t forget to outline your expertise, using your work history , skill set, as well as any degrees , certifications , awards , and any other specific achievements
• Ask for an informational interview – that’s the letter of interest’s version of the call to action in the cover letter, as it once again prompts the recruiter to contact you

Example letter of interest

And now, just to get a better understanding of how a letter of interest should be structured, check out our example:

Dear Ms. Doe,

My name is John Doe, and I recently graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering. I came across an article in the Indianapolis Star about the expansion of the IU Health Center and am interested in learning more about the job opportunities that this may provide in the next few months. I’m seeking employment opportunities for biomedical equipment technicians and engineers and I would be interested in pursuing any opportunities available in the new health center upon its opening.

I have completed three internships in biomedical engineering and have a strong background working with medical equipment in hospital settings. I am extremely organized and detail-oriented and enjoy working in fast-paced environments. I’m located just a three-minute drive from the site of the new medical center and could easily be on-call and respond quickly as needed.

I appreciate your time and consideration. I am available for an informational interview at your convenience. I look forward to discussing potential opportunities with the IU Health Center.

Sincerely, John Doe

We are all done, now you know what are the differences between a letter of interest and a cover letter, and how to use them right.

Let’s go through the main differences one more time:

• The purpose – a cover letter is aimed at a specific open position, but a letter of interest targets a company that you like, no matter if they have open positions or not
• The timing – you can send out a cover letter only while the position is still open, but a letter of interest can be sent out at any moment, as it is not connected to a job position
• The accompanying documents – a cover letter is always send out along with a resume and any additional application documents, but when you send out a letter of interest, you don’t need to send out anything else, unless you don’t want to
• The content – your cover letter should always be oriented toward the job position you are applying for, but a letter of interest should be more focused on the company you are applying for, why you are interested in it, and what makes you a good fit

Now that you know all that, check out our example letter of interest once again, and master whichever you need to write for your job hunt.

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Is a letter of interest same as a cover letter?

If you are a job seeker confused between a letter of interest and a cover letter, you are not alone.

While both these letters are formal letters written to a recruiter you want to work for, the purpose of these letters is different.

A letter of interest is written to express your interest in working for a company before the company advertises a job opening.

Whereas, a cover letter is written as an accomplice to support your resume for a specific job vacancy at a company.

So, to address the question directly, a letter of interest is not the same as a cover letter.

Read on to learn more about a letter of interest vs a cover letter and related questions like the following:

• What is a letter of interest for a job?
• What is a cover letter for a resume?
• What is the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?
• What is an example of a letter of interest?

What Is a Letter of Interest?

If you have a dream company that you would love to work for, you don’t have to wait for them to advertise a job vacancy.

Yes, even before they have an opening, you can write to the company expressing your genuine interest in working for them.

This is exactly what a letter of interest is.

A letter of interest, also known as the statement of interest for a job or letter of intent, is an official letter that lets the hiring manager know ‌you are interested in working for the company and explains why you would be a great addition to their team.

It further describes your qualifications, skills, experiences, and which position you see yourself working in at the company.

You can also explain your reasons for wanting to work for the company in your letter of interest.

Also read: How to write a letter of intent for a job?

What Is a Cover Letter for a Resume?

A cover letter is a formal document that you send with your resume when applying for a specific job vacancy.

The purpose of a cover letter is to align your skills and experiences with the ‌job requirements and showcase yourself as the ideal candidate.

Although there are some similarities between a letter of interest and a cover letter, like in both these letters, you need to highlight your skills and experiences, the latter is tailored to a job description.

A cover letter also needs to describe how you will benefit the company and provide a more insightful glimpse into your career trajectory.

Also read: How to write a cover letter for a resume?

What Is a Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter

Now that you have learned the difference between a statement of interest vs cover letter based on their definitions, it’s time to look at some of the key differences between the two.

Given below are some aspects in which a letter of interest vs cover letter differs:

The Purpose

The sole purpose of a letter of interest, as the name suggests, is to express your interest in working for a company in a position that is not yet vacant.

The focus of the letter is to explain why you’re interested in the company and role and why the recruiters should consider your candidacy when and if any vacancy comes up in the near future.

Whereas, a cover letter’s purpose is to support your resume for an advertised position to make the recruiters see how and why you are the perfect fit for the position.

The Content

Since a letter of interest is written with more focus on the company than the role, the content of this letter differs from a cover letter.

This means that you need to write a letter of interest before a job vacancy is posted. Hence, there is no job listing or job description that you can tailor your letter to.

Whereas, while writing a cover letter, the content is tailored to fit the job description provided in the listing, and only a couple of lines are focused on the company.

Given that a letter of interest is written before any vacancy is advertised, when exactly should you be writing and sending it?

Can you randomly write a letter of interest and send it to a company? Not exactly.

Listed below are a few scenarios when you can send a letter of intent:

• You come across a company that matches your work values and skillset
• You hear about a future opening at a company you are interested in working for
• You get an internal referral for a job opening that hasn’t been advertised yet
• You get information about the expansion of a company you’re interested in

Meanwhile, a cover letter is sent along with a resume only when there is a job vacancy that has been advertised and you meet the recruiters’ requirements.

Also read: How should you write an email cover letter in 2022?

Letter of Interest Sample

For your reference, given below is a sample of sample letter of interest for a job:

Dear Ms. Ridder,

My name is James Cameron, and I’m a graduate of New York University with a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communication. I read an article in Forbes magazine about the expansion of Hudson Corporation and am extremely interested in learning more about the possible job openings that might come up following the expansion.

I’m seeking an entry-level position in the marketing department of your company as I believe that I have all the right qualifications and skills to become a contributing member of your workforce.

I have completed two internships in the marketing and sales department at Hartford, where I was able to assist my seniors to increase product sales by 10% and I’m adept at organizing effective online marketing campaigns. I enjoy working in fast-paced environments like the work culture that your company is famous for having.

I’d appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my suitability and qualifications for a job position in your marketing team. I am available for an informational interview at your convenience at 923-9876-0983 or [email protected] .

Sincerely, Becca Swan

Also read: What are some of the best job listing sites in the US?

Key Points from the Blog

• A letter of interest is written to express your interest in working for a company before the company advertises a job opening. Whereas, a cover letter is written as an accomplice to support your resume for a specific job vacancy at a company.
• A letter of interest describes your qualifications, skills, experiences, and which position you see yourself working in at the company.
• A cover letter aligns your skills and experiences with the requirements of the job and showcases you as the ideal candidate.
• A letter of interest and a cover letter differs in terms of their purpose, content, and timing.

Should you require expert assistance in any of your career-related dilemmas, visit Hiaration’s Career Activator Platform which offers 24x7 chat support. You can also reach us at [email protected] .

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Career Advice

• Resume and Cover Letter

How Do Letter of Interest and Cover Letter Differ from Each Other?

To make your job search successful, you must have the right tools to help boost your efforts to land your target job. Hence, apart from your usual resume, CV, or any other primary document, adding another document that would strengthen your application would be your best bet.

That said; how do you know which kind of job search tool is best for you? Learn how you can choose between writing a letter of interest vs cover letter and browse examples below to guide you.

Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter

Right off the bat: The main difference between these two job search tools is their purpose. Putting it simply, a letter of interest serves as an open job application. Meaning, you’re interested in working and applying for a specific position in the business that matches your background even if the role isn’t announced or posted in public.

On the other hand, a cover letter is often sent along with a CV or resume with the aim to support your application. This letter is for a job opening that they’re hiring for.

Feel free to download the image above for more accessible information.

Which One Should You Use?

As a keen job seeker, it’s important that you ensure you’re choosing the right formats for the job search tools you’ll craft and send based on your needs.

Choosing between writing a letter of interest vs cover letter should be simple as long as your goals are clear and aligned with your current career level.

Nevertheless, it’s best for you to write a letter of interest when:

• You discovered an intriguing business that may be a good fit for your long-term career goals.
• You’ve heard that your target company had a recent business expansion and you feel you’ll be a good member of their team.
• You’ve been closely watching a unique firm that you think is a good fit for your skill set, background, and values.
• A contact from your network informs you of roles for which they’re hiring, but which they haven’t posted for the public yet.
• You’re keen in introducing yourself to a company with a promising background and culture with the hopes of being one of the first to hear about future openings there.

Meanwhile, craft a strong cover letter when:

• You’re responding to a public job posting.
• You’re vying for an internal job opportunity .
• You aim to add a supporting tool to your resume.

With all these, look at it this way: Your letter of interest highlights your aims and reasons why you want to work for the business, while your cover letter details why you’re the best fit for the role you’re vying for.

How to Write a Letter of Interest

Apply these foolproof tips and tricks in writing this type of letter.

1. Write a strong intro.

Start strong by opening your letter with a brief yet catchy intro. In 1 to 2 sentences, you may state your name and outline your background or your main expertise. Another way is to state your interest to apply for or explore job roles within the business.

2. Explain the aim of your letter.

It’s just right that you detail why you’re writing to the company. Further, you may choose to use this chance to pinpoint the factors that make the business appealing to you.

3. Describe how you’re fit for the company.

Once you’ve researched about the culture, values, and scope of the business, it’s time for you to describe how your background, traits, and skills will help add to the success of the firm.

4. Highlight your background.

Allot a paragraph or two for your key work history and core feats. This is where you further show how your background validates your expertise.

5. End with a direct statement in your closing.

Conclude by thanking the reader for their time and effort in checking your letter. Also, state that you’re open for an initial interview so that you can introduce yourself more. Besides, this type of interview will help the recipient to get to know more about your background, whether a job post is open or not.

Letter of Interest Sample

Now, how should you apply these tips and how should it look like? Here’s a sample that you can refer to:

How to Write a Cover Letter

If you think a cover letter suits your case better, follow these steps as you write your own:

1. Introduce yourself.

Similar to how you must write an intro for your letter of interest, make sure your cover letter has the basic details of who you are and the role you’re applying for.

2. Explain why you’re the best fit for the job.

Make smart use of your time in researching about the business, what they stand for, and what they do. With this, relate your feats to what the business needs and prove what you can bring to the table.

3. List your top achievements.

To further highlight your work history and how you performed as an employee, pick your most fitting achievements and mention them on your cover letter. This will help the hiring manager or recruiter to assess how well your match the job requirements.

4. Compel the recipient to read your resume.

Lastly, include a call-to-action (CTA) statement to encourage your reader to review the resume you attached along with your letter. This is in the hopes of landing the interview and increasing your chances of getting hired.

For further reading, check out this in-depth guide on cover letter writing .

Cover Letter Sample

With the tips you should heed, use this as your guide as you write your cover letter.

Let Experts Take Care of Your Job Search Tools

While you’re busy focusing on all the core stages of your job search and career journey, it might get tedious and challenging to write and choose an effective option between letter of interest vs cover letter.

The good news is: You should never deal with these woes alone. Entrust your job search tool needs to career experts! Resume Professional Writers offers a wide range of career services including job search tools such as cover letter and letter of interest among others. Get ready to be noticed by potential employers through your eye-catching and impactful application! For more queries and tips, you may contact us or browse our career blog .

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The Difference Between a Cover Letter and a Letter of Interest

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How to Add a Person Who Recommended You for a Job in the Cover Letter of a Resume

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Cover letters and letters of interest are tools that job-seekers use as a way to introduce themselves to potential employers. Typically, a cover letter accompanies a resume, and is often used when applying for a posted job opening; a letter of interest takes a slightly different slant, and serves as a means for expressing an interest in working for a company, regardless of whether or not an open position is being advertised.

Elements of a Cover Letter

A strong, well-written cover letter grabs the reader's attention and makes a person stand out as a job applicant. It should be powerful, express genuine interest, and demonstrate a knowledge of the company and the position. Example:

I was thrilled to learn that a position has opened up in your creative writing division. Having heard CEO Marsha Brandt speak at the 2017 Annual Writer's Conference, I have been keeping a close eye on potential job opportunities with your company. The work you produce with regard to inspirational gift books and CDs is stellar, and I would appreciate the opportunity to utilize my creative writing skills as a member of your staff.

Additionally, a cover letter should provide an overview of your qualifications and experience, and include a mention of least one of your more notable accomplishments.

As you will see from my attached resume, I have been a freelance greeting card writer for five years. I have been recognized for my writing work with three different industry awards. In addition to the creative work I do in the card industry, I also teach a creative writing course at a local community arts center.

Your cover letter should end with a request for an interview and a reiteration of your interest.

I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet in person and learn more about what you're looking for in this position. I would be happy to bring my writing portfolio, which, I believe, will demonstrate how I could blend into your organization.

Elements of a Letter of Interest

A letter of interest can be a way to introduce yourself and express an interest in the possibility of future employment with a company. This can be helpful if you are starting a job search; if the company is new to the market; or, if you've relocated to the area and you don't feel in touch with the job market. Although a letter of interest should include a lot of the same information as a traditional cover letter, the opening is slightly different. When outlining your areas of interest, qualifications and credentials, your opening will be slightly different. Example:

Having just relocated to the area with my wife, I started my job search and am interested in a role in finance/accounting. I have my MBA from Anytown University, plus five years of experience working as the accounts payable manager for a Fortune 500 company.

As a long-time fan of XYZ Co., I wanted to introduce myself and to let you know if you ever need a warehouse supervisor or shift manager, I would appreciate being considered for the job. I have significant experience, a proven track record, and am available to work any shift necessary.

Recently, I read that you will be expending operations into the southern region of the city, and I would like learn more about your staffing needs at the new center. I have 10 years experience in cyber-security data management, and given the nature of the industry, feel my skills and experience could be of value.

The ending to a letter of interest can include a request for a meeting or phone call or a request to be notified if an appropriate opening becomes available.

Letter Enclosures

When sending a cover letter in reference to an open job, you'll always want to include a copy of your resume. It doesn't hurt to include a resume with your letter of interest either, and in fact, you may do well to include letters of reference, copies of certification or other documentation that demonstrates your capabilities and qualifications. In both instances, if you are making contact based on the recommendation of someone else, like a tip or lead from a colleague or friend, make sure you note that in your letter as well. My former boss Bill Ross told me you might be in the market for a new sales accounting manager.

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Lisa McQuerrey has been an award-winning writer and author for more than 25 years. She specializes in business, finance, workplace/career and education. Publications she’s written for include Southwest Exchange and InBusiness Las Vegas.

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Letter of Interest Writing Guide in 2024 [+Sample Included]

Most job seekers at least have a sense of their ‘dream position’. That, or a perfect company they would like to work for.

But monitoring career pages or LinkedIn in hopes that a posting for the right job will magically appear one day can mean a loooong wait.

So what to do? How do you take charge and angle yourself for getting hired into your ideal role with the ideal organization? Enter the letter of interest.

This brief guide gives you the run-down on this oft-overlooked piece of the job application puzzle. We’ll cover:

• What a letter of interest is and isn’t 
• What to include in your letter of interest
• Keys to a successful letter of interest
• Letter of interest example

With the advice below, you will come to realize that job searching isn’t only about reacting to job openings: forging your own opportunities is also an effective strategy.

Call it what you want: a letter of interest, expression of interest, prospecting letter, statement of interest…They’re all the talking about the same document. We’ve chosen the ‘letter of interest’ label in this article.

A letter of interest is a letter that expresses your interest in learning more about a particular organization’s employment opportunities and/or working for that organization.

It is NOT a cover letter ! The difference is that a cover letter is sent along with your resume or CV in response to a specific advertised position. Meanwhile, a letter of interest is not tailored to a specific job posting. It is sent unsolicited to employers to make it known that you are interested in learning about future opportunities.

As a job seeker, you’ll often run into the situation of an organization not having any current job openings listed on its website. But their career pages often include a message encouraging you to submit your resume or CV for future consideration. This is precisely when you want to use a letter of interest.

Of course, there are plenty of other scenarios when you should make use of a letter of interest. In fact, the point of this article is to help you realize that whenever you find an organization that you really want to work for, you should find a way to get on that organization’s radar using a letter of interest.

What Content to Include in a Letter of Interest?

Unlike a cover letter, when writing a letter of interest you don’t have an exact job description along with its list of requirements and qualifications to guide you.

However, the reason you are writing to the employer in the first place is because you think you are a good fit for their team. So, you need to show them why. 

In terms of the basic structure of letter of interest, a three-paragraph format is your best bet. Here’s how that looks:

1) Introduction

Introduce yourself, where/how you heard about the organization, and why you are contacting them (I.e. to inquire about job opportunities).

This is where you prove that you have skills and experience that are valuable to the employer. At the same time, you want to be clear about what types of work you are pursuing. You don’t just want any job with the organization, but rather a position that suits your background and interests.

3) Closing Statement 

Here’s where to include a call to action. You want to make it crystal clear that you are interested in speaking more about the organization and work opportunities. Keep in mind that the employer may not have any openings at the moment, so what you are asking for is essentially an informational interview.

Writing an Effective Letter of Interest

Besides a solid structure, there are several elements that make for an effective letter of interest. In other words, if you want your letter to get read and to actually make someone at your target organization excited to get to know you, be sure to follow the principles below.

Personalize it

Please, please do not send a letter of interest with a salutation like “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Human Resources Manager”. Put in the extra effort and find an actual person to whom you can address your letter, specifically someone who is in a position to actually help you get what you want. 

Your letter can be sent to someone in human resources who is responsible for recruiting, or a manager in the department that you see yourself working in. Either way, it’s much easier to persuade someone to give you the time of day by establishing a personal connection.

Find a Hook

You need to find a way to grab the attention of your recipient. Keep in mind that the person on the other end probably isn’t expecting to hear from you. And that same person is under no obligation to help you get what you want.

Your job is to convince your recipient that you are worth his/her time. And a great way to do that is to show off how much you know about the organization and the value you can contribute.

This is where in-depth research of your target organization comes in handy. Try to find a project, event, person, etc., that can connect you with the organization in some way. For example, you may have heard a news interview with CEO who mentioned plans to expand operations. Well this is a great entry point for you to articulate how your skills and experience might support those plans.  

Be Specific

Again, the letter of interest is about persuasion ( just like a cover letter ). So the more specific you can be about what you have to offer, the better your chances that a recruiter will be able to picture you working for his/her organization. 

Once you’ve done your research and identified the main attributes that your target organization want in their employees, focus on two or three of these and relate them to your work history or skill set. 

Qualify your statements as much as possible by pointing to specific examples of your achievements . For example, if you are interested in working for a sales team, highlight an example of how you’ve achieved exceptional sales results in the past. Use metrics to illustrate your point.  

Keep it Concise

You may feel the urge to share as much as possible about yourself in your letter of interest so the employer sees you as the total package. Here’s the problem with this strategy: 1) your reader isn’t expecting your email and may be deterred by large amounts of text 2) you risk losing focus on the most important attributes that the employer values 3) you are attaching a resume or CV along with your letter, which already offers a more complete story.

Like we said before, keep your letter of interest to a tight three paragraphs, and really home in on two or three points that convey the most relevant contributions you can make.

One final thought: Remember that there is a good chance that your letter doesn’t receive an immediate reply. So be ready to follow-up with a phone call to the employer, especially if you say you will in the contents of your letter. Now go find your ideal job or company, and then put your new letter of interest writing skills to the test.

Suggested reading:

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• 150+ Must-Have Skills for Any Resume [With Tips + Tricks]

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a Cover Letter vs Letter of Interest: Difference and Comparison

Sharing is caring!

For a job applicant, a well-formatted cover letter can be very helpful in grabbing the attention of the readers. Similarly, a letter of interest can also help you show interest in a company about employment.

Both are business letters written for job purposes and have similarities. However, there are some differences that you have to keep in mind while writing them.

Key Takeaways A cover letter accompanies a job application tailored to a specific position, while a letter of interest expresses interest in a company without a specific job posting. Cover letters focus on qualifications and skills relevant to a job, while letters of interest highlight the applicant’s general interest and passion for a company. Both documents serve as an introduction to potential employers and can enhance the chances of securing a job interview.

Cover Letter vs Letter of Interest

The difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest is that a cover letter is used for a job application. On the other hand, a letter of interest is used to express interest in joining a company or institution. A cover letter is written for a specific job, while a letter of interest showcases an applicant’s interest without mentioning any specific job.

A cover letter is a kind of formal letter that addresses a specific job. A cover letter contains the resume of the applicant and the experience of the job seeker in that particular field.

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The job seeker must highlight the skills and must have to explain the position for which he is applying. In a cover letter, you have to put your professional details.

When a company is not actively looking for employees, you need to show interest by writing a letter of interest to the company.

The letter of interest is particularly focused on the deep interest in the company. It is a kind of document to showcase the interest in working in a company without focusing on any specific job vacancy.

Comparison Table

What is Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a document that you submit with your job application alongside your resume or CV. It is a one or half-page document written by the job applicant.

It acts as a personal introduction and helps the candidate to explain his experiences and skills.

The main purpose of a cover letter is to highlight all the skills and experiences that the candidate has. If you are writing a cover letter, then you should write it in a well-maintained format.

There are two main things in a cover letter, why you are the perfect candidate for this vacancy and why you are passionate about the job.

Candidates should always use fonts like times new Roman, Aerial, and Calibri body for their cover letter, and it should not be more than one page.

It states which position you are applying for. You can write a cover letter only when the company advertises for an open position or job vacancy.

A cover letter contains additional information such as professional experience, general skills, education, work experience, etc. The content of a cover letter should be specific to the post of vacancy.

It is also called an application letter, and job applicants can only use it. It must be well written as it is meant to highlight one’s qualifications for a job.

What is a Letter of Interest?

A letter of interest is a formal letter that is sent along with the resume or CV to enquire about a job opening or to show interest in a particular company about employment.

A candidate can write a letter of interest to a company without any specified job. A letter of interest can help you search for a new job.

A letter of interest contains a lot of the same information, such as a cover letter, but the opening of a letter of interest is different. In this letter, you must outline your interests, qualifications, and skills.

A letter of interest is written to convey a candidate’s desire to work for a company that has not posted any job vacancy.

A letter of interest is specifically written without a specific job in mind. It will help you to showcase your interest in a company. This letter highlights your interest in the hiring manager.

A letter of interest should be addressed directly to a company’s hiring manager or hiring authority.

It is not necessary to send a CV or resume with your letter of interest. A letter of interest can be sent by anyone, such as a contractor, an employee, a job seeker, or a vendor.

A letter of interest, also known as an inquiry or prospecting letter, is written without focusing on any specific job vacancy.

Main Differences Between Cover Letter and Letter of Interest

• A cover letter is submitted with a resume for a job application. On the other hand, a letter of interest is written to the company to show the interest of the applicant in that company about employment.
• A cover letter is written focusing on a specific job vacancy. On the other hand, a letter of interest is written without focusing on a particular job vacancy. It shows the overall interest of a candidate to work with the company.
• A cover letter is only used by job applicants. On the other hand, any contractor, vendor, or lender can also write a letter of interest to a company.
• The purpose of a cover letter is to highlight job-oriented skills and grab the hiring authority’s attention for a specific post. On the other hand, a letter of interest states the interest of a sender to work for a company.
• A cover letter is also known as an application letter. On the other hand, a letter of interest is also known as an inquiry letter or prospecting letter.
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/bf01014492
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1140/epjc/s10052-019-7259-5

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How To Write a Letter of Interest

Difference Between a Letter of Interest and a Cover Letter

Contact the hiring manager or team leader, leverage your industry connections.

Also known as a statement of intent, a letter of interest is used by job seekers to connect with companies who haven’t yet listed a job opening on their team. This can be a great networking tool to start a conversation, especially if the organization strongly aligns with your long-term career goals. To make a positive first impression on prospective employers, you need to put your best foot forward by showcasing your industry expertise and conveying genuine interest in the company. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a compelling letter of interest and accelerate your job hunt.

The primary difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest is that with a statement of intent, you aren’t applying to a position that is currently open. With a cover letter, you’re formally applying for an opening that the company has advertised on their website or a job board.

Although you won’t have a standard job description to help you align your document with a single position, there are various ways to tailor your letter of interest to specific organizations. The first step in creating a strong statement of intent is to carefully research the company’s reputation, mission statement, and culture. You can then use this information to draw attention to how your experience aligns with the organization’s goals.

With a letter of interest, you need to ensure that your statement reaches the right person. Addressing the hiring manager or team member is very important here, so you’ll conduct research on the company website or LinkedIn to identify the appropriate team member to contact. Be sure to include the hiring manager’s name in your letter, as the primary purpose of a letter of interest is to develop a new contact and get the conversation started.

Before contacting the hiring manager, check if you have any industry connections employed by the company currently or in the past. If you have a first connection on LinkedIn you’re well acquainted with, you may be able to leverage this contact to set up an introduction with the team leader or department head. Having someone vouch for your professionalism can be extremely helpful when networking with a new company, which is why it’s important to continue building up your industry contacts.

Although a letter of interest has similarities to a cover letter, you should approach it differently in order to maximize its impact. The hiring manager is already anticipating receiving a cover letter, while a statement of intent is unexpected. Begin by introducing yourself and explaining why you’re reaching out. It’s important to share why you have interest in the company and how you feel that your expertise may be a benefit to their organization. Below, you’ll find three examples to help craft your letter of interest and connect with prospective employers:

Sample Letter of Interest 1

In this sample, the job seeker is contacting a software development company that is highly regarded within the industry. They draw a parallel between the company’s focus on holistic designs within UX and their career by showing specific examples that speak to this expertise. This is a great way to start a conversation with the hiring manager in hopes of building a potential long-term relationship with the company:

Hello Ms. Cynthia Roberts, 

Your company’s innovative reputation within the application development industry has recently come to my attention through an article on LinkedIn regarding your suite of finance management apps. I wanted to contact you regarding a potential UX design opportunity with your organization. 

As an expert in UX design, I have a strong background in creating holistic designs to create continuity across all aspects of the user experience. During my time at Altair Software, I drove efforts to refine navigation and connectivity for a complex E-commerce application, which greatly improved satisfaction across our user base. I believe that my creative approach to UX design aligns with your company’s goals. 

I hope to speak further regarding a potential collaboration or partnership in the future. Feel free to contact me via phone or email for any questions you may have on my background. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Selena Ramirez

Sample Letter of Interest 2

In the next example, the candidate is a brand marketing specialist with years of experience with the craft beer industry. They’re contacting an emerging brewing company to explore a potential opportunity to join their marketing team. The job seeker showcases past successes in overhauling product marketing strategy and brand messaging to grow exposure amongst target segments, which could be extremely valuable for a startup:

Dear Mr. Tyrone Jackson, 

San Jose Brewing Co. recently came to my attention when I attended the California Craft Beer Festival in February. Not only was I impressed with the quality of your product, but I also saw immense potential in your brand aesthetic. I wanted to contact you regarding a potential opening on your marketing team. 

With over seven years of experience as a brand marketing specialist within the craft beer space, I’ve had the opportunity to define high impact brand marketing strategies for a variety of product lines. My efforts to enhance social media presence and product merchandising for NorCal Brewing helped to grow sales by 300% over the span of two years. I believe that I can provide valuable contributions to aid the growth of your customer base using a mix of paid search and social media marketing campaigns. 

I hope to speak with you soon regarding a future partnership or collaboration. Feel free to contact me via phone or email at your earliest convenience. I appreciate your time and consideration. 

Sample Letter of Interest 3

The following letter of interest pertains to a candidate seeking a position with a company that is developing new machine learning technology for autonomous vehicles. This is an emerging industry, and the job seeker leverages their background in data science to provide insights into how they can be a strong asset to the organization. In particular, they draw attention to one of their publications in IROS, a highly-regarded conference within the robotics industry.

Dear Mr. Akira Tanaka, 

I recently became aware of Astora Technology in a thought leadership article I read on your utilization of cutting-edge deep learning to refine motion controls for autonomous vehicles. I wanted to contact you regarding any potential research openings you may have in your data science department. 

As a subject matter expert in machine learning, I’ve had the opportunity to support high level R&D initiatives for ArkTech Robotics. In addition, my thesis on utilizing a hybrid approach of deep learning and reinforcement learning for lane centering was published by IROS in 2020. I am confident that my expertise in data science and autonomous vehicle technology could be a valuable asset to your R&D division. 

I hope to continue speaking with you regarding a potential job opportunity or partnership in the future. Please feel free to contact me via phone or email for any additional questions you may have about my background. Thank you for your time and consideration. 

Aliya Jackson

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Statement of Interest Vs Cover Letter

March 21, 2017

Introduction

Comparison between Statement of Interest VS Cover letter clarifies which one you can chose between statement of interest or cover letter while applying for a vacancy. A cover letter and a letter of interest are both things you send to an enlisting manager where you are interested in applying for a job and working as an employee.

Both of these articles express an interest in a career opportunity. Be that as it may, various contrasts in their goals and substance separate the cover letter from the letter of interest.

Below is the list of some of the major differences between Statement of interest VS Cover letter:

Statement of interest VS Cover letter, Side by Side Comparison

To further clarify the concepts here are cover letter template and statement of interest template:

Cover letter sample.

Dear [name],

I found your profile on [The source/ media site] and judged that you are a recruitment officer in [sector].

As a [role title/function] interested in new positions in the [insert city] area, I would be eager to discover more about the positions you put and whether your organization may have the capacity to help me in my search for the right job.

I have [number] years of experience in my related field and most recently I have [most recent professional experience]. My key skills are [various key points or strengths] and my career pinnacles  include:

• [achievement#1 – Example: “Saved ABC company US$170,000 by executing an outstanding  exercise  GH system in a 6-month time period”]
• [achievement#2]
• [achievement#3]

[In this paragraph, present your novel offering suggestion.]

I am eager  to discussing my capabilities  to contribute to your organization’s needs. Kindly don’t hesitate to reach me on [cell number].

Kind regards,

Your Signature

Letter of Interest Sample – Statement of Purpose Example

Phone Number

Company Address:

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name],

I saw an Ad about [Company name]’s [Program name]  program in XYZ Magazine/Newspaper  and I would like to get to know about the possibility of job openings.

I am interested in a job opportunity in [your required career] and am planning to move to XYZ city in some time. I would be keen on knowing more about the organization and about accessible open doors.

I have a Bachelor of Engineering  degree in[Your Major], as well as [Field] experience as a[Relevant Experience]. Plus, I completed [number] internships relating to [Your major].

My resume/CV, which is attached here in, contains all the information regarding my experience and capabilities. I would be exhilarated to have an opportunity to discuss in person, if Possible, the training program with you and to provide further information on me being the best candidate. Please don’t hesitate to call me anytime, [Your cellphone number].

Thank you for your time. I look forward to speaking with you in person about this amazing opportunity.

Your Typed Name

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Cover letter v/s statement of research interests

I saw a postdoctoral position advertisement in engineering field, which has asked applicants to submit a cover letter and a statement of research interest . If these two are not explicitly asked, then I usually prepare single document mostly containing my research interest along with a CV.

I would like to know what should be the content of the two different documents, means what should go where?

• application-cover-letter

• 1 For me, the cover letter is about who you are (and why do you fit to the position). The research statement is what you want to do (and have done before). –  Oleg Lobachev Commented Sep 1, 2018 at 20:57

Statement of research interest seems to deal specifically with you potential future research. Though, you can obviously base your future project describing your proved past record. The cover letter seems to be a general info, something that you are XYZ who completer PhD in ABC university, has the following background and you are interested in this position. In the cover letter I would briefly mention your research interests and refer for more details to the statement of research interest.

I think that there is nothing special about this two-letters format, but it is just some bureaucratic requirement of the university. May be worth asking them how long should be research statement - because you can potentially write one page or 15 pages like a full grant.

• one page of statement of research –  pkj Commented Sep 1, 2018 at 17:54

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FactChecking the First Harris/Walz Rally

By Lori Robertson , Robert Farley and Eugene Kiely

Posted on August 7, 2024 | Corrected on August 8, 2024

Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino .

Vice President Kamala Harris, now the Democratic nominee for president, introduced her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for the first time at a rally in Philadelphia on Aug. 6. We found some misleading claims and assertions that required context in their remarks, which featured more hopeful pronouncements than pointed attacks on the Republican ticket.

• Walz made the unsupported claim that Trump will “gut Social Security and Medicare.” Trump has not released any detailed proposals to cut either program. In fact, he has promised to protect both.
• Walz said that “violent crime was up under Donald Trump.” Murders and aggravated assaults were up due to a spike in 2020. But the overall violent crime rate went down from 2016 to 2020.
• Walz claimed Trump “said he’d ban abortion across this country.” Trump once supported legislation that included a federal 20-week ban on abortions, with some exceptions. But Trump now says it is entirely a state issue, and that he does not support a national abortion ban and would veto such a bill.
• Harris claimed Trump wants to “punish women” who get an abortion. Trump once said that in a 2016 interview, but he then quickly retracted the statement, saying that the physician performing the procedure in violation of a state or federal ban should be held legally responsible. He recently said states would decide whom to hold responsible.
• Harris and Walz both claimed that Trump would end the Affordable Care Act, with Harris saying this would “take us back to a time when insurance companies have the power to deny people with preexisting conditions.” We’ll provide some context. Trump, who has supported ending the law or weakening its preexisting condition protections, has said he wants to make the law “better” and cheaper. He hasn’t released a plan to do so.

Harris, who officially declared her candidacy on July 26, picked Walz less than two weeks later. At the Philadelphia rally, Harris said the delegates to the Democratic National Convention had finished a virtual vote for the party’s presidential candidate the night before. “And so I stand before you today to proudly announce I am now officially the Democratic nominee for president of the United States.”

Social Security and Medicare

Walz made a litany of assumptions about what Trump will do if he returns to office, saying the former president is “going to pick up exactly where he left off four years ago, only this time it will be much worse.” In doing so, Walz made the unsupported claim that Trump will “gut Social Security and Medicare.”

As we’ve  written before , Trump did not propose any cuts to Social Security’s retirement benefits as president, although his budgets did contain proposals to cut the Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs. His budgets also included bipartisan proposals to reduce the growth of Medicare without cutting benefits.

As a candidate, Trump has not released any detailed proposals to cut either program, although he suggested a tax change that could result in less benefits in the next decade.

Trump has promised, if elected, to protect both programs. In January 2023, when House Republicans were discussing ways to cut government spending, Trump  warned  Republicans in a video not to cut Social Security and Medicare.

“Under no circumstances should Republicans vote to cut a single penny from Medicare or Social Security to help pay for Joe Biden’s reckless spending spree,” Trump  said , adding that Republicans should not cut “benefits our seniors worked for and paid for their entire lives.”

In early July, the Republican Party released its platform, which  says  that the party will “FIGHT FOR AND PROTECT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE WITH NO CUTS, INCLUDING NO CHANGES TO THE RETIREMENT AGE.”

Since then, Trump has gone even further by suggesting he will seek to repeal the income tax on Social Security benefits. “SENIORS SHOULD NOT PAY TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY,” Trump said in a  July 31 post  on Truth Social.

Trump provided no details for such a proposal, which the Committee for a Responsible Budget  estimated  would cost the government $1.6 trillion to $1.8 trillion in revenues over 10 years. The CRFB also noted that repealing the tax on Social Security benefits could result in both programs becoming insolvent sooner than scheduled, meaning future Social Security and Medicare benefits would be reduced unless Trump provides a plan to replace the lost revenues or a future Congress and president act to replace the lost funds.

Earlier this year, Democrats  accused  Trump of plotting to cut Social Security and Medicare based on a statement that he made during a March 11 interview with CNBC. When asked how he would handle the rising cost of Social Security and Medicare, Trump  said : “So first of all, there is a lot you can do in terms of entitlements in terms of cutting and in terms of also the theft and the bad management of entitlements, tremendous bad management of entitlements.” His campaign  said  Trump was talking about cutting waste and fraud — not benefits.

Walz claimed: “And make no mistake, violent crime was up under Donald Trump.” Murders and aggravated assaults were up, though it should be noted the increase all came in 2020.

The murder rate increased from 5.4 per 100,000 population in 2016, the year before Trump took office, to 6.8 in 2020, according to the FBI’s 2022 Crime in the United States report, the most recent report available. (See Table 1 after downloading the CIUS Estimations file.) The aggravated assault rate went from 250.4 to 277.2. Other categories of crime, including rape, robbery and property crime rates, went down.

The big increase in murders came in 2020, when the number of murders in the country rose 32.2%.

The overall violent crime rate, however, went down, from 389.9 in 2016 to 385.2 in 2020.

Experts have told us before that several factors were likely behind the increase in murders in 2020 and 2021, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a loss of jobs and disproportionately affected vulnerable populations.

Experts also said that presidents, regardless of party, have little to do with notable changes in violent crime and murder during their time in office.

Criminologist Richard Rosenfeld , who wrote about crime trends for the nonpartisan Council on Criminal Justice at the end of his long career in this field, told us in 2021 that presidents “can facilitate a response,” citing an initiative by President Joe Biden at the time to work with cities to reduce gun violence. “But no president, in my memory, has ever single-handedly been responsible for a sharp crime increase or for that matter a sharp crime decline. Crime is driven by other factors and the president has little control over those factors.”

National Abortion Ban

Walz  said  Trump “said he’d ban abortion across this country,” though Trump now says he does not support a national abortion ban and would veto such a bill if Congress passed it. Rather, Trump says the issue ought to be left entirely up to individual states to decide.

It is true, however, that when Trump was a candidate in 2016 and again when he was president, he said he would support a federal ban on abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In his speech in Philadelphia, Walz said, “And when somebody tells you who they are, believe them. He said he’d ban abortion across this country, and he’ll do it whether or not Congress is there or not.”

In  a letter  sent to anti-abortion leaders while he was running for president in September 2016, Trump promised that he would “[sign] into law the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would end painful late-term abortions nationwide.” That legislation  sought  to ban abortions nationwide beyond 20 weeks, with some exceptions for victims of rape or incest and if the mother’s life is in danger.

In that letter, Trump also vowed to nominate only “pro-life justices” to the U.S. Supreme Court. Trump kept that promise. His three appointments to the Supreme Court paved the way for  overturning  Roe v. Wade, the court’s 1973 decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion. Since the court overruled Roe in June 2022, the jurisdiction on abortion rights has returned to the states. Earlier this year, Trump  said  he was “proudly the person responsible” for ending Roe v. Wade.

As president, while  speaking  to March for Life participants in January 2018, Trump said he “strongly supported the House of Representative’s Pain-Capable bill, which would end painful, late-term abortions nationwide. And I call upon the Senate to pass this important law and send it to my desk for signing.” Although the bill had  passed  the House in late 2017, it  never passed  the Senate.

Trump has since changed course.

On April 8, Trump  released  a four-minute  video  on Truth Social outlining his position on abortion, saying that he would leave the issue to the states. Two days later, he definitively  said  “no” when asked whether he would sign a national abortion ban if Congress passed one. 

“The states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both, and whatever they decide must be the law of the land,” Trump said in the video. “In this case, the law of the state. Many states will be different. Many will have a different number of weeks or some will have more conservative than others, and that’s what they will be.”

The 2024  Republican platform  affirmed that state, rather than federal, approach on abortion stating, “Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life.” However, the platform adds a reference to laws that would grant fetuses the same rights as people, saying, “We believe that the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States guarantees that no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and that the States are, therefore, free to pass Laws protecting those Rights.”

While the language about leaving the abortion issue to states  upset  some anti-abortion activists who advocated a national ban, the news site  the 19th  wrote that if states passed the so-called fetal “personhood” laws, it “would have the practical effect of prohibiting abortion at all stages of pregnancy. Its impact could become national if courts affirm state-level laws that extend the application of the 14th Amendment to fetuses.”

‘Punishing’ Women

“Donald Trump said he wants to punish women,”  Harris said , “and as a result of his actions, today in America 1 out of 3 women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban, 1 out of 3. Some of these bans go back to the 1800s even before women had a right to vote.”

As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump once said — and then  quickly walked back  — that women needed to face “some form of punishment” for violating abortion bans. After facing  criticism  from groups both for and against abortion rights, Trump retracted the statement the same day, saying that the physician performing the procedure in violation of a federal or state ban should be held legally responsible — not the woman.

“The woman is a victim in this case as is the life in her womb,” Trump  said  in a March 30, 2016, statement.

More recently, in  an interview  with Time in April, Trump was asked, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, if states should monitor women’s pregnancies and/or prosecute women who get an abortion in violation of state law. Trump said “they might,” but that’s for each state to decide.

As  we have written , President Joe Biden and some other Democrats twisted Trump’s words by claiming that Trump said “states should monitor women’s pregnancies and prosecute those who violate abortion bans.” (Emphasis is ours.) In the  Time interview , Trump said his opinion about what ought to happen is “totally irrelevant, because the states are going to make those decisions.” As we’ve noted before, it’s also true that in his Time interview, Trump didn’t advocate that women should  not  be prosecuted – which was his position in the first campaign.

While no states currently have laws that explicitly call for prosecuting women who get abortions in violation of state abortion bans, some state elected officials  are advocating  that. And some abortion rights advocates worry that since some state laws do not contain specific prohibitions against prosecuting women who get abortions, aggressive prosecutors might attempt to do that. Others are concerned that states with fetal “personhood”  laws  might have left the door open for prosecutors to seek criminal punishment of women, particularly those who self-manage abortions through medication.

As for Harris’ claim that due to Trump’s actions “1 out of 3 women live in a state with a Trump abortion ban,” the health policy research group KFF  reports that, as of July 29 and with some exceptions, 14 states have banned abortions at any stage; another six states have set a gestational limit of between six to 12 weeks; and five states have set a gestational limit between 15 weeks and 22 weeks.

PolitiFact did the math on women of reproductive age in states that have some sort of abortion ban and concluded Harris’ estimate was accurate.

Affordable Care Act

Harris and Walz both claimed that Trump would end the Affordable Care Act. He wasn’t able to do so when he was in office — even when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress. But Trump has indicated that he may try again.

He posted  on social media in November that Republicans “should never give up” on terminating the law. In late March, Trump  said  he wanted to make the ACA “better” and cheaper. But he hasn’t released a health care plan.

“If Donald Trump gets the chance, he will end the Affordable Care Act and take us back to a time when insurance companies have the power to deny people with preexisting conditions,” Harris said.

Ending the ACA would reduce the protections for people with preexisting conditions considerably. We can’t say how Trump might change or replace the ACA. He has expressed support for protecting those with preexisting conditions, but his record shows he hasn’t supported keeping all of the law’s provisions.

The ACA prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging people more based on their health status, provisions that most notably have affected those seeking to buy their own coverage on the individual market. Before the ACA, insurance rates on the individual market could vary substantially; women were charged more to get coverage for a possible future pregnancy; and insurers, in many states, could simply deny a policy to some consumers altogether.

The ACA also bars insurers from refusing to cover a certain condition, and it requires plans to cover 10 essential benefits .

As we’ve explained before , as of 2022, 20 million people, or about  6.3%  of the U.S. population, got coverage on the individual market, where, again, these protections are a significant change from the pre-ACA insurance market. However, people who lose their jobs or retire early could also end up seeking insurance on the individual market.

Before the ACA, employer plans still had some preexisting condition protections: They couldn’t deny a policy to an employee. But if a new employee had a lapse in insurance coverage, employer plans could decline coverage for some preexisting conditions for a limited period.

In the face of court challenges to the ACA — including a lawsuit backed by the Trump administration that would have nullified the entire law — several states have enacted laws to mimic some, or all, of the ACA’s preexisting condition protections. But experts say even in the 10 states, as of 2020, that enacted all of the law’s protections, it’s not enough to maintain what the ACA has done.

“Even when a state has adopted all four protections, without financial help from the federal government to make coverage affordable, the individual health insurance market will become dysfunctional, with fewer plans participating and spiraling premiums,” researchers with Georgetown University’s Center on Health Insurance Reforms wrote in an Oct. 29, 2020, report published by the Commonwealth Fund. They noted that billions in federal subsidies helped millions enroll in individual market plans on the ACA exchanges. “These subsidies have kept the individual market stable and affordable. Few, if any, states will be able to replace these federal dollars. Without this funding, the preexisting condition protections that have been adopted into state law will largely be meaningless.”

At the time, another 15 states had enacted at least one, but not all, of the ACA protections. “In these states, insurers will continue to be able to discourage enrollment of people with preexisting conditions if the ACA is struck down,” the report said.

As we said, Trump hasn’t put forth a health care plan. And several top Republicans have said his call to not give up on ending the ACA is a non-starter in Congress.

In the past, Trump supported a 2017 GOP bill that would have included some, but not all, of the ACA’s protections. He also  pushed the expansion  of cheaper short-term health plans that wouldn’t have to abide by the ACA’s prohibitions against denying or pricing coverage based on health status.

In late September 2020, Trump signed an  executive order  that made the general proclamation: “It has been and will continue to be the policy of the United States … to ensure that Americans with pre-existing conditions can obtain the insurance of their choice at affordable rates.” He  said  the order put the issue of preexisting conditions “to rest.”

It did not. Karen Pollitz, who was then a senior fellow at KFF,  told us  at the time that the order was “aspirational” and had “no force of law.”

Correction, Aug. 8: We originally reported that the overall violent crime rate went up slightly from 2016 to 2020, based on the FBI’s 2020 annual report. Updated statistics in the FBI’s 2022 report show the rate went down. We also updated that section with the most recent numbers for murders and aggravated assaults.

Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through  our “Donate” page . If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. 

What Kamala Harris has said so far on key issues in her campaign

As she ramps up her nascent presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is revealing how she will address the key issues facing the nation.

In speeches and rallies, she has voiced support for continuing many of President Joe Biden’s measures, such as lowering drug costs , forgiving student loan debt and eliminating so-called junk fees. But Harris has made it clear that she has her own views on some key matters, particularly Israel’s treatment of Gazans in its war with Hamas.

In a departure from her presidential run in 2020, the Harris campaign has confirmed that she’s moved away from many of her more progressive stances, such as her interest in a single-payer health insurance system and a ban on fracking.

Harris is also expected to put her own stamp and style on matters ranging from abortion to the economy to immigration, as she aims to walk a fine line of taking credit for the administration’s accomplishments while not being jointly blamed by voters for its shortcomings.

Her early presidential campaign speeches have offered insights into her priorities, though she’s mainly voiced general talking points and has yet to release more nuanced plans. Like Biden, she intends to contrast her vision for America with that of former President Donald Trump. ( See Trump’s campaign promises here .)

“In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past,” she told members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta at an event in Indianapolis in late July. “And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”

Here’s what we know about Harris’ views:

Harris took on the lead role of championing abortion rights for the administration after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. This past January, she started a “ reproductive freedoms tour ” to multiple states, including a stop in Minnesota thought to be the first by a sitting US president or vice president at an abortion clinic .

On abortion access, Harris embraced more progressive policies than Biden in the 2020 campaign, as a candidate criticizing his previous support for the Hyde Amendment , a measure that blocks federal funds from being used for most abortions.

Policy experts suggested that although Harris’ current policies on abortion and reproductive rights may not differ significantly from Biden’s, as a result of her national tour and her own focus on maternal health , she may be a stronger messenger.

High prices are a top concern for many Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living after a spell of steep inflation. Many voters give Biden poor marks for his handling of the economy, and Harris may also face their wrath.

In her early campaign speeches, Harris has echoed many of the same themes as Biden, saying she wants to give Americans more opportunities to get ahead. She’s particularly concerned about making care – health care, child care, elder care and family leave – more affordable and available.

Harris promised at a late July rally to continue the Biden administration’s drive to eliminate so-called “junk fees” and to fully disclose all charges, such as for events, lodging and car rentals. In early August, the administration proposed a rule that would ban airlines from charging parents extra fees to have their kids sit next to them.

On day one, I will take on price gouging and bring down costs. We will ban more of those hidden fees and surprise late charges that banks and other companies use to pad their profits.”

Since becoming vice president, Harris has taken more moderate positions, but a look at her 2020 campaign promises reveals a more progressive bent than Biden.

As a senator and 2020 presidential candidate, Harris proposed providing middle-class and working families with a refundable tax credit of up to $6,000 a year (per couple) to help keep up with living expenses. Titled the LIFT the Middle Class Act, or Livable Incomes for Families Today, the measure would have cost at the time an estimated $3 trillion over 10 years.

Unlike a typical tax credit, the bill would allow taxpayers to receive the benefit – up to $500 – on a monthly basis so families don’t have to turn to payday loans with very high interest rates.

As a presidential candidate, Harris also advocated for raising the corporate income tax rate to 35%, where it was before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that Trump and congressional Republicans pushed through Congress reduced the rate to 21%. That’s higher than the 28% Biden has proposed.

Affordable housing was also on Harris’ radar. As a senator, she introduced the Rent Relief Act, which would establish a refundable tax credit for renters who annually spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent and utilities. The amount of the credit would range from 25% to 100% of the excess rent, depending on the renter’s income.

Harris called housing a human right and said in a 2019 news release on the bill that every American deserves to have basic security and dignity in their own home.

Consumer debt

Hefty debt loads, which weigh on people’s finances and hurt their ability to buy homes, get car loans or start small businesses, are also an area of interest to Harris.

As vice president, she has promoted the Biden administration’s initiatives on student debt, which have so far forgiven more than $168 billion for nearly 4.8 million borrowers . In mid-July, Harris said in a post on X that “nearly 950,000 public servants have benefitted” from student debt forgiveness, compared with only 7,000 when Biden was inaugurated.

A potential Harris administration could keep that momentum going – though some of Biden’s efforts have gotten tangled up in litigation, such as a program aimed at cutting monthly student loan payments for roughly 3 million borrowers enrolled in a repayment plan the administration implemented last year.

The vice president has also been a leader in the White House efforts to ban medical debt from credit reports, noting that those with medical debt are no less likely to repay a loan than those who don’t have unpaid medical bills.

In a late July statement praising North Carolina’s move to relieve the medical debt of about 2 million residents, Harris said that she is “committed to continuing to relieve the burden of medical debt and creating a future where every person has the opportunity to build wealth and thrive.”

Health care

Harris, who has had shifting stances on health care in the past, confirmed in late July through her campaign that she no longer supports a single-payer health care system .

During her 2020 campaign, Harris advocated for shifting the US to a government-backed health insurance system but stopped short of wanting to completely eliminate private insurance.

The measure called for transitioning to a Medicare-for-All-type system over 10 years but continuing to allow private insurance companies to offer Medicare plans.

The proposal would not have raised taxes on the middle class to pay for the coverage expansion. Instead, it would raise the needed funds by taxing Wall Street trades and transactions and changing the taxation of offshore corporate income.

When it comes to reducing drug costs, Harris previously proposed allowing the federal government to set “a fair price” for any drug sold at a cheaper price in any economically comparable country, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan or Australia. If manufacturers were found to be price gouging, the government could import their drugs from abroad or, in egregious cases, use its existing but never-used “march-in” authority to license a drug company’s patent to a rival that would produce the medication at a lower cost.

Harris has been a champion on climate and environmental justice for decades. As California’s attorney general, Harris sued big oil companies like BP and ConocoPhillips, and investigated Exxon Mobil for its role in climate change disinformation. While in the Senate, she sponsored the Green New Deal resolution.

During her 2020 campaign, she enthusiastically supported a ban on fracking — but a Harris campaign official said in late July that she no longer supports such a ban.

Fracking is the process of using liquid to free natural gas from rock formations – and the primary mode for extracting gas for energy in battleground Pennsylvania. During a September 2019 climate crisis town hall hosted by CNN, she said she would start “with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands.” She walked that back later when she became Biden’s running mate.

Biden has been the most pro-climate president in history, and climate advocates find Harris to be an exciting candidate in her own right. Democrats and climate activists are planning to campaign on the stark contrasts between Harris and Trump , who vowed to push America decisively back to fossil fuels, promising to unwind Biden’s climate and clean energy legacy and pull America out of its global climate commitments.

If elected, one of the biggest climate goals Harris would have to craft early in her administration is how much the US would reduce its climate pollution by 2035 – a requirement of the Paris climate agreement .

Immigration

Harris has quickly started trying to counter Trump’s attacks on her immigration record.

Her campaign released a video in late July citing Harris’ support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and Trump’s successful push to scuttle a bipartisan immigration deal that included some of the toughest border security measures in recent memory.

The vice president has changed her position on border control since her 2020 campaign, when she suggested that Democrats needed to “critically examine” the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after being asked whether she sided with those in the party arguing to abolish the department.

In June of this year, the White House announced a crackdown on asylum claims meant to continue reducing crossings at the US-Mexico border – a policy that Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, indicated in late July to CBS News would continue under a Harris administration.

Trump’s attacks stem from Biden having tasked Harris with overseeing diplomatic efforts in Central America in March 2021. While Harris focused on long-term fixes, the Department of Homeland Security remained responsible for overseeing border security.

She has only occasionally talked about her efforts as the situation along the US-Mexico border became a political vulnerability for Biden. But she put her own stamp on the administration’s efforts, engaging the private sector.

Harris pulled together the Partnership for Central America, which has acted as a liaison between companies and the US government. Her team and the partnership are closely coordinating on initiatives that have led to job creation in the region. Harris has also engaged directly with foreign leaders in the region.

Experts credit Harris’ ability to secure private-sector investments as her most visible action in the region to date but have cautioned about the long-term durability of those investments.

Israel-Hamas

The Israel-Hamas war is the most fraught foreign policy issue facing the country and has spurred a multitude of protests around the US since it began in October.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late July, Harris gave a forceful and notable speech about the situation in Gaza.

We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent.”

Harris echoed Biden’s repeated comments about the “ironclad support” and “unwavering commitment” to Israel. The country has a right to defend itself, she said, while noting, “how it does so, matters.”

However, the empathy she expressed regarding the Palestinian plight and suffering was far more forceful than what Biden has said on the matter in recent months. Harris mentioned twice the “serious concern” she expressed to Netanyahu about the civilian deaths in Gaza, the humanitarian situation and destruction she called “catastrophic” and “devastating.”

She went on to describe “the images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time.”

Harris emphasized the need to get the Israeli hostages back from Hamas captivity, naming the eight Israeli-American hostages – three of whom have been killed.

But when describing the ceasefire deal in the works, she didn’t highlight the hostage for prisoner exchange or aid to be let into Gaza. Instead, she singled out the fact that the deal stipulates the withdrawal by the Israeli military from populated areas in the first phase before withdrawing “entirely” from Gaza before “a permanent end to the hostilities.”

Harris didn’t preside over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in late July, instead choosing to stick with a prescheduled trip to a sorority event in Indiana.

Harris is committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, having met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at least six times and announcing last month $1.5 billion for energy assistance, humanitarian needs and other aid for the war-torn country.

At the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, Harris said: “I will make clear President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine. In partnership with supportive, bipartisan majorities in both houses of the United States Congress, we will work to secure critical weapons and resources that Ukraine so badly needs. And let me be clear: The failure to do so would be a gift to Vladimir Putin.”

More broadly, NATO is central to our approach to global security. For President Biden and me, our sacred commitment to NATO remains ironclad. And I do believe, as I have said before, NATO is the greatest military alliance the world has ever known.”

Police funding

The Harris campaign has also walked back the “defund the police” sentiment that Harris voiced in 2020. What she meant is she supports being “tough and smart on crime,” Mitch Landrieu, national co-chair for the Harris campaign and former mayor of New Orleans, told CNN’s Pamela Brown in late July.

In the midst of nationwide 2020 protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, Harris voiced support for the “defund the police” movement, which argues for redirecting funds from law enforcement to social services. Throughout that summer, Harris supported the movement and called for demilitarizing police departments.

Democrats largely backed away from calls to defund the police after Republicans attempted to tie the movement to increases in crime during the 2022 midterm elections.

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