Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: Key Differences and When to Use Each

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a targeted document that candidates often send with a resume when applying for a job posting. Its goal is to respond to the specific needs defined in a job description by mirroring its language and addressing the listed requirements. They often have a similar structure, with an opening section, body of the letter, and closing, but they serve different strategic purposes, and the context of the conversation is not the same.

The tone of a cover letter is more formal: three to four short paragraphs that mention a specific product, role, or team detail, along with an accomplishment relevant to the role and an anecdote or relatable detail. If you need AI-assisted help drafting a cover letter for your job application, Toptal Resume's cover letter generator walks you through the process and tailors it to your resume and job description.

Letter of Interest vs. Cover Letter: Key Differences at a Glance

The table below can help you understand the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest and decide on what's the right choice for your specific situation.

Most importantly, a letter of interest isn't simply a cover letter that is sent when there's no job opening, and it requires a fundamentally different approach.

How to Write a Letter of Interest

In this section, you'll learn how to write an effective letter of interest in five specific steps.

Step 1: Research the company

Your letter of interest shouldn't look like it could have been sent to any company. Before you start writing, get familiar with their vision and cultural values, recent activities or initiatives, or a product launched. Connecting with their background will instantly set your letter of interest apart from the many others they receive.

Step 2: Open with a connection to their work

Once you've completed the initial research from step 1, continue by explaining why you're reaching out to that specific organization. For example, you can say that you've been following the expansion of their business into a new market and express your interest in any opportunities at their company. That connection means genuine interest that sets you apart from generic outreach.

Step 3: Make your value proposition

This is the central part of your letter of interest, and it should explain how you could contribute to their team. You shouldn't target a specific role (which might not even exist), so focus on your area of expertise and the type of work you do best, and back it with a relevant achievement or a big win from your work experience. The key is to find a balance between being specific and flexible.

Step 4: Express genuine enthusiasm

In this section, the tone can be somewhat warmer than in a typical cover letter. You would like to start a relationship with them, so showing admiration for their work is completely appropriate. That said, keep it specific instead of expressing general enthusiasm.

Step 5: End with a low-pressure ask

Of course, you want them to take the next step and continue the conversation, but you shouldn't ask for a job. Be confident and say that you'd welcome the opportunity to explore further whether there might be a fit. Don't forget to include your contact details and attach your resume.

Letter of Interest Examples

The two examples below illustrate two very common scenarios in which a job seeker could use an effective letter of interest. In the first letter of interest sample, a marketing professional reaches out to a company they admire when there's no job opening for the desired position. In the second example, a teacher writes to a school district speculatively before the hiring season.

Example 1: Marketing Professional (General Letter of Interest)

The letter of interest example in the image below describes a marketing professional reaching out to a tech company in the growth stage. There's no job posting, and her goal is to start a conversation with the company she's been following.

Here's what works in this example:

• The letter starts with a specific detail, which is the company's milestone (the Series B announcement), and connects it with the person's skill. (zero-to-one marketing).
• The first body paragraph in this example states a quantified achievement (180% organic growth and a 35% increase in pipeline) as directly relevant to the company's marketing challenge.
• In the second paragraph, acknowledging that there are no open roles ("I'm not aware of any open roles right now") is honest and shows respect for the reader's time.
• The closing part doesn't ask for a job, but for an opportunity to continue the conversation.

Example 2: Teacher (Letter of Interest to a School District)

The second example, shown in the image below, is written by an experienced elementary school teacher who is reaching out to a school district. This proactive outreach is a common practice, and qualified candidates like Jessica can be considered.

Particularly strong details in this example:

• At the very beginning, the letter addresses the specific school district and its structured literacy frameworks initiative. Notice how it isn't a general expression of enthusiasm.
• The central part of the letter connects the teacher's experience to the district's priorities. It states an achievement (a 28% improvement in reading proficiency) that clearly supports her case.
• Similar to the first example, she says, "I recognize that positions may not be open," and avoids the confusion of sending a cover letter for a posting that doesn't yet exist.
• The closing part is low-pressure and warm, without demanding a specific outcome.

Build Yours

Whether you're writing a letter of interest to a company you've been targeting or a cover letter for a specific posting, the structural principles are the same, and you can use our gallery of cover letter templates to get started. Additionally, Toptal Resume's AI resume builder can help you polish the resume you're attaching with tailored writing suggestions.