What is a Letter of Intent – How to Write a Letter of Intent
Have you ever wondered how to write a letter of intent? If you have, then you are fully covered on this page. Many users out there have been searching for this information, but unfortunately, they couldn’t get it as a result of going to the wrong website. But as long as you are here today, you will know all about it.
I am going to show you how to write a Letter of Intent, but first, you must know what it means and also know the purpose of writing the letter. Once you have been able to know all these things, then you are good to go.
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What is a Letter of Intent?
A letter of intent is simply just a cover letter in most cases. It’s a 3–4 paragraph description of why you simply fit the job. It starts with a hook, shows a sampling of your achievements, and then asks for the interview. In some cases, it can even be used when there’s no job on offer. In that case, it’s been called a letter of interest.
What is the Purpose of a Letter of Intent?
The purpose of the letters of intent is to simply get the hiring manager to notice us. A well-written resume helps a lot, but without an accompanying letter, it can seem like career spam. Conversely, if you are applying to a job that has not been advertised, write a letter of intent to kick off a relationship with the employer.
How to Write a Letter of Intent
To write a letter of intent, you should first research the company or school. Find out what they want most from a successful candidate. Then, in paragraph #1, simply grab their attention with the fact about you that best fits their needs. Show more evidence of your abilities in paragraph #2, and explain why you like them in paragraph #3.
Here’s how to write a letter of intent:
Choose the Right Letter of Intent Format and Layout
Here’s the first hurdle—simply getting them to read your letter. Letter of intent format matters because a poorly laid-out letter is also a clue that you are not right for the position. To combat that, make sure your font, line spacing, paragraph spacing, and margins are all clean and business-friendly.
Again, a letter of intent is simply the same as a cover letter, so follow a basic cover letter structure with these tips:
- Use a standard cover letter outline for your letter of intent, with 3–4 paragraphs and a professional sign-off.
- Set your LOI’s cover letter line spacing at 1.15 for a sharp, clean look.
- Fix your margins at one inch on every side—left, right, top, and bottom.
- You will want a cover letter font that’s easy to read and not too fancy. Use one like Arial, Helvetica, Didot, or Cambria. Those have been around the block with good results.
Research the Company Before You Write.
What’s the single most important thing that you can do to make your letter of intent stand out? Research the company. It may even sound boring, but it’s the single reason some letters make eyes pop while others get yawns. Why? Because research is simply like showing listening skills—it simply then proves you know your stuff.
You do not even have to spend an hour on this. In fact, limit your research time to 15 minutes so you do not then bog down your job search.
To research a letter of intent for a job, you should check out:
- The job ad
- The company’s mission statement
- The company’s website
Media articles about the company’s challenges, successes, awards, and lines of business.
Find 3 ways you fit the position.
Are you the perfect employee for the job? You would better be. If not, they will never hire you. But how can you then prove it? Once you have then researched the company, it’s time to think about the ways you fit. The secret? Be as specific as possible, with numbers-based accomplishments in the skills that they are simply looking for.
Let’s look at an example:
Let’s say the company then wants a photographer skilled in real estate photography and also trained. Jot down your accomplishments as follows:
Sample of Letters of Intent—Finding Ways You Fit
- Conducted 300+ real estate shoots.
- Created 9,000+ real estate images.
- Trained 4 assistant photographers.
- Wrote 5 articles about real estate photography.
- CPP certified
- Commended 4x by managers for efficiency.
- Cut shoot costs by 20%.
Now that you have simply found the top few ways you fit the position, it’s time to write your letter.
Get Attention with a Strong First Paragraph
“I didn’t read your letter.” What an insult! But it’s all too common. Why? Because most letters of intent start out like this: “I’m writing to express my interest in blah blah blah.” Uh-oh. You have then lost the hiring manager. She’s then thinking about camping out on the lake later with her kids. Don’t do that!
To make sure that they read your letter, engage them with a strong first sentence and first paragraph.
Include:
- A professional cover letter salutation. Use the manager’s name if you can then find it. A real name outshines a To Whom It May Concern every time.
- The number of years you have simply done this job (3, 5, 7+, etc.).
- Your most impressive, company-fitting accomplishment. If they then want someone who’s great at flipping pancakes and you have even flipped ten million pancakes, there you go.
- The top few qualifications they need for the position. This then shows the employer that you are simply aiming at the right target.
- A nod to your resume and to the highlights you will then share in the next paragraph—to keep them reading.
Show Achievements in Your Letter of Intent
“We loved your letter of intent and had to talk to you!” Can you simply make the hiring manager say that? Yep. That happens in your second paragraph. That is where you simply take the best few resume accomplishments and they simply stick you to the job like duct tape. They simply then have to fit the job requirements and make jaws drop.
To show achievements, go back to your research. Look at the best three (or so) accomplishments that got you the job. Then you should also talk about them in the second paragraph of your letter of intent for business.
Explain Why You’re Interested in Them.
“Okay, so you’re a good fit. But why us? Will you stick around? Or will you jump ship as soon as you find something better with more pay? ” Yes, employers usually think that way. To soothe their fears, you can then have to show why they are important to you. That comes in the third paragraph of your letter of intent.
To show why you care about the position, you can simply choose from:
- A way the organization will help advance your career goals.
- How they will help you use your favorite job skills.
- Ways you fit the company’s mission statement (you researched this, remember?).
- Something else you like about the company
End Your Letter of Intent by Asking for Action
Yes, you simply have to ask. At the end of your third paragraph, come right out and request the interview. But there’s also a special way to do it so it does not come off as needy. Namely, offer to trade something in return. Don’t think you have anything to trade? Of course, you simply do.
Sign off with a professional closing.
This part is very easy. But get it wrong, and you will look sloppy. Your letter of intent should then end like any business letter—with a sign-off, signature, and your name and contact info.
You can end with:
- Best regards,
- Kind regards,
- Sincerely,
- Best wishes
Create a Professional Heading for Your Letter of Intent
We have simply left the top of your letter of intent for last. You will now need a header for it too, with your address info and also the date. Yes, you have simply got your contact info at the bottom. But—it’s customary to then put it at the top as well. The header should then look like any other business letter or cover letter heading.
- Start at the top left with your name, job title, street address, and also other contact info like your phone number, email address, and even your LinkedIn handle.
- Leave a blank line, then the date, and also another blank line. The date is very important so the manager knows how fresh your letter of intent is.
- Add the hiring manager’s name, job title, company name, and also street address too.
FAQs
What Makes a Strong Letter of Intent?
Your letter of intent should then be as detailed as possible outlining your objectives, the skills you then possess, and also what makes you outstanding from the rest of the applicants. When you are writing the letter of intent, start by simply introducing yourself.
How Do You Begin A Letter of Intent?
Begin with a professional salutation. Find out the name of the employer, or simply the hiring manager, and then include it in your opening. If you do not know to whom you should address the letter, then you should call the office and ask. Begin your letter by simply introducing yourself and also explaining why you are writing.
How Do You Write a Good Statement of Intent?
Your aim should then be a clear, succinct statement showing that you simply have a definite sense of what you want to do and even enthusiasm for the field of study you have simply chosen. Your essay should then reflect your writing abilities; more importantly, it should reveal the clarity, focus, and depth of your thinking.
