Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter

A cover letter responds to a specific job posting. A letter of interest reaches out to a company before a position is advertised. Both documents introduce you to an employer, but the timing, purpose, and strategy behind each one are fundamentally different.

Choosing the wrong document, or writing one when you need the other, can cost you opportunities. This guide explains the distinction, shows you when to use each, and includes examples so you can see both approaches in action.

What Is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a reactive document. You write it in response to a specific job opening. It addresses the requirements listed in the posting, explains why your qualifications match, and makes a case for why the hiring manager should interview you.

Every cover letter should reference the exact job title, the company name, and specific responsibilities or qualifications from the listing. The goal is to show the reader that you have read the posting carefully and can deliver what they need.

For a full walkthrough of how to write one, see our guide on how to write a cover letter.

What Is a Letter of Interest?

A letter of interest (also called a prospecting letter or letter of inquiry) is a proactive document. You send it to a company that has not advertised an opening, or to a department where you want to work even though no specific role is listed.

The letter of interest introduces your background, expresses genuine interest in the organization, and asks whether there are current or upcoming opportunities that fit your profile. It is less about matching a job description and more about demonstrating value and initiating a conversation.

Letters of interest are common in several situations:

• You admire a company and want to get on their radar before positions open.
• You are exploring a career change and want to test interest from employers in a new field.
• You work in an industry where many roles are filled through networking before they are posted.
• You are looking for an internal position in a different department at your current company.

Key Differences at a Glance

The most important distinction is specificity. A cover letter says, "I am the right person for this job." A letter of interest says, "I believe I can add value to your organization, and I would like to explore how."

When to Use a Cover Letter

Use a cover letter whenever you are applying to a posted position. This includes:

• Jobs listed on company websites, job boards, or LinkedIn.
• Roles shared by recruiters or hiring managers.
• Internal openings at your current company when a formal application is required.
• Any situation where the employer provides a job description and asks for application materials.

Your cover letter should directly reference the posting. Name the role, address the listed qualifications, and explain how your experience aligns. Anything less feels generic, and recruiters will notice. For structural guidance, review our cover letter format page.

When to Use a Letter of Interest

Use a letter of interest when no specific job has been posted but you want to connect with the company. Common scenarios include:

• Dream companies. You follow a company's work and want to be considered when a role opens.
• Networking follow-ups. You met someone at a conference or event and want to formalize your interest.
• Industry shifts. You are moving into a new field and want to start conversations before roles appear.
• Small companies. Startups and small businesses often hire based on inbound interest rather than formal postings.
• Seasonal or project-based hiring. Some organizations staff up at predictable times and appreciate early outreach.

The letter of interest works best when you can name a specific person and demonstrate that you have done your research on the company.

Examples: Cover Letter vs Letter of Interest

Here is how each document reads in practice. Notice the difference in specificity, tone, and call to action.

Cover letter for a posted role

Reactive. References the specific job title and matches qualifications to the posting.

Subject: Application for Marketing Manager, Job ID #4821

Dear Ms. Hargrove, I am writing to apply for the Marketing Manager position at Bellwood Partners. With six years of experience leading demand generation campaigns in B2B SaaS, I am confident I can help your team hit the pipeline targets outlined in the role description. At my current company, Ridgeline Analytics, I built and managed a content-driven lead generation program that increased qualified pipeline by 42% year over year. I also led the rebrand of our product marketing materials, which contributed to a 15% improvement in sales conversion rates across the enterprise segment. Your posting mentions a need for someone who can bridge marketing and sales alignment. That has been the core of my work for the past three years, including implementing a shared scoring model and running joint pipeline reviews with sales leadership. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience aligns with Bellwood's growth goals. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Jordan Castillo

Letter of interest for an unadvertised opportunity

Proactive. Expresses genuine interest in the company and asks to explore fit.

Subject: Application for the Letter of interest for an unadvertised opportunity position

Dear Mr. Tanaka, I have followed Osprey Design Studio's work for the past two years, and your recent rebrand for the Portland transit authority reinforced my interest in joining your team. The way your studio balances civic responsibility with bold visual identity is exactly the kind of work I want to be part of. I am a senior graphic designer with eight years of experience in brand identity and environmental design. At Fieldwork Creative, I led the visual identity overhaul for a regional hospital network, managing a team of four and delivering the project three weeks ahead of schedule. I understand that Osprey may not have an open position at this time. However, I would appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself and learn more about your team's upcoming projects. If there is a convenient time for a brief conversation, I would be glad to connect. Thank you for considering my interest. Sincerely, Alicia Brennan

The cover letter is direct, evidence-heavy, and tied to a specific posting. The letter of interest is more exploratory, focuses on company fit, and asks for a conversation rather than an interview.

Tips for Writing Each Document Effectively

For cover letters:

• Mirror the job posting language. Use the same terms the employer uses for skills and responsibilities.
• Quantify results. Numbers make your claims specific and credible.
• Keep it to one page. Three to four paragraphs is the standard structure.
• Close with a clear ask. Request an interview or a conversation about the role.

Browse our cover letter examples for industry-specific samples.

For letters of interest:

• Research the company thoroughly. Reference specific projects, values, or recent news.
• Address a real person. Generic openings like "To Whom It May Concern" weaken proactive outreach.
• Lead with what you can offer. Explain your value before asking for anything.
• Keep it shorter. Letters of interest should be concise since you are asking for attention without an open role as context.
• Follow up. If you do not hear back within two weeks, a brief follow-up email is appropriate.

Can You Send Both?

Yes. If a company you have already contacted with a letter of interest later posts a role that fits, send a cover letter for that specific opening. Reference your earlier outreach briefly, then focus the letter on the posted requirements. The two documents serve different stages of the relationship.

For more on structuring applications for different situations, including cover letter vs resume comparisons, explore our full library of cover letter templates.

FAQ

Is a letter of interest the same as a cover letter?

No. A cover letter responds to a specific job posting and matches your qualifications to the listed requirements. A letter of interest is sent proactively to a company that has not advertised an opening. The timing, content focus, and call to action are different in each document.

When should I send a letter of interest instead of a cover letter?

Send a letter of interest when there is no posted job but you want to connect with a company you admire, explore opportunities in a new field, or follow up after a networking conversation. If a specific role is posted, always send a cover letter tailored to that posting.

Can a letter of interest help me get a job?

Yes. Many positions, especially at smaller companies and in relationship-driven industries, are filled before they are publicly listed. A well-written letter of interest can put you on a hiring manager's radar and lead to conversations that result in job offers. The key is demonstrating genuine knowledge of the company and clearly articulating what you bring.

How long should a letter of interest be?

Keep it between 200 and 350 words. Since there is no job description to respond to, you have less content to work with. Focus on who you are, why you are interested in the company, and what value you could add. Close by requesting a conversation, not an interview.