Tips to write a letter of intent

The term letter of intent is often used in the legal field, referring to a document that kicks off a project or contract between two parties. Letters of intent are also used in grant writing and fundraising fields to summarize proposed projects or serve as the starting point for funding requests.

Given these common usages, it’s no wonder people may be confused when the term pops up during a job search. We laid out three common ways letters of intent are used in job searching and tips for writing a letter that gets you job interviews.

Is a letter of intent just a cover letter?

While browsing job ads on Monster, you find an ad with a sentence like this:

To be considered for this position, submit a letter of intent and resume by the posting deadline noted above.

In this context, does the employer just want a cover letter? Most likely, yes. A cover letter accompanies a resume, so a letter of intent falls into this category. But there's a subtle difference.

“Employers may use the term letter of intent interchangeably with cover letter in some job postings,” says Matthew Warzel, a certified professional resume writer and president of MJW Careers, a career services firm providing resume writing, career coaching, and outplacement services.

However, that doesn’t mean you should submit a one-size-fits-all, boilerplate cover letter. By definition, “intent” implies a firm motive, purpose, and resolve to get something done—keep this in mind when writing your letter.

“Focus on the value you bring to the position, highlighting the main ways the employer would benefit from hiring you,” advises Warzel.

Letter of intent for a non-specified position

Hiring managers may ask for a letter of intent when recruiting people for a team or project but haven’t solidified their staffing plans. “The hiring manager can request a letter of intent to canvass the applicant pool and see what talent is out there,” says Warzel.

Writing a letter of intent is challenging without a clearly defined job description. How do you know what to emphasize if you don’t know exactly what the job entails?

The key is to communicate how much you would like to work for the employer, while also outlining your most desirable skills and other strong qualifications.

Steve Burdan, a certified professional resume writer and president of Chicagoland-based Real Clear Resumes, a resume writing firm, emphasizes the importance of researching the employer and describing how your skills and experience would add value. “Touch on several areas where the job seeker’s expertise would connect with the needs of the targeted company,” says Burdan.

Burdan adds that while it’s impossible to read the employer’s mind regarding what they’re looking for, job seekers should “hit the high points of their primary expertise and include two to three specific achievements” in the letter.

Letter of intent used as an introductory letter

Is there an employer you would love to work for, but they haven’t posted any jobs in your field? Hope isn’t lost—you could write a letter of intent, aka letter of interest or cold cover letter, effectively tapping into a semi-hidden job market.

Since employers aren’t advertising that they need help, a letter of intent must clearly show why they need you. “This will require research, but if you can pinpoint exactly how you could fill their gap, you could immediately win over the hiring team,” says Warzel. "Diagnose a potential employer problem and explain how you’re going to alleviate their pain."

This type of letter should always be used in conjunction with good, old-fashioned networking. “I always encourage job seekers to focus on the human connection, networking as often as possible,” says Burdan. Your letter is more likely to be read and responded to if you connect with the person in charge of hiring someone with your credentials.

Letter of intent best practices

• Spell out what you intend to accomplish if offered the position—the employer needs to see that you offer a strong ROI.
• Include examples of relevant accomplishments, quantified if possible.
• Personalize to the recipient. Avoid generic “To whom it may concern” salutations.
• Follow traditional cover letter protocols. Use standard business letter format, be concise, include a call to action, and proofread to make sure it’s error free.

Find your next job

A letter of intent is a great way to make yourself known to potential employers. Want to know another way? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads. Let Monster help you find employers that are a good fit for your career goals.