You peruse a job advertisement, and everything appears regular (responsibilities and requirements, check; field-specific jargon, check) until you notice the following: Please submit your resume and letter of intent.
Huh. This phrase, “letter of intent,” is entirely new to you. Do they mean anything similar to a cover letter but in a slightly confusing manner?
Well, it depends. There are numerous similarities as well as differences between the two. Here’s what you should know about letters of intent.
What Is An Intent Letter?
To play off the name, a letter of intent (sometimes referred to as a letter of interest) is about expressing your desire to work for a specific organization. There may be a specific function in mind (either yours or the employer’s), but more often than not, you are open to any options a company may present.
According to Kaila Kea, a career advisor, an intent letter is typically utilized when there is no specific position a candidate is interested in applying for. Therefore, you should include one if you’re submitting a general application to a company you admire but aren’t necessarily hiring for your ideal position yet.
What Is the Difference between an Intent Differ and A Cover Letter?
It is easy to mistake a cover letter for a letter of intent. In her experience dealing with job seekers, Kea distinguishes between the two as follows: “Intent letters tend to be a bit more company-focused; you discuss the employer more than the specific position.” Additionally, they are more generic in terms of how you describe your skill set.
“On the other hand,” she continues, “the cover letter might be more job-focused, a little more position-oriented, because you’re applying for a specific posted job.”
Therefore, each letter type demands a unique approach.
In a cover letter, you might write, “I’m extremely interested in a product manager position at [Company] for the following reasons.” In contrast, in an intent-to-hire letter, you’re more likely to write, “I’m highly interested in a managerial position at [Company] for the following reasons.”
Kea explains that broadening one’s skill set “gives you greater flexibility in terms of the roles an employer may align you with.” Instead of pigeonholing yourself, you allow the hiring manager to place you in the optimal scenario.
In cases beyond the application process, such as when you wish to follow up after a job fair or networking event, letters of intent can also be used. “Again, there may not be a specific post listed that you’re interested in or for which you may apply at this time,” Kea says, “but emailing a letter of intent is a good approach to demonstrate an interest in working for their company in the future.”
Why Do Companies Ask For An Intent Letter For Employment?
Companies primarily want letters of intent when they are as uncertain about what they want as you may be.
“In rare instances, firms may list multiple job openings for the same department or project,” explains Kea. They may request a letter of intent because they are still determining the type of candidate needed to fill the vacancies in those departments. Possibly, they will hire two senior-level managers, but they may also be pleased with one mid-level executive and one entry-level professional, depending on the caliber of applicants.
Letters of intent are also widely used to hire contractors or freelancers who aren’t your typical W2 employees. Employers may easily line up the next competent candidate for the job if, for example, a contract falls through.
Simply put, a hiring manager wants to expand their candidate pool; therefore, they are looking for anyone who demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment to the organization.
The letter format might also vary by industry. “In my experience, more established organizations [and] private firms often utilize a cover letter,” adds Kea. In contrast, startups or NGOs with a larger mission focus and growth pace may employ letters of intent.
“So from a candidate’s viewpoint, if you’re requested to submit a letter of intent, it may indicate that the company is newer and attempting to source talent differently,” she explains. “In contrast, the cover letter is more of a standard go-to.”
How to Write an Intent Letter
First, you should demonstrate a strong interest in the firm itself. Kea adds, “A lot of people get caught up in saying, ‘I’m the ideal candidate for this job, I want this job, I’m fantastic for this job, employ me for this job.'” And there’s nothing wrong with that, but one of the things that makes a letter of intent so effective is demonstrating that you share the company’s mission, values, and ambitions.
Additionally, letters of intent can be more current. For instance, rather than discussing the company in general, you may mention a recent product update or a news story about the company. You should include “anything that would capture the employer’s attention and demonstrate that you’re up to date on what’s occurring in that organization or field,” she advises. (Of course, you could cite anything current in a cover letter if you wish to get the reader’s attention immediately.)
And, as with a brilliant starting line in a cover letter, “it helps to pique their attention and urge them to continue reading; that is, of course, the objective,” she adds.
Kea advises that if you are at a loss for something specific about the organization, you should discuss something intriguing about yourself. What distinguishes you? What distinctive abilities, experiences, and interests do you bring to the table? And, given what you know about them, how do they correspond to the company’s needs?
Overall, you should be broad enough to demonstrate your interest in the firm but particular enough to leave the employer with at least one key takeaway about you, your skill set, and what you can contribute to the organization.
Let’s return to the explanation of product manager versus managerial roles provided above. According to Kea, if you were to write a cover letter, you would likely address a specific product manager role. Therefore, you would focus your cover letter on why you would be a good fit for the position, including, for example, your expertise in working on a product’s lifecycle, managing vendor relationships, and coordinating across teams. You should also ensure that you address particular topics from the job description.
But if you were writing a letter of intent, you would want to emphasize how well-suited you are for a managerial position, whether as a product manager or in another capacity. Instead of mentioning your product management expertise, you may discuss how you led a team, controlled expectations, or arranged meeting logistics. You are citing specific skills, and your resume emphasizes both sets of skills, but you are also customizing your cover letter to what the hiring manager may be seeking. Check our intent letter for business.
Intent Letter Sample
Suppose you are an experienced designer and product manager seeking a position with a startup. You conduct some research to figure out who to write your letter to (please do not use “To Whom It May Concern”) and discover that the director of the product department is Caroline Blake.
You may send the following intent letter example to her:
Dear Caroline Blake,
When I was 10, my brother fainted while waiting in line to ride a roller coaster at Six Flags. It was a hot day, and we waited in line for an hour.
I don’t recall anything else about that day, including what other rides we did, what we ate, or who we were with, but I do recall wanting to know why. Why did this happen? Why did we have to wait in such long lines? Why has nobody found a solution to the issue of overcrowded amusement parks?
I am excited to apply to Rydes’s product and design team for this very reason. Your aim to revolutionize and bring efficiency to theme parks piques my interest and motivates me to solve things. It also reminds me of the bigger picture: you should leave an amusement park, or any family excursion, with more pleasant memories than your sibling passing out. Your latest product update mentioned in Forbes regarding line wait times particularly resonated with me and prompted me to write this letter.
A bit about myself: I studied design and applied arts because I wanted to be independent in my approach to problem-solving and because I enjoyed working with both my intellect and hands. I accepted a position as an associate UX designer at a small startup because I was fascinated with creating websites that were seamless and free of obstacles. I then transitioned to a product manager role at a larger company after realizing I enjoyed collaborating across departments and working with various experts to create ideas and solutions. The most satisfying aspect of my day is assisting my colleagues in being productive, feeling inspired, and achieving their objectives. With this expertise and skill set, I’m prepared to return to the startup environment and join a company whose goals fit mine.
Thank you for considering me to join this incredible team of innovators and creatives; I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Jack Daniel.
Bottom Line
Now that you understand the difference between a cover letter and a letter of intent tell your friends about this interesting new knowledge! Consider this innovative application method the next time you set your eyes on your dream company. If you find the task challenging, send a request to our professional writers, and we will gladly help. We provide services in an intent letter for promotion, intent letter for scholarship, intent letter for internship, and many more
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