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Letter of Intent sample and Templates

Whether you are seeking a job or looking for academic admission, a letter of intent will be the greatest document to use. A letter of intent helps you introduce yourself by explaining what your personal interest is as well as your intentions towards future interactions. In business relations, for instance, a letter of intent acts as an initial proposal to the engaging party. In other words, it clarifies the points of a business deal. Also, it helps provide protection just in case the deal doesn’t go as planned.

While looking to work with a specific company or business, the best way to capture their attention is to express your interest in working with them. You can do this by sending them a letter of intent. A letter of intent is usually a brief letter to express your interest in working with a specific company or business.

You can also use an LOI to express your continued interest if you have previously sent them your resume and cover letter. A letter of intent is like a cover letter, only that it is intended for a specific company or business rather than applying for an open position at the company.

To help you understand how to write a letter of intent, this article will provide you with examples, sample letters, and information on when and how you should use this document.

Purpose of LOI

An LOI aims to inform both parties of essential details to be agreed upon when negotiating and finalizing an agreement.

A letter of intent protects both parties by protecting them from possible misunderstandings while negotiating a final agreement. It also provides parties with enough information to make informed decisions when deciding whether or not it is worthwhile for them to move forward with negotiations or sign a contract.

A letter of intent can also be written by an applicant applying for a position with a specific company or business. The letter’s primary purpose is to express your interest in working with that company or business. The letter can also be used when:

Recruiting for an open position at another company

Suppose you are interested in recruiting for a specific company or business that is not hiring. In that case, you can send them a letter of intent to express your continued interest in working with the company. For example, if you know that the company is looking for someone with your qualifications, you can send them an LOI to let them know that you would like to work there.

Writing when no job opening exists

If the company or business is currently not hiring and you are interested in working with them, a letter of intent is also an excellent way to express your interest. But, again, sending an LOI can help prove your interest and lead to being hired when an opening becomes available.

When hiring freelancers or contractors

For employees who do not fall under the standard W2 category, companies may use LOIs to offer employment to outside consultants, freelancers, and contractors. For example, if you know that a company is looking for someone to teach a specific program part-time, you can send them a letter of intent to let them know that you would like to do it. Then, if your proposal meets their needs and the company is interested in you, they may offer you employment.

When hiring a huge number of employees

Companies may typically use LOIs to make offers to groups of people at once. For example, if an organization is looking for someone to manage many employees, they may send out letters of intent to many people at once. They may then interview and hire the people who responded in the vast majority.

How Does it Work?

You can write a letter of intent when you want to express your interest in working with a specific company or business. You can also use an LOI to ensure that the terms of an agreement are clear before you sign the agreement. In addition, you can send LOIs to employers, clients, or potential partners you have been in contact with through emails and phone calls. The letter serves to show your interest in working with the company or business and ensure that you are on the same page when it comes to working together.

One of the main things that a letter of intent does is clarify what you want from the company or business. You can also make sure that you and the company/business are on the same page regarding important aspects such as salary and benefits.

Letter of Intent VS. Cover Letter

While most people tend to confuse between the Letter of Intent and the cover letter, the two do differ in a number of ways. First, a letter of Intent is often focused more on the company rather than the specific job. It communicates your general interest in working for the company. Plus, it makes use of more generalized terms, for instance, ‘I am interested in working in the managerial role of your organization. On the other hand, a cover letter is often job-specific. That is to say; it focuses more on the job position rather than the employer or company. For instance, ‘I am interested in working as a sales manager in your company.’

Again, a letter of Intent is often aimed towards creating a profound network chain. In the flip side, the cover letter puts major emphasis on job position than anything else.

How to Structure your Letter of Intent

Now you’ve known what a letter of Intent is, but how do you actually write one? Well, the following are guidelines that will help you structure your letter like a pro.

Greeting

Just like any other formal letter, your Letter of Intent should start by an official greeting. Often time than not, it’s advisable that you greet the recipient by name. Therefore, take your time and research on the recipient’s name in order to make your letter catchier. You can go to the company’s webpage and search through the contact page to locate the employer’s name and contact details. If nothing comes out, check the company’s LinkedIn page and see whether they have the employer’s details written.

If you cannot find the employer/recipients name in either of the online platforms, you need not worry. Simply address the recipient as ‘Dear Hiring Manager.’

The other alternative you can use is using ‘To whom it may concern.’ However, the majority of applicants don’t go this route as it’s an outdated method.

Introduction

The first paragraph should be used to introduce yourself as an applicant. Here, you can mention your name, your experience and why you are writing the letter. Include the job title you are applying for and why you are interested in it. Again, it’s recommended to be positive while introducing yourself. You don’t want to put any negative information that would otherwise tarnish your picture.

Body

After the formal introductory paragraph, you need to follow with the body paragraphs (between 2 to 3 paragraphs). Here, you can explain your academic background, your experience, as well as valuable skills. Make sure you elaborate your details to convince the reader how best you fit the role/position. Better yet, you can as well include your hobbies and specific achievements that you’ve had in the past. As a bonus, be sure to mention those skills and experiences that alight to the employer’s requirements or job description.

Call to action

This should be your last paragraph. Here, you need to mention what action you would want your reader/employer to take in response to your letter. Also, remember to include your contacts so that the reader can reach you easily.

Closing

End your letter of Intent with an appropriate closing clause and signature. For instance, you can say, ‘Thank you for your consideration.’ This should then be followed by an official signature. Also, make sure you avoid irrelevant sign-offs such as ‘yours truly,’ etc.

Sample Letter of Intent

To a hiring manager,

 

My name is Kaitlin Vogel and am writing to express my deep interest in the position of a teacher in your school as listed in the daily newspapers. Besides oral and presentation skills, I also have over five years of teaching experience. This, together with my academic qualifications, makes me believe that I am the best candidate to fit the position. 

During my teacher training, I got the best skills on how to pass on information to my students in the best manna possible. Besides, I believe in the value of discipline, and that’s part of what I teach my students. Some of my skills include the following:

–        Computer literacy

–        Communication skills

–        Presentation skills

–        Problem-solving and decision making

–        Management

–        Analytical skills etc.

I am very passionate about teaching in your schools due to various reasons. 1) The school enjoys an outstanding reputation within the state/region. 2) The school helps students discover their talents by putting a major focus on co-curriculum activities such as sports and games. 3) The school has a better educational infrastructure and facilities to ensure students get the highest quality education.

I believe that with my qualifications, experience, and passion, I will be able to work with you at the earliest of your convenience, please feel free to contact me through +1 818 212121 or [email protected]. Thank you very much for your time, and I am looking towards your positive feedback.

 

Sincerely,

Kaitlin Vogel

Letter of Intent Examples

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    Tips for writing a compelling Letter of Intent

    A well-crafted letter of Intent should be able to communicate your general interest in working with the company or transacting with a certain party. In order to do so, the following are some useful tips you need to make good use of.

    • Make sure you research on the company/partner so as to study their position description
    • Put major emphasis on the interests of the company rather than on your own personal interest
    • Make good use of proper business letter format
    • Proofread your letter to correct spelling and grammar mistakes.
    • Make sure your letter is brief, concise and relevant to the topic
    • Ensure you address the correct recipient by name. Otherwise, your letter risk falling into deaf ears. Also, avoid generic titles or names when writing your letter.

    Conclusion

    Writing a letter of intent is an easy way to capture the attention and interest of an employer. You can use letters of intent to express your interest in working with them and ensure that you are on the same page regarding essential aspects of your contract, such as salary and benefits. However, when writing a letter of intent, you also need to make sure that you are clear about what you want from the employer and that you are upfront and honest.

    When used appropriately, letters of intent can be a potent tool for getting your foot in the door with employers. They can also be used effectively when negotiating terms for future employment so that there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding regarding how much work the job will entail.

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