A letter of intent can help you stand out in the job application pile.
A letter of intent is a letter that you send to gain admission to a university program or to gain employment in a company. The letter of intent acts as a notification, as well as a form of communication between the candidate and the employer. It is important that the letter conforms to the required format because this makes it easier for hiring managers to read your application among the pile they receive.
Format
The letter of intent uses a formal letter template in which the current date as well as the address of the recipient are written at the top left corner of the page. Two lines after the address, you should use the salutation "Dear" as well as the honorific and last name of the recipient. The body of the text should be aligned to the left, with the first line of every paragraph indented.
Introduction
The introduction should clearly convey who you are. Introduce relevant credentials such as the university you graduated from, as well as any relevant titles that you have acquired from previous experiences. This is also the space where you tell the recipient where you found out about the job posting and why you are interested in applying. An example of an introduction is, "My name is John Smith. I am a graduate of the University of California with a major in English and served as the editor-in-chief of our school newspaper. I discovered the listing for the marketing coordinator position in my local newspaper."
Reasons for Being the Right Candidate
The first paragraph should state the reasons why the employer should choose you over other candidates. Explain how you are different from other candidates who have the same qualifications. An example of the first paragraph is: "I am a motivated individual who has experience in advertising and business development, which makes me a great candidate for this position."
Abilities
You should mention your abilities in the body of the letter. These abilities are essentially what you are selling to the company. By presenting yourself as a valuable candidate, you increase your chances of gaining an interview. An example of the second paragraph is: "Serving in a board of communication at my university allowed me to develop critical problem-solving skills that I can apply to the position as marketing coordinator."
Closing
The closing statement in a letter of intent should contain information that expresses your motivation for the position. Reiterate how the company can benefit from hiring you, as well as your aspirations for the position. An example is: "I am a goal-oriented individual who is looking forward to excelling in this position, and this is why I believe that the company will benefit from hiring me." Close the letter with "Sincerely" and your signature written in ink above your name (unless you are emailing the letter, of course).
