Letter of interest: how to ask a company for a job it hasn't posted.
A letter of interest, sometimes called a prospecting letter, is what you send when you want to work somewhere that has not advertised the role you want. It works only if it is short, specific and sent to a person.
A letter of interest tells a specific employer you would like to work there, even though no matching job is posted. Address it to a named person, explain why that company, describe the kind of role you want and the value you would bring with one or two concrete results, and ask for a short conversation. Keep it to about 250 words, or shorter as an email.
3 copy-ready templates
Illustrative: names, companies, dates and numbers in these templates and examples are fictional. Replace every bracket with your own true details before you send anything.
Email version (short)
When to use: Best for most private-sector employers: send to a hiring manager or team lead.
Subject: [Your field] professional interested in [Company] Hi [Name], I've followed [Company]'s work on [specific project or product] and would love to contribute to your [team]. I'm a [your role] with [years] years of experience in [area]; most recently I [one concrete result]. I know you may not have an open role right now, but if a [type of role] need is coming up, I'd value 15 minutes to learn about your plans. Thank you, [Your name] [LinkedIn URL]
Formal letter (attachment or portal)
When to use: For employers that ask for a letter of interest, such as schools, public bodies and some universities.
Dear [Name], I am writing to express my interest in [type of role] opportunities at [Organization]. Your [program, mission or initiative] aligns closely with my experience in [area]. In my current role at [Employer], I [achievement 1]. I also [achievement 2]. I would bring the same focus to [Organization's goal]. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could contribute. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, [Your name]
Internship letter of interest
When to use: Students contacting an organization without a posted internship.
Hi [Name], I'm a [year] student studying [major] at [school], and I'm very interested in [Company]'s work on [area]. I've [relevant class project, club or job], and I'd love to learn more about any internship opportunities on your team this [season]. Would you be open to a short call? Best, [Your name]
Disclosure: TryHired makes HIRED, a paid job-search program, so we have a conflict of interest when we mention it. Every template on this page is free to use without buying anything.
Letter of interest vs cover letter
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A specific job is posted | Write a cover letter for that job. |
| No role is posted, you know the company you want | Send a letter of interest. |
| The employer asks for one (schools, public bodies) | Use the formal version. |
| You know someone inside | Ask for an introduction first; send the letter with it. |
The same message, rewritten
Illustrative example with fictional details.
| Version | Example |
|---|---|
| Weak | To whom it may concern, I am interested in any job you have available. |
| Strong | I've followed Rivermark Studio's redesign of its booking app and would love to contribute to your product team. Most recently I cut checkout steps from five to three in a similar app. |
Why it matters: 'Any job' asks the reader to do your career planning. The strong version names the team, shows you did homework, and gives one reason to reply.
Mistakes to avoid
- Sending it to a generic careers inbox.
- Writing a full-page letter for an email.
- Asking for 'any role'.
- Attaching a resume with no context in the email.
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Questions people ask
What is the difference between a letter of interest and a cover letter?
Who should I send a letter of interest to?
How long should a letter of interest be?
Should I attach my resume?
How this page is built
Written by Maid Dizdarevic, a career coach and 8x LinkedIn Top Voice. The templates and timing guides are practical advice, labelled as advice. We do not publish response rates or success rates, and every example uses fictional details.
- How a specific employer or recruiter will respond: practices vary by company, industry and person.
- Legal advice: for contracts, severance releases or disputes, talk to an employment attorney or the relevant agency.
- Outcomes: no message, template or program can promise an interview or a job.
- TryHired editorial guidance by Maid Dizdarevic, career coach, Nov 2, 2026.