What is the Difference Between Cover Letter and Letter of Interest?

The main difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest lies in their purpose. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

Cover Letter:

• Written to apply for a known open position.
• Expresses enthusiasm for the open job.
• Focuses on what you would bring to a specific role.
• Talks about how your skills and experience line up with the job.
• Usually accompanies a resume and/or other application materials.

Letter of Interest:

• Not in response to a specific job posting or opening.
• Expresses a desire to work for the company more broadly.
• Focuses on how you can contribute to the organization.
• Talks about your skills and experiences and how you might be able to help the company.
• Does not always include your resume.

In summary, a cover letter is used to apply for a specific job opening, while a letter of interest is used to express interest in working at a company that isn't necessarily advertising any open roles at the moment.

Comparative Table: Cover Letter vs Letter of Interest

Here is a table comparing the differences between a cover letter and a letter of interest:

Both cover letters and letters of interest aim to showcase your skills and enthusiasm for a job or company, but their purposes and timing differ. A cover letter is specific to a job opening, while a letter of interest is more general and focuses on expressing interest in a company regardless of currently available positions.