Employers in the United States have a unique challenge: filling roughly 10 million job opportunities with around a million fewer people than jobs. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today that the number of job opportunities remained mostly unchanged on the final working day of November. It remained at 10.5 million.
You don’t have to worry about finding a job anymore because you can have a job without job listings. All you have to do is to make a letter of introduction and make the best impression on the hiring manager. However, if you still don’t know what to write to impress an employer because of the similarities of the different letters, we have made an article for you.
What Is A Letter of Introduction?
A letter of introduction is a way to reach out to someone and request them to make their acquaintance connect with you. It is like luring them to you with a middleman. Remember that this is not your resume or your cover letter, even a letter to tell your journey as an employee. You shouldn’t send this letter to a job listing.
Letter of Introduction vs Letter of Interest vs Cover Letter
The next two letters that we will compare to the letter of introduction can serve as a bridge between you and the company. Both of them can be used for hiring potential employers.
Here are their differences:
- Letter of Introduction
A letter of introduction is a letter notifying an employer of your qualifications for the potential future positions you are aiming for and should not be sent in job listings. An introduction letter can be either formal or informal. When you use this letter, it does not matter if you know someone from the company. Because you can use this letter to refer you to a company from someone you know. Or you could refer someone with this letter to your current company.
- Letter of Interest
A letter of interest is a type of letter that is very similar to a letter of introduction. It is a letter that focuses on expressing your interest in working with your dream company that isn’t necessarily hiring. In addition, you should write about the qualifications that will make you a good fit for that company. You may send this with your resume.
- Cover Letter
A cover letter is a letter that is sent along with your resume too. It has the same element as the letter of interest but only refers to a specific job that the company has advertised. You should write here a qualification that focuses on the hiring managers listed in the company and explain how you meet their needs if they hire.
How To Write A Letter Of Introduction for A Job Application
If you are about to write your own introduction letter. Here is the basic format and what to write in your letter.
- Opening
Begin your letter with a professional salutation. You may include here the name of the recipient.
For example:
“Hi Andrew,
Hope you had a lovely weekend!”
- First Paragraph
You should include here your information on why you are writing the letter. Make sure that your purpose is clear enough for the recipient to understand. For example:
“My name is Katherine Smith, and I’ve been a web designer at Salud’s Incorporation for the past five years. I’m contacting you because I have seen your site, and I want to showcase my skill to justify your works through your sites, and I’ve heard great things about your works.”
- Second Paragraph
This part should introduce who you are. Talk about your strengths, qualities, or anything that will give the future employer a little idea about what kind of person you are. For example:
“I’m very flexible and a fast learner. I’m always open to innovative plans and always able to execute what’s on the plan.”
- Third Paragraph
You will write in this part what you have on your sleeves to offer to the employer. It should match the job you are applying for and your skills and experiences.
“I have 5 years of experience in the web design field as a freelancer, with ten months of work experience in a local firm which has brought me invaluable experience in web design.”
- Conclusion
In this part, you should conclude your letter of introduction by thanking the employer for the consideration of the position. You may include here how they can follow up with you (either a phone call or an email). For example:
“You can reach me at kath.webdesign@mail.com or call 000-123-456— whichever works best for you.
Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.”
- Ending Email
In ending your email, sign off your letter with your name and the job title that you aim for. For example:
“Sincerely,
Katherine Smith”
Tips For Writing An Effective Letter of Introduction
Use a Professional Tone
Keep your tone professional, which is important if you haven’t met the person yet.
Address A Specific Person
Address your letter as much as possible to a specific person using “Dear Sir or Madam,” To Whom It May Concern,” or “Dear Hiring Manager” if you know the name, then put the name.
Be Concise
No one wants to read a long message, especially when they don’t know who the sender is. So keep it simple and straight to the point.
Write Clearly
Make a point of explaining why you’re writing and what you want to happen next.
Proofread your letter
A business letter with typos seems unprofessional and might produce a negative first impression. So, before you submit your letter, be sure to properly revise and proofread it.
Sample & Template
Here is a sample letter of introduction that might give you an idea of what it looks like.
Letter of Introduction Sample for a Job
Dear Engineer Jane,
My name is Katherine Smith, and I’ve been a web designer at Salud’s Incorporation for the past five years.
I’m contacting you because I have seen your site, and I want to showcase my skill to justify your works through your sites, and I’ve heard great things about your works. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Great Builder’s Team, and I would appreciate any feedback you could give me regarding your current website.
I have included my portfolio for you to review at your convenience. If you have time, I appreciate the chance to talk more and hear your suggestions about designing your site. You can reach me at kath.webdesign@mail.com or call 000-123-456— whichever works best for you.
Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Katherine Smith
Letter of Introduction Template for a Job
Dear [Recipient’s title + last name],
My name is [Your Name], and I’ve been a [job title] at [company name] for the past [# of years working for the company].
[Reason you’re writing — include here your information on why you are writing the letter, such as interest in the industry, details of local opportunities in your field, etc.] I’ve heard a lot of good things about [recipient’s company name], and I would appreciate any help you could give me regarding [subjects you’re interested in discussing].
I have included [any supporting documents you’re attaching] for you to review at your convenience. If you have time, I appreciate the chance to talk more and hear your suggestions about [what you’re interested in]. You can reach me at [your email address] or call at [your phone number] — whichever works best for you.
Thank you so much for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Letter of Introduction For Different Scenarios
Using a letter of introduction is not just for finding a job. You may use it in many different scenarios. Here are some examples:
You may use this letter for college admission to your desired school. This can be also used for a scholarship application.
You’ll need this to get a visa, or it might help you get it easier. However, it must be written by your employer and addressed to the embassy.
You can use this letter to open a new saving account in the bank. And you may also use this for approval of installment payments.
Related Types of Letters
A letter of introduction alone is sometimes not enough to get that job you are anticipating. Here are some related letters that might help you get a job.
A cover letter is a document commonly used together with your resume. Typically, it has three to five paragraphs to introduce yourself and include your qualifications and interest in a specific position.
A letter of interest is also known as a letter of inquiry. It is a document you write to an organization to express your interest in working with them. It is sent even though there’s no job opening.
A letter of recommendation is a letter from someone to you to request an endorsement for a specific role. It provides what they’re capable of to fulfill the duties of the position. You can write this type of letter too, only on request.
A letter of intent is a formal introduction sent to potential employers. You may send this letter to hiring managers or recruiters at a firm that does not have any opportunities that match your qualifications.
A follow-up letter is a letter after an interview to express thanks and repeat your interest in the position, and you may mention other details you haven’t mentioned on your resume. It usually consists of one to three paragraphs.
An employment verification letter is a document prepared by an employer confirming that a person works or has previously worked for them. You may need this letter to request from a current or past employer when you apply for home rental, ownership, or loans. Mostly it is for insurance-related cases. It is used to prove that you earn enough income to pay for regular installments. It is also used by HR to confirm that you have worked at your past organization.
- Experience Letter
An experience letter not only confirms an individual’s employment at a company, but it also confirms they have specific skills. You can request this letter from your previous employer. Its purpose is to validate your claims in your resume or cover letter. Having this letter can improve your candidacy.
Key Takeaways
- A letter of introduction is a way to reach out to someone and request them to make their acquaintance connect with you.
- A letter of interest is a letter that focuses on expressing your interest in working with your dream company that isn’t necessarily hiring. You can send it with your resume, unlike the introduction letter.
- A cover letter is a letter that is usually sent along with your resume. It is for writing your qualification that focuses on the hiring managers listed in the company.
- An effective introduction letter is concise, clear, and has a professional tone in it.
- There are a few letters that can help you too to get a job; a Cover letter, letter of interest, letter of recommendation, letter of intent, follow-up letter, employment verification letter, and experience letter.