Mastering Your Letter of Intent

If you’re trying to get into a graduate program, finding out about job opportunities that haven’t been listed yet, or want to get a professional collaboration, you should know how to write a Letter of Intent (LOI). However, for lots of students, it is challenging because they’re never quite sure where to start or how to get the thoughts they have into a proper format. This guide is here to help you understand these things, providing a plain-English explanation of what an LOI is and how to write one that really works.

What is a Letter of Intent?

A Letter of Intent is a document that helps you to say who you are and why you’d like to be a part of what someone else is doing. With an LOI, you can apply for a job position, indicate that you'd like to join up to work with a team, program, or opportunity that doesn't exist yet, effectively. These letters are used in different cases: students use LOIs when applying to grad school, professionals use LOIs in business to land deals and future gigs at a company.

While a casual message or email could be quickly absorbed and discarded, an LOI has the form and function of an official offering. It’s a professional introduction designed to work for you both now and later.

Letter of Intent vs. Cover Letter

It’s easy to confuse a letter of intent with a cover letter, but there are key differences. A cover letter is usually tailored to a specific job opening and highlights how your skills match the job description. An LOI, on the other hand, is broader; it’s about expressing interest in an organization or opportunity, even if a specific position hasn’t been advertised.

Real-life example: Imagine you're passionate about working for a tech company whose mission aligns with yours, but they don’t have any job openings posted. Sending a letter of intent allows you to express interest in a company, introduce yourself, and get on their radar for future opportunities.

When to Use a Letter of Intent

You can write a LOI for various purposes. Among the most popular, business and academic ones are key. Utilize a letter of intent in the following situations:

• When you find an employer that aligns with your interests and career aspirations but there are no relevant job listings.
• If you've learned that an employer has hiring intentions despite not having any open positions advertised.
• When there are job postings from the employer for other roles, yet they also seek professionals in your field of expertise.
• To establish or reinforce connections with a company after attending a networking event.

Essential Techniques for Writing an LOI

Remember, your letter of intent should not bore your readers. So be sure it sounds confident, polite, and clear. We recommend utilizing these tips to draft your letter of intent: 

• Research the Recipient: Customize your letter to the company or organization to which you are applying to show your sincere interest. 
• Be Direct and to the Point: Don’t use an overly technical style of writing when you can simply get to the point. 
• Write Your Letter With A Logical Structure: Set up the letter in standard business form: your address in the top right hand of the paper, the date a couple of lines below it, the name and address of the recipient somewhere on the left hand side of the page, a salutation, a body of the letter, and a closing. 
• Reveal Your Purpose: Open up and share your excitement about this opportunity and how it forces you to push the limits. 

If you are still finding it difficult to write the letter of intent, then JustDone's AI letter generator can be your helping hand by giving you personalized templates and ideas according to your requirements.

Drafting a Letter of Intent for Employment Opportunities

Writing a letter of intent for a job consists of typical formal elements. First, start with a greeting and, in the first paragraph, express your interest in the position. Introduce yourself and your context with a few brief sentences and a description of experience specific to the position. 

Then, explain your purpose and refer to the specific job: "I am applying for the position of... which you posted in...". Be precise and to the point. To convince your recipient you fit the bill, showcase your skills. Show off your expertise and any experience that would make you a great fit for the position. 

Lastly, be enthusiastic and show that you're excited to have the chance to work for the company. This will demonstrate that you’re an ambitious applicant, have relevant skills, and are motivated to work with the company. 

You can also use the AI tools available in JustDone to polish your language and make your accomplishments stand out in front of hiring managers. 

Academic Applications and LOIs

Letters of Intent are frequently written by students who are searching for graduate programs. Depending on your background and soft skills, we suggest you include your objectives, academic accomplishments, and future goals. To make your intentions clear in the LOI, write down what interests you most in this academic program and how the program aligns with your goals. 

Demonstrate your academic achievements - include any coursework, university projects, or research skills you have that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

Last but not least, write about yourself and your future aspirations, and discuss how this opportunity will help you achieve your future academic and career goals.

What to Avoid in a Letter of Intent

When drafting a letter of intent, try not to include a few common pitfalls. By doing this, you will improve your letter’s efficiency and sound like a professional. Here are the most popular mistakes to get rid of:

• Lack of Specificity: It is important to be clear about your intentions, objectives, and the ways in which you can contribute. Avoid being overly vague.
• Overlooking Research: Failing to tailor your letter of intent (LOI) to the specific recipient, be it a corporation, educational institution, or another organization, can indicate a lack of diligence. Personalize your letter by referencing particular elements of the program, project, or position that piqued your interest and how your skills or aspirations align with these aspects.
• Ignoring Structure and Format: Submitting a LOI without a professional layout may leave a negative first impression. Adhere to a business letter format and ensure that your LOI is well-structured for ease of reading and comprehension.
• Grammatical Errors and Typos: Errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation can undermine your professionalism and attention to detail. It is advisable to proofread your LOI several times or utilize tools like JustDone to identify mistakes.

The AI-driven letter-writing feature from JustDone streamlines composing an effective LOI. With just a few clicks, you can generate an initial draft, refine it, ensuring that your letter is error-free, maintains a professional tone, and aligns with your intent perfectly.

Letter of Intent Example

With the help of our tool JustDone, we generated a well-structured letter of intent example. Look at it, analyze its style and structure, and use it as a draft for your personalized LOI.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]
[Date]
[Recipient’s Name]
[Their Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]

Dear [Recipient’s Name],

I’m reaching out to express my interest in collaborating with [Company Name] as a freelance professional on your upcoming [Project Name or Type] initiative. With a strong background in [Your Industry/Field] and hands-on experience managing complex, results-driven projects, I believe I can offer valuable support to your team.

For over [Number of Years] years, I’ve worked extensively in [Relevant Skills or Services], building a portfolio that reflects both creative vision and strategic execution. One of my recent projects, [Brief Project Name or Description], led to [Key Outcome or Result], demonstrating my ability to deliver tangible results under pressure.

I’m especially enthusiastic about this opportunity because of [Mention Specific Reason – e.g., company reputation, project impact, shared values]. I’m confident that my experience in [Mention Relevant Skill or Tool] will allow me to contribute meaningfully and help achieve your goals efficiently and effectively.

If selected for this project, I would be ready to deliver:
- [Key Deliverable or Service]
- [Another Key Contribution or Responsibility]
- [Any Additional Value or Support Offered]

I’ve included my portfolio and references for your consideration and would welcome the chance to discuss how we can work together to bring this project to life. Please let me know a convenient time for a call or meeting.

Thank you for considering this proposal. I’m excited about the possibility of contributing to [Company Name] and look forward to speaking with you soon.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

Final Thoughts on Writing a Letter of Intent

In conclusion, writing a Letter of Intent is a vital skill for students and professionals aiming to express their interest in various opportunities. By following the essential techniques provided in this guide, you can create a well-structured and compelling LOI. Remember to leverage JustDone’s unique AI tools to enhance your writing process and ensure your LOI stands out.