preparing cover letter

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume. 

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

• What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
• How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
• How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
• What excellent cover letter examples look like

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume). 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume. 

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

• Header - Input contact information
• Greeting the hiring manager
• Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
• Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
• Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
• Formal closing

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step. 

Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

• Phone Number
• Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
• Name of the company you’re applying to

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

• Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
• Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

• Your Full Address 
• Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this. 

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

• Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
• Dear Hiring Manager
• To whom it may concern
• Dear [Department] Team

Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

• Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started...

Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

• Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
• Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
• Excellent copywriting skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

• Google Search

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

• What’s the company’s business model?
• What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
• What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device. 

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have. 

The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.

Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

• Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
• Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
• Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Step #8 - Use the right formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

• Best Regards,
• Kind Regards,

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

• Professional email
• Relevant Social Media Profiles

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

• Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
• Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

• Did you identify the core requirements?
• Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

• Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
• Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .

Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. 

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
• A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
• Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
• There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
• Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

• How to Write a Motivational Letter
• How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
• Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

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How to Write a Cover Letter

Advice for tackling one of the toughest parts of the job-hunting process.

Perhaps the most challenging part of the job application process is writing an effective cover letter. And yes, you should send one. Even if only one in two cover letters gets read, that’s still a 50% chance that including one could help you. Before you start writing, find out more about the company and the specific job you want. Next, catch the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter with a strong opening line. If you have a personal connection with the company or someone who works there, mention it in the first sentence or two, and try to address your letter to someone directly. Hiring managers are looking for people who can help them solve problems, so show that you know what the company does and some of the challenges it faces. Then explain how your experience has equipped you to meet those needs. If the online application doesn’t allow you to submit a cover letter, use the format you’re given to demonstrate your ability to do the job and your enthusiasm for the role.

No one likes job hunting. Scouring through online job listings, spiffing up your résumé , prepping for grueling interviews  — none of it is fun. For many, the most challenging part of the process is writing an effective cover letter. There’s so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know where to start. Do you even need one, especially if you’re applying through an online system?

• Amy Gallo is a contributing editor at Harvard Business Review, cohost of the Women at Work podcast , and the author of two books: Getting Along: How to Work with Anyone (Even Difficult People) and the HBR Guide to Dealing with Conflict . She writes and speaks about workplace dynamics. Watch her TEDx talk on conflict and follow her on LinkedIn . amyegallo

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How to write an effective cover letter (with samples)

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You will have to prepare a number of materials for employers while looking for a job. One type of document is the cover letter, which is included with your resume when requesting a job interview. An effective cover letter is directed towards a specific position or company, and describes examples from your experience that highlight your skills related to the role.

You want to convince the reader that your interest in the job and company are genuine and specific. You also want to demonstrate ways that your experience has prepared you for the role by sharing a few brief stories that highlight your qualifications. This takes time and research; use the job description and the company’s web site or LinkedIn page to identify traits and skills the company values.

Cover letter structure and format

A cover letter should be no longer than one page with a font size between 10-12 points. Be sure to include your contact information and address it directly to the hiring manager, using their name. If you are not sure who to address the letter to, write “Dear Hiring Manager.” If the role you are applying for has a reference number or code, be sure to include it in your letter so that human resources is able to accurately track your application. The reference code is usually included

Cover letters typically take the following structure:

Introduction (1st paragraph)

• State clearly in your opening sentence the purpose for your letter and a brief professional introduction.
• Specify why you are interested in that specific position and organization.
• Provide an overview of the main strengths and skills you will bring to the role.

Example : I am a second year master’s student in MIT’s Technology and Policy Program (TPP) writing to apply for a consulting position in Navigant’s Emerging Technology & Business Strategy group. After speaking with John Smith at the MIT career fair, I realized that Navigant’s values of excellence, continuous development, entrepreneurial spirit, and integrity align with the principles that guide me every day and that have driven me throughout my career. Moreover, I believe that my knowledge of the energy sector, passion for data analysis, polished communication skills, and four years of consulting experience will enable me to deliver superior value for Navigant’s clients.

Body (2-3 paragraphs)

• Cite a couple of examples from your experience that support your ability to be successful in the position or organization.
• Try not to simply repeat your resume in paragraph form, complement your resume by offering a little more detail about key experiences.
• Discuss what skills you have developed and connect these back to the target role.

Example : As a graduate student in MIT’s Technology and Policy Program, I spend every day at the cutting edge of the energy sector. In my capacity as an MIT Energy Initiative research assistant, I use statistical analysis to investigate trends in public acceptance and regulation related to emerging energy technologies. Graduate classes in data science, energy economics, energy ventures and strategy, and technology policy have prepared me to help Navigant offer the expert services that set it apart from competitors. Furthermore, I will bring Navigant the same leadership skills that I used as the student leader for the MIT Energy Conference’s Technology Commercialization round-table, and as the mentorship manager for the MIT Clean Energy Prize.

Even before MIT, my four years of work experience in consulting—first at LMN Research Group and then at XYZ Consulting—allowed me to develop the skillset that Navigant looks for in candidates. As a science writer and policy analyst at LMN Research Group, I developed superb technical writing and visual communication skills, as well as an ability to communicate and collaborate with clients at federal agencies such as EPA and DOE. As a research analyst at XYZ Consulting, I developed an in-depth understanding of data analysis, program evaluation, and policy design.

Closing (last paragraph)

• Restate succinctly your interest in the role and why you are a good candidate.
• Thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Example : I take pride in my skills and experience in several domains: critical thinking and analysis, communication, and leadership. I note that Navigant values these same ideals, and I very much hope to use my abilities in service of the firm and its clients. Thank you for your time and consideration, I look forward to speaking with you further about my qualifications.

Additional cover letter tips

• Be sure that each cover letter is specifically tailored to the company you are writing to. Research the company to help you determine your approach. Check the company’s website and other resources online. You can also use MIT’s extensive alumni network through the Alumni Advisors Hub to seek first-hand knowledge, advice, and insight about the company.
• Are you seeking a position in a field or industry that does not have an obvious parallel or connection to your academic training? Be explicit about why you are interested in that particular field, organization or job, and what value you bring. For example, if you are an electrical engineer applying to a finance or consulting position, highlight your quantitative skills and ability to problem-solve.
• If you are applying for a summer job or internship and do not yet have any experience that is directly related to the position, focus on transferable skills that will add value to the role – leadership, communication, problem-solving, project management, etc.
• Lastly, cover letters are a chance to demonstrate the communication skills necessary to most jobs. Careful composing and revision are essential. To put your best foot forward and ensure your cover letter will be effective, schedule an appointment with a CAPD career advisor.

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Writing the Perfect Cover Letter

Customize for the job and proofread till it hurts.

Kerry Hannon,

Writing a killer cover letter is a key step in the job search dance. While not every employer accepts one in this era of automated résumé processing, for many it's what first piques interest in a candidate. So unless the job posting states otherwise or you're submitting your résumé on a site that includes no option for a cover letter, always include one.

View it as your opening number. Make it concise and confident. You have just a few sentences to demonstrate how well you understand the needs of the organization and, importantly, how well you communicate that knowledge in writing. Hard to believe, but according to CareerBuilder.com , 45 percent of job seekers don't include a cover letter. So don't be one of them. Take your time and create a letter in which each word works magic for you.

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Here are my do's and don'ts.

Do your homework. Start by reading the job description with a discerning eye. Learn as much as you can about the industry and your prospective employer. Visit the company's website and the sites of the company's top competitors. Visit the job-hunt site Glassdoor.com and do a Google search to dig up additional information. Find out who your supervisor is likely to be and look up the person on LinkedIn .

All this will help you craft a customized letter for this particular job that's addressed to the person who'll interview you or make the decision.

Do some soul-searching.  If you've found something about the company that truly speaks to a cause and interest that you care about, this is your moment to put that front and center.

Keep it brief.  Your letter should be no longer than one page. Think of it as a written version of your elevator speech : a short, snappy summary of who you are and what kind of job you'd like to find. It's a sales pitch you will tap again and again as you network and interview your way to your next position.

Organize.  A good cover letter typically has three sections. The first is the introduction. In the opening paragraph, tell the employer what job you're applying for and mention the exact title and position as it appears in the job post, if there is one.

Explain why you're applying for it, and (if applicable) who referred you or how you heard about it. Employers like to hire people they know or people they know of.

For example: "My friend and former colleague Joanne Smith told me you're looking for a detail-oriented person with years of experience in strategic communication. That is precisely what I can offer, and the opening is timed perfectly for my decision to pursue my goal of working for [organization name]."

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Second, briefly describe your skills in a way that matches them to the needs of the organization. Remember, job hunting is never about you. It's about what you can do for the employer. Highlight training, education and skills that are particularly relevant to the position and the organization's needs. Be specific without going into too much detail. Think of your letter as a carefully planned appetizer that whets the reader's appetite for the main course — your résumé.

In the last section, refer to the résumé and express eagerness to meet with the person. For example: "For additional details, please see my résumé (attached). I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you in person to discuss the position and my qualifications in greater depth."

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Wrap it up with a line that indicates you will follow up with them in the next few days. Invite the person to contact you and include the best phone number and your email.

Always end with: "Thank you for your time and consideration."

Those are the "do's." Now here are some "don'ts," which I've learned from reviewing hundreds of job applications over the years and speaking with dozens of people in human resources.

Don't be generic.  Instead, tailor each letter (and résumé) to the specific position.

Don't waste space.  Phrases such as "Let me introduce myself" add little to your message. Get to the point.

Don't be bland.  For example: "As was mentioned in the job description for this position, your company is in need of a team-oriented individual with a background of 10 years or more in the fields of marketing and communications, and proficiency with standard office computer applications. As you can see from the details in my résumé, my qualifications make me perfectly suited to that position." Would you want to read that? Better to say something like this: "Your company needs a team player with experience in marketing and communications. I am that person."

Don't merely repeat the contents of your résumé.  Instead, highlight your particular skills and achievements.

Don't call attention to your age.  Citing your 30 or 40 years of experience creates a certain impression. Instead, use words such as "extensive" or "significant" to describe your experience.

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Don't include your salary requirements.  Unless the organization specifically requests this information, save the salary discussion for when you're close to being offered the job.

Finally, fine-tune.  Once you've got a "final" draft of your letter, print it, read it closely ... but don't send it. Revise it to optimize its impact. Here are a few suggestions:

• Include key words and phrases in your letter that match those used in your résumé, just in case the organization uses an automated system for screening cover letters and résumés
• Use bulleted lists to present details. Leaving plenty of white space makes your cover letter more inviting and easier to read
• Be clear, direct and terse. Use short sentences and active verbs
• Share your letter with trusted friends who can give you frank reactions. Does your letter feel intriguing? Does it make the reader want to know more about you? If not, revise it
• Purge your prose of spelling and grammar errors. Proofread your letter several times and have someone else proofread it as well

Now you're ready to send it. If you've done it right, the recipient is going to smile and think, This person sounds interesting. Let's set up an  interview .

Kerry Hannon, AARP jobs expert, is a career transition expert and an award-winning author. Her books include  What's Next? Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties and Beyond  and  Great Jobs for Everyone 50+: Finding Work That Keeps You Happy and Healthy … and Pays the Bills .  Follow her on Twitter  @kerryhannon.

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What is a Letter of Intent? How to Write One for a Job [+ Examples]

Published: March 14, 2024

Standard job applications have a standard set of practices. You turn in a resume and cover letter, and then, if selected, you move through a few rounds of interviews and get the job.

However, not all potential job opportunities start with an application. In fact, many begin with initiative from a job seeker.

Those job seekers will send in a letter of intent rather than a  cover letter . In this article, we’ll take a look at what a letter of intent is and highlight some strategies for writing the best LOI you can. We’ve even included a template to help you get started. 

Here’s what you’ll find:

What is a letter of intent?

Letter of intent vs. cover letter, letter of intent vs. letter of interest, when to use a letter of intent.

How to Write a Letter of Intent for a Job

Letter of Intent Samples

Letter of intent template.

A letter of intent is a less common way of expressing interest in a company. It targets reasons you’re looking for opportunities with a specific organization.

A letter of intent does include elements of a traditional cover letter, such as relevant experience and skills, but it’s used in slightly different contexts. LOIs emphasize alignment between a job seeker and an organization.

There are a few key differences between a  cover letter  and a letter of intent, including:

Context. While a cover letter responds to a specific job listing, a letter of intent targets an organization more generally. It may or may not have a specific job opening at the time that the LOI is sent in.

Focus. A cover letter explains why an applicant is a  good fit for a specific role . An LOI, on the other hand, addresses an individual’s compatibility with an overall organization or more general role.

Initiative. A cover letter is a reactive document responding to a job opening. A letter of intent, however, demonstrates more initiative and provides information before an organization specifically requests it.

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Letter of intent and  letter of interest  are often used interchangeably. While there are a lot of similarities between the two documents, there are also a few key differences:

Level of intent. Letters of intent have a high level of intentionality, while letters of interest are more exploratory. A letter of intent proposes action, while letters of interest are for information gathering.

Commitment level. A letter of intent is a high-commitment way of expressing interest in a company, while a letter of interest is a lower commitment. An individual is more likely to send out multiple letters of interest. 

Action orientation. A letter of intent always ends with a call to action, while a letter of interest is more laid-back and may not request anything specific from the recipient.

While both letters demonstrate initiative and are closely tailored to the company, they do serve slightly different purposes.

There are lots of scenarios where a job seeker may want to send out a letter of intent. Here are a few examples: 

You have a high level of interest in a specific company, but there’s not an open role.

You are interested in networking with a company in a committed way.

You want to reach out with a formal follow-up after a networking event.

You’re applying to a highly competitive field.

You’re aware of a potential job opportunity with an organization that hasn’t been published yet.

Additionally, students or job seekers switching industries may use letters of intent to apply to educational opportunities like internships and apprenticeships — though those may also be called  cover letters . 

How to Write a Letter of Intent

There are plenty of ways to approach writing a letter of intent for a job. Here’s a step-by-step process for writing your LOI draft:

1. Provide your contact information.  

At the top of your LOI, you’ll want to provide contact information so your recipient can contact you about future opportunities. This can include your phone number, email, and address.

2. Use an appropriate greeting.

For some opportunities, a formal greeting is appropriate. In other situations, a more informal approach may be ideal. If possible, address the specific recipient. 

3. Provide an introduction.  

In the intro paragraphs, you’ll want to tap into three specifics:

Who you are.

Why you’re reaching out.

How you got this company’s information.

Feel free to vary the order of this information. Your LOI intro may be formal or more playful, depending on who you are and the organization you’re submitting to.

4. Dive into your strengths and company alignment.  

An LOI is created to clearly convey why you’re a good fit for the organization. In the body paragraphs of your letter, you’ll want to explain:

• Your strengths.
• What you do.
• How those things would fit with the organization.

5. Guide the conversation into the future.  

All LOIs end with a call to action, which is one of the things that differentiates it from a letter of interest or a cover letter. Map out potential next steps so it’s easy for the reader to take action. It could include:

A request to schedule a meeting.

Making a specific pitch.

Encouraging the recipient to send a follow-up email.

6. Write a thoughtful conclusion .

Conclude your LOI by reiterating your interest in the company. Make sure to thank the recipient for their time, too — there wasn’t a job opening request, so they took time out of their day to read your letter.

If you’re sending your LOI because of an internal referral, be sure to reference them within the letter. 

Let’s go through a few different samples of LOIs and highlight what each does well. Refer to these samples as you draft your own letter of intent for guidance on incorporating the elements of an LOI seamlessly.

Internal Connection

In this letter of intent, Jennifer leverages an internal connection. This is a great way to earn a few extra points when explaining how you know about the business. Beyond that, Jennifer’s experiences align well with the work that the wine bar does.

What I like:  This letter of intent does a great job of personalization, weaving through the internal connection perfectly in a few different spots. A referral is a powerful aid to incorporate into an LOI, and Jennifer did a great job dropping hints of her connection.

Making a Pitch

What I like:  In this letter, Mark is making a pitch. He still covers the bases of a great LOI — discussing his strengths and alignment with the brand. But instead of just calling for a meeting, he makes a pitch that is specific to the organization. This provides value to the recipient and makes Mark look like a strong collaborator. 

Mark could benefit from HubSpot’s CMS Hub to manage his pitches. Lead generation and content creation are important parts of freelancing, and Mark needs to stay organized in order to do it well. Learn more about  HubSpot’s CMS Hub here .

Diving Into Alignment

Letters of intent are standard documents, so you don’t need to worry about reinventing the wheel each time you send one. Use this template as a resource to ensure your letter includes all the important parts.

[Your name]

[Your contact information]

[Recipient’s Name]

[Recipient’s contact information]

Dear  [Recipient or To Whom It May Concern] ,

My name is  [Your Name] ,  [title/relevant information about yourself] , and I heard about your organization through  [how you know the organization] . I’m reaching out to connect. I would love to chat if your team plans on expanding.

I have skills in  [skills]  that I believe would be a great fit for your organization. Your values of  [company values]  are in close alignment with my strengths, and I believe I could make a great contribution.

I believe that my  [abilities/skills/interests]  would benefit your company, and I’d love to talk more about any potential opportunities that arise with  [name of organization] . If interested, please reach out by  [phone/email]  to schedule a time to meet with me.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter, and I hope to talk with you further in the future.

Of course, you’ll want to edit the template for tone and specifics related to yourself and the organization you’re contacting. 

Finding Success With a Great Letter of Intent

Sending a letter of intent can be vulnerable, but it’s a great way to make new connections and set yourself up for employment success.

Refer to these strategies, samples, and templates to make sure your LOI is going to be the most effective letter possible. Emphasize your alignment with the organization, and you’re sure to see success!

Don't forget to share this post!

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Sign up for essence newsletters the keep the black women at the forefront of conversation., ungatekeeping: here's my cover letter that landed me the job.

In a time when ChatGPT wasn’t yet known to the world, I wrote a cover letter that did exactly what it was supposed to: provided additional context for why I deserved the job I was applying for. And it ultimately landed me the gig.

It was 2016, and I really wanted a high-paying brand communication internship with General Motors as I rounded out my last year of journalism grad school. The requirements were simple. Submit a resume, job application, writing sample and…a cover letter. I’m not sure why that last ask was gave me pause but it was a daunting task to both sum up and expound on my resume, which is the purpose of a cover letter and essentially what you should aim to do when creating one. Since I knew the intern program was a coveted one and would likely garner scores of applications, I set out to ensure mine stood out with a few details: color, language and personality. Although cover letters may seem like they’re on the way to being obsolete, that’s not the case.

A recent survey of employers highlighted that the difference between getting the job you’re applying for and being overlooked lies in the cover letter. An impressive  87%  of employers read cover letters.

At the time, Girl Boss pink was the color of the moment, so I chose the tone to highlight the parts of the letter I wanted my prospective employer to pay attention to the most. Don’t be afraid to venture outside of the typical black font color when creating your cover letter, especially if you’re applying for a role in the creative industries like communications, marketing or graphic design.

Personality

I used thr opportunity to give them a preview of the type of person they would be working with: creative, outgoing and fun. I peppered in a few details about the type of skills I’d learned while in school and through other intern opportunities as well as how I’d already applied them. For example, I let them know that I was taught how to properly apply AP style writing, which was in alignment with my type A personality type. Don;t be afraid to inject some of yourself in the cover letter. After all, it’s likely that this will one of the first introductory documents the recruiter will look at of yours during the screening process.

Keep it specific and concise

Although the cover letter is a one-pager, you can utilize as a tool to let your recruiter know you’ve done your homework on the role and what it will likely entail from you. In my cover letter, I included information a partnership GM spearheaded, and what it’s aim was. It only took a quick Google search, but that detail was the differentiator that landed me the job I was later told by my recruiter.

At the end of the cover letter, reinforce your reason for applying to the job and why you’d be perfect for it. Use the last few lines as an opportunity to really drive your point home and leave a lasting impression on those who read it.

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Key witness declines to testify at Biden impeachment inquiry hearing

WASHINGTON — Devon Archer, a former business associate of Hunter Biden and a key witness in the GOP impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, has declined an invitation to appear at a public hearing Wednesday before a pair of Republican-led House panels.

Archer’s attorney Matthew Schwartz said Monday that there is not enough time for his client to prepare for the high-profile public hearing held by the House Oversight and Judiciary committees, according to a copy of a letter addressed to House Oversight counsel that was obtained by NBC News.

“It is not remotely reasonable to ask an important witness in what is sure to be a closely watched public hearing that the Committee has provocatively entitled 'Influence Peddling: Examining Joe Biden’s Abuse of Public Office' to prepare witness testimony in one business day, and to prepare to give public testimony in less than three days—particularly when he is traveling,” Schwartz wrote.

ABC News first reported the letter.

A spokeswoman for the Oversight Committee told NBC News that the panel sent the invitation at the beginning of March and that Archer’s counsel confirmed receipt, adding that it is now “unfortunate Devon Archer appears to be planning to not testify at the hearing.”

Schwartz said in his letter that the invitation "was never sent to me, and as you well know (and as the lawyer to whom you sent the letter has confirmed), I have been the only lawyer to represent Mr. Archer in the Committee’s work, including representing him at the July interview."

In a statement to NBC News, Schwartz said, “Mr. Archer remains ready and willing to cooperate with all authorities in their legitimate investigations, just as he has already done repeatedly with both House and DOJ investigators.”

Archer previously appeared for a closed-door transcribed interview with  committee investigators in July  and testified that he was not aware of any wrongdoing by the president, including, as has been alleged, that he changed U.S. foreign policy in any way to benefit the business dealings of his son Hunter Biden.

Archer was invited to be a part of a panel of witnesses to bolster unproven Republican claims that the president was directly involved in his son’s work and engaged in wrongdoing. The probe has yet to provide any evidence to that effect.

The committees also extended hearing invitations to Hunter Biden and his former business associates Tony Bobulinski and Jason Galanis.

Bobulinski has agreed to appear in person, while Galanis will appear remotely from federal prison as he serves a 14-year sentence tied to a fraud conviction. In separate closed-door interviews, Bobulinski and Galanis both claimed that Hunter Biden used his father’s name to help his business prospects, but they provided no direct evidence that the president used his public office to help his son in any way.

Hunter Biden declined to participate in the hearing after previously having indicated he would if it were open to the public. His attorney Abbe Lowell last week blasted the scheduled hearing as a “carnival side show.” Lowell said his client would agree to appear at Wednesday’s hearing only if the committees included “relatives of former President Trump,” including the former president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, whom he has also previously represented.

House Republicans have targeted Hunter Biden in their impeachment inquiry into his father. Their probe sustained a critical blow last month when former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, whose claims played a prominent role in sparking the probe, was indicted  and accused of lying to the FBI about Joe Biden and his son during the 2020 presidential campaign.

Hunter Biden sat for a closed-door deposition  on Capitol Hill last month, repeatedly rejecting allegations that his father had any involvement with his business dealings and saying his relationship with Bobulinski soured when he pulled out of a business deal with him.

During his testimony, Hunter Biden called the probe a “baseless and destructive political charade” based on “MAGA-motivated conspiracies.” His more than six hours of testimony appears to have dimmed support for an impeachment  among some House Republicans, NBC News has reported.

Rebecca Kaplan, Ryan Nobles and Sarah Fitzpatrick reported from Washington and Zoë Richards from New York.

Rebecca is a producer and off-air reporter covering Congress for NBC News, managing coverage of the House.

Ryan Nobles is a correspondent covering Capitol Hill.

Sarah Fitzpatrick is a senior investigative producer and story editor for NBC News. She previously worked for CBS News and "60 Minutes." 

Zoë Richards is the evening politics reporter for NBC News.

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What We Know About Trump’s Failure to Arrange a Half-Billion-Dollar Bond

Donald J. Trump’s lawyers told a judge that their client could not come up with the collateral needed to stave off efforts to collect a $454 million judgment. He has six days left.

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By Kate Christobek and Ben Protess

It’s crunchtime for Donald J. Trump.

By Monday, March 25, the former president must secure an appeal bond for roughly half a billion dollars in his civil fraud case in New York, and his ability to do so was called into question this week.

In a court filing, Mr. Trump’s lawyers revealed that he had been unable to secure an appeal bond despite “diligent efforts” that included approaching about 30 bond companies.

While Mr. Trump this month managed to post a $91.6 million bond in his defamation case against the writer E. Jean Carroll, securing the deal at the 11th hour from a large insurance company , he lacks the assets needed to secure the far bigger guarantee for the fraud case.

If he cannot produce the bond in time, Mr. Trump faces the possibility of financial disaster and humiliation. New York’s attorney general, Letitia James, who brought the fraud case, would be entitled to collect the $454 million and could seek to seize Mr. Trump’s New York properties or freeze his bank accounts.

And Mr. Trump’s money problems spread well beyond New York. As the presumptive Republican nominee for president, he is facing increased pressure to raise money to fund his campaign, lagging behind his opponent, President Biden, in fund-raising.

In recent days, The New York Times has received many questions about Mr. Trump’s financial woes. Here are answers to several:

What was Trump accused of?

Ms. James took Mr. Trump, his company and his adult sons to trial last fall, accusing them of fraudulently inflating the value of his golf clubs, office buildings and other properties to the tune of about $2 billion.

Mr. Trump exaggerated the property values, and in turn his own net worth, to obtain favorable loan terms from banks and insurers, according to Ms. James.

At the trial, which lasted months, Ms. James’s lawyers showed that Mr. Trump’s company had ignored appraisals and manipulated numbers to sometimes absurd heights.

For example, the former president had valued his triplex apartment in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue as if it were 30,000 square feet for years. It was actually 10,996 square feet.

Mr. Trump lost the trial. The judge overseeing the case — there was no jury — ruled in favor of Ms. James.

How was he punished?

The judge, Arthur F. Engoron, came down hard on Mr. Trump, imposing a judgment of $355 million plus interest, amounting to $454 million.

The judge also imposed a range of penalties that could curb Mr. Trump’s influence over his family business, barring him from serving as a top executive at a New York company for three years.

What comes next?

Mr. Trump has appealed the judgment.

Although he does not have to pay Ms. James’s office the $454 million while he appeals, he is on the hook to either cut a check to the New York State Court system for the full amount himself, or, more likely, obtain an appeal bond.

What is an appeal bond?

In this case, it would be a document in which a bond company promises to pay the $454 million judgment, plus interest, if Mr. Trump were to lose his appeal and fails to pay.

To obtain a bond of such size, Mr. Trump would need to pledge a significant amount of collateral to the bond company — about $557 million, his lawyers said — including as much cash as possible, as well as any stocks and bonds he could sell quickly.

He would also owe the bond company a fee that could amount to nearly $20 million.

Does he have enough cash to obtain one?

Short answer: No.

A recent New York Times analysis found that Mr. Trump had more than $350 million in cash as well as stocks and bonds, far short of the $557 million he would need to post in collateral.

In a court filing on Monday, Mr. Trump’s lawyers said they had contacted more than 30 bond companies, and none had agreed to do a deal.

But I thought he was a billionaire?

While Mr. Trump has long bragged about his wealth, his true financial position remains something of a mystery. And most of his wealth is tied up in his real estate holdings, which bond companies don’t typically accept as collateral.

He also has less liquid collateral available today than he did even a few weeks ago. Earlier this month, Mr. Trump had to post a $91.6 million bond in the defamation case he lost to E. Jean Carroll. For that, he most likely had to pledge more than $100 million in collateral to Chubb, the insurance company that provided the bond. That money cannot be used as collateral for a second bond.

What is the deadline for the bond?

Mr. Trump asked an appeals court either to pause the fraud judgment while he appeals it, or to accept a lesser bond of $100 million. The court could rule this week.

Although Ms. James could have moved to collect the $454 million immediately, she offered a 30-day grace period, which ends on March 25.

Ms. James could still grant additional time for Mr. Trump to pay or show mercy to the former president by offering a counterproposal.

What other options does Trump have?

If the appeals court denies his bid for a pause, and he still can’t find a bond by March 25, he might appeal to the state’s highest court.

Assuming that fails, he could quickly sell one of his properties or other assets, or seek help from a wealthy supporter. He might also try to obtain a loan from a bank, which he could then post as collateral for a bond.

And if all else fails, he could have the corporate entities implicated in the fraud case file for bankruptcy, which would automatically halt the judgment against those entities. But Mr. Trump is likely to balk at bankruptcy, and even if he were to pursue that path, it is not a panacea.

Ms. James’s judgment would not be halted against Mr. Trump himself, and she would most likely seek to hold him accountable for his company’s debts.

How could the state collect?

If Mr. Trump misses the March 25 deadline, Ms. James will be free to collect the money owed to the state.

It could get ugly for Mr. Trump.

Although Ms. James can’t put Mr. Trump in jail — because it is a civil case, not a criminal one — she still has plenty of leverage. With help from a local sheriff, she could freeze some of his bank accounts.

And if she wanted to take a more aggressive posture, she could even try to seize some of the properties involved in the case, including his office tower at 40 Wall Street in Lower Manhattan.

One swift option would be for her to place a lien on the buildings. Actually seizing them through the courts and the foreclosure process could take significant time.

Ms. James probably would not be entitled to seize assets unrelated to the case, though that and similar questions might require litigation to resolve.

Could Trump use campaign money to pay?

Probably not.

A super PAC supporting Mr. Trump’s candidacy can raise unlimited amounts of money, but it is legally banned from coordinating with him and cannot pay the judgment.

And although the former president has used a political action committee under his control to pay for lawyers and witnesses in his legal cases, that group lacks the kind of money needed to address the $454 million penalty.

He is now scrambling to raise campaign cash as he faces a significant financial deficit. Mr. Biden’s campaign recently announced that it had entered March with $155 million cash on hand. Mr. Trump’s campaign and the Republican National Committee had about $40 million total on hand at the end of January, though the Trump campaign has not released a more recent total.

What else is happening on March 25?

Mr. Trump also has a crucial hearing in his Manhattan criminal case, which could be the first prosecution of a former American president.

The Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, filed charges against Mr. Trump that accuse him of covering up a sex scandal involving a porn star to bolster his 2016 presidential campaign. The case is now proceeding to trial.

Jury selection was originally scheduled to start on March 25, but the trial was delayed late last week after the disclosure of more than 100,000 pages of records that had been in the possession of the federal prosecutors.

While the documents have now been turned over, Mr. Trump’s lawyers were given until mid-April to review the papers.

Justice Juan M. Merchan set the March 25 hearing to determine if the trial should be delayed further and to rule on Mr. Trump’s motion for an outright dismissal.

The Manhattan case is among four criminal prosecutions Mr. Trump faces.

Ben Protess is an investigative reporter at The Times, writing about public corruption. He has been covering the various criminal investigations into former President Trump and his allies. More about Ben Protess

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SEC climate rule prompts a rush to sue. Experts say companies are likely to prepare to comply anyway

Suman Naishadham

Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's new rule requiring companies to disclose some emissions and climate-related information was barely passed before the agency was being hauled to court.

The rule adopted in early March was watered down from what the nation's top financial regulator had proposed two years ago, thanks to intense lobbying and talk of litigation from business and trade groups and some conservative lawmakers.

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But weakening the rule didn't stave off lawsuits, and what's expected to be a lengthy legal battle is now underway. Here are some things to know about the rule and what's ahead:

EXACTLY WHAT IS THE SEC REQUIRING?

The rule requires that U.S.-listed companies publicly report their greenhouse gas emissions, climate-related risks and information about their plans to transition to a low-carbon economy.

The agency dropped a requirement that would have had companies report some indirect emissions known as Scope 3. Those don’t come from a company or its operations, but happen along its supply chain — for example, in the production of the fabrics that make a retailer’s clothing — or that result when a consumer uses a product, such as gasoline.

The rule was also softened to allow companies to decide whether some direct and indirect emissions are “material” to their business before reporting them, giving them some discretion in whether to report.

Some smaller companies don't have to report their emissions at all.

WHO IS CHALLENGING THE RULE?

Just hours after the SEC adopted the rule March 6, a coalition of 10 states including West Virginia, Alaska and Georgia announced they were filing a challenge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a strong opponent of the regulation from the start, filed its own expected lawsuit the following week.

Sierra Club, the environmental group, and the Sierra Club Foundation also filed suit last week, arguing that the final rule will tell investors much less about the risks companies face from climate change compared to what was originally proposed. Climate risks are already having a profound impact on the U.S. financial system, they argued.

Last Friday, a federal appellate judge in Louisiana agreed to temporarily pause the rule pending a challenge from two oilfield services companies. Liberty Energy Inc. and Nomad Proppant Services LLC argue that the SEC rule went beyond the agency's authority, would be overly burdensome because of compliance costs and sought to harm the oil and gas sector.

WHY ARE THEY CHALLENGING IT?

Many Republicans, some industry groups and companies accused the SEC of overreach when they first proposed the more robust rule in 2022. Criticism largely centered on whether the SEC went beyond its mandate to protect the financial integrity of security exchanges and investors from fraud.

Despite the weakened final version of the regulation, that argument hasn't gone away.

WHAT ARE COMPANIES DOING WHILE THIS PLAYS OUT?

Ropes & Gray attorney Michael Littenberg said companies will prepare for compliance while the lawsuits move forward. Whatever the outcome, many companies will have to comply with similar rules in California and the European Union, which recently moved ahead with requirements for companies to disclose their emissions and other climate-risk information.

“What does the stay mean for companies subject to the rules? At this point, likely not much," Littenberg said.

“The climate risk reporting architecture takes time to build,” said Suzanne Ashley, a former special counsel and senior advisor to the SEC’s enforcement director and founder of Materiality Strategies, which advises companies on issues including regulation. “It’s not prudent for companies to delay or fail to prepare betting on the outcome of the legal challenge.”

Kristina Wyatt, chief sustainability officer at Persefoni, a carbon accounting software firm, said there’s “a sense of inevitability that companies will need to have a sense of their carbon emissions. The SEC isn’t the only game in town.”

Several plaintiffs have made similar arguments against the SEC’s climate rule. Wyatt said those cases will eventually be consolidated and a lottery process will decide which U.S. appeals court will hear that case. A different appeals court might revoke or modify the stay, she said.

California’s measure passed last year. It will require both public and private companies operating in the state with more than $1 billion in revenue to report their direct and indirect emissions starting in 2026.

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