Letter of Intent Template: 6 Full Job Examples to Copy
By Mustafa Tarabya, founder of CVBooster · Published · Updated
9 min read
A letter of intent for a job is a one page letter that tells an employer you want to work for them, what you bring, and what you are asking for next. This page is about the employment letter only; a business letter of intent, signed before a sale or a lease, is a legal document for a lawyer. Grinnell College's career center calls it "a document similar to a cover letter" that is used "often when a specific job opening isn’t available." Below are a fill-in letter of intent template and six full examples by situation, checked in October 2026. Written by Mustafa Tarabya, who hired for his own company, read every application himself and now writes CVBooster's guides.
The application form asked for a letter of intent. You intend to get the job. That felt like it went without saying, and now it has to be said in four paragraphs.
Letter of intent template for a job
Every letter of intent has the same four parts: why this employer, what you bring, what you are asking for, and how to reach you. Grinnell's guidance on the opening is blunt: "Do not begin with “I am writing …” or “My name is …”". Start with the employer instead. Fill the brackets below with facts only you have.
Letter of intent template for employment, fill in the brackets (137 words)
[Your name] [City, State] | [Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Recipient name] [Their job title] [Organization]
Dear [Mr./Ms. Last name],
[One sentence on what the organization is doing that made you write: a project, a service, a new site, a value you share.] I would like to bring my [number] years of [field] experience to your [team or department].
In my current role as [job title] at [employer], I [one result with a number the reader can check]. I also [a second result tied to something the organization needs].
I am asking for [an interview for the advertised role / a short conversation about future openings / confirmation of my start date]. I am available [days or dates], and my resume is attached.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
The first full example uses that template for the most common case: nothing is advertised yet.
Entry level: graduate, letter of intent with no job posted (148 words)
Maya Johnson Columbus, OH | (614) 555-0128 | maya.johnson@example.com
October 14, 2026
Ms. Laura Bennett Volunteer Programs Manager Mid-Ohio Community Pantry
Dear Ms. Bennett,
Your mobile pantry route reached three new rural counties this year, and I would like to help it reach more. I graduated in May with a degree in public health and would welcome an entry level role on your programs team.
For two years I volunteered on Saturday distributions, and last spring I rebuilt the sign-up sheet into a shared calendar that the shift leads still use. In my final semester I mapped food access gaps in Licking County for a class project, which I would be glad to share.
I know you have no opening listed. I would value twenty minutes to hear how the team is growing, and I am free any weekday afternoon.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Maya Johnson
Letter of intent vs cover letter vs letter of interest
Indeed puts the overlap in one line: "Much like a cover letter, a letter of intent is a general overview of your industry-specific skills, experience and your interest in working for a specific employer." The difference is the target. A cover letter answers one advert. A letter of intent answers the employer as a whole, or a request that does not name a single vacancy.
Grinnell adds the other case people miss: "Occasionally, a company will request a statement of intent." When that happens, treat the request like an advert and answer it point by point.
A letter of interest is close to the same document. Our letter of interest guide covers the cold approach in depth. Northeast Community College describes that letter as the one to "Use when you have not seen a job advertised at the company". If a posting exists, write a cover letter instead.
Letter of intent example when the employer asks for one
School districts, public bodies and nonprofits sometimes list a letter of intent as a required document. Answer what the posting asks for, in the order it asks, and name the role in the first line.
Mid level: teacher, letter of intent requested by a school district (127 words)
Daniel Ortiz Phoenix, AZ | (602) 555-0164 | daniel.ortiz@example.com
October 14, 2026
Human Resources Desert Valley Unified School District
Dear Hiring Committee,
Please accept this letter of intent for the grade 7 science position at Mesa Ridge Middle School. Your posting asks for classroom experience with English learners, and that is most of my last four years.
At Copper Hill Middle School I teach five sections of science, two of them sheltered classes for English learners. I wrote the vocabulary cards our department now uses in every lab, and I coach the robotics club after school.
I hold an Arizona standard teaching certificate in middle grades science. I can interview any weekday after 3:30 p.m. and start in January.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Ortiz
Letter of intent for an internal position
Inside your own company, the reader already knows your name. Skip the introduction and spend the words on results they may not have seen.
Mid level: customer support specialist, internal letter of intent for team lead (121 words)
October 14, 2026
Dear Ms. Patel,
I would like to be considered for the support team lead role that opens when Jason moves to the onboarding team in December.
Over the last two years I have handled billing escalations for the whole team, and our open billing tickets fell from about forty a week to under fifteen after I wrote the refund checklist we now use. Since August I have run the Monday case review while Jason covers sales calls.
I am asking for a conversation about the role before the posting goes out. My one gap is formal scheduling experience, and I would like to shadow Jason on the next rota.
Thank you,
Aisha Rahman Customer Support Specialist, ext. 2214
Letter of intent to accept a job offer or to return
Some letters of intent confirm a decision rather than ask for one. They state the decision in the first sentence, repeat the agreed terms, and say what happens next. Keep them short and check every figure against the offer.
Senior level: operations director, letter of intent to accept a job offer (98 words)
October 14, 2026
Dear Mr. Lewis,
I am writing to confirm that I intend to accept the offer of Director of Operations at Harbor Freight Logistics, as set out in your email of October 10.
As discussed, my start date will be Monday, November 16, after my notice period with my current employer ends. I understand the formal offer letter and contract will follow from your HR team, and I will sign and return them as soon as they arrive.
I am looking forward to meeting the site managers in the first week.
Sincerely,
Rachel Kim (503) 555-0193
Entry level: seasonal worker, letter of intent to return next season (85 words)
October 14, 2026
Dear Mr. Haines,
I would like to return as a ski lift operator for the 2026 to 2027 winter season at Pine Ridge Resort.
This past season I worked the north chairlift, completed the lift evacuation training, and covered weekend shifts at the rental desk when you were short staffed. I can start on the first day of staff training and work through closing day.
Please let me know which forms you need from returning staff.
Thank you,
Tyler Brooks (970) 555-0156
Letter of intent example for a career change
A career changer's letter has one extra job: connect the old work to the new role before the reader decides it is a stretch. Name the transferable task, not a transferable trait.
Mid level: retail store manager moving into HR, letter of intent for a talent pool (117 words)
Sofia Martinez Denver, CO | (720) 555-0172 | sofia.martinez@example.com
October 14, 2026
Talent Acquisition Team Front Range Health
Dear Talent Acquisition Team,
Your careers page invites letters of intent for future HR coordinator openings, and I would like to be in that pool.
As a store manager for six years, I hired, scheduled and trained a team of twenty two, and I ran our onboarding for every new starter. Last year I finished an HR certificate at Red Rocks Community College to put a name to work I was already doing.
I would welcome a conversation about what your coordinators handle day to day. I am available for calls before 10 a.m. on weekdays.
Sincerely,
Sofia Martinez
I changed field myself, from one kind of work into IT and technology, and in a second language. The letters that worked named the task I had already done, not the trait I hoped they would see.
What to leave out of a letter of intent
- Legal language. "Binding", "terms and conditions" and "hereby" belong in a business letter of intent, not a job letter.
- A salary demand. If the employer asks for a range, give it in one line. Otherwise wait for the interview.
- The opening Grinnell warns against. "I am writing to express my interest" spends your first line saying nothing. The acceptance letter above is the one exception, because there the decision is the news.
- A generic letter sent to ten employers. If the first paragraph would fit any company, rewrite it.
- No contact line. CareerOneStop tells you to "Include the date, your name, your phone number and email address." The same applies here.
Finish with a sign-off you would use in any formal letter. Grinnell lists "Sincerely," "Best regards," or "Thank you for your consideration." For more closing lines, see how to end a cover letter. If someone is writing a letter on your behalf, the reference letter examples show what a good one looks like.
Frequently asked questions
What is a letter of intent for a job?
A one page letter telling an employer you want to work for them, what you bring and what you are asking for. It is usually sent when no specific job is advertised, or when an employer requests one. It is not a contract. The business letter of intent, used for sales and leases, is a different legal document.
Is a letter of intent the same as a cover letter?
They share a structure but not a target. A cover letter answers one advertised job. A letter of intent speaks to the employer as a whole, or to a request that names no single vacancy. Grinnell College calls it a document similar to a cover letter that is less focused on one particular position.
How long should a letter of intent be?
Keep it to one page. CareerOneStop says a good cover letter "can be about 200-400 words, with just 3-4 short paragraphs", and a job letter of intent fits the same budget. Four short paragraphs is enough: why this employer, what you bring, what you are asking for, and how to reach you.
Is a letter of intent for a job legally binding?
A job letter of intent is a statement of interest, not a contract, so it does not bind you or the employer. An offer only becomes formal through the employer's offer letter or contract. Business letters of intent are different: parts of them can be binding, so get legal advice before signing one.
How do you start a letter of intent?
Start with the employer, not with yourself. Name the project, service or value that made you write, then say what role or conversation you want. Grinnell's career center advises against opening with "I am writing" or "My name is", because both spend the first line saying nothing.
How do you end a letter of intent?
Ask for one specific next step, such as an interview, a short call or confirmation of a start date, and say when you are available. Then thank the reader and sign off. Grinnell suggests Sincerely, Best regards or Thank you for your consideration, followed by your full name and contact details.
Related articles
- Letter of Interest: How to Approach a Company With No Job Posted
- Application Letter for Student: 5 Full Samples to Copy
- Application Letter Format in Word: UK Layout and 5 Letters
- Cover Letter for Artist Jobs: 6 Samples by Art Career
More articles
- Letter of Introduction for a Job: When to Send One
- Licensed Practical Nurse Resume: 6 Examples in Canada
Looking for a worked example for your job title? Browse the resume examples by job title.