How to Write a Letter of Intent for a Potential New Position Opening at Work
Moving up within the company you’re already working at comes with many benefits. You already have an understanding of the business and their values and goals. Plus, you’ve made important connections with managers and colleagues. If you hear your organization is considering opening up a new position at work that aligns with your skills, experience and career goals, write a letter of interest for the job within your current company.
Much like a cover letter, a letter of intent or letter of interest highlights your experience and unique skills. While a cover letter is used for applying to a specific job, a letter of intent is used when there is no particular job being openly advertised at the current time. The company may be thinking of hiring someone but hasn’t created a posting yet. It’s an opportunity to show your employer why you’re a natural choice when the job opens up.
Write your letter of intent in formal business format. Align all the text to the left side of the page using block style. Single space your letter of intent and add a double space between paragraphs. Find out who the hiring manager is within your company. If it’s a marketing job you’re after, the head of marketing may be the hiring manager. Use a formal salutation using their name, such as “Dear Jane Sampson.”
In the first paragraph of your letter, share your interest in the potential position. Use clear language that states your mission. For example, “I understand that the marketing department will be expanding their events team soon and I would like to express my great interest in being considered for the Events Manager position when it opens up.”
A sample application letter for promotion within the company needs to include your accomplishments, even if you feel the hiring manager already knows them. You may be writing to a colleague or manager you have frequently worked with, but it’s important to share your contributions to the company in writing.
Tell them about projects you’ve led or initiatives that you’ve managed. Focus on showing your leadership skills, especially if the position you’re after involves greater responsibility than you currently have. For example, “In my three years at Bennett and Co., I have led numerous events from conception to completion. Last year, I oversaw all operations for the multi-national conference that resulted in many new leads for our organization.”
Your company may be considering opening up the job application to external applicants, so it’s important to use your letter of intent for the job position within the same company as a way to show why an internal applicant is a better choice. Having already worked for the company, you have a deep understanding of their mission and vision, policies, processes and goals. Use the letter to show why you can hit the ground running in the new position.
For example, “Having worked closely with all members of the marketing team, I am well-versed in our campaign plans for the next fiscal year. I have assisted in planning the three major corporate events we will be hosting and am intimately familiar with the strategies we use to ensure those events succeed. I have also built solid relationships with our PR contacts to promote those events.”
End your letter of interest for a job within the current company with a strong call to action. Ask the hiring manager for a meeting to discuss your interest in the position. Use the meeting as an opportunity to further showcase your experience and skills. For example, “I’d love the opportunity to discuss the future position and learn more about what you’re looking for in a candidate. With my three years of experience at Bennett and Co. in the marketing department, I bring a strong event-planning focus that would be a great asset to the future Events Manager role.”
Finally, thank the hiring manager for their time. Sign off cordially with a formal greeting, such as “sincerely," followed by your full name and position.