What is a cover of interest?

What is the difference between a cover letter and a letter of interest?

• I thought they were the same thing, but a job I'm applying for says to include both in the application. Whaaaaa?

• Answer:

  A cover letter is to cover the resume, and is addressing a specific job, and addressing the points of interest to that specific job and employer.  There is a job, and you are applying for a specific position and you want to highlight your benefits and features for that particular job. A letter of interest, while similar, is different.  It is written without a specific job in mind, and is to showcase your interest in the company, and does not address a specific job, but rather highlights your interest in the company and why they should be interested in you as an employee.  A letter if interest is similar to a broadcast letter, but again a bit different. A broadcast letter is a letter you write to several employers in a targeted sector, and again describes the value you are offering as a worker - there is not a job being advertised specifically. A prospecting letter is a form of broadcast letter, but to a smaller, more targeted audience.  They are both versions of self marketing materials and are usually high end products meant for the executive level job search. if you want to check out a blog posting I wrote about how to craft the points to talk about in any of these letters, you can go over here and read the posting, and download the grid I designed to help you out - for free -  http://j.mp/mZe6hl