When you are looking for a job, you probably write countless motivation letters. But how do you write a letter that is well-constructed?And how can you distinguish yourself so that your letter stands out among those 99 others? Read our tips here!
1. Dont summarize your resume Make sure that your letter is not a summary or repetition of your CV, but rather a nice addition to it. A m OTIVATION letter says it all: it serves as motivation for the vacant position. Think of writing this letter as the perfect opportunity to bring your resume to life.2. Make it personal and visual In a time where more and more people are writing their motivational letters with the help of ChatGPT, it is essential to set yourself apart. Adding a personal video as motivation is becoming increasingly important. This provides a unique opportunity not only to let your words speak but also to showcase your personality and enthusiasm in a way that a traditional letter cannot match. So, alongside listing your qualifications and aspirations, consider adding a personal video where you present yourself and convey your motivation for the position in a vibrant manner. This can be a powerful tool to capture the employers attention and leave a lasting impression.3. Make connections When you have clear for yourself what your qualities are, you can connect them to the job requirements stated in the vacancy. You can also link them to the core values of the organization. This way the reader can see that you are a good fit for the organization and that you have the right qualities for the position. So you think for the reader, as it were. This helps the reader in the decision-making process whether to proceed to the next round.
4. Using Examples Do not only name your qualities, but also give a number of examples of how you use them. Tell what you have done, which quality(s) you have used and what the result was. That way you make your suitability for the position a lot clearer.
5. Substantiate! In order to be invited for an interview, you naturally want to convince the reader that you are perfect for the job. Often people then mention activities that they enjoy doing and these coincidentally all appear in the vacancy. Make these examples strong and explain why this is so. Here too you can indicate which qualities or characteristics you use to make these activities a success. Without substantiation, these examples are meaningless.
6. Your ambitions It is important that you indicate what your ambitions are. This makes it clear to the reader how you would like to develop within the position and within the organization. Describe what you want to learn and how you would like to do it. Then it becomes immediately clear whether your ambitions match the possibilities within the organization. This prevents disappointment for both parties in the future, if it turns out that your ambitions cannot be converted into plans.
7. The organizational culture The click between your personality and the organizational culture is extremely important. Therefore, try to find out why you are a good fit for the organization in question. So do enough research into the culture of the organization! When you apply for a position where the organization is not (yet) known, describe what kind of culture suits you well. You run the risk that this will ultimately not be a match, but you also avoid possible disappointment once you are at work.
8. Closing your letter Use strong sentences to close your letter. Draw a conclusion in 2 or 3 sentences why you are suitable for the position. Or summarize all the previously mentioned information in a short text of a few lines. Here too you can ask your environment what makes you so special and why you are suitable for the position. Also make clear the purpose of your letter. Most likely this is an invitation for an interview, so state this clearly. Avoid sentences that start with “I hope” or “I think.” It can seem insecure and it detracts from everything mentioned before. Show that you are convinced of your own qualities and previous experience!
Do you have any questions about this blog? Please contact one of our offices. Our consultants are happy to talk to you!
Getting hired for your dream job takes more than just submitting a strong resume. To really stand out, you need a compelling motivation letter that grabs the hiring manager’s attention and convinces them that you’re the perfect candidate.
But what exactly is a motivation letter, and how do you write an effective one? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain what a motivation letter is, when you need one, and share my best tips for writing a motivation letter that lands you interviews. I’ll also include motivation letter examples and templates so you can get started on crafting your own.
What is a Motivation Letter?
A motivation letter, also known as a letter of motivation or letter of interest, is a formal letter you submit with your resume when applying for a job. It highlights your personality, interests, skills, and motivations for wanting the role.
Unlike a cover letter, which shows how you’re qualified for the specific position, a motivation letter focuses more on expressing your passion and fit for the company or job.
When Do You Need a Motivation Letter?
While cover letters are common for most job applications, motivation letters are only required in certain cases, such as when applying for:
- Jobs at nonprofit or mission-driven organizations
- Internships at competitive companies
- Highly coveted roles like management consulting or investment banking
- Positions in countries where motivation letters are standard
The motivation letter gives you a chance to show the hiring manager why you’re an enthusiastic, motivated candidate who will thrive at their company.
How to Write a Motivation Letter
Follow these tips to craft a compelling motivation letter:
1. Research the Company’s Values
- Thoroughly research the company’s mission, culture, and values.
- Determine what resonates with your own passions and beliefs.
- Provide specific examples of how your values align with the company’s.
2. Convey Genuine Enthusiasm
- Express your passion for the role and company. Be specific.
- Share what excites you about the position and their work.
- Avoid generic statements—get personal and detailed.
3. Align With Job Requirements
- Carefully read the job description.
- Identify 3-5 key requirements or skills they desire.
- Give examples demonstrating how you meet each requirement.
4. Show, Don’t Just Tell
- Avoid simply listing achievements or summarizing your resume.
- Provide context through stories and anecdotes.
- Paint a picture of what motivates you and your career aspirations.
5. Let Your Personality Shine
- Use vivid language, descriptive details, and examples.
- Convey soft skills like your work ethic, values, and temperament.
- Present the best version of your authentic self.
6. Emphasize Your Ambitions
- Articulate short and long-term career goals.
- Explain how this role aligns with and furthers your aspirations.
- Describe the impact you hope to make in their industry.
7. Proofread Meticulously
- Read your letter backwards to catch errors.
- Check for spelling, grammar, punctuation, and typos.
- Ask a friend to review and provide feedback.
- Revise and refine until polished.
Motivation Letter Template
Use this template as a starting point when drafting your own motivation letter:
[Your Contact Information]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Mr./Ms. Hiring Manager Last Name],
1st paragraph: Introduce yourself and express your interest in the role. Mention the job title and where you learned of the opportunity.
2nd paragraph: Explain what excites you about the company and position. Demonstrate your understanding of their mission and values. Provide examples of how your own values align.
3rd paragraph: Draw connections between the job requirements and your skills/experiences. Give specific examples of times you demonstrated relevant abilities or soft skills.
4th paragraph: Convey your career ambitions and how this role plays a part. Express enthusiasm for contributing your strengths and supporting their goals.
5th paragraph: Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Reiterate your interest and fit. Provide contact information and offer to provide more details.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Motivation Letter Example
Here is an example motivation letter based on the above template:
Sarah Lee
123 Main Street, New York, NY 10000
555-555-5555 | [email protected]
April 19, 2022
Ms. Jane Smith
XYZ Nonprofit
123 Nonprofit Ln, New York, NY 10000
Dear Ms. Smith,
I was excited to see XYZ Nonprofit is hiring a Communications Manager. I would love to bring my passion for social justice and my success unifying diverse voices to support your mission of empowering immigrant communities.
What draws me to XYZ Nonprofit is your pioneering work providing language access services. My values of diversity, inclusion, and compassion align closely with your organization’s. For instance, I volunteered with a refugee resettlement agency, which opened my eyes to the challenges newcomers face navigating systems and services. This experience made me devoted to enhancing access through multilingual communication.
Your job posting seeks strong project management and digital marketing skills. For the past 5 years, I have honed these competencies managing social media and leading fundraising campaigns for national advocacy groups. For example, I increased Facebook engagement by 25% and donors by 30%. I would leverage these abilities to expand your audience and donations.
My goal is to dedicate my career to amplifying marginalized voices. As your Communications Manager, I would combine my technical expertise and commitment to equality to share stories of your impact and grow support for your life-changing programs. Thank you for your consideration. Please contact me with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sarah Lee
Key Takeaways
- Motivation letters highlight your soft skills, passions, and interest in the role.
- They are required for competitive roles or by certain employers like nonprofits.
- Research the company to demonstrate cultural fit and purpose-driven values.
- Use vivid language, specifics, and stories to convey genuine enthusiasm.
- Follow a template to cover your introduction, alignment with the role, ambitions, and closing.
- Proofread carefully and revise until your letter is polished and compelling.
With this advice, you can craft a outstanding motivation letter that makes you stand out from the crowd. Employers will be eager to meet the passionate, driven candidate presented through your letter. Just be sure to invest time tailoring each document you submit to every role. With a customized resume, cover letter, and motivation letter, you’ll prove you’re the ideal person for the job and receive more exciting interviews!
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