In a world increasingly bogged down by numbers, statistics, KPIs, quantifiable results, and other metrics, true drive and motivation are becoming harder to spot. Yet, everyone knows that the rate of favorable outcomes skyrockets when there’s genuine passion involved. It’s this passion that you want to showcase by writing a motivation letter.
But how exactly do you write one, and for what purpose? What is the difference between this document, a resume, and writing a cover letter? If you already have the last two, do you really need to write yet another one? Keep reading to find out the answers to all of these questions and more!
A motivation letter is a one-page document written by those who want to express strong interest in certain roles and positions. In some ways, a letter of motivation is similar to a cover letter example since its purpose is to convey an individual’s passion and enthusiasm for a specific function or opportunity.
The letter gives individuals a chance to express themselves in a meaningful manner that the factual nature of a resume doesn’t permit. It’s meant to focus more on drive and goals than unique skills and work experience. As such, a motivation letter is a more personal document than a resume or a CV, and it’s meant to emphasize your ambition.
A motivation letter is used for academic and non-profit purposes. More precisely, there are four scenarios in which you should write and submit this letter, and they are:
The objective of a motivation letter is the main thing that differentiates it from a cover letter. You should write a cover letter when applying for a role in the corporate sector. That makes it job-focused and more about emphasizing specific skills such as team player skills and work-related experiences.
On the flip side, a motivational letter is about broad, long-term goals and aspirations that should align with the position that the candidate is applying for.
You want to format your motivation letter so that it looks clean and professional while being easy to read. If you’re unsure how to achieve that, you can start with a basic business letter format and go from there. Here are some tips and tricks to help you:
This way, you’ll have a stunning layout that makes your motivation letter pleasing to the eye and easy to read. Just remember to properly proofread it before submitting, as even a single typo can lower your chances of getting accepted.
A motivation letter consists of three segments. The opening, body, and conclusion all serve distinct purposes and are written in specific ways. Let’s examine each of these parts and how to write them properly.
The opening of your motivation letter is where you want impactful writing to grab the readers’ attention. You can think of it as an elevator pitch, where you only get a couple of sentences to impress the recipient and convince them to take a closer look at the rest of the document.
One of the ways to achieve that is to address the recipient by their name. Make an effort to find out who the recruiter or hiring manager is at the organization that you’re applying to, and include their name. That builds rapport and shows a willingness to go the extra mile. If you can’t find the name, use their title instead of a generic “To Whom It May Concern.”
Furthermore, you should mention what you are applying for. You don’t want to leave the reader guessing why you sent the letter in the first place. At the same time, you should include the reasons for applying, explaining why you’re writing the letter.
Of course, the top of your motivation letter should also feature your and the recipient’s contact information. This is a straightforward part where you should list the following:
You can also include the date of writing before listing the recipient’s name, title, organization, and address.
The body of your motivation letter is also its centerpiece. This is the place to go all-in on your personal story, drive, competencies, accomplishments, career goals, and everything else that would persuade the reader to invite you for an interview.
There are two ways to write this part:
Which option you should go with depends on your circumstances and writing preferences. In both cases, you should be as precise and descriptive as possible. On the one hand, you don’t want to downplay your achievements. On the other hand, you don’t want to lie and overestimate your competencies.
To help get your point across, you should use specific examples of what you did and achieved in the past. You can strengthen those examples by using numbers to quantify them and action verbs to make them stand out.
The conclusion of your motivation letter is meant to wrap it up and neatly capitalize on your writing. Here are three things you should include to make that happen:
After all that, you should briefly finish the letter with a professional sign-off (e.g., “Sincerely” or “Best regards”) and your name.
Here’s a motivation letter example to help you see everything that you’ve learned so far in practice:
Let’s examine some of the key questions that you should answer when writing your motivation letter. That will help you convey valuable information in your summary of qualifications and convince them of your drive and capabilities.
By answering why you’re interested in the opportunity, you’re giving the reader a direct reason behind your enthusiasm. A complete answer should also feature specific reasons as to why you’re interested in the exact role within their organization in particular. That way, you’re showing a deep understanding of their work and high levels of commitment.
Let’s see that in an example:
I am particularly interested in the position at [Organization’s Name] because of your innovative and customer-centric approach. Your practices align with my values, and I’m excited to join your team and help you reach your goals.
A good answer to this question can set you apart from the other candidates. It gives you a chance to highlight your unique perspective. Moreover, you should emphasize those hard and soft skills and experiences that the organization you’re looking to join wants in its members.
Here’s a good example:
My experience in social media and knowledge of data analytics make me adept at running ad campaigns and increasing user engagement. Before applying for an internship position at [Company’s Name], I successfully ran 5 different theme pages on Instagram, increasing their user engagement by up to 31% after just 3 months. This dual expertise can help me successfully fill the position of social media data analyst at your company.
An answer to this question gives the reader insight into your current career status and future aspirations. It connects your present to your future and creates a notable trajectory that shows you have a goal to work toward. That is a sign of maturity and indicates that you’re skilled and ready to take on the challenge that you’re applying for.
Here’s a sample from a motivation letter for a job application:
My recent improvements in the field of computer science led to my increased interest in artificial intelligence. The internship position at [Company’s Name] seems like the perfect fit for my current level of knowledge. I am confident that I can contribute to your operations while improving my skills and becoming an integral part of your progress-focused team.
Here are five expert tips that can help you craft an impeccable motivational letter:
A motivational letter remains one of the best instruments for helping people join non-profit organizations, obtain scholarships, get into educational programs, and more. When writing it, remember to use more than a fact-based approach.
While there are many individuals with similar skills and knowledge applying for certain positions, they each have different backgrounds and aspirations. By letting yours shine through, you’ll stand out among the competition and grab the attention of all the readers and hiring managers. The interviews and positions are right around the corner!
Isabelle Dupont Content Writer & EditorIsabelle Dupont is from Portland, but she now lives and works in sunny San Diego. She is a content writer and editor for Resume.co. She loves casual Fridays and carefree days spent on the beach and has been writing for several years now. Whether it’s creating content or fixing it up, she’s always on point and makes sure no stone is left unturned. In her free time, Isa loves to immerse herself in fantasy novels, go on long hikes, and spend time with her friends and family.
