A motivation letter is one way to introduce yourself to a hiring manager. What do you need to know about writing a motivation letter?
A motivational letter is a one-page document that is aimed to convince a recruiter or hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate for the role they need to fill. Unlike a cover letter, which discusses your skill set, qualifications and years of experience, a good motivation letter will discuss your interests and personal achievements in order to give recruiters an idea of what kind of person you are.
If you are applying to work with a prestigious non-profit or other volunteer organization, providing a motivation letter with your application could be helpful in securing you a place on the team.
While internships are often unpaid, they are still highly competitive. This is especially true if the position is with a major company like Google or Microsoft. Providing a motivation letter when applying for an internship can help you to stand out from other candidates.
If you lack the kind of professional experience that would be showcased in a cover letter, providing a motivation letter with your resume could increase your chances of securing a job interview.
While you may already have to write a personal statement as a part of the admissions process, a motivation letter may give you the edge. While a personal statement is about convincing the admissions team you are the best candidate for their institution, a motivation letter can focus on what you intend to do after you accomplished your academic goals. For example, if you intend to continue your education to obtain a master’s degree, you could include this goal in your motivation letter.
Your phone number, email and LinkedIn or professional job networking links should be included in the letter’s header. Start with an appropriate salutation. Address the person by name rather than the more impersonal, “Dear Sir/Dear Madam.”Introduce yourself with your full name, the company name, the job title you are applying to and the reason for your application (otherwise called a statement of purpose).
You can use a three-paragraph letter format or a five to seven-paragraph letter format where the paragraphs are one to three sentences long. Whichever you choose, your first paragraph should hook the attention of the recruiter or admissions committee. If you have five to seven short paragraphs, focusing each one on a different point can be beneficial. Whatever you choose, your letter’s main body should be factual, concise, provide examples of your hard work and focus on your greatest strengths and achievements.
Your final paragraph should tie the things you have talked about in your letter together, thank the admissions committee or hiring managers for their consideration and provide a call to action. The goal is to make a good first impression and convince them to follow up with you.
While a motivation letter focuses on your future goals, current motivations and past achievements, a cover letter is a document attached to your resume to provide extra information about your work experience and skills. Consider these cover letter templates if you need inspiration for a cover letter.
Yes, you should tailor your letter of motivation to each job application. This will increase your chances of success greatly. Look over the job description and the company website, and gear your letter to emphasize aspects of the company that excites you, and ways in which you can contribute.
Yes, when effectively deployed and well written, a motivation letter can help you secure a new job in the same way a cover letter would.
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