Motivation Letter Writing Guide With Examples for 2023
Compiling a motivational letter can be terrifying.
Once this question is presented “Why would you like to be part of this organization?”
You find yourself staring at a blank page, wondering what the right way to say is. “I’m zealous about going to college so I don’t starve to death.”
In two hours you took three coffees and check your Facebook newsfeed two times, and enjoyed the last season of Game of Thrones. Forward annoyed tweets to its producers, and sent donation for two dogs need knee surgery. You visited your open Word doc and you just wrote: “This organization looks like amusing” or “I’ll completely be a great fit”.
You know that you are not so normal or simple. You are a capable boy or girl, you have something to offer, and you have real reasons why you decided to apply.
It’s hard to express into words… and we did it!
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of composing a motivation letter to be accepted anywhere.
We’re Going to Cover:
- What a Motivational Letter Is (And Why It Matters)
- How to Structure a Motivational Letter
- How to Write a Motivational Letter [+Some Helpful Tips to Get Those Ideas Out of Your Head and Into the Paper]
- How (and Why) to Create a Motivational Letter With Novorésumé
What is a Motivational Letter and Why it Matters?
The motivational letter is one page document that explains why you are the ideal applicant for a particular position. It is generally annexed to your curriculum vitae or resume.
You are needed to draft a motivational letter in these 4 precise situations…
- You are submitting an application to get admitted to an educational course at a college or university (undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate level).
- You are submitting an application to work at a non-profit organization.
- You are submitting an application as an unpaid helper in an organization.
- You’re submitting an application for a trainee in a company or organization.
The motivational letter and cover letter are two different things so do not be confused. The aim of which is to emphasize how to exact detail on your resume matches a job opening.
Think of a cover letter as the introduction to your resume for a hiring manager and your motivational letter as the powerful closing sales pitch for a university or non-profit. Thus, why accurately does the motivational letter matter? You’re a practical: you’ve mentioned everything there is to know about you on your resume. That should be sufficient, right? Wrong!
All organizations are interested in candidates who naturally want to join them and emotional about organizations work. The aim should be your energetic motivation!
Composing a good motivational letter can be a complete game-changer. It may enhance the value of your resume, but also cover up for missing requisite skills.
How to Structure a Motivational Letter
An amazing motivational letter should be a single-page document in which you introduce yourself, your narrative, and show your concern in the position or association you are submitting an application.
There are two prime methods to design your motivational letter:
- Applying the classic method that is three main paragraphs design, where your motivational letter has the opening, the body, and the ending.
- Apply 5 to 7 paragraph structure, where you separate your main body paragraph into minor 1-3 sentence paragraphs according to the chief points.
It is up to you which one you select. If you want to create this according to standard, then follows the7-paragraph structure. In this structure each body paragraph contains precise points.
In case you want to express more, then follows the three paragraph option, and in this way you can explain the full story.
The Structure of a Motivational Letter
Whichever style you pick, it must contain three main parts: the introduction, body, and conclusion. And what should add in each part.
Introduction: In this portion you can write about yourself that why you are applying and what is interested for in this job:
- Individual detail. Who are you and what do you do?
- What are you submitting an application for? Where?
- An intro to the mass of your essay. Talk about the general cause on why you’re submitting an application, and then deep-dive in the bulk of your motivational letter.
Make sure, don’t forget to declare contact details on top.
For instance:
To: College/Organization Name
First Name Last Name
myenewmail@mail.com
Phone or Contact Number
Relevant Social Media contact like (LinkedIn, Quora, GitHub, etc.)
Example of Introduction for Motivational Letter
Dear [Name of The Contact Person],
My name is [Add Your name] and I would like to communicate my interest in submitting an application for the Doctoral program in political science at [University Name]. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a politician and assisting give back to my country, and I think that a Ph.D. in politics from [University Name] would set me miles forward to attainment my objective.
Body of the Motivational Letter:
This the prime portion of your motivational letter. This is right place where you actually sell yourself, talk about stories behind your successes, abilities, and enthusiasm for whatever you’re applying for.
Try to be as accurate as you can – a person that often reads motivational letters can create stories from the genuine stories. When feasible, you can also use metrics to back up your education.
Data You Can Declare in Your Motivational Letter:
1. My zeal for ______ started when ______.
2. I really want to ______ because ______.
3. I have been a part of _________ for ___ months/years. It’s the best thing for me because _______.
4. I memorize once when I ________, which made me recognize that I _______.
5. _______ resonates with me because _________.
6. What distinguishes me from my peers is __________.
Here’s a Practical Example:
It was while studying at [company name] that I developed my passion for online marketing. Working at a small startup gave me a superficial exposure to most digital marketing channels. Now I want to get deeper knowledge in digital marketing by attending the [university name] program.
Conclusion:
Lastly, you can close the motivational letter and send it in. In this segment, you can:
1. Briefly sum up your key points – “I believe I’d be an excellent fit for the program because of __________”
2. Declare your overarching objective – “I’d love to be a part of _______, as it would permit me to ___________.”
3. Thank the reader and end the motivational letter
At the moment that you know how to design a motivational letter, let’s go on to the contents!
How to Write a Motivational Letter
Thus how to draft a motivational letter which can distinguish from other candidates? To keep away your motivational letter from ordinary style and intensity to your motivational letter by arranging it to the precise organization and program/post you are applying to:
1. Once you compose a motivational letter, you must know whereabouts your applying for position. Moreover, search who is the key person that will take decision on application and address them straight in your opening remarks as Dear Mrs. John.
2. Get details of the program requirements and the institution’s personal website. Explore the prime three requirements of the vacant position and make clear how you are the most an excellent contender.
3. Reveal that you share the organization’s ethics or are remarkably competent through a tiny story or own examples. Be precise.
4. Your motivational letter should express that you keenly want this position! There is minor difference between demanding and showing intelligent interest whereas also advertising yourself. Declare precise reasons, show awareness and express passion for applying to the institution or organization without showing off or pleading.
5. DO NOT LIE! If you compose something remotely false, your reader will judge it. Involuntarily, we blow up approaches and ideas when we lie. If you stated fake story to enhance the excitement or achievements, you will be put into the “lying Pinnochio pile”. Your case will place aside and your application refused.
Questions to Answer in Your Motivational Letter [+Possible Answers]
What fascinated you to this particular organization or program?
1. I would love to reside in [location of organization], because ________.
2. It is my dream to be segment of [name of program], because _________.
What are the principles of the organization is stands on and how do you share them?
1. The principle [name of organization] is based on are: [three general principles stated on their website]. I have confirmed _____ because I have ______ particularly in ______. I also perform ______ in my occupational or working life by __________.
What types of candidates are generally admitted to the plan and why do you complete the requirements?
Requirement: Minimum 2 years of volunteering experience
I have been volunteered in Africa for three years. It’s one of my mainly satisfying experiences because I am zealous about serving others and came out a superior individual. I would do it once more in a heartbeat.
Requirement: Passionate about researching
I would pick a restless night carrying out explore instead of a night out any time. I use my major time in the mornings in reading the last edition of the Journal of Marketing. I participated in three main research studies throughout my time at Colorado University.
Requirement: 3,80 GPA
Attaining a Magna Cum Laude needed a lot of tough work and devotion. However, learning has been my prime enthusiasm in life, so there was more pleasure than difficulties in the route!
Reply some/all of these questions in fantastic way according to your best of knowledge and experience then change them into an organized text.
An Example of a Great Motivational Letter
We will exhibit how to compile a fantastic and stimulating motivational letter through Jane’s letter to the admissions panel of Harvard University below. She is submitting application for a Ph.D. in the Department of Political Science.
The general requirements are:
It is necessary that candidate must have a tendency toward the Politics, and moderate performance during undergraduate studies.
The prime principles of the university are honesty, learning, respect, and accountability.
She’s using the three paragraph structuring technique.
You can observe how Jane emphasizes through individual stories:
1. That she knows the history of the university and contribute the same standards
2. That she’s actually eager and zealous about the program and the school
3. What her education are and how they will be adjusted for the program
4. What she expects to attain if given the chance to study at Harvard
The same formulas and courage apply to non-university concerned motivational letters as well.
As you have observed that Jane mentioned entire personal story of her education. After viewing this letter, the admission panel will feel they know Jane, this is what you should also aim to do: convey your message that you are through stress your story drafted to the institution and program you are submitting application for.
How (and why) to Create a Motivational Letter with Novorésumé
At this moment that you understand how to compile a motivational letter, you can make a decision on how it appears.
A black and white letter paper with Times New Roman, 12-pt font size might be best for an official text, but it does not make you stand out in the heap of grey applications.
How can you show proficient without being boring? Novorésumé’s motivational letter templates and insightful editor add the touch of personality that you’d require to stand out from the others.
Conclusion
Thus, let’s summarize the whole lot we’ve enclosed in this post:
1. A motivational letter is an official letter that is required to submitting application for university/college admissions, a non-profit, or a volunteering institution. Job applications generally need a cover letter instead.
2. There are two main methods to draft a motivational letter: in three paragraphs method (introduction, body, and conclusion) or in 5-7 paragraphs (where every paragraph emphasize a different point).
3. Introduce yourself and your aim in the introduction, explain and emphasize your experiences in the body, and thanks the reader for his/her thought in the conclusion.
4. Do your research, demonstrate authentic attention, and never, ever lie.
5. If you want your motivational letter to get prominent position, Novorésumé takes the cake!
A motivational letter is constantly attached to a resume or curriculum vitae. You also want to also make that differentiate from others.
Read our guide on how to compile a splendid resume and submit it with your tremendous motivational letter to get accepted anywhere!
Our motivation letter templates are shaped to mirror the resume templates and Curriculum Vitae templates, which is significant when composing a job application. Select the same templates, fonts, colors will enhance your personal brand and boost your chances of being called for an interview.