How To Write A Motivation Letter (With Examples)

Motivation letters are a type of cover letter that you write to accompany an application to a master’s program or a volunteering opportunity. Your motivation letter explains your interest in the opportunity, as well as adding additional information that didn’t fit in your application. Essentially, motivation letters are cover letters for unpaid positions.

A good motivation letter can have a big impact on your chances of acceptance. If you’re looking into applying for a scholastic program or volunteering program, or you want to improve a motivation letter you already have, then keep reading. This article will cover how to write the best motivation letter you can.

Key Takeaways:

• A motivation letter is often included with an application to a graduate program or a volunteering position.

• It’s a one page letter that outlines your skills and why you’re interested in the opportunity so think of it as a cover letter for unpaid positions.

• A motivation letter is going to the program’s first glimpse of you as an individual, so be sure to make a positive impression.

• A motivation letter is structured a lot like a essay and has an intro, a body that provides examples of your qualifications, and a conclusion that recaps what you said.

What is a motivation letter?

Motivation letters serve as a chance for you to explain your professional, personal, or educational reasons for applying to programs. It gets submitted alongside other parts of your application, like a questionnaire, recommendations, and resume, but it lets you add some personality to your application.

Most often, you’ll submit a motivation letter when you apply for graduate programs, master’s degrees, or other non-professional programs. You will almost never be asked to write a motivation letter when you’re applying for a paid job.

Sometimes motivation letters are also called motivational letters or statements of purpose, so follow this guide for those letters as well.

How to write a motivation letter

When writing a motivation letter, you should consider what your motivation for applying is, create an outline, then proofread the letter when you’re done. Motivation letters aren’t very long, so any mistakes would really stand out to the reader – and you want to avoid making a bad impression.

1. Consider your motivation. The first thing you need to do before putting any words down is think about your motivation for applying. The letter is supposed to explain why you want to join the program and why you’d excel at it. You want to show why you’d be successful and a credit to the program.

2. Create an outline. Outlines are a way to order your thoughts. Motivation letters are typically written in essay style, so you can decide what parts you’ll cover in what paragraph. Your motivation should be multifaceted, and you want to convey that in your motivation letter.

3. Add a heading. Most motivation letters will be submitted online nowadays, so the heading isn’t always required. However, traditionally motivation letters had the date, your contact information, the name of the program, and their contact information on them.

4. Write an intro. The intro should summarize what you’re going to say in the body of the letter – just like with an essay. If you’re struggling writing your intro, skip it for now and come back after you’ve written the rest of the letter. That should make it easier to summarize what’s in the letter.

5. Delve into the body paragraphs. This is where you cover the reason you’re applying and why you’d be an asset to the program. Like with an essay, this should be two to three paragraphs, depending on length.

   Don’t be afraid to go over the length limit the first time – you can always cut back later. Most motivation letters are going to contain short anecdotes to help explain why being a part of the program is important to you.

6. Conclude the letter. This should summarize your motivation and why you’d do well in the program. Make sure to thank the reader for their time as well as invite them to contact you with any questions.

7. Proofread. It’s extremely important to go over your letter again to check for errors or inconsistencies. If possible, have someone else read the letter for you as well – they’ll likely catch errors that you won’t. it’s important to have a well-written letter free of errors, so make sure to be serious about your proofreading.

   If you can, it’s best to wait a short while before rereading your letter. It makes it easier to spot errors or awkward phrasing. And you should reread it more than once, because sometimes corrections can lead to other errors.

What to include in a motivation letter

As with most business writing, there’s an expected format to follow when writing a motivation letter. You want to make sure to include all the necessary elements, such as a heading, intro, body paragraph, and conclusion. You also want to be sure to use the right format for your motivation letter.

1. Standard format. Be sure to use standard formatting (unless the instructions say otherwise), such as 1-inch margins, a space between paragraphs, and no indentations. Being able to follow standards, or directions, will be a point in your favor.

2. Heading. Depending on the specifications or guidelines you’re given, you might want to include a professional heading with your name, address, and phone number. This makes it easier for the organization to reach out to you.

3. Intro paragraph. Here’s where you can introduce yourself and talk about what interests you in the program. You can give a bit of background and explain why you’re applying to this program specifically.

   Make sure you lay the groundwork for what you’ll talk about in the rest of the letter.

4. Body section. In the middle two or three paragraphs, you can go in-depth about your experience and why you’re a good fit for the program. It’s a good idea to pick a few related skills or experiences to highlight in each paragraph.

   You can also include a paragraph about how you can help the program or organization or contribute to its mission.

5. Conclusion paragraph. In the last paragraph, you need to quickly summarize what makes you stand out and why you are passionate about the program. This can be a short paragraph with just a few sentences, just make sure to reiterate your argument and really sell yourself.

6. Sign off. This is a letter, after all, so make sure you include a closing. Pick something professional like “sincerely” or “best regards” to maintain an appropriate tone.

Motivation letter examples

Example #1:

Example #2:

Tips for writing a motivation letter

When it comes to motivation letters, they all look different. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few tips you can follow to stand out. Here are a few ways you can improve your motivation letter:

• Use the program requirements. Often programs will list certain requirements for admittance, so take a look and find the top few requirements that you meet. If the program has a specific mission or values, highlight how that fits in with your goals and own values. Show that you’re a good fit both in terms of requirements and outlook.

  Highlight your skills and plans specifically in your letter so you can impress the admissions or decisions committee by showing that you understand the program inside and out. Who doesn’t like a candidate who does their research?

• Don’t use jargon. You should make your letter approachable and readable, no matter who you think might be reading it.

  You never know who is on a reading or applications committee, so write as if you were writing to a layperson. Also, as with any professional communication, avoid unnecessary vocabulary words and run-on sentences.

• Convince them you want to be there. Motivation letters are a great opportunity for you to talk about why you want to be at that program in particular. Highlight specific aspects of that program that make you want to attend, or tell them why this program will help you meet a career or life goal.

• Look ahead. Getting into a program can be difficult, but you need to think about what you’ll do after finishing the program. It’s a good idea to talk about what you’ll do with your degree or certificate after you finish the experience so they know you’re thinking ahead.

• Let your personality shine. Use this opportunity to show off your personality and express your fit for the program. Don’t just focus on your hard skills or experience, but talk about your soft skills and personality too.

• Look for guidelines. Usually, organizations set specific guidelines for letters, like what font or page count they want. Make sure you look for these specifications and adhere to them as closely as you can.

  It shows that you notice the details and adhere to rules, which can set you apart from other less detail-oriented applicants.

• Put your strengths first. It might be tempting to write an underdog story, but you shouldn’t sell yourself short. List your accomplishments and talk about your strengths instead of talking about challenges and shortcomings.

  It will impress the readers more and it can help you align your skills with what the program will teach you.

• Make it personal. If you know who is on the application committee, you can address the letter to someone specific. Try to find a name and use a personal salutation.

• Keep it concise. Motivation letters tend to be about a page long (but it can depend on different organizations’ guidelines). You want to make sure you keep everything concise and get right to the point.

  Committees don’t have lots of time to read each application, so keeping it short and memorable is the best way to go.

• Use a professional tone. At the end of the day, motivation letters are like cover letters and you should write them in a similar way. Use a professional tone and keep the letter more formal than casual so you can show your readers that you take this seriously.

• Be original. Try to include experiences or skills that set you apart from other candidates. List your leadership skills, relevant studies, or any experience that ties you to the purpose of the program.

  If you can provide a few things that make you unique and help you stand out from other applicants, you’ll be more memorable and have a better chance of wowing the committee.

• Get feedback. As with any formal writing, it’s always a good idea to have a friend look over your letter before you hit send. Have them look at the content as well as the grammar so you make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.

  Make sure you proofread and give it a look before you submit it, too. The last thing you want is to get rejected over a typo.

Motivation Letter FAQ

1. How long should a motivation letter be?

   A motivation letter should be between 500 and 700 words, or about one page long. You should check the length requirement of where you are sending it to help determine the exact length of your letter.

2. What is the difference between a motivation letter and a cover letter?

   A cover letter will have specific examples of your skills and experience for a job while a motivation letter will focus more on your personality and motivations for applying. Both letters will look very similar and have the same structure. The content will be different depending on the kind of letter that you are going to submit.

3. What is a mistake to avoid when writing a motivation letter?

   A common mistake in a motivation letter would be forgetting to include the reason for choosing the program or university. It’s important to provide your reasonings as to why you want to apply and be a part of the program. You should also avoid addressing the wrong person and not explaining why you are a good fit for the program.

References

1. International Hellenic University – What Is a Motivation Letter?

2. EDUNation – How to Write a Good Motivation Letter

Author

Amanda Covaleski

Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.