If you're looking to apply for a job, internship, or scholarship, you may be asked to submit a motivation letter and other application materials. In a job search context, a motivation letter for work shows your passion and eagerness to pursue a certain career and demonstrates how your values blend with the organization's mission.
When writing a motivation letter, you may encounter the following difficulties:
Worry no more, we're going to clear up all confusion regarding both motivation letters for jobs and motivation letters for internships. You can also find a template and samples for your reference below. Let’s get started!
A motivation letter, a.k.a. a letter of motivation, is a short letter that expresses your interest and explains why you’re a qualified candidate for a certain program/position. It's commonly attached to your CV or resume - hence why it's also referred to as a motivational letter for a CV.
There are other terms used to refer to a motivation letter, including:
Note that a motivational letter shouldn’t be confused with a cover letter as it puts an emphasis on your personality, interests, and motives for applying. A cover letter, on the other hand, is submitted to present your skills and professional experience related to the job opening.
For that reason, a letter of motivation is perfect if you are applying for an internship/volunteer role, or if you have little or no relevant experience. That means motivation letters are commonly required by university admission offices, educational institutes, and internship programs. During a job search, you can also write a motivational statement for your job application that acts as the introduction to your CV/resume for the hiring manager.
In general, there are 4 purposes for writing a motivation letter:
A well-written motivation letter needs to convey the following information to the readers:
We’ll demonstrate what a powerful letter of motivation looks like through the following samples:
Katherine Connor
7223 Fern St, Fontana, CA 92336
[email protected]
(+310)-142-1098
Dave Leimone
Hiring Manager
Mind & Mills Media
9315 Main Str., Riverside, CA 92501
Dear Mr. Leimone,
My name is Katherine Connor and I am writing this letter to apply for the Account Manager position at your agency, Mind & Mills Media. With over 8 years of experience in consulting and account managing, I have developed a robust skill set that allows me to effectively build trusted relationships with valuable clients as well as implement high-impact projects.
In my former role as a PR Account Manager, I’ve fulfilled all my duties and achieved some notable successes including:
Together with my exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills, I believe that I match all job requirements perfectly. This opportunity would also help me advance my career as it has always been my dream to work in such a client-oriented company as Mind & Mills.
I have attached my work portfolio and resume below for your review. Thank you for considering my application and please let me know if you have any questions.
Kind regards,
Katherine Connor
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am writing this letter to express my interest in the Finance Intern position at NVP Group. As a final year Master's student in Accounting & Finance at the University of Waterloo, I believe that the skills and knowledge acquired during my 6 years of studies will allow me to fulfill all job tasks efficiently.
Specifically, I have completed various courses in the finance field, including: macroeconomics, microeconomics, personal finance, project management, and financial accounting. I possess strong analytical skills with thorough attention to detail and a can-do attitude.
My main interest in working at NVP Group stems from its impressive reputation, recognized as "Northwestern America's Most Trusted Firm" for three consecutive years. Moreover, the corporation’s diverse clientele and well-established internship program would provide me with a precious opportunity to pursue my dream career as a Finance Reporting Analyst.
Thank you for reviewing my application and considering me as a candidate for the Finance Intern role at NVP Group. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
With gratitude,
Tina Le
[email protected]
cakeresume.com/tinale
When writing a motivation letter, you will need to include the following 6 sections:
The header of a motivation letter should include the following information:
For example:
Kaylee Nguyen
903 Fern St, Fontana, CA 92336
[email protected]
linkedin.com/kayleeng
Catarina Leimone
Customer Relationship Manager
Galaxy Media
9815 Main Str., Riverside, CA 92501
The most common way to greet the reader is “Dear Hiring Manager" who will receive and review your letter in the first place. However, you can also try to address the recipient directly to make your motivation statement more personal and sincere by using their last name, like this:
Dear Mr/Mrs + [Last Name],
Here are some tips for a great motivation letter’s start that will grab the reader's attention at once:
Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s opening paragraph:
“I am writing this letter to express my interest in the Finance Intern position at NVP Group. As a final year Master's student in Accounting & Finance at the University of Waterloo, I believe that the skills and knowledge acquired in 6 years will allow me to fulfill all job tasks efficiently.”
As the main body of a motivation letter, this paragraph is written to provide the following details:
💡 Pro Tip: Keep your body paragraphs within 200 words. Being concise and direct is always the best way to go when writing a motivation letter, as you don’t want to bore the readers with irrelevant details.
Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s body paragraph:
“I've completed a variety of courses in the finance field, including: financial accounting, macroeconomics, microeconomics, personal finance, and project management. I possess strong analytical skills with thorough attention to detail and a can-do attitude.
My main interest in working at NVP Group stems from its impressive reputation, recognized as "Northwestern America's Most Trusted Firm" for three consecutive years. Moreover, the corporation’s diverse clientele and well-established internship program would provide me with a precious opportunity to pursue my dream career as a Finance Reporting Analyst.”
In this part of your motivation letter, it's important to mention your future plans, demonstrate what you expect to learn from the program/job, and thank the reader.
Useful tips for writing a strong motivation letter’s ending are:
Here’s an example of a motivation letter’s closing paragraph:
“I believe that this opportunity would help me upskill my career as a Social Media Specialist. I've attached my work portfolio and resume below for your review. Thank you for considering my application and please let me know if you have any questions.”
To end a motivation letter, simply follow this format:
Best regards,
[Your name]
Make sure you include a proper email signature if you submit your letter of motivation via email, like this:
