What is Letter of Motivation? & How to write it?

Whenever applying for any university admission or job vacancy it is important to prepare and submit different types of documents. One of the most important documents among all the documents is the motivation letter. The presence of a well-written motivational letter can be very helpful in creating a positive influence on the minds of the admission manager for accepting your application or calling for an interview. In this blog, we will provide full information regarding how to write a credible motivation for studying, or employment along with important tips. 

What is a motivational letter?

The motivation letter also known as the statement of purpose is a letter that describes the statement of purpose, for the university, course, scholarship, and volunteer job.  The motivation letter is submitted with the application letter and other additional documents such as transcripts of grades and marks.

Motivational Letter Vs Cover Letter

Another important point to remember when writing a motivation letter is that it is different from a cover letter. A cover letter is usually sent with the CV when applying for a job vacancy and helps in grabbing the attention of the employer, by showcasing that you are the right person for the job. On the other hand, a motivation letter is used for enrollment in any university, or educational organization, or work as a volunteer in any non-profit organization.

Motivation Letter Structure

Steps for writing a motivation letter

Writing a high-quality motivation letter requires proper planning and structure. Some of the important steps to follow when writing a motivation letter are:

Create an outline

Before starting a motivation letter it is important to identify the main reason for applying for the university or the volunteer internship job role. It is also advisable to conduct in-depth research regarding the university and the program for which they are applying. Outline the main points that should be included in the motivational letter and then create the letter around them. The outline should include the following topics:

• Why do you want to study the course or volunteer for the particular program?
• What are your skills or qualities that will benefit the school or non-profit organization?
• Why are you interested in this particular university or non-profit organization?

Provide an introduction

Write an introduction describing yourself. Address the recipient of the letter with the name to provide a personal touch to the motivation letter. In case you are not aware of the name of the recipient, then you can write as Dear Sir, /Madam. The introduction should be able to capture the attention of the reader immediately. The introduction should contain all the important information about the achievements and how this course or vacancy interests you. 

Expand Your outline

Expand the main points of the outline to complete the body paragraphs of the motivation letter. The body paragraphs can be used to describe how you can be the best candidate for the university or organization by highlighting the skills and experiences you gained. It is important to make use of persuasive and compelling facts to convince the interests of the recipient. 

Provide a conclusion

It is important to provide a conclusion to the motivation letter summarizing the goals and leaving a positive impression in the minds of the readers. Moreover, it is also important to thank them for considering your application and also encourage them to contact you in case they have any type of doubts or questions. 

Proofread

Proofreading is an important step in the writing of a motivational letter. The process helps in checking the letter for any type of spelling, grammatical or typing errors. This helps in making the letter clear, concise and professional. It is important to correct any type of grammatical, and awkward phrasing. Remove the application that is already present in a CV or the application form. This helps in including only the new and important information in the motivational letter. Also, you may be required to proofread the motivational letter multiple times to ensure that it is clear and professional. You can also get help from your friends, and colleagues to proofread your motivation and make sure that the motivational letter is error-free and cohesive.

Tips for Writing Motivational Letters

Here are some of the important tips that you should keep in mind when writing a motivational letter that is persuasive and grabs the attention of the readers. 

• Follow the guidelines provided: It is important to follow the guidelines, format, length and content, prescribed by the university or the non-profit organization. In the absence of any guidelines, the motivation letter should be around half of one page, with a 12-point font such as Times New Roman or Arial.
• Write your Personality: The letter should reflect your unique interests, perspectives, and feelings. Include interesting details that can help in making the motivational letter stand out from others. Also, it is important to note that humor can be misinterpreted, therefore using a serious tone is advisable. 
• Make use of Simple language: Straightforward language that can be easily interpreted by the readers is the most appropriate language for writing a motivational letter. Don't make use of complex terms, phrases or slang, that can be easily misinterpreted. 
• Focus on your strengths: Highlight your strengths, rather than focusing on the challenges or limitations. This helps in increasing the value and keeps the motivation letter positive.