Create a compelling motivational letter that makes a positive impression on recruiters and increases your chances of getting invited for an interview. Evidence-based tips, sector-specific advice, and guidance on tailoring your letter to each job application.
Look carefully at required competencies, responsibilities, culture, and pay attention to keywords. Use these words and themes in your letter.
Tailor each motivational letter specifically to the position and organization. Never reuse the same template without adaptation.
Don't just state that you are suitable, but demonstrate it with performance or situations from previous experiences.
Share your story briefly, why you specifically fit that organization and position. Be enthusiastic, honest, and authentic in your motivation.
Maximum one A4 page, with short paragraphs and active sentences. Avoid repetition of your CV and spelling errors.
Make clear why this job appeals to you and why you choose this company. Show that you have researched their mission and culture.
Ask for feedback from acquaintances so that your style, language use, and content are sharp.
Key Emphasis:
Motivation to help others, empathy, social skills
Main Tips:
Emphasize the motivation to help others and your empathetic abilities. Employers strongly focus on social skills and intrinsic motivation.
Details:
Give examples of involvement, sense of responsibility, and compassion. Show that you want to make a difference in people's lives. Certification and experience are important, but the right motivation is decisive.
Key Emphasis:
Factual knowledge, technical skills, project experience
Main Tips:
Emphasize factual knowledge and experience, for example with systems, tools, or programming languages.
Details:
Describe briefly 1-2 most important relevant projects or performances (no CV repetition). Link these explicitly to the job requirements. Write clearly, directly, and less formally when appropriate. In the technical sector, the motivational letter is often shorter.
Key Emphasis:
Ambition, drive, results orientation
Main Tips:
Focus on ambition, drive, and results orientation: Give examples of achieved targets and successes.
Details:
Use an active, convincing tone. Show that you have commercial insight and think from the customer and organization perspective. Show that you can switch quickly and are energetic, use a creative opening if relevant.
Key Emphasis:
Social engagement, mission alignment
Main Tips:
Emphasize social engagement: Explain why the mission of the company or institution appeals to you.
Details:
Show interest in the (public) impact of the position. Use a formal, careful style. Be authentic and factual; vision and values are important.
Key Emphasis:
Experience, analytical ability, efficiency
Main Tips:
Focus on experience and analytical ability: Use examples to illustrate how you work efficiently and can distinguish main from minor issues.
Details:
Let empathy speak through short personal notes, but keep it businesslike. Mention knowledge of relevant regulations and refer to concrete performances.
Note all "must haves", "preferences", and striking words from the job description.
Search the company website, LinkedIn, and social media for information about atmosphere, values, and vision. Align your letter accordingly.
Where can you add unique value in this context? Mention that explicitly.
Call the contact person from the vacancy if possible for more information and refer to this in your letter.
Generic content that doesn't match the specific job or company requirements.
Simply repeating your CV without adding value or new insights.
Using overused phrases, vague wording, and errors in language or formatting.
Stay honest and nuanced - don't exaggerate achievements or undersell yourself.
Begin with a strong opening sentence that directly links your motivation or relevance to the position.
Tell briefly who you are and what you are good at (fitting the requested competencies).
Explain the connection with the organization (why this company/this sector).
Mention concrete examples of relevant behavior/performances.
End with enthusiasm and refer to a possible phone call or invitation for an interview.
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