How to Write a Motivation Letter That Gets You Noticed

Motivation letters distinguish themselves from standard cover letters by specifically showcasing your authentic career goals and personal drive, while professional therapeutic support can help manage job search anxiety and build the confidence needed to craft compelling application materials.

Feel like your job applications are getting lost in the shuffle? A well-crafted motivation letter could be your secret weapon for standing out from the crowd. This powerful tool goes beyond the traditional cover letter to showcase your authentic drive and align your goals with potential employers—and we'll show you exactly how to write one that gets noticed.

Crafting A Great Motivation Letter: A Helpful How-To Guide

Did you know? A well-crafted motivation letter might be just what you need to stand out among the pile of applications on a potential employer’s desk.

Learning to write an effective motivation letter can be a valuable job-seeking skill for many to master. Read on to learn more about what a motivation letter is, the benefits it can bring to your job hunt and how you can create one—starting today.

What is a motivation letter?

“Lettre de motivation” is a French phrase that means “letter of motivation.” Its English equivalent for many is the traditionally-formatted “cover letter.” However, motivation letters have a more specific focus and purpose than standard cover letters.

Cover letters can vary significantly from one person to the next. While one may write about why they want the position, another might use the cover letter to highlight their skills and experience, making a case as to why they are the best possible hire available for the role.

Conversely, with a motivation letter, there’s a clearer understanding of what to include: your specific reasons for pursuing the position and how your goals align with the organization.

What does motivation mean?

Your motivation is, by general definition, your reason for doing something.

Motivation can be a choice, a sensation and an overall emotional state. Motivation can be based on facts, feelings, beliefs or commitments and can change as a person matures and refines what drives their personal sense of effort.

Why do employers care about your motivation?

Strong motivation can lead to a greater probability of success in any endeavor. It can help you to find strength in times of challenge and endurance to keep going even when it’s difficult.

Employers often care about one’s motivation because it can increase the likelihood of someone staying at a job longer. It can also increase the chance of a successful placement that brings a higher degree of profitability and success to the organization overall.

Purpose of a motivation letter

While the reasons for submitting a motivation letter may vary, there are several different purposes that this document can serve. Some of these include:

• Introducing yourself professionally
• Capturing the reader’s attention with genuine interest
• Showing that you understand the opportunities available in the position
• Demonstrating your experiences and skills, while acknowledging there’s always more to learn
• Illustrating how your experiences, skills, and education apply to the position
• Discussing your current or anticipated specialty in the field
• Communicating your long-range professional focus
• Demonstrating your ability to construct a logical argument
• Showcasing your communication skills
• Highlighting your professional interests

When might I need a motivation letter?

You can use a motivation letter whenever you want to inquire about open positions. You can also send one with a formal job application.

Additionally, motivation letters can be required or helpful when applying for a mortgage or business loan. They can also be used to apply for an internship or entrance into an educational program.

Motivation letter contents

So, what does a motivation letter contain? The following are examples of items you might choose to include:

• Address blocks and professional greeting
• An engaging paragraph introducing yourself
• Information about your educational background
• Specific details about relevant experiences
• Your professional interests
• Your areas of specialty within your field
• Your short- and long-term career goals
• A thank-you for being considered
• Your signature block
• Your contact information

Steps for writing motivation letters

It can be helpful to write your resume or curriculum vitae before you begin to assemble your motivation letter. Doing this can provide you with a reminder of your education and experiences, often giving you the quantifiable information you need to speak honestly about your abilities, areas of specialty and experiences later on.

Below, we’ve listed a few other helpful tips to keep in mind as you begin to write your motivation letter:

Remaining as authentic as possible

It can be great to build a strong case for yourself—but it can be just as important to present yourself authentically.

Being impressive might get you the position. What can be helpful to remember, though, is that you might indeed get it—and find that others might expect too many things of you that you can’t (or don’t) want to give.

Many find that the best way to prevent such a situation is to be realistic and authentic about your motivations, allowing your potential employers to see who you are, your preferences and your skills in a transparent way.

Brainstorming

Before writing your letter, you might choose to brainstorm ideas about what motivates you. Brainstorming, if you’re not familiar with it, can be an easy process for many. As you brainstorm, many might choose to write down everything that comes to mind without judging it. Then, when you run out of things to write, you can look over your document and highlight the ones that are truest, most relevant, and most impressive to your current state of skill and maturity.

Researching the target

Before you complete your motivation letter, you’ll generally need to know about the company or program you’re applying to. Additionally, you might need a separate motivation letter for each application if it needs to target that employer or program specifically.

Often, you can research and find out what you need by looking at the company’s website, visiting the company in person, inquiring with the chamber of commerce in the city where it’s located, searching press releases and calling the company directly.

Outlining

Next, you can create an outline for your letter to stay on track with everything you want to include. This can be a helpful time to go back to any examples you found that you wish to emulate in the final product.

Writing

When you’re ready to write, it can be helpful to put away any examples that can detract from your own work. Instead, you can focus on your unique qualifications, goals and your motivations.

The letter should generally be in the format of a standard professional business letter, unless otherwise stated. Many may find it useful to stick to just one page, keeping their work as concise and impactful as possible. Additionally, it can be helpful to pay extra attention to ensure contact information is correct, clear and easy to find throughout your document.

Editing and proofreading

When you finish writing, it can be helpful to set it down and return to it with fresh eyes for any editing that has to be done. Leaving time for this step can be helpful, as you might find grammatical mistakes or realize you’ve focused too strongly on something other than motivation. Whatever you find, you can correct it in this step.

What if my motivation is weak?

As you write your motivation letter, you might find that your motivation doesn’t feel that strong in the moment. Or, you might be disappointed in the way the letter reads.

Hunting for a job, an internship or entrance into a program can be extremely stressful. The stress can convince you that you haven’t written an adequate letter, much less a great one. If you take some time to de-stress, you might feel more positive about what you’ve produced.

Here are some things you can do to decrease your stress and nervousness during the search process:

• Get outside and enjoy nature
• Do something active
• Eat healthy foods
• Stay hydrated
• Get enough sleep
• Enjoy time with friends and family
• Practice meditation
• Listen to music

How can telehealth counseling help during the job search process?

Talking to a licensed clinical social worker can be another way to combat stress during your job search. Professional counseling can teach you stress management techniques and help you evaluate the thoughts that are making you feel stressed.

Many find that telehealth therapy can be more convenient than traditional in-person methods. As a result, video-based therapy has generally become a popular and effective way of addressing mental health concerns (including job search stress).

A licensed clinical social worker can help you before, during, and after you write your CV and motivation letters. For example: You might need to build your self-confidence to present yourself in the best light. Or, you might also want help in identifying your true motivations. After you send your application package, a counselor can help you manage feelings of insecurity or fearfulness about not getting the position.

You can talk to a licensed clinical social worker at ReachLink to address these issues and any others that are holding you back from having the life you want—all at a time convenient for you.

Is telehealth therapy effective?

Research has found that telehealth therapy can be effective in helping many combat the effects of stress and anxiety disorders, encouraging the formation of both short-term and long-term benefits. Studies suggest that online therapy programs mimic the positive impacts of in-person delivery formats while limiting the nervousness or strain that can come from the unfamiliar therapeutic setting.

Takeaway

Learning how to write a motivation letter can be incredibly helpful as you go through the job search process. It is generally more specific and strategic when compared to the traditional cover letter. If you’re feeling less motivated or are nervous about your journey, telehealth therapy with a licensed clinical social worker can help you develop the confidence and clarity needed to present your best self to potential employers.

FAQ

• How can therapy help with anxiety around writing motivation letters?

  Therapy can provide valuable tools for managing application-related anxiety. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques help identify and reframe negative thought patterns about self-presentation, while mindfulness practices can reduce overwhelming feelings during the writing process. A therapist can also help develop practical strategies to approach the task with greater confidence.

• What therapeutic approaches can help build confidence when writing about myself?

  Several therapeutic techniques can enhance self-confidence in professional writing. Solution-focused therapy helps identify and leverage your strengths, while narrative therapy techniques can help you construct a more empowering personal story. These approaches enable you to recognize and articulate your achievements more effectively.

• How can I manage perfectionism when crafting my motivation letter?

  Therapeutic approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help address perfectionist tendencies by challenging unrealistic standards and developing more balanced thinking. Setting realistic goals, practicing self-compassion, and establishing healthy boundaries around revision processes are key strategies that can be developed through therapy.

• What strategies can help cope with rejection after submitting motivation letters?

  Building resilience through therapy can help manage rejection constructively. Therapists can teach emotional regulation techniques, help maintain perspective, and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be particularly helpful in maintaining focus on your values and goals while handling setbacks.