Writing a motivation letter – Tips from Integrand

A motivation letter is an essential part of your application alongside your CV. It provides the opportunity to emphasize why you are suitable and motivated for the position you are applying for. By clearly expressing your motivation, you give the recruiter a deeper insight into your personality and why you would like to work at the company of your interest.

With these tips from Integrand, you will surely write a good motivation letter!

In short

• Keep it concise. Preferably no more than half a page!
• Don’t repeat aspects from your CV.
• Tailor your motivation letter very specifically to the company you are applying to. Refer to the job posting and the website, and link it to your skills.
• Pay attention to the correct level of formality in your writing style. Adjust it to fit the company you are applying to.
• End your motivation letter with a call to action.

Content

Do’s:

• Start your motivation letter with a strong opening.
• Then mention the experiences you’ve gained and explain why they align with the job or company you are applying for.
• Next, state the reasons and your motivation for wanting to work at this company.
• Companies are especially interested in what you bring to the table. So, write about how your skills and knowledge will add value to the company.
• Finally, end with a short sentence explaining why the recruiter should invite you for an interview.

Dont’s:

• Don’t repeat aspects from your CV. So, don’t start your motivation letter by extensively introducing yourself. The recruiter can already see your name, education, and age on your CV.
• Don’t be negative about previous employers or work experiences, for example.
• Don’t just write about what you expect to gain from a company. For example, don’t say that a big company looks good on your CV or that you want to take advantage of the training budget.

Length

Did you know that CVs are read by recruiters in about 7 seconds? Motivation letters are also not read word for word. Therefore, don’t make your motivation letter too long. Keep it to a maximum of one A4 page, including the address, date, and subject.

Style

Try to match your writing style as closely as possible to that of the job vacancy. From the job vacancy, you can find out whether the company is formal or informal. Avoid long sentences or complicated constructions, and make sure to check your spelling. Spelling mistakes can make you seem careless.

The ending

End your motivation letter with a call to action. This means that you express your eagerness to attend an interview. You can also refer to your CV, email address, or other attached documents.

To the interview!

With this good motivation letter, you should almost certainly be invited for an interview.

Would you like tips to prepare for your interview? Click here.