You have a motivational letter to write for a volunteer job and you don’t know how to start. Don’t be perturbed, it isn’t a hard nut to crack.
All you need to do is follow the examples that have been carefully outlined here.
We’ve shown how to write a motivational letter for a job, with the added spice of examples for different uses and tips to make it easy.
Follow through!
What Is A Motivation Letter?
A motivation letter is a self-written letter describing your qualifications for a specific professional path, academic program, or volunteer endeavor. This letter is provided along with your application and any supporting documents, such as a CV or grade transcript. A motivational letter is commonly referred to as a “statement of purpose” or a “motivational letter.”
Motivation letters are not commonly used for paid job applications, which are typically accompanied by cover letters.
A motivation letter focuses on your personal narrative, explaining your hobbies, personality, and reasons for applying to a program, whereas a cover letter introduces your CV and provides examples of how your job experience compliments the position you’re seeking for.
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How To Write A Motivational Letter for a Job
It takes time to compose a powerful motivational letter for a job, so take your time and carefully follow the directions to produce the best one possible. Giving yourself plenty of time to write your motivation letter will ensure that you follow all of the important standards and contain all of the necessary information.
#1. Write an outline
Create a bulleted list of the important topics of your motivation letter, along with their order. Make notes on the following subjects:
Why do you want to work as a volunteer or take this course?
Your skills or qualities that the NGO or school will gain from
Why are you interested in this nonprofit group or school?
Examine carefully to ensure that you have included all important information. A motivation letter for a Ph.D. program, as opposed to one for a bachelor’s program, will demand more detail about your experiences and specific future aspirations.
Compare your outline to the information provided by the school or NGO to show that you have the qualifications and credentials they are looking for. Evaluate your structure and format, and see whether changing the points would result in a more logical flow.
Make adjustments to your outline until you are happy with it. When writing your polished motivation letter, you can stay on track by consulting your completed plan.
#2. Stick to the Program Requirements
The key to writing an effective motivational letter is to show the admissions officer or hiring manager how you meet the requirements of the position.
Asking yourself the following questions will help you get started on your inspiring letter.
Which applicants are typically admitted into the program?
How will you meet the requirements?
You must first determine the exact qualifications for the program and justify how your expertise and skills meet the given standards.
Examine the information given by the organization about the ideal qualifications, skills, abilities, experiences, and personal traits that they are looking for in a candidate. Perhaps they are looking for someone with data analysis experience, or they prefer people with a great interest in the topic.
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#3. Write an Introduction
Write an introduction that introduces yourself to the recipient. Address your recipient by name, if possible, to give your motivation letter a personal touch. Your introduction should capture your recipient’s attention and encourage them to read on, so include details about your achievements in this section.
#4. Expand your outline for your body
Extend the ideas in your outline to become the body of your motivation letter. Write a separate paragraph for each new subject. Keep in mind that the goal of your motivation letter is to persuade the recipient of your worth, so be convincing by including fascinating material.
#5. Align with Their Values
Your motivation letter should highlight your motivations and show the reader how they connect with the organization’s values.
Spend some time learning about the organization’s aims, culture, and basic values. Make a note of everything in your motivational letter that is consistent with your personal values and goals.
However, don’t just scatter keywords throughout your speech at random. Rather, use your excitement to craft a narrative that shows how your principles match the organization’s goals.
#6. Express Genuine Interest
Your motivational letter should, above all, show your genuine desire to be there.
However, there is a fine line between selling yourself and pleading. Generic remarks may come out as uninspired and lacking sincerity. Write about what brought your attention to the chance.
Express your excitement and be as explicit as possible without pleading for a chance. For example:
I would love to live in Aberdeen because I’m fascinated by Highlander culture, and I’m excited to dive into the city’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant community dedicated to the arts, music, and preserving Scottish traditions.
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#7. Conclude Your Motivation Letter
In the conclusion of your motivation letter, provide a short review of your goal as well as a strong closing remark. Additionally, thank the receiver for evaluating your application and urge them to contact you if they have any questions.
#8. Proofread Your Motivation Letter
Proofread your motivation letter to ensure it is clear and official. Make any necessary changes to spelling, grammar, and awkward phrasing. Edit any existing text on your CV or application form to ensure that your motivation letter includes unique information.
To identify all of the problems, you may need to proofread your motivation letter several times. If you have time, complete this step two or more days after writing your motivation letter. This will allow you to view it more clearly because you will not be working on it all the time. A trustworthy friend or family member can double-check your motivation letter to confirm that it has been carefully proofread.
Tips For Writing A Motivational Letter for a Job
- Follow any guidelines. Follow any formatting, length, and content guidelines given by your possible school or charity. If the company does not provide any information, type between half and a page of text in a plain 12-point typeface such as Arial or Times New Roman.
- Put some personality into your writing. If you were in the same room with the receiver, write in a tone that felt natural to them. Provide unique details in your motivation letter to set it out from the rivals. Choose a more serious tone over comedy, which can be misunderstood.
- Make your language accessible. When proofreading, search for jargon or concepts that are overly complicated and replace them with simpler alternatives. Write crisp, concise sentences that are action-packed.
- Focus on your strengths. Instead of writing about your flaws or issues, highlight your personal qualities. Writing about your strengths keeps the tone of your letter positive while also helping the recipients of your motivation letters understand your value to their organization.
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Motivational Letter for a Job Template
Below is a sample motivation letter template.
Dear Mr/Ms. [recipient’s surname],
My name is [your name] and I am a [position/qualification/area of study]. I am writing to apply for a [scholarship/volunteer opportunity/place] at [name of organization].
I would love to [study/volunteer] with you because [reasons for wanting to study course or volunteer]; I am especially interested in your [school/nonprofit] because [reasons for choosing a particular organization].
I feel I would be an asset to your organization because I am [list of positive qualities]; I am also skilled in [list of positive skills] which I developed through [experiences or courses that taught you skills].
In conclusion, I hope to get the opportunity to [study/volunteer] with you at [name of organization]. Thank you for taking the time to review my application. Please contact me at [preferred contact details] if you have any questions for me. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours sincerely,
[Your name]
Motivational Letter for a Job Examples
Here are some examples of motivation letters that could accompany university and volunteer job applications. You can use a motivation letter sample as a guide for your own letters by substituting your own details.
College Application Motivation Letter Example
Dear Mr. Thaddeus,
My name is Samantha Rose, and I am a high school student at Seattle City High School with a keen interest in computer studies and visual art. I am writing to apply for the multimedia design and communication degree at Seattle University.
I hope to become a web designer, so I would like to learn more about multimedia design. Your course would help me understand the digital design process and the way websites and their visual imagery can help businesses present images to consumers.
I love the way different colors and images can evoke emotions in viewers. I enjoy experimenting with the power of color and imagery and think I have a natural creative flair. I am confident that I will be able to apply this flair to new projects and increase my design abilities at your school.
Also, I respect Seattle University’s reputation for academic and sporting excellence. I appreciate that yours is a school that encourages students to achieve their potential both inside and outside the classroom. As a social person who has participated in several extracurricular activities, including the school band and softball team, I feel my diverse interests would make me a great fit for your school.
Studying at your school would help me develop my aptitude for design while having fun, whether it is on the sporting field or in another arena. I am open to whatever experiences life at Seattle University would bring me and hope I can achieve them through your multimedia design and communication degree. Thank you very much for considering my request. Please email me at samantharose@email.com if you have any questions about my application.
Sincerely,
Samantha Rose
Scholarship Application Motivation Letter Example
Dear Mr. Badmus,
My name is Zone Hawkins, and I am writing to show my interest in a scholarship for your Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. I have a passion for helping people, and I hope my financial limitations will not hold me back from harnessing this passion in my career.
I grew up in a lower-income family with a single mother who worked three jobs to provide for my brothers and me. My mother taught me the value of hard work and the importance of taking care of others who cannot take care of themselves. She also stressed the importance of education to us, teaching us that it would help us access an easier life. Her encouragement along with my own determination helped me earn some of the best grades in my high school class.
As my mother worked long hours, I spent a lot of time caring for my youngest brother who has cerebral palsy. I feel the time I spent caring for him sparked an interest in nursing. I learned to be compassionate and patient and was rewarded by his smiles and hope to make my own patients smile in the face of their own health concerns in the future.
I feel my natural work ethic and drive to succeed would make me an asset to Los Angeles University. Also, I know your school has an excellent nursing program, and feel it would give me the perfect environment to gain the degree I need to secure my dream job and give back to the community. Rest assured that I will make the most of the scholarship opportunity and make you and my mother proud.
I am very grateful for the time you have taken to consider my application and look forward to hearing from you soon. Please do not hesitate to contact me at zone.hawkins@email.com if you have any questions about my application.
Kind regards,
Zone Hawkins
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Volunteer Motivational Letter for a Job Example
Dear Ms. Candy,
My name is Trey Nadi, and I am a veterinary science student at Washington University. I am responding to the call for volunteers posted on the All Paws Animal Shelter website. This opportunity attracted me because I have a natural passion for animal welfare, which I am furthering in my studies.
I grew up around animals living on a farm in rural Wyoming. During this time, I was involved in many aspects of animal care, including training our dogs, grooming our horses and milking cows. I loved spending time with our animals and discovered how wonderful their companionship can be. I also learned the importance of the less glamorous sides of animal care, including cleaning waste and pens to keep our creatures comfortable.
Through my veterinary science studies, I have learned even more about animal care, including how to diagnose and treat animal diseases and how to help animals give birth. I believe these skills, along with the experience I acquired on the farm, would be invaluable to you at All Paws Animal Shelter. I also believe I could learn a lot more to complement my schooling at your organization.
Again, I am especially interested in working at All Paws Animal Shelter as you accept a diverse range of animals. I also appreciate your shelter’s no-kill policy and commitment to ongoing care for senior animals. These policies align with my own belief that all animals deserve the chance to live a long life and find a forever home, no matter how long that takes.
In conclusion, I feel I would be an asset to All Paws Animal Shelter, and hope you will accept my application for volunteer work. Please contact me at trey.nadi@email.com if you have any questions about my application.
Yours sincerely,
Trey Nadi
Conclusion
Depending on the program or job and recipient, some applications may not require a motivational letter. Examine the specifications to determine whether a motivation letter is required as part of the prescribed documents. If it is included in the additional or optional materials, write a letter to include with your application, even if it is not required.
References
- Indeed – motivational letter for a job
- Novoresume -motivational letter for a job
