Motivation / Cover Letter

A motivation letter, motivational letter or a letter of motivation is a letter of introduction attached to résumé or curriculum vitae. The
main purpose of a cover (motivational) letter is to persuade a specialist that you are the most suitable candidate for a given position.
What is the difference between a motivation and a cover letter?

The motivation letter is usually used when applying for something e.g. for acceptance to a university, to a student programme, to a
non-profit organization for voluntary work etc. You have to explain why you are interested in the specific activity, your motives, why
you want to study or attend the programme, why you choose the specific university or programme etc.
The cover letter is used when you apply for a job. A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job
application (alongside your CV or Resume).

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s
interest and get them to read your resume.

You send both a letter and your detailed CV. In the cover letter, you must state clearly the position you are applying for and explain
why your profile matches the position. To put it simply, it must answer the question ‘’Why you?’’ However, you must keep in mind
that the cover letter should highlight you relevant skills and experience to relative to the position. Leave the details in your resume and
take the chance to say things that cannot be expressed through your CV. Always finish your cover letter by asking for an interview,
and by saying how you can be contacted (e.g. by phone).

DOs and DON’Ts to write a good Motivation/Cover letter Do:

1. Mention clearly why the university/company has to choose you for the study/job. Be concrete, convincing, without being arrogant.
2. If you know the name of the responsible person, start your letter with this name. This person will feel personally approached by
your letter, which is always positive.
3. Start always with your positive points, weak points they will ask in the talk, so don’t mention them in your letter.
4. Formulate your letter positive and future oriented.
5. Motivate your statements with facts and experiences. Use for example experiences in your personal life.
6. Collect information about the university/company. In this way you show interest and you can adapt your letter better to the
university/company needs and function.
7. Put only the most relevant facts and experiences in your motivation/cover letter. Keep it brief and clear. Don’t forget to tell
something about you as a person.
8. Mention what you have reached for so far at educational and or professional level (former study/work or stages) and your career
perspective.
9. Tell in which way you distinguish yourself from others with the same education and diploma.
 Motivation letter

Introduction: A short, engaging pitch about yourself and why you are applying. Here, you can include:
 Personal information. Who are you and what do you do?
 What are you applying for? Where?
 An intro to the bulk of your essay. Mention the general reason on why you’re applying, and then deep-dive in the bulk of
your motivational letter.
And of course, don’t forget to mention contact information on top.
For example:
To: School/Organization Name
First Name Last Name
[email protected]
Phone Number Relevant Social Media (LinkedIn, Quora, GitHub, etc.)

Example of Introduction for Motivational Letter

Dear [Name of The Contact Person],

My name is [Your name] and I would like to express my interest in applying for the Doctoral program in political science at
[University Name]. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a politician and helping give back to my country, and I believe that a Ph.D. in
politics from [University Name] would set me miles ahead to reaching my goal.

Body of the Motivational Letter:

this is the main bulk of your motivational letter. This is where you really sell yourself, mentioning stories behind your achievements,
skills, and passion for whatever you’re applying for.
Try to be as factual as possible - anyone that frequently reads motivational letters can tell made-up stories from the real ones.

Things You Can Mention in Your Motivational Letter:

 My passion for ______ started when ______.

 I want to ______ because ______.
 I have been part of _________ for ___ months/years. It’s the best thing for me because _______.
 I remember once when I ________, which made me realize that I _______.
 _______ resonates with me because _________.
 What distinguishes me from my peers is __________.

Here’s a Practical Example:

I developed my passion for Online Marketing during my internship at [company name]. Working in a small startup allowed me to get
surface-level experience in most digital marketing channels. Now, I would like to deep-dive and gain advanced know-how by
attending the [university name] program in Digital Marketing.

Conclusion:

Finally, you can wrap up the motivational letter and send it in. In this section, you can:
 Briefly summarize your main points - “I believe I’d be a good fit for the program because of __________”
 Mention your overarching goal - “I’d love to be a part of _______, as it would allow me to ___________.”
 Thank the reader and conclude the motivational letter
 Cover Letter
1. Date and contact information
2. Salutation/greeting
3. Opening paragraph
4. Middle paragraphs
5. Closing paragraph
6. Complimentary close and signature

Date and contact information

There are two ways to list contact information on your cover letter, depending on whether you’re providing a digital or hard copy.
If you’re submitting a digital copy online, feel free to leave off your specific address and just use your city and county, phone number
and email—and leave off the company and recruitment manager’s contact information altogether:
Date
Your Name
City, County
Phone Number
Email Address
Although it’s becoming less common, there may be a time when you’re required to submit a paper copy of your cover letter. In this
case, the top left-hand side of your letter should include the following elements:
Date
Your Name
Your Address
Your City, County, Postcode
Your Phone Number
Your Email Address
Recruitment Manager’s Name
Company Name
Company Address
Company City, County, Postcode
Salutation / greeting
Start your cover letter off on the right foot by addressing the recruitment manager. It’s not necessary to add Mr., Mrs. or Ms. since it
may require some guesswork about gender and marital status on your part—just use their first and last name: 'Dear Alex Johnson.'
If you can’t find the recruitment manager’s name, stick with 'Dear Recruitment Manager.' Avoid outdated greetings such as 'Dear Sir
or Madam' or 'To Whom It May Concern.'
Opening paragraph
The opening paragraph is your chance to catch the recruitment manager’s attention, introduce yourself and enthusiastically tell the
employer why you’re applying for the job. You’ll want to make this paragraph specific to each job listing you apply for. Include why
you’re excited about the job and the company, and how the job lines up with your career goals. Avoid making this paragraph sound
formulaic by including keywords from the job posting and matching your skills to the employer’s requirements.
Middle paragraphs
Now that you’ve introduced yourself and established your enthusiasm, it’s time to dig into your most relevant experience and talk
about the specific qualifications and skills that make you the perfect candidate. In one or two paragraphs, make the connection
between your previous accomplishments and your readiness for this new role. Think of these paragraphs as a way to pitch yourself as
the ideal match for the role. Employers will likely have read your CV already, so avoid repeating the bullet points. Instead, include
details that more deeply illustrate those highlights.
Closing paragraph
The main goal of your closing paragraph is to thank the employer for their time and consideration. You also have the option of making
any clarifications. For example, you can justify any major gaps in your employment history. You can also use this space to sum up
your qualifications for the role and express an interest in continuing to the next stage in the recruitment process.
Complimentary close and signature
Choose a complimentary closing that is friendly yet formal, followed by your first and last name. Closings you might consider
include:
Sincerely
Regards
Best
Respectfully
Thank You
Thank You for Your Consideration
 Canadian CV
1. Add a Header with Contact Information

Include your full name, job title and contact details. These should consist of your phone number, email address and linkedIn profile .
There’s no need to include your address on your resume , though. It’s not needed and it wastes space.

2. Write a Resume Profile

Your resume profile acts as the introduction to the content that follows. The general rule is to use a resume objective if you’re just
starting your career and a resume summary if you’re more experienced. A summary of qualifications is another good option if
you’ve got plenty of experience and achievements to highlight.

3. List Your Work Experience

This is the most important part of your Canadian resume. 91% of employers prefer their candidates to have work experience, so you
need to get your work experience section right to capitalize on that demand. Here’s how to do it.
 Use reverse chronological order, starting with your current or most recent position.
 Start with the basics, your job title, the employer’s name and location and dates of employment.
 Add up to six bullet points describing the role and start them off with resume action words for added impact.

4. Mention Your Education

Often overlooked, but still necessary. List your degree, your school and its location, and your graduation date (use an expected
graduation date if you’re still studying). Only include your GPA on your resume if you’ve just graduated and it’s 3.5 or above.

And another thing you can include in your education section if you’ve just graduated is relevant coursework and extracurricular
activities.

5. Include a List of Skills

The skills employers look for in a Canadian resume are the same as for the U.S. Be sure to include a mix of hard skills and soft skills,
and target your resume to the job by keeping your skills section relevant and focused.

6. Make Use of Additional Sections

Extra sections are the icing on the cake, or seeing as this is a Canadian resume, the gravy on the poutine. Adding them gives you the
chance to add extra skills and achievements and stand out from other applicants.

Here are some of the best options:

 Hobbies and personal interests
 Foreign languages
 Certifications and licenses
 Projects
 Volunteer work
 Publications
 Achievements and awards

And there’s no need to add references to your resume or even to write “references available upon request.” If an employer needs your
references they’ll ask for them later on in the recruitment process. Including them now is just a waste of valuable page real estate.

7. What Not to Include in a Canadian Resume

You guessed it, the same rules apply as for an American resume. Here are the things you shouldn’t include on your resume.
 A resume photo
 Private information such as marital status, age and race.
 Salary requirements
 Lies
 Canadian Resume Sample

Jennifer Birch
Senior Sales Associate
416-555-0134
[email protected]
linkedin.com/in/jenniferbirch_zety

Summary

Energetic, friendly sales associate with 5+ years of retail experience. Extensive product knowledge and technically proficient with modern point-of-
sale systems. Maintained 99% positive customer feedback score. Canadian Professional Sales Association (CPSA) certified. Seeking to leverage
proven merchandising, upselling and customer service skills to become a senior sales associate at McWhirter’s Home & Office Depot.

Experience

Retail Sales Associate

Maple Leaf Home Stores, Toronto, ON
September 2017–Present
 Managed sales floor, proactively and reactively assisting customers with queries, complaints, and purchases.
 Maintained highly detailed product knowledge and familiarity with forthcoming product releases.
 Advised customers on purchases based on their personal needs, current promotions, and other sales-based considerations.
 Led on general upkeep during trading hours and after closing, including maintaining cleanliness, organizing shelves, and restocking.
Key Achievement. Achieved a 99% customer feedback score in the first month of employment and maintained it constantly ever since.

Junior Sales Associate

Frozen North Outfitters, Toronto, ON
August 2015–September 2017
 Assisted customers with purchasing winter sports clothing and equipment.
 Performed cross-sells and upsells based on customer needs to maximize store revenue.
 Promoted customer loyalty and awards program, achieving an average of 100 sign-ups per month.
 Accurately rang-up sales, achieving 100% accuracy on cash reconciliation.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Retail Sales Management

York University, Toronto, ON
Graduated 2017

Skills

 Customer service
 Interpersonal communication skills
 Cash handling & POS
 Time management
 Product & brand knowledge
 Empathy & friendliness
 Conflict management

Certifications & Licenses

 CPSA Certified Sales Professional (CSP)

Job Application Email

Your email job application letter is a cover letter that accompanies your resume. This means that the intent of the email is to let the
recipient know

 Why you are writing

 Which job you are applying for
 What your qualifications are for the job
 What you have to offer the company
 How you will follow up or how the recipient can get in touch with you

Tips for Writing an Application Email

When sending an email to apply for a job, it’s important to be concise and to grab the hiring manager’s attention with a well-written
message that highlights why you’re a good fit for the job. Your message should include the following:

Subject line: Since hiring managers receive a lot of emails, make it easy for them to filter application emails. Include your name and
the job title you are applying for in the message's subject line. If a job has been assigned a posting number, provide this as well. For
example:

Subject Line: Margaret Hannon – Social Media Marketing Assistant Position (posting #1234)

Salutation: If possible, address your email to a specific person. If the hiring manager's name is not mentioned in the job listing, you
can sometimes discover it by reviewing the company's website. If a name isn't available, you can open with "Dear Hiring Manager,".

First paragraph: In the first paragraph of your letter, it’s important to explain why you're writing. Mention where you saw the job
application, the date when it was posted, and how you found the posting (e.g., presented on the company's website, posted on a job
board, etc.).

Middle paragraphs: This section of the letter is where you can make a pitch for your candidacy. Why would you be a good fit for the
job? What can you offer the company? Highlight your most relevant jobs and responsibilities as well as your accomplishments. Make
sure not to copy your resume directly.

Final paragraph: Use this space to thank the recipient for reading your email, and mention that your resume is attached. This is also
the place to thank the recipient for considering your application. State when and how you will follow up as well.

Closing: Use a formal close such as "Best" or "Sincerely" to sign off your letter, then type your full name.

Email signature: You can also include your email signature, which is an easy way to provide contact information to recipients. List
your name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile URL, if you have one. For example:

Margaret Hannon
[email protected]
555-123-1234
linkedin.com/in/margarethannon
 Sample Email Job Application Message #1

Subject: Assistant Communications Director – Joseph Green

Dear Hiring Manager,

Your job posting on Craigslist for an Assistant Communications Director piqued my interest. Your description of the work
responsibilities for the Assistant Director role closely matches my experience, and I am excited to submit my resume to you for your
consideration.

In my position as an Assistant Communications Director for ABC Company, I wrote articles for the company website, edited and
posted contributed articles, managed the company's social media presence, and wrote and sent out a weekly email newsletter to
subscribers. I also implemented an automated email tool that grew the company's subscriber base by 40% within six months.

While Assistant Communications Director for Assemblyperson Janet Brown, I researched, drafted, and amended legislation, wrote
press releases, and was responsible for office communications and correspondence.

My resume is attached. If I can provide you with any further information on my background and qualifications, please let me know.

I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Joseph Green
[email protected]
202-555-5252
Sample Email Job Application Message #2

Subject: Adjunct Instructor Position - Jane Lee

Dear Ms. Smith,

I was keenly interested in reading the job posting for the position of Anatomy and Physiology Professor at Middleburg University. I
believe my experience is a strong match for the responsibilities pertaining to this role, and I’m pleased to submit my application for
the position.

My most recent teaching position was at Amery University, where I taught both anatomy and physiology as an adjunct professor. In
addition, I served on two faculty committees and participated in a research project.

I have attached my resume to this letter. Through it, I hope you will learn more about my background, education, achievements, and
awards.

If I can provide you with any further information, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you about this opportunity.

Thank you for your consideration.

Jane Lee
[email protected]
454-555-4653