Motivation letter

If you are looking for a side job or job, it is now normal to send a motivation letter. In a motivation letter you mainly answer the question 'why'. Why do you think you qualify for this position? Why do your competencies suit this position so well? It is also important that you explain your reasons for wanting this job. You must therefore explain in a short letter what your motivation and ambition are and convey this to the reader.

What is important in a motivation letter?

When looking for an effective job application motivation letter you can always download and use this one. In a motivation letter you include the following elements:

• Personal data (name, address, date of birth and other general data that are important for the subject of your letter, for example date of graduation, education, etc.)
• A short description of what you have already done (previous courses, education, work), on which you logically follow why the course (or internship or foreign grant, or whatever) is a useful addition. Include only elements that are relevant to the course in the description. Such a description contains facts, and that makes your letter more convincing than simply saying that the course is 'fun', 'interesting' or 'challenging'.
• The reason why you want to follow exactly that course and not another. To do this, you need to research the precise content of the course and argue that the content is in line with your learning objectives. This often requires you to describe which competencies you want to work on and why you think this is important (for example, for the position you aspire to).
• A description of other, more personal activities that can underline that the path you choose now suits you, and fits you as a person or as a professional. These kinds of extras give a personal note to the letter, which make it even better for the reader(s) to see who you are.
  
• If you have gaps in the knowledge that is being requested, indicate how you are going to get rid of it. A lacuna does not have to be a reason for rejection. The way you deal with it can actually underline your motivation.

Sample Motivation letter:

I am writing to apply for the {{Position name}} position, as advertised on the {{Name of website}}.  I am a doctoral candidate at the {{University name}}, and I will complete degree requirements by {{Month/Year}}.

Teaching has been an important part of my training at the {{University name}}, and I believe my background would be useful in your department.  I have had considerable undergraduate teaching experience in several types of courses, including first– and second-year Latin classes and discussion sections of the {{Subject}} class.  The latter experience introduced me to the pleasures of leading class discussion and the challenges of transforming new material—some of...on sections each week. I have been equally devoted to the research side of my graduate training.  My dissertation, directed by {{Name}}, is entitled {{Name of dissertation}}. T...e}}, and at national meetings, including the {{Meeting name}}.  My most recent conference paper was a collaborative effort; I helped to organize a panel on the satiric persona for the {{Meeting name}} in {{Month}}.

Although my dissertation focuses on a single genre, it reflects interests that I expect to resurface in teaching contexts in the future.  One area that fascinates me is the place of ancient comic genres in the literary canon and cultural contexts of Classical antiquity.  Comedy, satire, and related genres make excellent material for courses on ancient culture, and I eagerly welcome the opportunity to develop such a course at some point. Another special interest of mine is ancient literary criticism, which I studied intensively for a Ph.D. exam on the ancient reception of Homer.  Moreover, while both of these areas interest me, I believe that I can also parlay them into general civilization courses such as {{Course names}}. I would enjoy discussing this position with you in the weeks to come.  In the meantime, I am enclosing my Curriculum Vitae; letters of recommendation will arrive under separate cover.  If you require any additional materials or information, I would be happy to supply it.  Thank you for your consideration.

Yours faithfully,

After downloading this Motivation letter and filling in the blanks, you can easily customize the style, typography, details, and appearance of your letter. If this isn't the right template you are looking for, then certainly take a look at the other letters that Bizzlibrary.com offers. We have many letters ranging from cover letters to business letters and thank you notes.