The key to a convincing letter of motivation

Published by Espresso-Jobs, July 13th, 2016

How do you write a letter of motivation that matches your ambitions and which reflects your genuine interest in the job? This is a nightmare for many applicants who, when the time comes to commit their most sincere motivation to paper, are unfortunately overwhelmed by writer's block and the fear of the blank sheet of paper.

In contrast to a CV, the letter of motivation requires a specific kind of writing ability, which is more developed because it goes beyond simply listing professional duties and qualities. Does writing not come easily to you and that makes your job harder? Don't panic! Concentrate on the following elements which will guide you through writing your letter of motivation!

The key to a convincing letter of motivation

Whether it is to accompany your application for an internship position or for a job vacancy, the key to a convincing letter of motivation rests in your ability to put into words your knowledge of the company and its corporate mission, what specifically you can bring to the company in performing your duties using your professional skills, your previous experience and your personality.
To achieve this:

1. The company

Research the company in question in detail. Make sure you fully understand its corporate mission, its values and its unique culture. How long has it been in business for? What marks it out in the market? In brief, try to decode the company's DNA. By analyzing all the information you find on your subject in this way, you will be in a position to identify the connections between the company's mission and the contribution you can make towards achieving its objectives.

2. The job position

From the job advert, draw up a list of the skills required for the job in question, as well as the different duties you will be given. Then sketch out your main previous experiences and the skills and knowledge you were able to develop from them. Once you've put them into words, establish connections with the job in question: "As part of my duties as a Communications Adviser, I was given a project management role. Amongst other things, this experience enabled me to develop my leadership skills and to improve my communication strategies within a large team. "

3. The desired profile

Keep your professional biography to a few lines, taking into account the skills required for the job and the company's values. This is the time to talk about yourself, both as a professional, of course, but also as an individual. Above all a recruiter is looking for personality, someone who will become an integral part of their team. You may well be a very competent project manager, but if you are not able to demonstrate your personal qualities and your social skills, you will reduce your chances of being recruited. In what way are you an outstanding colleague? What personal qualities do you have which could be harnessed in performing your duties?

The letter of motivation has to be seen as a whole, a complete entity, which mirrors both your determination to fill the post in question, the added value that you could bring to the company, as well as your personal and professional skills which relate to the job, illustrated with concrete examples of situations where you have had to put specific skills into practice for the success of a project.

Pay attention to your use of language and get someone else to review your letter in order to check that the information is clear. Append your letter to your CV, in the same document if possible.