Are you looking for work? Do you want to create a motivation letter to stand out and increase your chances of getting the position? Follow step by step what you should include, what structure to follow, and when you should or should not send it, all in this article.

Writing a motivation letter is a way to stand out. Serves as the first contact with the recruiter. It's as if you were addressing him directly to say who you are, what skills and experience you have that are relevant to the position, and why you want to apply.

The purpose of the motivation letter is to go beyond the basic information in the CV, and allow you to highlight the information that best suits the position and company you are applying for.

You don't have to be a great writer to create a motivation letter. Simplicity and brevity They are key, especially because recruiters receive dozens of applications and they need to make decisions quickly.

As for the structure, we explain step by step how to build your motivation letter, to increase your chances of getting your dream job.

Email body replaces motivation letter?

Unless the motivation letter is explicitly requested, if the application is sent by email, you can place the text of the motivation letter in the body of the message, instead of creating an attachment for that purpose.

This avoid unnecessary clicks and it is more practical for the recruiter, who opens the email and immediately has access to the information of interest.

If the motivation letter manages to captivate, it also leads to the CV being downloaded.

How to write a motivation letter?

And now, where to start?

The motivation letter should be between 150 and 500 words – the more concise the content, the better. Follow these steps to create yours:

1. Start with the greeting

First of all, you should start the letter/email with a greeting to the reader. We advise you to address the recruiter or recipient by name whenever possible. If you are unable to obtain this information, opt for a more general greeting.

– Dear Mr./Ms. (recruiter's name)
– Dear Mr./Ms. (recruiter's name)

Or

- Dear sirs
– Hello (if you prefer a more informal tone)

2. Mention how you found out about the position and why you are interested

Remember to put the website or means through which you viewed the job opportunity, and the position you want to run for. It's a way to personalize the text for each application and show that you know what you're going for. Also use this opening paragraph to explain why it makes sense for you to apply for this specific offer. Be brief. An example could be:

“As an experienced barista with a broad interest in everything related to the coffee industry, I would like to apply for this opportunity, which I found out about on social media.”

3. Present yourself with confidence

In the second paragraph, provide a brief summary of your profile, highlighting the experience, skills and competencies that are most relevant to the position. This is a good time to highlight achievements. Introduce yourself by answering the following topics:

• Who is it?
• What is your graduation?
• What experiences, knowledge and skills can help with the job’s tasks?

An example could be:

“I joined Café I enthusiastically absorbed everything I could from my peers. This dedication led me to be promoted to Barista and now to Chief Barista, where my responsibilities are as diverse as they are interesting. In addition to preparing various coffee recipes and serving guests, I am actively involved in extraction tasting sessions, latte art courses, cupping sessions, as well as training new colleagues.”

4. Show that you meet the job requirements

Read the job requirements carefully and try to respond to them. For example, if the description states that they are looking for someone with 3 years of experience, don't forget to mention that fact. Another example is revealing values linked to teamwork and a spirit of initiative. In that case, you can write:

“In all my tasks, I prioritize teamwork, an essential aspect for the good management of a café and customer satisfaction. I don't hesitate to help my team with cleaning, equipment maintenance, stock replenishment or customer service. I promote a spirit of mutual assistance and treat my colleagues, bosses, suppliers, partners and customers with consideration and respect. I believe that a workplace where harmony and companionship prevail is a workplace where workers feel happy.”

5. Reinforce why you should be hired

At the end of the text, you should highlight once again why you are the right candidate to work in that vacancy. You can guide yourself through the following questions:

• Yours professional goals are achieved in the position you are applying for?
• Any interesting points that stood out in the job description?
• Do you identify with the values and organizational culture of the workplace?
• Why do you think you deserve an opportunity to be interviewed?
• Because it is an added value for that position and for the organization you are hiring for?

For example:

“I have loved every minute of my time at Café

6. End with thanks and contact details

Now all that’s left is to say goodbye. You should thank them for their attention, indicate their availability for an interview and add contact details. Avoid showing anxiety or overconfidence. You can use as an example:

“I am sending my CV as an attachment, which reflects my professional and training journey to date.

However, I would be happy to tell you more about myself and my experience in a possible interview. I am available for any questions.

Thank you for your attention,

Candidate A
+351 xxx xxx xxx
[email protected]”

7. Review the content

Review more than once to make sure you don't miss any grammatical errors, that the attachment was inserted correctly in the email and that the information is not out of date.

Last tip

The objective is not for you to follow this structure to the letter, but to address the contents and topics we refer to using your own examples and giving a personal and personalized touch.

It’s not enough to repeat the content you have on your CV. After all, this is an opportunity to show your personality and highlight important skills for the area you want to work in, in addition to the knowledge you have gathered about the company you are applying for, which demonstrates genuine interest.

Recruiters are used to receiving dozens of CVs and motivation letters (many of them following identical models and not specifying the position), so they look for originality and special care.

Remember to personalize your motivation letter, show yourself motivated, and reveal sincerity!

See our vacancies, available on the Employment Exchange Platform, to start applying.