In human existence, educational pursuits and a career path or a job are something everyone will strive for. So, whether you are trying to get into an educational program or get a job, you will need to present yourself in a manner that shows the prospective institution or organization that you are a qualified candidate for consideration and acceptance.
In presenting yourself before a prospective organization, a written document of your thoughts is one way of conveying your interest, especially when you have not been seen. Having said that, it is one thing to know the reason for writing documents for specific purposes, and it is another thing to know how to write that document to suit its intended purpose.
A motivation letter/ statement of purpose is a great way to formally express your thoughts for placement in an institution or organization. Suppose you are looking at writing a motivation letter/ statement of purpose to get a placement in an educational institute or a job placement in an organization, and you’re wondering how to go about it. In that case, you are in the right place.
In this article, we’ll be looking at what a motivation letter/ statement of purpose is, how to structure a motivation letter/ statement of purpose, some useful tips on writing a motivation letter/ statement of purpose, why a motivation letter/ statement of purpose is important, and when you need a motivation letter/ statement of purpose.
What is a Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose (SOP)?
A motivation letter/ statement of purpose is a formal letter you might have to submit when applying for an educational program or a job. The goal of writing a motivation letter/ statement of purpose is to show the hiring manager or admissions officer why you are the perfect candidate for the position.
Steps on how you can write a Motivation Letter or Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Now that you know what a motivational letter/ statement of purpose is, you can attempt to write your own by following these steps:
- Research the institution or organization you are applying to learn more about their mission, values, and goals before writing.
- Appropriately address your letter of motivation/ statement of purpose
- Stick to the program, opportunity, or job requirement.
- Align your values with that of the organization or institution.
- Your letter of motivation must express or convey your genuine interest in the position.
- Personalize your letter of motivation/ statement of purpose; own it.
- Convey your ambitions
- Do not tell lies when writing your letter of motivation
- Make use of a motivation letter/ statement of purpose template
Some useful tips on writing a motivation letter/ statement of purpose (SOP)
- Write an outline
- Write an introduction
- Expand your outline for the body of the letter
- Write with personality
- Follow a guideline
- Make your writing simple and concise
- Use accessible language
- Focus on your strengths
- Write a conclusion for your letter
- Proofread your letter
How to Structure a Motivation Letter/ Statement of Purpose
A motivation letter can be structured into three (3) paragraphs, namely:
- Introduction: This is a section where you present your intention of writing the motivation letter.
- Main body: In this section, you provide details about the purpose of the letter.
- Conclusion: This section summarises and concludes the message.
Why a motivation letter is important:
There is a popular saying that ‘when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable. So it is essential to get your ‘why’ intact so you can properly know the ‘how.’ Here are a few reasons a motivation letter is important:
Related Articles:
- It conveys to the reader that you are a motivated and noteworthy candidate for the position.
- It can change a recruiter’s opinion of you upon reading your resume, as the motivation letter reveals a more personal and meaningful aspect of you than the resume.
When Do You Need a Motivation Letter/Statement of Purpose (SOP)
A motivation letter/ statement of purpose is usually required when an organization wants to gauge your enthusiasm, cultural fitness and motivations for a particular opportunity.
Here are a few situations when you need a motivation letter/ statement of purpose:
- When you’re applying for an educational program.
- When you’re applying for an internship in a competitive field.
- When you’re applying for a volunteer position at an organization.
- When you’re applying for a grant or some sort of scholarship.
No matter the situation for writing the motivation letter/ statement of purpose, it serves to express your distinct driving forces and convey your enthusiasm for a specific role, program or opportunity. That is the reason when it is done right, the motivation letter/statement of purpose can convince the reader to go through your application in detail.
Conclusion
Writing for conviction is what everyone who desires to move up in a given field cannot rule out entirely. Whether it is for the purpose of securing an employment, seeking admission, a scholarship, volunteering for a position and so on, but one thing is sure, no one wants to write and present themselves before a prospective institution or organization of interest as one who does not know what they want.
Knowing how to write a motivational letter/ statement of purpose can be a great way to express your personality, passion and interest in the position or program you are applying for. By doing that, you can convince your prospective employer, institution or organization that you are the right person for a particular position among many.
