Avoid These Costly Mistakes When Writing Your Motivation Letter (2024)

Summary

In this video, the speaker highlights the most common mistakes students make when writing motivation letters and offers actionable tips for improvement. Key advice includes ensuring grammar accuracy, keeping the letter concise (400-600 words), avoiding vague claims, and focusing on measurable achievements. The speaker emphasizes the importance of a consistent and professional format, writing with a tone that showcases how applicants can contribute to the institution, and personalizing templates. The video stresses that crafting a strong motivation letter takes time and effort, encouraging students to revise, get feedback, and approach it with patience.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ensure your motivation letter is error-free by proofreading or using grammar-checking tools like Grammarly.
• 😀 Keep your letter between 400-600 words to ensure it remains concise and readable.
• 😀 Avoid long paragraphs and overly complex sentences that may confuse the reader.
• 😀 Focus on providing measurable achievements rather than vague claims like 'I am good at' or 'I am reliable.'
• 😀 Maintain consistent formatting throughout the letter, using a simple font like Times New Roman and standard font size (10-12 pt).
• 😀 Your letter should be institution-focused, showing how you can contribute to the university or company, not just what you want to gain.
• 😀 Research the university's values and vision to tailor your letter accordingly, emphasizing how you align with them.
• 😀 Personalize your motivation letter instead of just copying a template. Make it reflect your unique personality and experiences.
• 😀 Avoid submitting your motivation letter in a rush; invest the necessary time to review and refine it over several drafts.
• 😀 Remember that writing a competitive motivation letter takes time, and it's better to write fewer, high-quality letters than to rush multiple subpar ones.

Q & A

What is the most common mistake students make when writing motivation letters?

The most common mistake students make is poor grammar and spelling errors. These mistakes can negatively affect the perception of the letter and make it seem unprofessional.

How can students ensure their motivation letters are free of grammar mistakes?

Students can use grammar-checking tools like Grammarly and have their letters reviewed by professors, friends, or professional services on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

What is the ideal length for a motivation letter?

The ideal length for a motivation letter is between 400 and 600 words. Letters that are too long can overwhelm the reader, and overly lengthy paragraphs make the text hard to follow.

What should each paragraph in a motivation letter focus on?

Each paragraph should focus on a specific aspect of the candidate’s background: one for education, one for work or internship experience, one for hobbies and free time, and one for future goals or aspirations.

How can students avoid using weak expressions in their motivation letters?

Students should avoid vague phrases like 'I am really good at...' and instead provide measurable examples, such as 'I helped increase company revenue by 40% by securing five major clients.'

What is the importance of formatting in a motivation letter?

Proper formatting is essential to present a professional image. Consistent font size (10–12) and alignment, along with correct punctuation, are important to avoid distractions and make the letter look polished.

What tone should students aim for in their motivation letters?

Students should avoid being overly self-centered. Instead of just focusing on their personal achievements, they should emphasize how they can contribute to the university or company and align their skills with the institution's goals.

How should a motivation letter address the institution or company?

The letter should focus on how the student can benefit the institution or company. Students should research the institution’s values and mission and explain how their skills and experiences align with those values.

Why is it important to personalize a motivation letter rather than using a template?

Using a template without personalization can make the letter seem generic. Students should customize their motivation letter to reflect their unique voice, personality, and experiences, ensuring it aligns with their goals and the specific program they are applying for.

How long should students spend on writing a motivation letter?

Students should not rush the process. A strong motivation letter takes time to craft. It’s advisable to spend several days or weeks revising and perfecting the letter to ensure it is of the highest quality.