In October 2021 we rolled out the motivational note. In this article, we will look at different ways to write this note, and how you can get the most out of it in your job search.
Reasons to write a Motivational Note
The current recruiting marketplace is all about velocity. Our customers love our fast process, which does not require a motivational letter. But based on the feedback of our companies and candidates, it became clear to us that our users would like to have an optional feature that gives them the opportunity to share information about their motivation that perhaps did not fit into their resume or profile. The motivational note is not comparable to a letter of motivation or cover letter. We decided against a cover letter because it lengthens the application process unnecessarily, as candidates are often just copying and pasting the same text. On the other hand, it can be a lot of work for applicants to write many different cover letters, without being certain the companies will take the time to read them. After all, HR departments only take an average of 6 seconds to assess resumes, which is why we can assume a low attention period. Many recruiters simply lack the time to thoroughly review applicants. Our customer- and candidate-oriented approach means that our product is constantly evolving, which is why we have integrated the optional motivation note feature into MoBerries. We aimed to find a balance between efficiency and personal motivation.
With MoBerries’ motivational note, the candidate now has the opportunity to state their reasons for applying for this position, and thus stand out from other candidates. Companies we interviewed also liked the idea of having a small note that shows them the candidate's motivations, helping them efficiently understand candidates.
This feature is not designed to add any barriers to candidates but rather offer you a feature that provides the core function of a motivation letter, but does not require unnecessary effort and time – That's why we offer the motivational note optional.
We have listed some cases, where it makes sense to use this feature below:
- You can improve your application if you do not match the requirements of the job description
- Job positions that are highly popular and you want to stand out
- You would like to present additional information;
- Job positions in certain industries where special motivation has advantages (environmental protection, etc.);
- Management positions that require insight into the candidate's management style or work methods.
- You can use the note to explain aspects from your cv
We will now address what a good motivational note looks like and how it should be structured in terms of content.
What makes a strong motivational note?
As already mentioned, the motivational note is a way to present your motivation to the company in a short text format. In this section of the application, you should try to get to the point and present your motivations in a short paragraph. According to a study, 57% of respondents do not know what to write in such a case. MoBerries offers you useful tips for the perfect motivational note here:
Basic requirements for a good motivational note:
- Correct spelling and grammar are essential
- Keep it short and focus on the important points
- Maintain a structure
- Do not repeat anything from your resume
Here you can see a motivational note that is not optimal:
With a few tips your motivational note will look much better:
But we have some easy tips for you. To bring structure to your motivational note, we recommend that you divide the note into three parts:
Introduction - How do I approach companies?
A recruiter's time to review applications is limited, which is why the attention period for all applications is very short. This makes it even more important that your application stands out.
At the beginning of any motivational note is the greeting. If there is a name in the job description, address this person directly. If this is not the case, you can use a general form of address. Consider which form of address fits the company's industry and which form you want to choose. We cannot give you a blanket answer as to whether your motivational note should be written very formally or by you. You will need to develop a feeling for which company is more formal and which company is more open. Many corporate companies value a formal address and start-ups are happy to communicate directly, but this cannot be answered across the board and differs from industry to industry.
A good indicator can be the tone of the job listing itself. If the tone in the job description is more formal, adjust your motivational note to align with this, and the same for a more informal tone.
Middle section - What do I want to communicate?
With the motivational note, you try to make clear to the company that you are the perfect candidate for this position. The best Tip is to stand out because companies want to hire experts. There is the possibility to write a long-form text or to illustrate your motivation in a list. You have free choice for the presentation of your motivation.
Questions that should be answered in the middle section include:
- Why are you a good fit for the company?
- What are your core skills?
- Do you have the same values as the company, if so which ones?
- Why do you want to work in this industry?
- What connects you to the company's product?
- What personal goals and motives do you have and how does the company help you achieve them?
Conclusion - How should I end the note?
Give the company a little creative output wrapped up in your sign-off. This leaves the employer with a positive last impression. Do not use platitudes and try to convey your excitement at the possibility of a face-to-face interview. It’s a good opportunity to show the company your vision and that you are highly motivated.
The best tip we can give you is "Be yourself." Get to know the company and describe your values. Show that you are a thinker. Try to convey your interest to the company in the best possible way - this will leave the best possible lasting impression.
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