When you go in for an interview, you likely dress your best. Before you get to the interview stage, you can do the same for your resume—dress it up with a cover letter or motivation letter.
What’s the difference between the two types of letters? Which will make the best first impression when applying to college or a new job? We’ll help you below.
Once you understand which letter is best for you, use our AI cover letter generator to win over your new employer.
What Are the Differences Between a Cover Letter and a Motivation Letter?
While similar, a cover letter is not the same as a cover letter. Motivation letters have a different focus and tone, which affects their structure and style.
| Aspect | Cover letter | Motivation letter |
|---|---|---|
| Context | Applying for jobs | Applying for academic, scholarship, or programs, and sometimes jobs |
| Primary goal | Show that you’re a good fit for the job | Explain your goals, values, and personal drive in relation to the program |
| Content | Highlights experience and skills; explains “what I can do for you” | Emphasizes achievements, aspirations, and long-term vision; explains “why I want to” |
| Structure | Formal and businesslike | More flexible and narrative-driven |
| Tone | Direct and professional | Personal, reflective, and purposeful |
| Length | Typically one page | Usually one to two pages; varies based on application requirements |
| Format | Formal layout with headers, 3 to 4 paragraphs, call to action | Essay-style or following institutional guidelines; narrative with introduction and conclusion |
| Used for | Targeting employers | Universities, grants, internships, and volunteer programs |
Purpose and target audience
Basic cover letters are a job application staple. They expand on the details of the accompanying resume. The point is proving you’re a good fit for a job.
Motivation letters, by contrast, are used for non-specific job applications or when applying to educational institutions or programs, internships, volunteer opportunities, or non-profit positions. The focus is on your goals and passions—why you want to be there instead of why they should hire you.
Main focus of the content
Cover letters are brief and professional. They focus on your skills that match the role and any work experience that has prepared you for the job.
In a motivation letter, you’re aligning your values and goals with those of the organization. While you might mention achievements and experiences, you do so in explanation of how they’ve shaped your aspirations and motivation for seeking the opportunity.
Level of personalization
Cover letters are highly tailored to each job you apply for. You’ll adjust your wording to include keywords from the job description. You don’t want to distract from key skills by including unconnected information.
Your motivation letter is more general in scope. You may be applying for an undescribed role or a wide range of opportunities. You’ll still want to customize your letter to speak to the values of the organization, creating the connection.
For example, your volunteer work may not be relevant in a cover letter, but it might exemplify your drive to help others in a motivation letter.
Structure and formatting
Motivation letters don’t strictly adhere to the cover letter format, though they do have the same basic parts: an introduction, a body, and a conclusion.
Whereas the cover letter is polite and concise, the motivation letter uses storytelling. It can be structured as follows:
- Introduction: A personal story that hooks the reader and reveals your passion for the organization’s mission or purpose.
- Body: Several paragraphs highlighting how your experiences have shaped values that align with the organization’s.
- Conclusion: Summarize what you’re asking for and express eagerness to become a part of the organization.
💡Tip
Even non-secular programs may use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage student or volunteer applications. You can use Resume Coach’s ATS-optimized templates to make sure your letter beats the bots.
Tone and writing style
Cover letters are crisp and professional, and oversharing personal information is frowned upon.
Motivation letters allow you to express yourself in a personal and passionate way. Feel free to conjure deep emotions and dream big to describe future goals. Stories about overcoming challenges can be especially moving.
When To Use a Cover Letter vs. A Motivation Letter
If you have an application open on your desktop, you don’t have to stress over which type of letter to use.
Generally, jobs require a cover letter, while other programs can accept a motivation letter. There is some overlap, for example, internships or unsolicited job applications.
Cover letter
- Job applications
- Internships
- Career changes
- Promotions
Motivation letter
- Educational programs
- Scholarships
- Academic research
- Volunteering projects
- Internships
- Non-profit organizations
- Non-specified job applications
How To Write a Cover Letter
With a little planning, your cover letter can be more than an afterthought, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. You can complete a cover letter quickly and easily by following these steps.
- Start with a professional header including your name and contact information
- Tailor the greeting to a specific individual
- Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements
- Keep paragraphs short and scannable
- Close with enthusiasm and a call to action
Cover letter example
A well-written cover letter shows how your skills and experience align with the role while adding a bit of personality. You can use our cover letter sample as a template, replacing elements with your own information.
Daniel Carter
1458 West Maple Avenue
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 555-7821
daniel.carter@email.com
April 7, 2026
John Smith, Hiring Manager
BrightPath Technologies
Chicago, IL
Dear Mr. Smith,
I am writing to express my interest in the Software Engineer position at BrightPath Technologies. With more than three years of experience developing scalable web applications and a strong foundation in JavaScript and Python, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to your team.
In my current role at Lakeview Digital, I have built and maintained full-stack applications used by over 50,000 users. I recently led the development of a feature that improved page load speed by 30%, enhancing user experience and engagement. I regularly collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver clean, efficient code and meet tight deadlines.
I am particularly drawn to BrightPath Technologies because of your focus on innovative, user-centered solutions. I am eager to bring my technical skills and passion for building high-quality software to your team.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your needs.
Sincerely,
Daniel Carter
How To Write a Motivation Letter
A strong motivation letter clearly explains your values and goals, in addition to your reasons for applying. Make it personal, but keep it aligned with the opportunity. The following steps can help.
- State your purpose in the introduction
- Explain your background and achievements
- Highlight long and short-term goals
- Explain why you’re interested in the opportunity
- Connect your values to those of the organization
- Be authentic
- Conclude with confidence
Motivation letter example
Your motivation letter goes far beyond your resume. It gives context, revealing your personality, goals, and motivations. Look for those aspects in the example below.
Daniel Carter
Fatma Al-Masri
28 Calle de Atocha
28012 Madrid, Spain
fatmaalmasri@email.com
July 27, 2025
Admissions Committee
Global Public Policy Master’s Program
University of Amsterdam
Dear Members of the Admissions Committee,
I know what it means to be a refugee. That is why I am writing to express my sincere interest in the Master’s in Global Public Policy at the University of Amsterdam. With a background in sociology and a strong interest in social equity, I am eager to deepen my understanding of policy-making and contribute to meaningful change on an international level.
As a child, my family migrated to the EU to escape religious persecution. During my undergraduate studies, I focused on social inequality and migration, completing a research project that examined access to public services among immigrant communities in Spain. I also interned with a local nonprofit, where I supported program development and community outreach initiatives. These experiences strengthened my commitment to addressing systemic challenges.
I am particularly drawn to your program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and real-world application. I am eager to collaborate with peers and faculty from diverse backgrounds, and hope to improve refugees’ access to essential services.
Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to and grow within your academic community.
Sincerely,
Fatma Al-Masri
If you’re currently working on an application, you can use our AI resume builder to perfect your resume or create a new one from scratch.
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FAQs
Terms like motivational letter or letter of motivation are sometimes used. Some companies use the term Letter of Intent or Letter of Interest to describe a letter expressing interest in a program and focusing on future goals.
Master’s and PhD. programs may request a Statement of Purpose (SOP). Letters of Introduction or Personal Statements also describe similar personal letters.
It is always a good idea to include a cover letter with your job application, even if it is not required. In most cases, hiring managers prefer the standard cover letter format.
However, if you’re applying for a “job” that is a volunteer position, with a non-profit organization, at an educational institution, or an internship, you may choose to use a motivation letter instead.
Motivation letters are generally used for scholarships and university applications. This is because specific skills are not prerequisites (after all, you will be attending classes to learn them), and you may not yet have achievements and experiences related to your field.
Motivation letters allow you to highlight your drives and goals instead.
Cover letters are generally less than one page in length. Three to four paragraphs totaling less than 500 words is a good rule of thumb.
Motivation letters may be one or two pages. Be sure to check any requirements given by the institution you’re applying to.
While personal, your motivation letter should still feel intentional and focused. You can avoid the following to maintain professionalism and credibility:
- Generic statements: If it could apply to any program or institution, do your research and be more specific.
- Overly personal details: Irrelevant or cringy information may have the opposite of your intended effect.
- Negativity: Don’t disparage past experiences, schools, or employers. Even when these are motivating factors, try to frame them in terms of growth.
- Excessive flattery: While you should express how you feel about the organization, make sure you’re not insincere. Don’t exaggerate.
- Spelling or grammar errors: Be sure to proofread your letter and use tools like Grammarly.
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