Motivation Letter
For Ausbildung
The key thing here is that a well-written motivation letter can help you stand out. It means that you can adapt the application to suit the company's requirements and gives you the opportunity to state your desire and passion. In this guide, you will learn how to write a perfect motivation letter in a simple and easy way.
Importance of a Motivation Letter for Ausbildung in Germany
In Germany, the motivation letter, also known as Motivationsschreiben, is an important tool in job and Ausbildung applications. Employers value orderliness, attention to detail, and professional conduct in the workplace. A well-crafted motivation letter demonstrates that:
- You have conducted research on the company.
- You have a clear understanding of the role and its expectations.
- You have a genuine interest in the Ausbildung program.
Key Objectives of a Motivation Letter:
Highlight Your Personality
A resume is accurate and fixed in format, while a motivation letter is an opportunity to show your personality. This is where you get a chance to demonstrate that you are an individual beyond the CV and the resume. Share traits that define you, such as:
- Being enthusiastic and ready to work.
- Openness to share and engage in a common effort.
- Interest in the particular type of business or job.
- Collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute.
- Passion for the specific industry or role.
Self-promotion is important in general, but employers appreciate real, friendly, and confident individuals, so be yourself.
Show Your Enthusiasm for the Role and Company
Employers need to be convinced that you have got your facts right. Use the motivation letter to demonstrate your knowledge of:
- The company’s values, mission, or recent achievements.
- Specific aspects of the Ausbildung program that excite you.
- How this role aligns with your long-term career goals.
For instance, instead of saying, “I am
interested in this position,” explain why:
"I am particularly drawn to this role at [Company Name] because of its
strong emphasis on [specific aspect, e.g., hands-on training, innovation, or a
supportive learning environment]."
Explain How Your Skills and Experiences Align with the Requirements
This is where you close the gap between what you have to provide and what the company requires. Read through the job description and bring out the correlation between you and the position advertised.
- If the position implies that you must work in a team, then describe your internship or experience in a group project.
- If you have strong communication skills, tell about the time when you were able to communicate ideas effectively.
- If attention to detail is a key skill, share an example where you demonstrated meticulous work.
The goal is to prove that you are a fit for the job, have the necessary skills, are ready to take on the position, and will thrive in it.
More than Just a Formality
Some candidates underestimate the value of a motivation letter , assuming that it is just a mere formality. However, in reality, it is a powerful tool that:
- Sets You Apart: It provides you with an opportunity to speak and express your passion, which a resume cannot do.
- Demonstrates Effort: Spending time writing a letter means a lot to the employer to show that you are interested in the position.
- Builds a Connection: A motivation letter makes you stand out by showing that you know the employer’s needs and the kind of value you want to bring to them.
How to Create an Effective motivation Letter for Ausbildung
To maximize the impact of your motivation letter:
- Personalize It: Always try to use the name of the hiring manager when writing the letter.
- Be Specific: Give instances to support your argument, including curriculum vitae, academic work, projects, volunteer experience, among others.
- Convey Confidence: When talking about your strengths, avoid using words that make your statements sound boastful.
- Keep It Concise: Always prioritize quality over quantity. Each sentence should add value.
In addition to improving your application package and standing out from the pile of other applications, you will make a positive first impression on the employer, greatly increasing your chances of being called for an interview.
General Principles to Follow Before Writing Your Motivation Letter for Ausbildung
Keep it concise:
In any case, a motivation letter must consist following parts and should not exceed one page in length.
Maintain a professional tone:
Avoid using informal language,
contractions, and idiomatic expressions. For instance, it is preferable to use
"information" instead of "info."
Express genuine interest:
Tell about the motivation behind your interest in the Ausbildung offer. Describe what has drawn you to a particular employer or program once you have applied.
Showcase Your Skills:
Emphasize abilities such as computer literacy, proficiency in MS Excel, or experience working with Photoshop, and use keywords connected to the job.
Areas for Improvement:
If you have some gaps in your list of qualifications, there is nothing wrong with acknowledging that. However, it is always beneficial to demonstrate a willingness to learn.
Personalize the Letter:
Do not use any standard templates not all companies will accept them. Spend some time studying the company and mention things that capture your intentions.
Focus on the Employer's Needs:
Boasting is not the best thing to do, therefore instead of indulging in boasting, it will be the ideal practice to explain how your skills and interest fit with the objectives of the company.
Proofread Thoroughly:
A motivation letter that is well written is still subject to scrutiny, and one or two typos or grammatical mistakes can be very detrimental to the employer's view of your work. Go through your letter a couple of times alongside someone who knows about the issue and can offer you pieces of advice.
Step-by-Step Motivation Letter Format
Header: Your Information
At the top of the letter, include:
- Your Name and Address: This should be aligned to the top left corner.
- Email Address and Phone Number: Give the professional contact details.
- Date: Fill in the date you are submitting the application.
Employer’s Information
Two lines below your information, include:
- Employer’s Name and Address: Address the hiring manager or the department.
- Salutation: If you are writing your letter in German, you can start with "Liebe/r [Employer’s Name]" or "Sehr geehrte/r [Employer’s Name],".
Your Introduction
- The first step you need to take is to declare what you are going to achieve.
- State the name of the Ausbildung position you wish to be considered for and how you came across it.
- In one or two lines, express how excited you are for the position.
- Example: I am applying for the IT Ausbildung programme at [Company Name]. I am also highly interested in technology and possess a strong knowledge of Java and Networking, making me well-prepared to contribute my skills to your team.
Main Body: Highlight Your Skills and Experiences
- Explain Your Qualifications: Hear about each other, particularly in relation to skills that are pertinent to the job in question.
- Demonstrate Your Value: Link your skills to the needs of the company.
- Show Enthusiasm: Explain why this opportunity interests you and how it will help in achieving the set career goals.
- Example: “Due to my commerce background, with certification in both Java and Networking, I have a good grounding in IT performance.” In the coursework and projects, I have developed good analytical and problem-solving skills and wish to put them into practice at [Company Name].
Closing Paragraph
- Express your interest in the position once again.
- Express gratitude for being given the chance to apply for the job at the company.
- Politely suggest the next appropriate course of action, such as scheduling an interview.
- Thank the employer for considering your application.
- Example: “I would be honored to contribute to the success of [Company Name] and look forward to the possibility of discussing my application further. Thank you for your time and consideration.”
Closing Salutation and Signature
- Use “Yours sincerely” or “Mit freundlichen Grüßen” if in German.
- Sign your name above your typed name (if submitting a hard copy).
Additional Tips for Writing a Strong Motivation Letter for Ausbildung in Germany
Research the Company
Knowing its values and mission statements will ensure that you modify the letter to show interest in the company.
Avoid Overusing “I”
Focus on what you can bring to the company rather than repeatedly stating “I am.”
Structure Your Letter Properly
Divide your letter into clear sections:
- Introduction
- Main Body
- Conclusion
Adapt to German Standards
Indeed, the Germans are very particular about everything that they do. Please ensure that your letter follows the proper business letter format and contains proper salutations.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Typos and Grammatical Errors: Proofreading should always be done several times.
- Generic Content: In particular, do not send the same motivation letter to different employers or companies.
- Overloading Information: It is possible to be concise and remember that only the most significant is to be highlighted.
- Skipping Research: Lack of research on the company may make your letter look like any other letter that one organization writes to another organization.
Following this guide to the letter will help you write a perfect motivation letter that can boost your chances of being offered an Ausbildung place.
In Germany, a motivation letter is usually written in the following order:
- Full name
- Street address
- State + city + postal code
- Email address
- Phone number
- Write the current date, right-aligned or just below your contact info
- Company name
- Name of the contact person (if known)
- Street address
- State + city + postal code
- Example:
- Application for a training position as an IT specialist for system integration.
- "Sehr geehrte Frau {Name}" or "Sehr geehrter Herr {Name},"
- If no name: "Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,"
- Introduction
- Main body
- Conclusion
- Example:
- Mit freundlichen Grüßen
- Write a handwritten signature above your typed name. (If sending a hard copy)
- You can leave out the handwritten signature or use a scanned one. (If sending a soft copy)
A great motivation letter is your chance to make a great impression. Consider this effective motivation letter template, based on fictional information, for your convenience.
Additional Tips:
- Don’t use overly complex English (especially when using ChatGPT).
- Limit your letter to 1 page, with a maximum of 1.5 pages.
- Avoid paragraphs longer than 8–9 lines.
- Don’t use bold, underlined or emojis.
- Avoid long, complicated sentences.
- Don’t include generic or cliché phrases.(alert-success)
Hypothetical information:
Name: Rahul Sharma
Address: House No. 123, MG Road, Andheri East, Mumbai, India.
Email: [abc@xyz.com]
Contact: 91-1234567890
Education: Inter-Commerce
Additional education: Java (short course)
Networking (Short Course)
Sample Motivation
Letter Layout
This hypothetical
example is provided first in English and then in German so that you can better
understand the style of the motivation letter.
