How do I write the perfect motivational letter to work abroad?

Have you decided to take the big step and start your international career but are still missing a letter of motivation for your application? This blog will teach you how to structure your motivational letter and which elements should not be missing, with insider tips from our recruiters!

Why is a motivational letter important?

In addition to a professional and structured resume, a motivational letter is often advantageous for convincing your future employer of your suitability. Even if it is not always explicitly required, you can use a motivational letter to give your application a personal touch, make yourself stand out, and emphasize your strengths!

The do's and don'ts

Since you want to conquer the international job market, writing your motivational letter in English is important, unless the employer requires it to be sent in a specific language. Create all documents in a similar layout (font, size, spacing, etc.) so that your application appears clear and coherent. Additionally, the motivational letter should be brief and concise—up to one A4 page, but no longer. Make sure the letter sounds enthusiastic, positive, and professional.

Introduction 👋

Your introduction should be as personal and interesting as possible. For example, you could start with how you found out about the job offer or how you got the idea to move abroad. Usually, a motivational letter starts like this:

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the [Position] role at [Company]. I'd love to contribute to [Company’s mission or project] while immersing myself in the vibrant culture of [Country].

Body ✍️

Thanks to your resume, the recruiters already know a lot about you, such as your professional skills, your degrees, and your professional history. So, this part is all about describing your personality and your motivation to why you want to work for this position. 

Tip: If you are applying for a job in marketing or in an industry that requires creativity, you can always enclose a portfolio of your work samples or drafts. 

In the body, it is important that you show that you have done your research into the company. Tell them what you like about their working environment, mission, and values. Explain why you are an asset to the company, listing some of your skills or important work experiences. You're about to move countries, which is a pretty big step. Show that you are committed to this adventure and have the intention to grow, personally and professionally. Write about what interests you in the culture of the country (for example, say you want to learn a new language) and why you would like to live abroad!

Use these questions as a guide for the body:

• Why do you want to work abroad?
• Why are you perfect for the job?
• What attracted you to this company/project?
• Have you already gained relevant experience in industry or abroad in general?
• What are your professional skills and personal strengths and how would you use them in your new position?
• What do you hope to learn during your time abroad?
• What are your aspirations for working at this company?

Remember, less is often more. Only include information about yourself that is also relevant to the job offer, company, or country.

Closing sentence 📝

Your final sentence should be phrased confidently. Thank them for their time and emphasise that you would be happy to receive an invitation to an interview, to talk about it more and meet each other virtually. 

Tip: Ask someone else to read your completed motivational letter before you send it out. After working on something for quite awhile, you tend to stop seeing spelling or grammatical mistakes. A second set of eyes is always useful! ChatGPT can also be a great help for this check.

Now that you know how to properly write a motivational letter, it's time to apply for a job abroad! Haven't found a suitable position yet? Take a look at our current vacancies abroad! We look forward to receiving your application documents. And in case you need help creating a resume, use our resume builder, so that you're ready to go in no-time!