How to write a stand-out motivation letter in 2026

What is a motivation letter?

One of the central components of a job application is your motivation letter: your chance to show off and prove to hiring managers that you’re the right person for the role in your own words. Your CV lays out your expertise and credentials, while your motivation letter allows you to tell your professional story in an exciting and convincing way.

Follow the tips in this article to make sure you’re crafting a stand-out motivation letter that will help you secure your dream job.

Address it to the right person

A common mistake hiring managers see is motivation letters that start with “to whom it may concern” or “dear hiring manager”. Thanks to company job portals, detailed job listings and tools like LinkedIn, it’s almost always possible to find out the name of the person you’re addressing. It only takes you five minutes and proves to the hiring manager that you’re serious about getting this job – not just any job.

Motivation letter structure

It’s easy for motivation letters to drone on if you’re not following a structure. A common cover letter structure looks like this:

1. Contact details
2. Introduction – first paragraph
3. Body – second paragraph
4. Conclusion

Contact details

Start with:

1. Full name
2. Email address
3. Phone number
4. Location (city only is sufficient)

You can copy this section directly from your CV. In the Netherlands, full home addresses are no longer expected.

Introduction: make it relevant to the role immediately

Your first paragraph should answer three questions within the first few lines:

• Who are you?

• Which role are you applying for?

• Why this company?

Also include your availability and, where relevant:

• Your right to work in the Netherlands

• Visa status (only if applicable)

Body: show impact, not responsibilities

This section should explain why you are a strong match, not repeat your CV.

• Measurable outcomes

• Relevant skills for this role

• Problems you’ve solved that mirror the company’s needs

Many Dutch employers use ATS software. To get through the first screening and appeal to a human reader:

• Use keywords from the job description naturally

• Keep paragraphs short or use bullet points (2–3 max)

• Add numbers where possible (growth, efficiency, scale)

Conclusion

• Thanking the reader for their time

• Reconfirming your interest in the role

• Opening the door to the next step (interview or discussion)

What to avoid when writing a motivation letter

These are the fastest ways to lose a hiring manager’s attention:

• Generic statements (“highly motivated team player”)

• Copy-paste letters sent to multiple employers

• Long, complex sentences

• Repeating your CV word for word

• Over-explaining why you want the job instead of what you offer

Hiring managers may read 40–50 letters per role. Clarity and relevance are what make yours stand out.

When to include a motivation letter in your job application

Our final tip is to make sure you should be writing a motivation letter in the first place. When working with a recruiter, if your CV doesn’t match the role, they’ll rarely read your motivation letter. However, if your CV does match the role, a recruiter may specifically ask you to write one for a particular role you applied for.

If you’re applying directly to a company, rather than to an agency, you’ll almost always have to include a motivation letter.

The job-searching process can be stressful at times, and once you spot a job you love the sound of, it can be tempting to rush in your application without taking the time to really study what the hiring managers want from you. But taking the time to craft a really stand-out motivation letter can make all the difference when it comes to securing the job you really want. It’s well worth spending a few extra hours ensuring your motivation letter is personal, succinct and shows you in the best possible light. After all, what’s a few hours compared to many years in a job you love