If you are planning to apply for a study program at a German university, you may need to write a letter of motivation (LOM) as part of your application. But how do you write a letter of motivation that stands out from the crowd and impresses the admission committee? What are the differences between a letter of motivation, a statement of purpose, and a personal statement? What are the format and structure requirements for a German LOM? What are the tips and tricks to make your LOM more effective and persuasive?

In this blog post, we will answer all these questions and more. We will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to write a letter of motivation for German universities. We will also cover the other documents that you may need to submit along with your LOM, such as a letter of recommendation and a German CV. By the end of this post, you will have a clear idea of how to craft a compelling LOM that showcases your motivation, potential, and suitability for the program of your choice. If you prefer videos to reading blogs, check out our YouTube Channel for the same conent!

What is a letter of motivation (LOM)?

A letter of motivation (LOM) is a document written to express your interest and enthusiasm for a specific study program at a German university. It is also known as a motivation letter, a statement of purpose, or a personal statement. The purpose of a LOM is to demonstrate your motivation to pursue the program, your academic and professional background, your relevant skills and achievements, and your future goals and plans. It is a way of showing your personality, your strengths, and your fit for the program and the university.

Why is a LOM important?

A LOM is an important part of your application because it allows you to present yourself in your own words and to highlight your unique qualities and potential. It is a chance to show the admission committee who you are, what you have done, and what you want to do. It is also a way of explaining why you have chosen the specific program and university, and how they match your interests, expectations, and career aspirations. A well-written LOM can make a positive impression on the admission committee and increase your chances of getting accepted.

Where to start?

The first paragraph of your LOM is the most important one, as it sets the tone and the direction for the rest of the document. It is also the first impression that the admission committee will have of you, so you need to make it count. Here are some tips on how to start a LOM:

• Start with a catchy and engaging opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. You can use a quote, a question, a statistic, a personal anecdote, or a statement that reflects your passion and motivation for the program.
• Introduce yourself briefly and state your name, your current academic or professional status, and the program and university that you are applying to. You can also mention how you learned about the program and why it caught your interest.

How to write a LOM, and what things to include?

The body of your LOM is where you develop and support the main points and arguments that you introduced in the first paragraph. It is usually divided into several paragraphs, each focusing on a specific topic or aspect of your motivation and suitability for the program. Here are some tips on how to write a LOM, things to include:

• Explain your motivation for applying to the program and the university. You should answer questions such as: Why do you want to study this program? How did you develop your interest in this field?  How will this program contribute to your personal and professional growth?
• Highlight your academic and professional background and qualifications. You should answer questions such as: What are your academic achievements and credentials? What are the courses, projects, publications, or awards that are relevant to the program? What are the skills and competencies that you have acquired or developed through your studies or work?
• Showcase your relevant skills and achievements that make you stand out from other applicants. You should answer questions such as: What are the skills and qualities that are essential for the program and the university? What are the examples or evidence of your skills and achievements? How do you measure or evaluate your skills and achievements?

How to end a LOM?

The last paragraph of your LOM is where you conclude and wrap up your document. It is also the last impression that the admission committee will have of you, so you need to make it memorable and impactful. Here are some tips on how to end a LOM:

• Restate the main points and arguments that you presented in your LOM, using different words and phrases. You should summarize your motivation, qualifications, skills, achievements, and fit for the program and the university, and emphasize how they make you a strong and suitable candidate for the program.
• Express your gratitude and appreciation for the admission committee’s time and consideration of your application. You should thank them for the opportunity to apply to the program and the university, and for reviewing your LOM and other documents. You should also show your enthusiasm and excitement for the program and the university, and express your hope and confidence for a positive outcome.
• End with a strong and confident closing sentence that leaves a lasting impression on the reader and invites them to contact you for further information or discussion.

What is a Letter of recommendation?

This is a document that is written by someone who knows you well and can vouch for your academic and professional abilities and potential, such as a former or current teacher, professor, or employer. A letter of recommendation is usually written on letterhead and signed by the recommender, and it contains information such as the recommender’s name, position, affiliation, contact details, relationship with you, evaluation of your performance, skills, achievements, and suitability for the program and the university. You may need to submit one or two letters of recommendation, depending on the program and the university that you are applying to.

How to choose someone to write a letter of recommendation?

A letter of recommendation is a crucial document that can make or break your application to a German university, as it provides an external and objective perspective on your academic and professional performance and potential. Therefore, you should choose someone who can write a strong and positive letter of recommendation for you, based on the following criteria:

Relevance: You should choose someone relevant to the program and the university that you are applying to, such as someone who has taught or supervised you in a related field or discipline, or someone who has worked or collaborated with you in a related industry or sector. You should avoid choosing someone who is not relevant to your application, such as a friend, a family member, or a colleague from an unrelated field or discipline.

Credibility: You should choose someone credible and respected in their field or profession, such as someone who has a high academic or professional position, qualification, or reputation, or someone who has a strong connection or affiliation with the program or the university that you are applying to. You should avoid choosing someone who is not credible or respected in their field or profession, such as someone who has a low academic or professional position, qualification, or reputation, or someone who has no connection or affiliation with the program or the university that you are applying to.

What is the German CV format? 

A German CV format is a specific way of writing and presenting your CV that follows the standards and expectations of German recruiters and employers. A German CV format differs from other countries’ CV formats in terms of the content, structure, and style of the document.

A German CV format usually contains the following information: personal details, education, work experience, skills, languages, hobbies, and references. However, unlike other countries, a German CV format may also include a photo, date of birth, marital status, and nationality, as these are considered relevant and important for German recruiters and employers. A German CV format may also exclude some information that is common in other countries, such as an objective, a summary, or a personal statement, as these are considered unnecessary and redundant for German recruiters and employers.

Structure: A German CV format usually follows a tabular or reverse-chronological order, depending on the preference of the applicant or the program. A tabular CV format is a table-like layout that organizes the information into columns and rows, with headings and subheadings for each section. A reverse-chronological CV format is a list-like layout that organizes the information in descending order, starting from the most recent to the oldest, for each section. A German CV format usually has a clear and logical structure that makes it easy to read and understand.

Style: A German CV format usually follows a formal and professional style, using simple and direct language, short and concise sentences, and appropriate fonts and colors. A German CV format usually avoids any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors, as well as any jargon, slang, or colloquialisms, that may confuse or alienate the reader.

Helpful Website to Create a German CV

Many websites can help you create a German CV, either by providing you with templates, examples, or tips, or by allowing you to upload your information and generate a CV automatically. Some of the websites that you can use to create a German CV are:

Europass: This is a website that provides you with a standardized European CV format that is accepted and recognized by all European countries, including Germany. You can create your CV online by filling in your information in the fields and sections provided, or you can download the template and edit it offline. You can also choose the language of your CV, such as German or English. You can access the website here: Europass

VisualCV: This is a website that provides you with various CV templates and formats that you can customize and personalize according to your preferences and needs. You can create your CV online by choosing a template and adding your information, or you can upload your existing CV and edit it online. You can also choose the language of your CV, such as German or English. You can access the website here: VisualCV

Here are some more tips for writing a German CV that can help you improve your document and increase your chances of getting accepted:

• Customize your CV for each program and university that you are applying to: You should tailor your CV to match the specific requirements and expectations of each program and university, and highlight the most relevant and impressive information that showcases your fit and potential. You should avoid sending a generic or one-size-fits-all CV that does not reflect your individuality and suitability.
• Use keywords and phrases that are relevant to the program and the university that you are applying to: You should use keywords and phrases that are related to the field, discipline, or industry that you are interested in, and that reflect the skills, qualities, and competencies that are valued by the program and the university. You should avoid using keywords and phrases that are too vague, generic, or irrelevant to your application.
• Provide quantifiable and measurable results and achievements: You should provide quantifiable and measurable results and achievements that demonstrate your performance, skills, and impact in your academic or professional activities. You should use numbers, percentages, statistics, or other metrics to show the scope, scale, or outcome of your results and achievements. You should also use action verbs, such as “achieved”, “managed”, “improved”, “created”, or “led”, to show your role and responsibility in your results and achievements. You should avoid providing results and achievements that are too subjective, vague, or unverifiable.

Conclusion:

Writing a letter of motivation and a German CV for applying to a German university can be a challenging and rewarding task, as it requires you to reflect on your motivation, qualifications, skills, achievements, and fit for the program and the university of your choice. However, by following the tips and guidelines that we have provided in this blog post, you can craft a compelling and effective letter of motivation and a German CV that showcases your personality, potential, and suitability for the program and the university of your choice.

We hope that this blog post has helped you to understand how to write a letter of motivation and a German CV for applying to a German university and that you will use this knowledge to create your own documents and submit your application with confidence and enthusiasm. We wish you all the best in your academic journey and career aspirations.

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