I believe it showcases my ability to clearly communicate results from an important project that lead to key achievements for the company. You might be asked to upload your sample on an online application, email it or bring it to your interview. If you are bringing your sample to an interview, you should bring at least five hard copies in case you have multiple interviewers.
If you are applying to several writing jobs, you might consider creating an online writing portfolio that you can easily send to employers.
Writing samples are used by employers to evaluate your writing skills, tone and style. What is a writing sample? What do employers look for in a writing sample? How long should a writing sample be? How do I choose a writing sample? Research papers from a job or class Narrative papers from a job or class Other writing assignments Blog posts Press releases Articles or other contributions. Consider relevant writing samples. Find relatable topics.
Make sure it is up to date. Avoid sensitive subject matter. How to submit a writing sample. Yale Facebook LinkedIn. Your writing sample may be read for tone and style, as well as for content, grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Employer requirements vary as to what is asked for, and when during the application process applicants are asked to submit their sample.
So remember, what you will be asked for depends entirely on the job and the company. The most important consideration when choosing a writing sample should be quality.
Make sure the writing is your very best and have it reviewed for content, spelling, and grammar before submitting; carefully proofread your sample. If you don't have professional writing experience, you may have other options. For example, an academic paper that was well-received by a faculty member will suffice as a sample if you're applying for a job at a university. A published article, either in print or online, is another good option.
If you have a blog, feel free to submit your best blog post. If you've written posts on LinkedIn with content that relates to the job, go ahead and use that. If you're lucky enough to have published articles, especially for media jobs, that will bolster your credentials as a candidate. Another important factor is relevance. Whenever possible, you should always match the type of writing in your sample to the kind of writing required in your target job.
For example, a journalistically styled piece or a press release that tells a story is most suitable for media-related jobs, while an academic paper works best for a research job. It can also be helpful to supply a sample with content similar to the topics you might be writing about. For example, an analysis of the use of social media to promote products might be useful for a job with a public relations or marketing firm. Don't be intimidated if you don't have a writing sample to submit.
It's always an option to compose a piece especially geared towards a particular position. In fact, the hiring manager might appreciate your initiative. You have a list of writing sample examples; now it's time to choose one or two or three if the application calls for it.
From your list of ideas, ask yourself a few questions when making your decision. Remember, there are no wrong answers.
A writing sample's goal is to showcase your abilities, and you can do that in whatever piece you select. So don't stress about it too much. Go with your gut.
It's time to put pen to paper. To get the ball rolling, start with an outline. An outline will ensure you hit on all the job posting requirements and help you move your writing forward if you get stuck.
Once your writing sample is outlined, begin writing. Start with a rough draft and it can be a very rough draft. Similar to brainstorming, you want to get all your thoughts down because you'll edit them later.
It's OK if your first draft is messy. Use it as a jumping-off point. This is arguably the most important step in the process. Crafting a writing sample with an excellent idea that's submitted with grammatical errors or doesn't meet the employer's requirements is a waste of your time and the reader's. The details are what will get you the job. Your potential employer wants to see your writing skills and expertise, and if that includes mistakes, you'll make a bad first impression and likely won't get a chance to make a second.
Your writing sample will have multiple iterations. Edit your piece for content, then put it down for a few hours or a day and come back to it. Then edit it again to polish the piece. Focus on checking your spelling and ensuring correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax.
Put it down again and then come back to it to make sure it meets the requirements outlined by the company and it aligns with their brand and voice. At a minimum, you should edit your piece and come back to it at least three times. It may sound time-consuming, but it ensures fresh eyes, which will help you do your best work.
You want to get your writing sample just right because if it came down to selecting you and another candidate with similar qualifications for an interview, your writing sample is what will set you apart. However, that does qualify as failure to follow instructions and is less likely to result in a job offer. Should writing samples be sent as PDFs? Writing samples should be sent in whatever format requested by the employer. If no format is specified, PDF is a fine option for ensuring that formatting will not change between devices.
Sending your sample as a Google doc can also be convenient, as it allows for the employer to write comments directly in the file. If you are submitting a portfolio, you can certainly create a PDF for individual samples, or stitch a few together to create one PDF.
How useful was this post? Vote count:. No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post. Kristin Kizer. Kristin Kizer is an award-winning writer, television and documentary producer, and content specialist who has worked on a wide variety of written, broadcast, and electronic publications. She is the founder of Resume-Interview Success, LLC and is an expert in best practices related to resume, cover letter, and Executive bio writing, LinkedIn Profile optimization, job search strategies, and interview coaching.
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