The length of your writing sample is a personal matter. There is no right answer, but there are guidelines. Follow them and you’re sure to get the employer’s attention.
Short & Sweet
If you’re applying for a writing job, it would be wise to keep your samples as short as possible. Your employers have a lot of material to read, and you want to make sure they get to read what is important to them. If your writing sample is too long, they might get discouraged and move on to the next candidate.
It is acceptable to have a short story, poem, or even a short essay as a writing sample. There is no fixed length for these samples; sometimes a few paragraphs, sometimes a few pages. Just make sure you have enough material to prove your aptitude for writing.
One Day Is Okay
If you’re applying for a job that requires you to be on your feet for most of the day, you might want to consider taking a day or two to gather some sample material. Even if you’re only applying for a desk job, you should be able to think of something to write about. If you can’t, maybe you’re not the best candidate for the job.
Longer Is Better
If you have a lot of professional experience, it might be a good idea to supply some additional evidence of your abilities. Your writing sample should consist of previously unpublished work because, let’s be honest, who wants to hire the guy who thinks he’s funny but his friends and family didn’t find it so? However, longer writing samples are better because they provide the employer with a greater chance to discover your true abilities. If they’ve got your resume in hand, they can quickly find out what you’ve written and whether or not it’s any good. The more you put in it, the better it’ll be, so don’t be afraid to take your time.
As long as you follow the guidelines I’ve provided, you’re sure to get the employer’s attention. The key is in the material itself. Make sure you’ve got something good; something that will make them interested in hiring you. When they read your sample, they’ll either laugh or cry. If they laugh, you’ve got a chance. If they cry, then you might have found yourself a job that will be more than worth your while.