A writing sample is highly valuable in boosting your chances of being hired for any position in the industry, but is it essential for those applying for an internship in copywriting? More and more employers are favouring candidates who demonstrate their potential through samples rather than just a resumé. If you’re applying for an internship in copywriting, it’s important to understand how to present your best self through your writing samples.
Make It Valuable To The Reader
Anyone who’s ever applied for a job knows the value of a good resumé in making one’s application more attractive to an employer. The same goes for an internship application. Your resumé is your chance to show your employers everything they need to know about you. Ideally, your resumé should include details about your previous work experience, educational background, and any relevant internships or volunteering placements. It should also highlight any extracurricular activities, such as sports clubs, music, or acting groups you’re a member of.
However, your writing sample can be a more effective tool in convincing employers that you’re the best person for the job. If you’re applying for an internship in copywriting, you have the chance to show potential employers what you can do by submitting a sample of your writing. Ideally, you want to aim for at least 250 words to give the reader a good idea of your style and content.
Key Strengths
Although every piece of writing you’ve produced so far has been valuable, nothing matters more than your strengths. You can put your best foot forward by identifying your primary skills and relevant strengths. There are four primary areas of copywriting you may want to focus on:
- Project management
- Research
- Editing
- Writing
Each of these areas has a variety of sub-tasks and responsibilities that you need to be aware of. For example, when you’re applying for an editing internship, you need to make sure you’re familiar with common phrases and words associated with the industry. You might also want to consider focusing on a specific area within one of these sub-tasks, such as formatting or structure. For example, if you’re applying for a research internship, make sure you’re aware of the importance of searching for facts and figures accurately.
How To Approach
Depending on the type of employer you’re approaching, you may want to tailor your application to fit their needs. If you’re sending an e-mail resume, be sure to include details about your previous work experience, educational background, and any relevant internships or volunteering placements. If you’re applying for a remote internship, make sure to include details about your previous work experience, relevant courses you’ve taken, and any relevant extracurricular activities. Finally, if you’re applying for a writing internship, make sure to include details about your previous work experience, relevant courses you’ve taken, and any relevant writing samples.
Present It In An Attractive Way
A good resumé is valuable, but so is a good writing sample. You want to make sure your writing sample is appealing to the reader and highlights your best qualities. It’s not enough to simply include your name, phone number, and e-mail address on the top of the page; you also want to make sure the text is easy to read and the formatting is pleasing to the eye.
There are a number of different font styles and colours you can use to make your work stand out. If you’re applying for a creative writing position, include a variety of fonts and styles to make the piece stand out.
Final Takeaway
Writing samples can be a valuable tool in your arsenal when applying for jobs in the industry, but they’re certainly not required. Ideally, your resumé should speak for itself and include all the details an employer might need about you. If you’re applying for an editorial internship, be sure to focus on the fact that your work will be read by a wide audience. If you’re applying for a creative writing internship, include a variety of fonts and styles to make the piece stand out.