If you’re seeking a job in software development, you’ve likely already applied for multiple roles and been assigned to a technical interview. The task is to find the best match between your skills and experience and how you’ll fit into the company culture.
What can an online writing sample be for a software development job?
An online writing sample is simply an example of your writing, either for a blog post, news article, or social media post; there’s no need to be perfect. When employers review your writing sample, they’ll be able to get a sense of your writing style and how you communicate ideas and information.
In this article, we’ll discuss what a writing sample can be for a development job, the different kinds of samples you can provide, and how to create one that’ll make you stand out.
What Can a Writing Sample Be for a Development Job?
A software development job is a lot like any other job in that you’ll be expected to show up and perform your tasks. However, software development is a little different in that you’ll be expected to have a certain level of knowledge and understanding of relevant technology stacks. In addition, you’ll be expected to have a wide range of software development skills such as coding, designing, testing, and so on.
Depending on the type of software you develop, you could be expected to write different things such as requirements documents, user manuals, blog posts, and so on. Because of the variety of roles, your writing sample can be anything from a few paragraphs to a complete novel.
The Many Kinds of Writing Samples Available
While you might assume that all writing samples are created equal and will suffice for any role, this is far from true. There are numerous ways in which you can structure a writing sample for maximum impact. If your sample is for an employer’s review, ensure that it follows the appropriate guidelines and is of good quality.
To start, you can write an article for a prominent news publication. You might assume that this would be ideal for a role as a journalist, but it’s actually a great fit for a software development job. A well-written, objective report about an employer’s software or an important industry trend will draw plenty of interested parties to your sample.
If you’re seeking a more creative role, you can write a short story or a novel. A well-written novel will give you a great chance at gaining traction with a potential employer. Even if you don’t end up getting the job, you’ll have the material to show off your writing skills.
No matter what type of writing sample you provide, there’s a role for you. Just make sure that you tailor your sample to the requirements of the position you’re applying for.
How to Create a Writing Sample That’ll Get You Noticed
To get the best possible result from your writing sample, tailor it to the needs of the audience that you’re writing it for. This means that you should choose a sample that’s relevant to the position you’re applying for and also ensures that the employer will value your opinion. To get started, simply pick a topic that you’re knowledgeable about and feel passionate about:
• For a software development job, choose a topic related to software development or programming
• For a marketing job, choose a topic related to marketing
• For a journalism job, choose a topic related to journalism
Once you’ve got your topic chosen, you can start brainstorming ideas for your sample. Choose a piece of software or a platform that you feel comfortable writing about and that relates to your chosen topic. For example, if you’re applying for a software development job and your topic is mobile software, you might want to write about an app that you feel is missing something or about a feature that could be improved.
When you’ve got your idea for a writing sample, it’s time to hunt for some existing material that relates to your topic. For example, if you’ve chosen software development as your topic and you want to create a sample that’ll appeal to a software development audience, you might want to look for blog posts, case studies, or other material that relates to software development.
Once you’ve got your sample drafted, take some time to refine it. Before you send it off to prospective employers, give it a once-over to make sure that everything is perfect. You’ll be surprised at how many times an amazing sample ends up being ruined by a single typo or a poorly-written section. Revise and rewrite until everything is perfect.
Even if you don’t get the role you’re applying for, you’ll still have a fantastic writing sample to show off your talent. Just remember to tailor your sample to the requirements of the position you’re applying for.