When applying for employment, you’ll often be asked to provide a sample of your writing. Usually, this will be in the form of an email sample or a short story. While it’s not required that you write anything, having a pen-worthy sample to show off will certainly raise your chances of getting the role.
However, it’s not just about having something to show the recruiter. You need to think about what you’re writing and how you’re writing it. What makes your writing special? What makes you a good fit for the job?
To get you thinking, we’ve put together a guide on what to include in your writing sample for a job application. From short stories to character analysis, we’ve covered all the bases. You can find the guide by clicking on the link below.
The Best Job Application Writing Samples
Every company is looking for employees who are team players and show initiative. To make sure you’re presenting yourself in the best possible light, we’ve compiled a list of tips and samples you can use to perfect your job application.
It would be best to use your own words to describe your skills and experience, but sometimes, these can be tricky. Therefore, we’ve provided you with some of the most common and helpful terms and hashtags you might encounter on a job search platform.
Keywords
When writing your job application, you should certainly focus on your resume, but you must also remember to include the essential keywords in your application. A study published by Payscale in March 2019 found that 89% of job seekers consider the ability to hunt for keywords as the most useful skill in a job candidate.
To prove your skills and expertise to the reader, you must incorporate the correct keywords into your writing. If you’re using a sample email, chances are the recruiter will have provided you with a list of the most common keywords used in the domain. You can use these keywords in your email’s subject line and message to give it an extra boost.
Short Story
A short story is usually defined as a piece of short fiction (2000–3000 words). In creative writing, a short story can be considered a ‘micro-fiction’ or ‘mini-story’.
A short story sample is often required for job seekers whose expertise and experience isn’t immediately clear from their resume alone. A short story can demonstrate your creative side and problem-solving skills, as well as highlight your ability to communicate complex information in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
If you’re applying for a position that requires you to present complex information, a short story can help make your application stand out. Be sure to keep the story concise and to the point.
A well-written and well-edited short story can be an invaluable tool in your job search.
Character Analysis
Every applicant for a job role must have the ability to analyze characters and create characters of their own. If you’re using an actual character to answer a question during the application process, be sure to do your research on who this character is and what makes them tick. One of the best guides to creating compelling characters is the Writing the Breakout Novel section of our blog. Take a look at our blog post on Character Types to get the scoop on the different types of characters you’ll need to create for your story.
Creating characters that are distinct from one another is a great way to make your story more interesting. Make note of the distinct qualities that set each character apart. These qualities can then be used to guide your decisions when writing their backstory and present-day scenes. By creating unique and memorable characters, you’ll pull readers into your story and keep them there until the very end. In short, make sure that your characters are as interesting as possible!
Analysis Of The Interview
Before the interview, you’ll prepare for it by thinking of a list of questions you might be asked. Now that the interview is over, it’s time for you to reflect on what you said and did and how you responded to the questions. Did you shine during the interview? Did you say the right things? Did you make the right gestures?
After the interview, you’ll need to compose a short analysis of what happened. What did you do well? What could you do better? What would you say to the interviewer to make them remember your application?
An interview analysis can be a good sample to include in your writing portfolio because it allows you to show your analytical side. By taking a step back and looking at the big picture, you can evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, as well as determine what might have worked and what might have failed. Including an interview analysis in your portfolio will show potential employers that you’re professional and thorough.
We hope this article on what to include in your writing sample for a job application will prove to be helpful. If you have any other tips or suggestions, please feel free to leave us a comment below!