There are many different types of creative jobs out there, and many of them can be found online. Some of the more popular ones are copywriter, content writer, blogger, copyeditor, and fiction writer. If you’re looking for a creative job, you’ll most likely be submitting samples of your work to try and get a feel for what you can produce. There are a few different types of samples that you may need to get in touch with, depending on what kind of creative job you’re applying for. Let’s take a look at what to submit as a writing sample for creative jobs.
Non-Fiction Content Samples
If you’re applying for a copywriting job, you’ll most likely be asked to submit samples of your work. These samples should be easily digestible chunks of text that can be regurgitated verbatim. It’s always a good idea to keep things simple and straightforward with these samples, rather than trying to emulate a creative writing piece. It’s also important to keep in mind the objective of your sample. The goal is to showcase your technical writing prowess and demonstrate that you can crank out high-quality, engaging copy. If you can’t tell a compelling story with your own words, then chances are, you won’t be able to do it well for someone else. A perfect example of this is Bloomberg’s Senior Business Reporter, Chris Riley. His sample answers will give you a good idea of what to expect if you apply to be a business reporter for Bloomberg.
Fiction Content Samples
If you’re applying for a fiction writing job, you’ll most likely be asked to submit samples of your work. These samples should be a combination of your talent and creativity, along with your ability to string sentences together in a way that maintains a cohesive narrative. There are many different ways to spin a fictional story, and you’ll need to find the one that works best for you. One of the most popular topics for fiction is fantasy. If you can write a captivating story about wizards and dragons, you’ll have a good shot at getting the job. It’s important to remember, though, that your story cannot be overly imaginative or strange, at least not without landing you in some trouble. This is why fiction samples typically are short stories or novellas. If you can’t write a cohesive story in 250 words, then chances are, you won’t be able to write one in 5000 words, the typical length of a novel.
Creative Essay Samples
If you’re applying for a creative writing job, you’ll most likely be asked to submit samples of your work. These samples should be a combination of your talent and creativity, along with your ability to string sentences together in a way that maintains a cohesive narrative. The goal of your sample is to show the jury your versatility as a writer. You can use this sample as a taste of what to expect if you apply to be a content writer for a magazine or website. You could also use it as a stand-alone piece and call it a “creative essay”. Creative essays are a form of non-fiction that allows you to get creative with your thoughts and feelings, therefore turning the essay into a narrative form.
How to Write a Good Sample
There are many different ways to go about writing a sample for a creative job. Obviously, you want to pick the one that is going to best showcase your skills. If you’re doing this as a stand-alone sample, then make sure that you pick a topic that is relevant to the job you’re applying for. This will make it much easier to get a feel for what you can produce, and it will also be much more interesting to read. If you’re doing this for a school or college application, then make sure that you pick a topic that is going to enhance your overall image. This could be something as simple as the recommendation letter for a cousin or a close friend, or it could be something more creative, like the story of how you overcame adversity to become the best writer that you can be. Whatever it may be, the sample should reflect you as a person and a writer.
Where to Submit Your Writing Samples
If you’re applying for a writing position, then make sure that you send your samples to the right place. Most likely, you’ll be asked to send your samples to a literary agency, rather than the individual employer. The reason for this is that agencies usually get bulk discounts, so it’s cheaper for them to represent you than it would be for the employer to request that you individually submit your samples. Agencies also take care of the legwork of getting your samples into the right hands, so it’s a win-win situation. Agencies typically will not take on a client unless the client has previously worked with them, which is why it’s best to keep your options open by applying to as many agencies as possible. Once you land a job, you can then choose which agency you want to work with.
As you can see, there are many different types of writing samples that you may need to get in touch with, depending on which type of creative job you’re applying for. Make sure to tailor your samples to each specific job, and make sure to highlight the specific skills that you think are relevant to the job. Good luck out there!