A writing sample for a job is a piece of your past work—an article, report, email, or case study—that shows an employer how you communicate and think in writing. It’s not a cover letter or a résumé bullet point; it’s a standalone example of your actual output. In my case, I was a recent graduate applying for a marketing coordinator role, and I submitted a blog post I’d written for a university campaign. The hiring manager told me later that my sample made the difference because it demonstrated clarity, structure, and a knack for storytelling.
When you’re asked for a writing sample, the employer is checking three things: your ability to write clearly and concisely, your familiarity with the expected format or tone, and your attention to detail. For example, if the role involves client emails, you’d want to show a professional email rather than a long research paper. I’ve seen many candidates fail because they submitted a dense academic essay for a job that needed short, punchy social media copy. Here’s a quick comparison of what works and what doesn’t:
| Do | Don’t |
|---|
| Tailor the sample to the role’s communication style | Use a generic piece that doesn’t match the job’s tone |
| Keep it under 2 pages (unless requested) | Submit a 10-page report without editing |
| Include a brief context note (e.g., “I wrote this for a monthly newsletter”) | Assume the reader will understand the background |
| Proofread for typos and formatting errors | Rush through without checking grammar |
The best approach is to pick 2–3 samples that showcase different skills—one analytical, one creative, one concise. If you lack professional work, use a relevant class project, a volunteer newsletter, or even a well-crafted LinkedIn post. I personally keep a folder of updated samples for every application, and it’s saved me hours of scrambling. Remember, a writing sample is your chance to show, not tell, what you can do.
