Job application- writing sample?

[brit1017]

A job that I am interested in is asking for a writing sample to be submitted along with the resume and cover letter. I have never done this before- how long should the sample be? Would a part of my master's thesis be appropriate?

[Deleted]

Ask the employer how long a sample and what kind of sample it wants.

[minzy]

I don't know what is appropriate for that particular posting, but I've seen the request for writing samples many times for attorney postings. Usually they want one or two samples, between two and ten pages in length. I tend to use part of a brief, memo, or some other work product involving legal research (obviously with any identifying info redacted).

[drloretta]

Aug 22, 2012 19:48:31 GMT -5 @misoangry said:

Ask the employer how long a sample and what kind of sample it wants.

ITA

[jigsy]

Aug 22, 2012 19:53:33 GMT -5 minzy said:

I don't know what is appropriate for that particular posting, but I've seen the request for writing samples many times for attorney postings. Usually they want one or two samples, between two and ten pages in length. I tend to use part of a brief, memo, or some other work product involving legal research (obviously with any identifying info redacted).

This is what I've been told. Try to match the sample with what you will actually be asked to do. If you don't have it, or don't know what that might be, it should be short and show your skill

[chia]

I would also be careful that the sample isn't something that contains a lot of objective conclusions. We've had applicants submit policy papers that they wrote in grad school, and sometimes, when the topic area is too close to what we work on, it's really hard for the reader to get past the content if they come to a recommendation or conclusion that someone disagrees with.

In the past, I can recall a couple of applicants who submitted parts of their Master's thesis. I don't know that it was the best sample they could have submitted, but it wasn't totally weird... Whether or not you should use it really depends on the job.

For my first job, I think I submitted a training/instruction manual I wrote on how to use a medical device, and a 2-3 page paper I had written in grad school.