WVUforREDSKINS Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 What do you all send in for a writing sample? I've heard it can be anything. What do you usually make it about? I have been using papers I wrote in college, but I don't know if that is the best way to go about it. I don't write about why I should have the job because that is what my cover letter is for. I have been applying to be a legislative correspondent or staff assistant on Capitol Hill. I've been trying for about 8 months to get my foot in the door. I've managed to get three interviews (one of which was with Joe Biden although I probably would be out of a job as fast as I got it) but its just extremely hard to get your foot in the door. I've had an internship and have a great letter of recommendation so I don't know what else I can do in order to improve my chances of getting an interview. Anyway, im thinking that maybe im not using the best writing samples. What do you all use? I've some people tell me they write about how much they like ice cream, talk about themselves, etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 bumping my own thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinzOwnU Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Based on my experience, which is not on the hill, you want your sample to be 10 pages or less. It needs to be something that can be read relatively quickly, and stands on its own. If you are a recent college grad, a short, tight, well written paper should suffice. If you have some work experience under your belt, then maybe something like a press release or memo that you've worked on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 Thanks. Do you think the topic really matters? I've been sending in a paper about the lives of women in Iran. (10 pages) Its kinda long but I assume that if they get tired of reading it they don't have to keep going and will get a sense of how I write. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PleaseBlitz Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 I wrote about something that had happened to me personally that changed my outlook on something related to the job and why that made me more qualified FOR that job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Don't submit your ES posts. Edit: Unless you're Om. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedskinzOwnU Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 Thanks. Do you think the topic really matters? I've been sending in a paper about the lives of women in Iran. (10 pages) Its kinda long but I assume that if they get tired of reading it they don't have to keep going and will get a sense of how I write. One would hope. But, the more relevant the better. You can also ask them what would be an appropriate writing sample, or offer them a few different things and see what they would prefer to receive, or ask what kind of things recent graduates typically submit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 I mean, I know im not the greatest writer in the world. But im necessarliy a bad writer either. I have been submitting something that has been edited over and over and it is a reaserch paper. The paper got an A and it is well done, however, i'm not quite sure that is the best thing to submit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DGreenistheBest Posted September 17, 2008 Share Posted September 17, 2008 You should text your writing sample in to show to your potential employer that you are technologically hip. Something along these lines: sup, seeking job for advrt position w/ benefits, 40 hrs/wk @ $25/hr, refs are pwnge, 2 yrs exp so u know i'm no noob, txt me back, lol kthnxbai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted September 17, 2008 Author Share Posted September 17, 2008 You should text your writing sample in to show to your potential employer that you are technologically hip. Something along these lines:sup, seeking job for advrt position w/ benefits, 40 hrs/wk @ $25/hr, refs are pwnge, 2 yrs exp so u know i'm no noob, txt me back, lol kthnxbai LOl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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