Northwestern University
University Career Services
Guidelines for Writing Samples When do you need a writing sample? Potential employers may occasionally ask for a writing sample to be included with the cover letter and resume, typically for internships or jobs in research, politics, media, advertising and public relations. Samples give employers insight into your written communication and evaluate how you will perform on the job.
How long should it be? Unless otherwise specified by the application or employer, choose a writing sample that is ideally 2-3 pages in length (not to exceed 5 pages). If you wish to use a longer piece of writing, extract a section of the larger work and introduce it with a paragraph referencing the original purpose and source.
How should you choose your sample? Quality: This should always be your first consideration, before any criteria that follows below. Choose a piece that you feel is well-written. (For example, choose an academic paper you received an “A” on from college.) Proofread your selection; checking for spelling, typographical, or grammar errors. Writing Style: Choose a piece that is reflective of the style of writing the employer is seeking and reflects the elements of good business writing • • •
Based in reality and concrete terminology (versus abstractions) Concise, conveying meaning in as few words as possible Dose not require the reader to have any special knowledge of your topic
Topic/Method Analysis: If you have written something, which relates directly to the internship or job, choose that piece for your sample. Employers want to know how you will write if you are hired and what your level of knowledge is for their industry or company. (For example: when applying to a senator’s office who serves on the economy stimulus committee you may choose to submit an article about the state of the economy in Evanston you wrote for class.) Special Cases: • • •
Journalism and advertising often require a “portfolio”, or “clippings” which can be a specialized collection of writing samples. Consider utilizing Northwestern’s NU Portfolio to share these works with employers. Public Relations firms may want to see samples of press releases you have written, even if it requires you to create them from scratch. Using “creative” samples conveys the ability to think innovatively and out of the box. This can be very important to certain fields such as advertising, radio, tv and film. These employers want to know you can convey ideas clearly and that you possess a unique point of view.
What should I do before I submit? • •
Seek the advice of a career services professional if you are not sure what to submit. Visit your professors or The Writing Place for advice on grammar and spelling.
Sources: University of Richmond, Career Development Office & Northwestern University Career Services University Career Services Main Location: 620 Lincoln Street Career Lab: Main Library, Core Reserves, 2nd Flr Phone: 847-491-3700 www.northwestern.edu/careers
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