| Back to Home > Bulletin Board > Beginner Issues > Topic: whether to attach writing samples to job apps? |
Topic: whether to attach writing samples to job apps?
| Author | Message |
| benjo002003 | Posted – 11/29/2007 11:03:32 PM | show profile | email poster hi folks, i am applying for an editorial assistant job in my home town, and i am wondering if i should attach any published writing samples with the resume and cover letter that i will be both emailing and hand delivering to the hiring editor. i am of two minds about it: one, that it is an effective way to back up the claims made in the cover letter and resume; and two, that it might be verge on spam or distraction to a busy hiring editor who just wants to see the nitty gritty of the resume and cover letter. i asked a friend who is the managing editor of a local newspaper, and his advice was not to include any unless the job description specifically asks for it. however, in the past, for another job i applied for (but didn't get), the hiring director who called me in for an interview specifically complimented me on the writing samples (one of which i had written as a sample specifically for that job, to demonstrate my ability to write in that "voice") that i had included with my resume and cover letter. the job description hadn't asked for them. my own feeling is that i got the interview on the strength of these samples. on a side note, my resume has hyperlinks to two writing samples that have been published online. while i am happy with my work, it is of a more technical nature than that which this job calls for, so i am thinking of mentioning in my cover letter that these samples demonstrate only one aspect of my writing, and that i would like to submit some samples that are more similar to those that this journal publishes. do you think this is wise to mention this, since i don't want the hiring editor to think i can only write in a more technical manner? i would very much appreciate any feedback from those with experience in this. my own thought is that it might be best to just submit resume and cover letter, and then bring samples with me...but if some samples help me even get the interview in the first place, well, then i want to send them with my app. ps- i don't bother with caps for informal, quick forum posts. suffice to say, i know how! |
| writesonwater | Posted – 11/30/2007 3:21:52 AM | show profile Here's some ideas. I'd say a killer cover letter and resume will do for email. Some people can't handle many attachments. Mention in the coverletter that you have clips of your work available and that you'd be happy to email them upon request. On your resume, I should think it couldn't hurt to mention the publications the articles were written for -- you can also do a "References and clips available upon request" at the bottom. I'm not sure if you need a cover letter when you see the editor -- just your resume. You could have copies of your clips in your folder and when you talk with him, say "Let me know if you'd like to see clips -- I have some with me." But remember -- just your best, if possible representing the very best publications you've written for, in terms of clips. And if he asked you to email clips, just send three or four unless he asks for more -- again, the best. On including the hyperlinks with your digital resume and coverletter, I think your instinct of not including them is probably a good one. IMO, you don't want them to think you can't write at the level they'd need you to. (Some editors can be a bit myopic.) You could say "I also have samples of more technical writing done for blablabla as well." The advantage to mentioning it is to demonstrate that you have a keen mind. I write for some pretty technical trade publications, and I think my ability to master difficult topics bodes well for everyone I write more general articles for. That's my two cents. Good luck! |
