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• Job Application Documents

How to Write a Job Application Essay

Last Updated: April 9, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 206,545 times.

Many employers now require a writing sample, or job application essay , to accompany all applications or résumés — even if writing is not a significant part of the position. The goal of the job application essay is to ensure that applicants have the right communication skills for the position offered. Sometimes, potential employers will provide a specific topic or series of questions for your essay to respond to. However, you may also be asked to provide an essay with no guidance whatsoever. Either way, approach the essay seriously so that it highlights the skills and assets you could bring to the company. [1] X Research source

Outlining Your Essay

• If you don't know much about the company, do a little research on it before you start writing. You might look at their website or do a general internet search with the name of the company to see if any news articles or other reports come up. Go beyond the four corners of the job listing so that you understand who will likely be reading your essay.
• If there's anything in the job listing or essay requirements that you don't understand, contact the employer and ask about them. Employers are often impressed by applicants who clarify the employer's intent rather than making assumptions.

• For example, if you're applying for a position in sales, you might want to write an essay about your ability to tailor your pitch to specific clients and close the deal. If you have the ability to be more creative, you might tailor your essay to "sell" yourself directly to the employer.

• For each of your points, think of a specific example you can relate briefly that illustrates the point. For example, if you've described yourself as a "team player," you might include an example of how you came in on your day off to complete some of the more monotonous tasks that no one else wanted to do so a project could be completed ahead of schedule.
• It's a good idea to have more than one example in your outline for each point, even if you only end up using one. That way, if you start writing something and it ends up not working as well as you thought it would, you'll have a back-up handy.
• Brainstorming can be difficult. If you find yourself churning over the same thoughts, stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Step outside or go for a walk to clear your head, then come back to it.

• For example, if you want to describe how you increased sales in a specific quarter, you would want to state specifically how much you increased sales. Your former employer may have sales figures that you could ask them for. You might also have that information in your records.
• Wherever possible, use specific numbers and dates rather than making general statements. It's okay to estimate, but make sure your estimate is conservative. Saying you led your sales team to the highest sales in a quarter is impressive — but only if it's true.

Completing Your Rough Draft

• Think of this paragraph as telling the hiring manager what you're going to tell them in the essay. Outline the points you're going to elaborate on in the essay that back up your theme or thesis statement.
• Sometimes it's best to go back and write your introduction after you've written the body of your essay. That way, you can make sure the introduction provides an outline that matches the body.

• If the employer listed specifically what should be included in your essay, follow their order, since that's what they'll be looking for when they read the essay.
• Write in the first person and make yourself the star of any anecdote you include as an example. Use action verbs to focus on what you did rather than focusing on what happened and how you reacted to it. [7] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• For example, if you're writing about your skills as a team player, you might note that you discuss doing routine work that others found monotonous so they had time to work on other parts of a project. You could use that detail to move on to a section describing how you're detail-oriented.

• For example, you might write "My business school education, skills as a team player, and focus on detail make me the best candidate to lead your sales team."

Finalizing Your Essay

• For example, you might start by looking solely at punctuation, then read through again focusing on spelling.
• If you find that you tend to repeat a particular error, go through your essay looking for that error specifically.
• If your grammar isn't particularly strong or you're writing in a language other than your native language, have someone else read over your essay as well.

• If you find that you stumble over a sentence while reading aloud, that's a sign that your writing could be clearer. Work with your text until you have something that you can read aloud with ease.

• If the prospective employer did not specify a length, try to keep your essay under 2 double-spaced pages. Remember that hiring managers are busy and don't have a lot of time to read a long, rambling essay.
• Eliminate all unnecessary words or sentences that aren't relevant to the subject of your essay. The majority of your sentences should be short, declarative sentences with action verbs.
• Apps such as Hemingway ( http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ ) or Grammarly ( https://app.grammarly.com/ ) can help you identify portions of your essay that are more difficult to read. Both of these apps have a free version that you can use to edit your text.

• Working backward is particularly helpful for noticing spelling mistakes, especially hard-to-catch homophone errors, because you're seeing the word out of context.

• It may also help to print your essay in a different font or font size than what you used to type it. This breaks your brain's familiarity with the text, which can make typos and other errors more noticeable. Just remember to change the font back after you print it.

Job Application Essay

Expert Q&A

• Give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Ideally, you should plan to work on it over the course of at least two days, so you have the time to set it aside after writing before you move to the editing and proofreading stage. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Unless you're applying for a position in a political or religious organization, avoid including anything in your essay that identifies your political or religious preferences or beliefs. [16] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid using humor, especially sarcasm or ironic humor, as it can be misconstrued in text. Additionally, humor may lead the hiring manager to believe that you aren't serious about the position. [17] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/writing-sample-job-application
• ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2012/04/30/essay-how-write-good-applications-jobs-or-grants
• ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
• ↑ https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/government-job-application-essays-made-easy/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/application-essays/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/proofreading-tips
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/200906/the-dreaded-writing-sample

About This Article

Job application essays can seem scary, but they’re really just an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and explain why you’re suitable for the role. Read the job listing to find out what traits and skills the company is looking for, like time management, working under pressure, and leadership. If you don’t know much about the company, read through its website and do an online search to find articles about its work. In your introduction, you’ll want to to describe yourself and introduce the main points you’ll be making. Then, write a paragraph for each trait or skill. Use real life examples from previous jobs, your recent studies, or extracurricular activities to support your points. For example, you could highlight your leadership skills by talking about a time you led a group project that exceeded your targets. For more tips, including how to write a compelling conclusion for your job application essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Tips On How To Write Essay For A Job Application

Even after getting out of college, you may still have to write essays for some reason. A job application is one of those reasons, and it is mostly inevitable. Often, companies request job applicants to write application essays as part of the screening process. A job application paper usually accompanies your resume, cover letter, transcript, and certificates. Similar to the other documents, it is an avenue for you to ‘sell yourself’ to your potential employer.

What You Need To Write an Essay for a Job Application

The tricky part is you may have been a class topper and still need to learn how to write an essay for a job application. For this reason, an applicant may get an essay for sale on platform Paperell , which offers high-quality and well-written application papers. This eradicates the stress of figuring out what to write. Primarily, writing an essay for a job application is for an applicant to prove the following skills:

1- Professional competence

Your result is more about showing your professional competence, unlike your college essays, which show your academic intelligence.

Those professional papers allow employers to glimpse how you’ll handle similar tasks, especially when you’re applying for administrative posts where memos, press releases, and several emails are rampant.

2- Conversational skills

Another reason for you to write an outstanding piece is to show your conversational skills. You write as a means of conversation, so the tone of your essay shows how you’re likely to relate with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates.

Other skills employers look out for include:

● Self-consciousness ● Time management ● Honesty ● Cooperation ● Creativity ● Emotional intelligence

For these reasons, it is essential for a job applicant to know how to write excellent essays for a job.

Writing An Outstanding Piece

Knowing how to write an application essay for a job is not a skill that randomly comes to anyone. It involves constantly practicing and following the right guide like the one below.

Pre-writing Stage

1- research.

As with other types of papers, you have to carry out extensive research to get a proper perspective. In the research stage, you go through the company’s website to see job essays by successful candidates. You could also check online for some examples. The purpose is not to copy these samples but to understand the company’s preferred writing style.

2- Outlining

After getting a clear idea of what to major in, the next step is to outline. Making an outline simply means arranging your points logically. Your outline needs to include all the points you intend to write in your essays.

While outlining, go through the prompt of the assignment as a guide.

Writing Stage

1- topic selection.

Most times, companies don’t give applicants topics. In such situations, pick a topic relevant to the company’s values and your potential position. Additionally, make sure your subject is interesting but concise.

When you’re given a topic to write on, it is important to read and understand the topic several times. Since other applicants would also strive to write excellent essays, don’t hesitate to go deeper into the topic.

2-  Introduction

This part can either make or mar your result, as it creates a solid impression. The key to a good introduction is to display a deep understanding of the topic or theme. Still, it is important for it to be short—anything longer than two paragraphs is too long.

3- The Body

The body of your essay is the ‘soul’ of the whole piece. The body has to contain verifiable facts to show that you’ve done your research and you’re sure of your notions. Make sure to add statistics, citations, and data as required to make your points more credible. It is also important to make each point clear and concise—vague words mean uncertainty and inadequate planning.

This part should not be longer than two pages except the company states otherwise.

Your conclusion is not a place for you to add new information. The purpose of composing a conclusion is to make a resonant statement about your overall subject. One or two paragraphs are enough for an excellent conclusion.

Post-writing Stage

1- editing and proofreading.

The last thing you want as an applicant is to make a wrong impression by submitting essays with grammatical errors. You have to double-check for possible misspellings, repetitions, and grammar errors. To edit efficiently, it is advisable to use editing tools online.

Tips To Take Note Of While Writing An Essay

Side from the step-by-step writing guide, there are essential things you need to pay attention to. The previously mentioned tips for writing a job application essay might not be as effective if these important tips are neglected.

● Adhere to every instruction in the essay prompt by the company. ● Never follow a generic writing template- originality is key. ● Avoid creating text in an excessively casual or formal tone. ● Don’t be scared of mentioning any skill that is relevant to your potential position. Avoid mentioning irrelevant skills.

Apart from showing professional skills to the company, essays should include some other details. Your paper writing should consist of your name, educational achievements, attained qualifications, past work experience, and field of expertise. Be bold and mention these details, regardless of the fact that they are in your resume and cover letter.

Furthermore, the length of your job application paper and the skills you mention depends on the position you are applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a secretarial role, you have to say your interpersonal skills and the emotional intelligence class you took.

Even if you know about this activity, the company’s preferences and specific prompts should prioritize.

How to Write a Job Application Essay: A Step-by-Step Guide

Nowadays, many organizations require that a written speech or essay be attached to an application or resume when applying for a job. The purpose of the essay is to ensure that the job seekers have the necessary conversation abilities for the proposed position. Sometimes potential employers suggest a special problem or group of questions that you must answer in your piece. The employee can also ask to write an essay without any guidance. Either way, take your essay writing seriously so that it highlights your abilities and the benefits you can carry to the company. The job application is your ability to present yourself and show all positive and creative sides. If there exist some problems in creating the original article, you can take essay writing services from  www.CustomWritings.com .

From what to begin with the writing?

An introductory essay or personal application is a fundamental element of most applications these days. The length of this text should not overreach two pages, depending on the abilities and knowledge of the candidate. The goal of this text is to encourage applicants to demonstrate their educational and professional knowledge and abilities that fit the requirements of a particular profession. Many applicants mix a job application with a resume. If a resume is a review of a candidate’s abilities, competence, work background, education, and accomplishments, then a job application is more of a story about why you can be the most suitable candidate for the job.  Unless you have been requested to work for the company, you should prepare a powerful set of documents for applying for a job, including a resume, a job essay, and a covering letter. 

Mostly, the worker is searching candidates with such characteristics: 

• Authority; 
• Ability to cooperate; 
• Problem-solving
• emotional quotient; 
• Creativity; 
• Global perspective; 
• self-consciousness; 
• Time management; 
• Community-oriented 

In general, you have to understand that a job application is a legitimate paper that needs less creativity and a more conventional tone. You shouldn’t go into details, listing your expert characteristics and abilities. The summary is even less detailed. If a hiring essay looks like an entire story, then a resume is a description of the simple facts about the candidate. The main goal is to help the employer compare and differentiate all competitors to choose the most suitable one.

What should be provided in the essay? 

The application form has to catch the company and make a desire to face you to get more and express your abilities. Typical sections of the questionnaire include: 

• Private details . It provides essential information such as name and phone number. 
• Education . Give information about your educational accomplishments, including the educational institutions you ended, courses attended, and qualifications obtained. 
• Past work practice . List your seniority and explain your main responsibilities and duties, focusing on those that are most nearly connected to the position you are appealing for. 
• Field of expertise . Provide definite cases where you have proved the skills needed for this position. Avoid vague language and waste space on irrelevant skills. 
• Letter of introduction . Compose in a few well-chosen words a well-reasoned justification that you are suitable for the position, again referring to the specification outlined in the ad. 

Don’t be frightened to show all the positive qualities that you have. Illustrate your enthusiasm for the organisation or job and any former accomplishments you can associate with the role. When formulating your solutions, always consider what abilities organizations need and how you show that all are present by yourself. 

In most application forms, you will also need to include at least two people who can provide recommendations. Sometimes you may be asked to attach your resume and cover letter. 

Never utter an untruth on your profile. Not only is this unfair, but it can also have more serious consequences.

Guide for the perfect essay

If you get started to write a job application essay, the first thing that needs to be noticed is an arrangement, which means that everything should be written strictly chronologically ordered. Generally, an outline seems like usual, but the content differs, while it must be more selling.

• Introduction;
• Centrepiece 1 (plus three more extra promoting details);
• Centrepiece 2(including three more extra promoting details);
• Centrepiece 3(moreover three more extra promoting details);

In addition, you should insert before the headline and introductory elements your contact information. In the higher left corner, fill in features such as your first and last name, physical address (complete variant), phone number, email, and date. Then add basic information about the firm (name, position, company, address).

What needs to be written in the introduction of the job appliance essay?

The presentation should be as short as possible. This is a common description that introduces the applicant and defines the job of favour. You can also briefly clarify why you would prefer to manage like a specialist in this sphere. It is a good idea to specify how you found out about the job (from the Internet, publication, metro ads, in speech, etc.). 

Another recommendation is to present four or five job duties from the appointment description, to prove that you realize what you are claiming.

 What to write in the body of the Job Application Essay

In the opening paragraph of the main text, pronounce your goal for inquiring and why you think that you are the most expert candidate. 

In the next section, demonstrate what you can propose to the enrolling company. Create shot points with your abilities that completely fit the job. 

Use real-life and professional examples to demonstrate your capability in your chosen field. Combine all the main paragraphs with transition words.

How to conclude?

Remember to use polite behaviours to give a positive impact. Always thank the possible employer for taking the time to read your paper. Indicate how you plan to proceed. It is best, to begin with, the word “sincere” and then end with your signature and typo. 

Using such tips you will definitely create the best job appliance essay. But if there are some misunderstandings and failures, you can ask for custom essay writing help . 

If you find it hard to cope or wish to make sure the paper is excellent before submitting it to the employer, hire professional writers or editors.

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How to Write a Job Application Essay

Never again will you sputter and stutter your way through telling a prospective employer who you are and what job skills you bring to the table. Your job application essay turns your elevator pitch into an irresistible call to action: hiring you. Several methods help you write a tight essay that holds a recruiter's attention and gets straight to the point. The funnel and the graphic organizer make it easy to write your job essay.

Funnel Essay Example

Remember high school essays? You start with a general descriptive statement, make three to five supporting points and finish with a conclusion. It looks like this when you outline your essay:Introduction: Broad statement introducing yourself and stating the type of job that interests you.Main Point One

• Supporting Point One
• Supporting Point Two
• Supporting Point Three

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Main Point Two

Main Point Three

Conclusion The introduction should state the job category that interests you. It should also specify the job title and three to five of the duties from the advertisement for the job. For example:I'm interested in the position of executive chef that you have advertised at Indeed.com. I've worked as a sous chef at Sandals Jamaica Resorts for the past three years. I 've earned the Grand Dipl_ô_me from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. I bring with me the fusion of fine French cuisine and bold Jamaican flavors.When you open the basket that accompanies this essay, you'll see, smell and taste the very freshest and most flavorful ingredients the island of Jamaica has to offer, lovingly rendered and interpreted through Cordon Bleu techniques. From the Grand Marnier glaze on the jerk chicken to the freshly grated coconut and bitter orange peel in the individual mango cheesecakes with macaron crusts, the flavors of Jamaica take a starring role. Who needs a résumé when you have a Cordon Bleu boxed lunch par deux?

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When you want to strike a creative note, using a graphic organizer, such as a bubble chart, will help you brainstorm. This method works very well for people who prefer visual or hands-on learning. If you seek a position as a visual merchandiser, cosmetologist, metalworker or auto mechanic, a graphic organizer may help you get your thoughts in order.Print one of the graphic organizers from the resource section of this article. Write your introductory sentence in the center Topic bubble if you use the Cluster/Word Web 1 organizer. Write in the top bubble if you use the Goal/Reasons wheel. Brainstorm job-related details to fill the remaining bubbles. Use the resulting charts to write your essay.For example:

In the center or topic bubble:I want to join the police force to serve as an armed school resource officer.Below that, in bubbles One, Two and Three, you see:I completed three tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps between 2006 and 2018. I learned to face the enemy with courage, protect innocent lives and preserve the safety and security of U.S. interests abroad. Children shouldn't have to worry about their safety and security while in school. By patrolling the grounds and being a living shield, I can give these kids a chance to finish their educations without being paralyzed by fear. My combat experience ensures that you can rely on me to be where I'm needed most at all times. Through my vigilance, no child in this school will ever have to cower in a cupboard.

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Jane Smith has provided educational support, served people with multiple challenges, managed up to nine employees and 86 independent contractors at a time, rescued animals, designed and repaired household items and completed a three-year metalworking apprenticeship. Smith's book, "Giving Him the Blues," was published in 2008. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in education from Kent State University in 1995.

How to Write a Job Application Essay

Many careers require written communication such as letters, memos or short e-mails. As a result, employers place a high importance on good communication skills in the work place. When a number of applicants apply for the same position, employers may ask for a writing sample, also known as an application essay, to evaluate their skills. A well-written application essay can help you stand out among other applicants and may help you land the job.

A company may give you the freedom to select the topic of your application essay. You may want to consider narrowing down your options to those that apply to the career you are pursuing with the company. For example, you may wish to write about an aspect of the hiring process if you are in human resources. This not only allows the company to see your written communication skills, but will give a potential employer insight into your knowledge in a particular area.

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Some companies will give you a topic for the essay. If this is the case, read the topic carefully to avoid any misunderstanding. Keep your essay professional and relative to your career and background. You should avoid bringing up your personal life, such as marital status, age and medical conditions, as this information might lead to unintentional judgments on the part of the employer before meeting you.

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Every essay should begin with an introduction, then move into the body of the essay, and finally end with a conclusion. The introduction and conclusion should each be no more than a paragraph or two in length. The main body of your essay contains the points you make regarding the essay topic. The length of this portion will depend on the requirements given by your potential employer and the complexity of the topic. If the application essay asks for two examples, make sure you follow these specific directions -- this helps an employer identify you as a job candidate who can follow directions.

You should be clear and concise when you relate your ideas. Your potential employer will be evaluating the way you communicate, and your essay may be of significant importance if the position you are applying for requires strong written communication. To keep you from veering off track in your essay, make a list of the points you want to make and refer to this list frequently as you write.

Not only should you take your time writing, you should also spend time revising to ensure your essay is free of grammatical errors. Make sure to also evaluate whether each paragraph relates directly to the topic of your essay. You may want to ask a professional editor to read over your essay and offer suggestions for improvement.

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Essay Writing

Kate Beck started writing for online publications in 2005. She worked as a certified ophthalmic technician for 10 years before returning to school to earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree in writing. Beck is currently putting the finishing touches on a novel.