Presenting your writing sample to a potential employer is always stressful. We are our worst critic when it comes to the quality of our work. Rest assured there are some basic guidelines to follow when submitting your writing sample. Professor Hess has taken the time to outline some of the things to make sure you do before you send your writing sample off to your (hopefully) next boss.
When should you submit a writing sample?
When an employer requests it
But bring copies to an interview
just in case
Type of document
Legal rather than non-legal
preferred
Demonstrates your ability to
analyze a legal issue
Scholarly or practice oriented?
Memo or brief often preferred (from
FLS or internship ok)
Law review articles/comments may also
be appropriate
Content
Doesn’t have to be in employer’s practice
area
Be prepared to discuss the content
(just in case)
Represents your work
Your writing sample should be substantially
unedited by others
Be especially cautious about law
review articles/comments and collaborative writing projects.
Length
Generally 5-10 pages, unless
otherwise specified
Remove sections if necessary; e.g.,
fact section or one of the argument/topic sections
How many?
Most employers want 1 writing
sample but you may encounter other employers who want more
Confidentiality & permission concerns
If it’s a document you prepared for
an employer/client, get permission to use it
Redact confidential information; preferable
to substitute a fictitious name (e.g., “Company X”) rather than crossing a name
out
Edit your work
Read it anew; refine & polish;
get a second pair of eyes
A sloppy one may cost you the
job/internship
Presentation
Cover page
Name & contact info. (same
heading as resume & cover letter)
Provides explanations about the
writing sample; e.g.
Any portions removed (& why,
e.g., brevity)
Any necessary context
Circumstances under which you
drafted the document (if for class, give the name of the class & a brief
description of the assignment)
Background facts that you omitted
from the brief
You have employer’s permission to
use it (if applicable)
Generally no more than 2 paragraphs
Formatting (unless otherwise
specified)
1” margins, Times New Roman, 12 pt.
font, double spaced
Numbered pages
Include your name in a header (on
every page)
If a hard copy is requested, plain
(non-resume) 8.5 x 11 paper is suitable. Staple in upper left hand corner.
If electronic, consider converting
it to a pdf document to avoid formatting problems.
