Work Samples: A Guide to Proving Your Job Capabilities Like A Pro
You find a job you love on Indeed, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, angel.co, Job Directory, or (name your favorite job board).
The job is perfect for you in terms of experience, skills required, and whatnot. It’s almost as though it was made for you.
What`s more?
The post is fresh, and you`re excited. This could finally be it! If you land the gig, your career will take off as you’ve always hoped!
You carve out 30 minutes or so to tweak your resume. A.k.a. personalize it and change the language to include keywords from the job description.
You tailor your bullets to ensure your experience is relevant and proofread to eliminate all grammatical errors.
Next up, the cover letter. You swap the company names, state why you love the company in question and provide a hard sell in the final paragraph.
You`re feeling confident at this point. Just a couple of questions on the application form and you`re done!
But just when you thought this is it, the earth unveils its ugly head and your hopes are deflated by two simple, yet intimidating words: “work sample.”
You not only lack some work samples but also are not knowledgeable on how to go about creating one — let alone several for your portfolio.
Do not despair though, I’m here to change that.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll take you through the “Whys” and “How’s” of crafting a well-designed work sample.
First, Let’s Understand the Psychology of Work Samples
Normally, work samples are job simulations or hands-on performance tests, which are used to assess current or predict future performance on similar activities.
And while they have varying purposes — from deciding what candidate to hire to determining the effectiveness of a training session — work samples are defined by their physical replication of the key tasks done on the job.
Here are some of their characteristics
Work samples are job-specific, in that, they should portray behaviors similar to those elicited on the actual job.
For instance, a work sample demonstrating the accuracy and speed of identifying the number of transcription errors is great for validating a data entry clerk; but, it’s not great for invalidating a quality controller.
The reason being, in the first scenario, the sample demonstrates behavior (checking numbers) similar to that of the actual job. While in the second case, the work sample only demonstrates the trait-like construct (attention to detail) related to the job.
To that end, work samples can be an exact duplication of the job tasks (high fidelity) or have a measurement format that’s different from the job tasks (low fidelity). For example, a police report writing work sample is high fidelity to policing work, while most paper-and-pencil tests are low-fidelity to related jobs.
Either way, a well-designed work sample must have a clear content overlap with the actual job, which makes them defensible.
Their critical design features include:
· Content validity (in terms of fidelity and bandwidth to the job).
· Job analysis (weighted on tasks and behaviors).
· The need for training to reduce bias and increase accuracy.
· Standardization of scoring and assessment of reliability.
And that’s why work samples possess positive criterion-related validities that exceed those of most selection tools.
(Research shows that on average, the meta-analytic estimate of work samples validity for predicting training is 42%, and estimating job performance is 46 %.)
With the characteristics in mind, let’s understand work samples from a recruiter’s point of view.
Why Recruiters Need Work Samples
Often, it’s difficult for a recruiter to assess the quality or talent of an applicant in a job interview.
Yes, you may engage in the interview, have a good conversation, and still leave the hiring panel uncertain about your capabilities.
Think about it.
In the interview, cover letter, or resume; you’re sharing (or stating) your skills and experience to describe why you deserve the gig. There’s no hard evidence of what you’ve or could accomplish.
On the other end, your prospective recruiter cannot just take your word for it. They need proof that you have what it takes, that you are:
Attentive to Details
Your work sample should be error-free. That means zero syntax, typos, and grammar mistakes for writers; clear photographs for photographers, clear and audible videos for actors, and well-formatted research reports for researchers.
Simple mistakes indicate inattentiveness. And recruiters will assume you’re possibly careless; and thus, likely to replicate the same mistakes once tasked with a similar job.
Note, most job ads will indicate what they expect of your work samples, with regard to format, style, etc.
And, in a rush to complete the application, you may overlook some of the details — leading to disqualification.
Thus, read the job description, note all the requirements, and double-check your work samples for errors.
Conversant With Their Style, Format, and Tone
Most (if not all) companies have a way of doing things — from formatting drawings to styling textual content. After all, that style, that format, and that tone are a part of their brand — which defines their uniqueness.
Take publications as an example, they all have a general writing tone and style. Some take on complex matters and casually explain them, while others use complex concepts and terms relevant to their industry.
Therefore, check out the official style guide of the prospective company and style your work sample accordingly — to have a leg up on your competitors.
If the official style and format guide are unavailable, check out any relevant content they’ve already published or inquire from their current (and relevant) employees. (Relevant here means employees doing the same or related job as the one you’re applying for).
Knowledgeable on Their Subject Matter
We all know that`s easier said than done, right?
So do recruiters.
Thus, let your photographs indicate that you can capture those hidden moments; your culinary creations convey that you can create that chicken and waffle in a record time.
Let that video showcase your grasp of emotion and tonal variation as an actor.
Allow those photos of auto restoration work to convey your expertise as a mechanic.
Or those floor plans showcase your expertise in drafting storied buildings.
And while at it, keep in mind that clarity and accuracy are key.
Knowledgeable on ‘Best’ Practices
Whether you’re a graphic designer, a content marketer, or an architect, there’re general best practices you must know — or rather prove to recruiters that you know them.
For instance, a blog writer is expected to know on-page SEO. A social media marketer is expected to know the ins and outs of creating optimized social media ads. And a structural Engineer is expected to accurately know how to design a given structural member or use structural modeling software.
Luckily, you can find such information with a simple search: [Type of work] + best practices.
Capable of Doing the Job
A job ad might indicate a gazillion number of requirements — from the number of years of experience to educational qualifications. But in the end, what matters is your ability to do the job satisfactorily.
And that`s where your work sample comes in — to demonstrate your skills and experience — to provide that hard evidence that yes, you can do the job.
To that end, let`s look at the different forms of work samples. Or rather, cool sources of inspiration ideas for your work samples.
Different Forms of Work Samples
Work samples could be your demonstration of what you can do in a given situation or an analysis of a more complex scenario.
Normally, you can get inspiration from:
The Actual Job
Here, you’ll spend time doing the actual work. The work sample will be an act out of a real-life situation or a role-play.
For instance, if the employer requires a 500-word article on cannabis, a write-up of the same length, style, format, and related subject matter, will do.
Similarly, if the client requires a logo, a graphic design of a related logo with the client’s ideal colors and fonts will do.
Or, when a client needs a unique roof design for an upcoming commercial building, you can provide a related roof design drafted with their preferred software.
Job-Knowledge Tests
Tests determine your current knowledge, more so in technical fields such as architecture and medicine.
And in such cases, don’t just recite the Highway Code; instead, demonstrate your knowledge of their significance and application.
That means, cite a real-life example of where such codes have been applied or showcase how they can be used in a role-play scenario.
Hands-on Performance Tests
Here, showcase your physical ability in handling situations, say, conducting a BOD test, climbing a ladder, using Civil3D, checking for gas leaks, and so on.
A video of you in action is a great hands-on performance work sample.
Situational Judgments Tests
Situational judgment tests showcase how you can behave in a given situation. Here, demonstrate your knowledge about the job and the ability to handle situations; as they arise.
Note, these tests are the perfect opportunity for people with no previous experience to demonstrate what they can do — and not just what they know.
Regardless of the form, work samples are limited!
Problems with Work Samples
Criticisms of work samples include:
High Cost
Developing a well-designed work sample can be costly.
For example, it will cost a carpenter a couple of a hundred dollars if not thousands to build and present a cabinet as their work sample. The same goes for an architect who chooses to present a physical model for a split-level building they have designed.
Ad while some work samples are less costly — think of writing and submitting a well-designed press-release for freelancers — they are time-consuming.
Inaccurate Prediction of Job Performance
Work samples can predict your performance when supervisor ratings and such other measures are unavailable.
And more commonly, they serve to predict your future work performance.
The downside is, work samples neglect the varying levels of motivation — which greatly affect a person’s day-to-day performance.
See, when designing the work samples, your levels of motivation are high. You want to impress the recruiter. The end goal is to land that gig — which is a strong driving force.
In short, work samples are just a measure of an individual’s maximal performance — but not typical performance. They are in no way a guarantee that the excellent work shown will be replicated.
Besides, the work sample represents just a small portion of the work to be done.
Take a business analyst, for example, they may invest days and weeks eliciting and analyzing requirements specified in a job ad. Yet, what they deliver — which is tailored to that specific job — does not necessarily show the complexity of the simplified process, the politics negotiated, the varying personalities amongst stakeholders or the challenges overcame.
In this case, a work sample is just the results, which does not showcase how well you handled the BA process — and as such, how well you’ll handle it if hired.
Not Feasible in Cases of Easily Trainable Skills
The fact is, having more experience does not always equate to being a better performer.
Thus, rejecting an inexperienced person for entry-level positions may be a bad idea. The person could be a future high performer. Besides, all it will take is a little training to change their “lacking” work sample.
To understand this limitation better, think of women in construction. Currently, women make up 9.1% of the US construction workforce, according to The National Association of Women in Construction.
With such low numbers, do you think most women will be experienced when applying for construction jobs?
Of course not.
Yet, studies keep proving time and time again that women are key in prolonging the growth of the construction industry.
The silver lining, the aforementioned limitations are actually…
A Chance for Job Seekers
Think about it.
The fact that work samples are costly means that very few people are willing to create them, which gives you a surefire chance to standout.
And no, you don’t have to break the bank to create and present your work sample. A little creativity will do.
Therefore, instead of constructing a cabinet to demonstrate your carpentry skills, create an exploded version of the same cabinet with some easy to use modeling software.
Instead of using photos, use well-described recipes to demonstrate your culinary creation. And so on.
While at it, be sure to demonstrate hard-to-learn skills — that although not stated in the job ad — are significantly useful.
Also, demonstrate that you can replicate the conveyed (maximum) performance by being self-motivated, disciplined, and all-around intelligent.
Note, the sample should be pure gold, in that, once factored, the resulting typical performance curve will be hard to ignore.
In addition, detail your work samples as much as to eliminate any unfavorable assumptions, questions, or doubts in the employer’s mind.
In addition, provide the work sample within context. And if possible, the context should be in a live setting — so you can describe the problems you solved and the contributions you made as you showcase your deliverable.
When short on time for creating a job sample that’s tailored to a specific job ad, you can submit your portfolio. As such, you must update it to showcase what you’re capable of doing and not just what you did in the recent past!
Importantly, avoid promotional and proprietary materials.
The best part? Work samples are as good for you as they are for the recruiter or client.
See, the work sample will provide you with a realistic preview of the actual job — allowing you to better judge your interest and qualification in the position. The said self-analysis is proven to eliminate most of the frustrations that come with new jobs.
When you understand what an employer is looking for, you’re better positioned to assess whether you’d be a good fit for the job and if the job meets your personal preferences and career plan.
To that end, let’s look at how to create and deliver a well-designed work sample.
And just so you can have a mental picture of a skill-specific work sample in mind as we design one, let`s first list typical work samples — just for reference.
Types of Work Samples
Work samples are dependent on the job you’re applying for as well as your knowledge, skills, and experience — which gives you a wide range of sample ideas to choose from.
Heck, you can also draw work sample ideas from your hobbies, volunteer work, leadership seminars, hunting trips, among other interests.
Despite the endless list of ideas, you’ll be wise to be selective of the samples to include in the job application.
If you add too many work samples, the recruiter may experience information overload — and end up questioning your ability to specialize. If you add a few samples, employers may assume you’re inexperienced.
Thus, showcase only your best, which could be:
Artist: Photos of your sculptures, illustrations, and paintings
Baker: Photos or videos of your knife work/culinary creations
Designer: Photos of web, graphic, or interior design work
Dancer, actor, singer/musician: Video or audio recordings of your original work
Trainer/Facilitator: Copies of training or presentation materials, skills evaluations, video recordings of your training/presentation, etc.
Multimedia specialist: Copies of interactive programs
Mechanic: Images of your auto-restoration work
Photographer: Prints of photos captured by you
PR specialist: Press releases, marketing plans, and promotion campaign results
Secretary: Reports, brochures, spreadsheets, newsletters, and other completed tasks
Researcher: Copies of peer reviews, research reports,
Salesperson: Documented sales results
Seamstress: Images of clothes that you’ve designed and tailored. Also, wear your creation to any job-related meeting.
Teacher: Lesson plans, assignments, and class projects
Writer: Blogs, journal articles, reports, social media ads, news articles, etc.
How to Design a Perfect Work Sample
We are finally here.
Phew!
That took a minute, but we are at the heart of designing perfect work samples — so buckle up.
Thus far, we know that a good work sample must have a clear and accurate content overlap with the job.
We also know that, if nothing else, the sample should convince the client that you can satisfactorily do the job in question.
But let`s take it a notch higher; a well-designed work sample should be so good that the client will want to use it.
Take a content writing sample; for instance, your blog post should be so good that the client will want to publish it on their blog or website.
So how do you design such work samples?
First: Study the job ad
A good job ad should list everything you need to know to be a successful applicant — from the required background, skills set, experience, and other traits. Thus, study the ad carefully and take note of each specific requirements needed in their ideal candidate.
Go through the job summary, duties & responsibilities, and skills & experience. Is there a given skill that stands out? What words are mostly used and what do they inform you of the company’s culture? Has the client specified their expected outcomes?
Ideally, you should know what you’re signing up for by the time you’re done studying the job description.
Take note of any buzzwords used. Do you understand them? Or rather, do you get the difference in culture between academia and the actual industry?
See, studying the job ad will help determine whether the job is a right fit for you — before you can go ahead and craft the work sample. That will, in fact, save you a lot of time.
One vital key to pay attention to is the needed core area of expertise. Here, consider engaging someone you know in the industry. Or better yet, reach out to employees working in the company, in a related task and inquire more about the role. Being in the digital era, reaching out to people should be possible with a little patience and persistence.
Get to understand the issues the company want to overcome with the hire. That will also help you tailor the work sample and other documents in ways that you can help. For instance, in your resume, you can select a relevant accomplishment or two — which will put you across as someone with the know-how of how to help.
In the end, the work sample should reflect that you understand their core problems and that you’re a key player in their core theme. It should also reflect on your skills, unique methods you have used to solve a problem (similar to what they’re experiencing), and the impact of your work alongside relevant outcomes.
To understand more about the client’s core themes and problems:
· Study their website and social channels
· Study the website and social platforms of their competitors
· Research industry reports about the need for the vacant position
· Study online communities that are both related to the position and in the specific industry as your potential client.
The key here is to understand the client’s goal(s) as far as the vacant role is concerned.
Two: Brainstorm ideas for your work sample
Now that you understand the client’s core theme, problems, and expected outcomes, you can start to brainstorm ideas for your work sample.
Strive to generate as many ideas as possible.
Here, empty your brain on the page without a care of the quality of the resulting ideas. See, paying much thought on the quality can clamp up your brain, and as such, stop it from producing ideas.
To ease the process, use the topic and questions as a springboard for your ideation. Then, set a time limit (say, 25 minutes) and keep brainstorming until the time elapses.
While at it, keep your employer’s problem and goals in mind. Use sites such as Quora and Reddit to find out what problems similar clients could be facing. Use job boars to find what other potential employers are looking for. The client may be unaware of their exact needs.
You can also seek an expert’s opinion on what would best present your skills in the given situation.
Ideally, the company is looking to generate leads and increase their bottom line. Thus, think of ideas that will help you best showcase how your skillset, background, and experience will help do just that.
Also, you can head to the client’s website. Do they have a lead magnet? What products or services are they offering? Reverse-engineer your work sample ideas from their products or services. For instance, using the client’s marketing software to create an ad-campaign for marketers.
Three: Select one of your ideas
With a gazillion ideas on the paper, it’s time to narrow it down — actually, it’s time to pick ONE.
Thus, start by pairing down the list to create top-notch ideas. Delete any repetitive, low quality, and incomplete ideas. Combine supplementary ideas to form one better idea.
In the first round, strive to narrow down to 5–10 best or top-quality ideas. Go with your gut here.
Next, step away from the list for a few hours (if time permits) so as to return to it with fresh eyes.
When back, ask yourself the following to help pick the best idea from the top-notch list:
· Which ideas leave me psyched and pumped?
· Which idea meets most (if not all) of the requirements outlined in the job description?
· Which idea will best satisfy the client’s expectations?
Four: Find models to emulate
With a work sample idea at hand, it’s time to find a model to emulate.
Find 2–3 models that are in the target industry and that match the job ad in most criteria, including format, style, and target clientele base.
Use the models as inspiration for your work sample.
To find such models, try Googling your topic or templates. Alternatively, reach out to experts in your network for some guidance.
Five: Outline & work your idea
With all the hassles down, it’s time to work on your idea.
But first, ask yourself the following before outlining:
· Who is your client’s clientele base?
· How do they feel about the subject/topic at hand?
· How do you want them to feel after going through your work sample?
· What FAQs, interjections, or obstacles must you cover and address?
· What aspects of the subject matter does the existing work cover?
· Are there expert recommendations, facts, and figures you can include or use?
· What exactly will you borrow from the identified models to include in the sample?
· What’s missing from the identified models that you’ll add to the sample?
After answering these questions, outline your work and continue to do it without editing. Because just like brainstorming, editing while working on your first draft can interrupt your thought flow — making it hard to generate content within the allocated time.
To that end, get those ideas, plans, graphics, etc., on the paper — and edit later.
Six: Edit your work sample
With the first draft down, it’s time to edit the work sample.
Here, ensure the sample is correct, clear, to the point, and as detailed as it can be. Ensure there are no grammatical errors in your text and that there’s a logical flow of your work.
Next, edit to meet the job ad criteria. Does the work sample properly address the subject matter selected? Is it in the right length? Does it consistently satisfy the format preferred by the client? Does it add value to the client and their clientele base?
Next, edit to meet the best practices for the kind of work. Does it meet all the best practices? Is it scannable?
Finally, go through the sample one more time and determine whether it’s your best work.
How to Deliver Your Work Sample
Wow, you did it!
Yeah, go ahead and pat yourself on the back — you deserve it.
But don’t get too excited yet, there’s one more mile to go.
You have ensured that the perfect sample is so good that the client will want to use it. Now it’s time to help them visualize what that’s like.
To do so, deliver the work sample in an easy to access format that helps the client visualize what it will be like working with you.
For content writers, that means publishing your post on your website, portfolio, or free-to-access platforms such as LinkedIn and Contena. Then, sharing the resulting URL with the client.
For a Facebook digital marketer, you can create a Facebook ad on the platform, take a screenshot of its preview and submit the image to the client. Alternatively, you can create an infographic that includes the overall stats of your ad, a screenshot of the post, and engagement numbers.
Be creative here.
In the end, deliver the work sample in a realistic format — taking the extra step to stand out from the competition.
Follow Up
Once you have submitted the work sample, wait for 24 hours or so, and send a follow-up email to the recruiter/client. Keep it simple. Just inquire whether the recruiter has questions about your work sample(s).
In addition, highlight the results garnered by the sample thus far. For instance, for a write-up published on Medium, you can highlight its engagement, including the number of shares, claps, and comments.
You can also highlight how the sample submitted connects with the needs of the company/clients.
FAQs About Work Samples
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about work samples.
1. How do I complete my sample quickly?
Creating a work sample that meets most (if not all) client’s criteria takes time. Thus, you should invest as much time as possible.
Then again, there’s no point in preparing a perfect work sample only to lose the job to another applicant.
So how much time should you spend to create the work sample? Better yet: how can you complete the work sample quickly enough to beat the application deadline?
Well, the duration you should take to complete your work sample depends on:
· The freshness of the job ad
· The specified application deadline
· The amount of time you can set aside each day to work on the sample
In short, figure out the amount of time you have to create the work sample and still make the deadline.
If the job posting specifies a due date, then strive to have your work sample ready a few days before the deadline.
If the ad does not specify the due date, check when the ad was published. And as a rule of thumb, the fresher the job ad the more time you have.
As per a 2015 report, 43% of vacant positions are filled within 30 days of publicizing the position.
Note, the duration specified in the report is not bulletproof. Thus, use it only as a guide, and as such, strive to submit the work sample 1–2 weeks before the 30 days.
So if the job ad is already 7 days “old” then, you’ll have 10–16 days to complete the work sample 2–1 week before the 30 days.
Once you have determined the amount of time you have, work out the amount of time each day you can dedicate to preparing your work sample. Finally, schedule each of the steps necessary to create a killer sample into the allotted time.
2. What do I do if I hate my work sample?
Now, this is understandable.
You could be excited in the beginning. You get to work, do thorough research, come up with sample ideas, settle on one great one, and even start to work on your identified idea.
But halfway through, the excitement wears off. The original sheen gets replaced with a feeling of fear and dread. Nervousness and insecurity cloud your mind.
And the only thing in your mind is: “my work sample sucks”.
Well, the solution lies in finishing the first draft and editing the crap out of it.
Don’t get tempted to start all over again because, at the very least, you may find yourself in a similar situation. Or worse, you may end up missing the deadline.
It will help to keep in mind that you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. See, you may not get the job with the work sample at hand; but you’ll SURE not get the job if you submit nothing.
3. How many work samples should I include?
Often, you’ll have just enough time to prepare one good work sample that’s tailored to a given job. That’s why it’s best to have a well-designed portfolio containing your best and recent (relevant) work. Note, this calls for niching down — but that’s a story for another day.
Ideally, the portfolio should showcase your skills, expertise, and experience. Thus, include several (up to 3) samples that show your experience without overloading the clients with information.
4.How do I keep confidentiality and not empty all the beans in the work sample?
You can by excluding any sensitive or private information.
Alternatively, use blurring tools to obscure any sensitive information.
In conclusion
You’ll need to put in extra effort when preparing and submitting work samples — if at all you want to stand out and leave the hiring manager begging for your services.
Luckily, you only need to follow this guide, after which, you’ll be on your way to finding a new job in a matter of weeks. Yes, it’s doable.
What do you say, friend? Get to work?
