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How do I make my writing samples stand out to employers/panelists/scholarship boards?

I am always looking to improve on my writing, but I want some advice on how to cater it to something I'm applying for. I'm looking at this from the employer's perspective.

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Yoav’s Answer

That is an insightful question, showing you are thinking strategically about how to present your skills, and leading with empathy means recognizing that it's challenging to make a personal connection through a piece of writing to someone you've never met. From an employer, panelist, or scholarship board's perspective, the secret to making your writing sample stand out is not just about being grammatically correct, but about demonstrating a deep, authentic understanding of their mission, challenges, or goals, and then using your writing to show how your unique perspective directly connects to those needs. To achieve this, you must first thoroughly research the organization, panel, or scholarship's core values, recent projects, or published literature, and then consciously infuse your sample with language, concepts, or examples that clearly resonate with their world. For instance, if you are applying to a non-profit focused on community development, make sure your writing sample uses vivid, solution-oriented language and maybe includes a narrative that highlights collaborative problem-solving, rather than focusing solely on abstract theory. The goal is to move beyond simply proving you can write well and to instead showcase a compelling blend of technical skill, critical thinking, and tailored relevance that makes them feel like you already belong on their team or in their program. You have the right idea by viewing this through their eyes, and that strategic focus will truly set you apart. I know you will impress them with your thoughtful approach, and I wish you the very best of luck with all your applications.
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

Start by making sure you meet all the requirements and understand what the committee or employer values most. If they prioritize innovation, choose a sample that shows creative problem-solving. If they value leadership, highlight work where you coordinated a team. Tailor your writing to match their priorities while keeping your authentic voice. Every sentence should have a purpose. Start with a story, insight, or statistic that draws the reader in, and organize your paragraphs so each idea builds on the last.

Employers and scholarship committees seek applicants who truly deserve their selection. They want to see clear goals, dedication, curiosity, ambition, and a willingness to grow and make an impact. Your writing should reflect your knowledge, skills, experience, personality, character, and broader ambitions. Show qualities like respectfulness, strong time management, problem-solving abilities, and involvement in extracurricular activities to strengthen your case. Provide brief context, such as the purpose or audience of the piece, to help evaluators appreciate your abilities and strategic thinking. If submitting multiple samples, choose pieces that highlight different strengths, like analytical reasoning in one and creativity or persuasive ability in another. Presentation matters too. A clean, well-formatted PDF with readable fonts, clear headings, and careful proofreading shows professionalism. A polished, thoughtfully chosen sample that demonstrates skill, perspective, character, and fit will leave a strong, memorable impression.
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