Provide Work Samples
Whether it is to verify your experience or to illustrate your skills, providing work samples can help a job applicant stand out from the competition. It is also a great way to show how you have adapted your work for a different environment or to meet the needs of a particular client. However, it is important to think carefully about what you choose to share and the implications of sharing this information.
A work sample is a collection of documents that demonstrate the quality and variety of your previous projects. They may include articles you have written homework market.com, projects you have managed or completed, images of your paintings and illustrations, or sculptures you have made. Some occupations use a portfolio to showcase their past work in lieu of a resume and cover letter. For example, photographers and artists often have a portfolio of their work they can provide to interviewers, as do writers and graphic designers.
Providing a work sample is not mandatory, but it can make a strong impression on interviewers and help you distinguish yourself from other candidates. A well-organized portfolio can also be an effective alternative to a traditional resume that may not be as concise or as easy to read.
It is important to remember that any work you submit as a work sample is your intellectual property and must be properly protected. It is not ethical for a potential employer to ask you to create a work sample from scratch without paying you for it. In fact, it could put you in a position of violating any confidentiality agreements you have with your current employer or clients.
Should You Provide Work Samples?
If an interviewer requests a work sample, it is important to respond positively. It is inappropriate to decline their request, especially if you feel it would greatly strengthen your application. However, it is best not to offer a work sample unless the interviewer specifically asks for one. Doing so could come across as pushy or presumptuous and may damage your chances of getting the job.
Some industries do not allow their employees to share work samples, such as research and development jobs where the individual is designing inventions or products that are the proprietary property of their employer. These types of industries also may not permit freelancers to feature the work they have created for certain clients.
If you are asked to provide a work sample, take the time to select the most relevant pieces of your portfolio to show the potential employer. It is also a good idea to provide context for each piece to show that you have thought about how to present the work in a way that best conveys your abilities. Providing too many work samples can cause information overload and confuse the interviewer, while too few may make it difficult for them to get an accurate sense of your abilities. Whenever possible, try to keep the number of samples to about three to five.