Industries That Require Work Samples

In an increasingly competitive job market, showcasing your skills and abilities has become more important than ever. While resumes, cover letters, and interviews provide insight into a candidate’s qualifications, many industries now require applicants to submit sample work as part of the interview process. These work samples give employers a tangible way to assess a candidate’s capabilities and determine if they are the right fit for the role. This article explores the industries where providing sample work is common, why it’s required, and how candidates can prepare for this expectation.

1. Creative Industries: Advertising, Graphic Design, and Copywriting

The creative industries, including advertising, graphic design, and copywriting, are among the most likely to require sample work during the interview process. Employers in these fields want to see concrete examples of a candidate’s creativity, style, and technical skills.

• Advertising: Candidates might be asked to develop a mock advertising campaign or create a brand strategy for a hypothetical client. This allows employers to evaluate the candidate’s strategic thinking, creativity, and ability to meet client needs.

• Graphic Design: Graphic designers are often required to submit portfolios showcasing their best work. During the interview process, they may be asked to complete a design task, such as creating a logo or marketing collateral, to demonstrate their proficiency with design software and their ability to interpret a creative brief.

• Copywriting: For copywriters, the interview process might include writing samples such as blog posts, social media content, or product descriptions. Employers are looking for candidates who can write persuasively, maintain brand voice, and produce error-free content under tight deadlines.

2. Tech Industry: Software Development and UX/UI Design

The tech industry, particularly in software development and UX/UI design, often requires candidates to submit sample work to prove their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities.

• Software Development: Coding tests and technical assessments are standard in the hiring process for software developers. Candidates may be asked to complete live coding challenges, submit code samples, or solve algorithm problems. These assessments help employers gauge a candidate’s proficiency in programming languages, their approach to problem-solving, and their ability to write clean, efficient code.

• UX/UI Design: User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) designers are typically required to present a portfolio of their work, including case studies that detail the design process, user research, wireframes, and final designs. Employers may also assign a design challenge where candidates must create a user-friendly interface for a hypothetical product, allowing them to assess the candidate’s understanding of design principles and user-centric thinking.

3. Media and Journalism

Media and journalism are fields where the quality of a candidate’s work can significantly impact their hiring prospects. Employers in these industries often require writing samples, articles, or multimedia projects to evaluate a candidate’s reporting skills, storytelling ability, and adherence to journalistic standards.

• Journalism: Journalists may be asked to submit published articles, feature stories, or investigative pieces as part of their application. During the interview process, they might be given a writing test or asked to draft a news story based on a set of facts provided by the employer. This allows the employer to assess the candidate’s writing style, accuracy, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Broadcast Media: In broadcast media, candidates might need to provide demo reels or sample broadcasts to demonstrate their on-camera presence, voice modulation, and ability to engage an audience. For roles in video production or editing, candidates may be asked to submit examples of their work, such as edited video segments, to showcase their technical skills and creativity.

4. Marketing and Public Relations

Marketing and public relations (PR) professionals are often required to submit work samples to demonstrate their strategic thinking, communication skills, and ability to drive results.

• Marketing: Candidates in marketing roles may be asked to present case studies of past campaigns they’ve managed, including metrics that demonstrate the success of those campaigns. They might also be given a marketing challenge, such as developing a content strategy or crafting a marketing plan for a new product. This helps employers assess the candidate’s ability to think strategically, manage projects, and deliver measurable outcomes.

• Public Relations: PR professionals might be asked to submit press releases, media pitches, or crisis communication plans they’ve developed. During the interview, they could be tasked with writing a press release for a hypothetical event or developing a communication strategy for a potential client. Employers are looking for candidates who can craft compelling messages, manage media relations, and effectively handle communication challenges.

5. Education and Training

In the education and training sectors, providing sample work is a common part of the interview process. Employers want to ensure that candidates have the necessary teaching skills, subject matter expertise, and the ability to engage and educate learners.

• Teaching: Prospective teachers may be asked to submit lesson plans, teaching portfolios, or sample lectures. During the interview process, they might be required to conduct a demonstration lesson or present a mock lecture to evaluate their teaching style, classroom management skills, and ability to convey complex information in an accessible manner.

• Corporate Training: In corporate training roles, candidates may need to provide samples of training materials they’ve developed, such as workshop outlines, e-learning modules, or instructional videos. They might also be asked to conduct a training session or present a training proposal to assess their ability to design and deliver effective learning experiences.

The requirement for sample work during the interview process is becoming increasingly common across various industries. Whether in creative fields, tech, media, marketing, or education, employers use these samples to gain a deeper understanding of a candidate’s abilities and how they align with the role. For job seekers, preparing high-quality work samples and being ready to complete task-based assessments can significantly enhance their chances of securing a position. By demonstrating their skills through tangible examples, candidates can make a strong case for why they are the best fit for the job.