The Portfolio Problem
Many people looking for jobs think that if they just show a lot of their writing samples, a hiring manager will eventually find something they like. They treat their portfolio like a huge all-you-can-eat meal, thinking that showing a lot of work proves they are skilled in many areas. It feels safe to think that if you show everything you have ever written, you are sure to impress someone.
But in reality, this method creates a lot of confusing noise that hurts your chances. When you give them a huge mix of different work, you make the recruiter do too much work. They don't have time to look through personal stories when they need a technical writer. Instead of being impressed by how much you can do, they feel overwhelmed. Your best work gets lost in the irrelevant stuff, making you look like someone who is not focused on solving their specific problem, rather than an expert who can.
To fix this, you must stop seeing your portfolio as an old filing cabinet and start seeing it as a specific answer to their needs. You have to look closely at your work and only show samples that directly match what the job posting asks for. One perfect sample is better than twenty examples that are just "good enough." Check your materials for usefulness rather than completeness. That shift moves you from just another applicant to the clear answer for the job.
What Are Writing Samples?
Writing samples are documents submitted with a job application so employers can evaluate your communication ability. They are typically 1–2 pages long and show your writing style, clarity, and capacity to serve a specific audience before you ever reach the interview stage.
Roles in marketing, journalism, PR, research, and technical documentation almost always require them. But even non-writing positions may ask how you communicate. The sample you choose signals judgment, not just skill: it tells the hiring manager how well you understand what they actually need.
Key Takeaways
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01
Change Your Plan Switch from just showing "What I've Done" to showing "How I Will Solve Your Business Problem." Stop treating your portfolio like a record of everything. Instead, let your samples show exactly how you will fix the company's current issues.
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02
Change How You Engage Move from "Waiting for them to ask" to "Controlling the conversation." Don't wait until the last interview to share samples. Introduce work that is highly relevant early on to prove you know your stuff and set a confident tone.
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03
Change How You Present Swap "Too Much Information" for "Showing What Matters Most." Get rid of huge file folders and cluttered websites. Use simple, clean ways to show your value so a busy manager can see it in under a minute.
Portfolio Audit: Common Mistakes in Applications
Audit #1: Falling into the Librarian Trap
You send a link to a huge folder online or a long PDF that includes every single thing you have ever written just to show how much experience you have.
Giving a hiring manager a giant archive forces them to act like an editor. Since they look at hundreds of applications, they won't spend time searching for the "right" sample. If the first thing they click isn't relevant, they assume nothing else will be and move on to the next person.
Choose Only Your Best Matches
Limit what you send to three pieces that directly match the industry or type of writing the job description asks for. It is much better to show three perfect matches than thirty examples that only sort of fit your expertise.
Audit #2: Missing the Point (Context)
You send links or files without explaining what the writing was for, who it was meant to reach, or why it was successful.
Writing is just a way to solve a business issue, but samples without background are just words. A recruiter can't tell if you are a good planner if they don't know what the writing was supposed to achieve. You are making them guess your thinking process.
Add a Quick Story About the Goal
For every sample you share, write a short introduction (2-3 sentences). State the specific goal of the piece and what it achieved, like: "I wrote this to get more sign-ups for a demo, and it helped increase sign-ups by 10%."
Audit #3: Getting Lost in the Crowd
You use the same main portfolio for every job, no matter if the company is a brand new tech business, an old law office, or a lifestyle magazine.
Companies today want specialists who understand their specific style and challenges. If your portfolio shows poetry, technical guides, and travel stories all mixed up, you look like you can do a little bit of everything but aren't an expert. This lack of focus makes you seem like a risk for roles that need specific skills.
Create a Portfolio That Matches Their Needs
Read the job posting for keywords and style. Then, pick samples that act like a reflection of those needs. If the job asks for "clear, simple technical guides," remove any creative or fancy writing samples that could take attention away from your ability to deliver that specific style.
The Proof Steps
Filter Down to Your Top Three
Focus on quality instead of showing everything by picking only three pieces.
- Match the Job: Choose three samples that solve the exact problems listed in the job requirements.
- Keep it Current: Only use work from the last two years so your skills look up-to-date.
- Get Rid of the Rest: Put all other work in a separate folder; it won't be sent out.
Create the Bridge with Context
For each sample, write a short "Context Note" (2-3 sentences) explaining why it is important.
- The Goal: Say what problem you were trying to solve.
- The Action: Explain one specific thing you did to solve it.
- The Result: Share one number or positive result from your work.
Make Access Super Easy
Make sure the hiring manager sees your work in one click; avoid requiring passwords or downloads.
- One Link Only: Use a simple website or a Google Drive folder set so that "Anyone with the link can view."
- Name Files Clearly: Rename files with simple titles (like: "Project Name - Your Name - What I Did.pdf").
- Check the Link: Open your portfolio link in an "Incognito" window to make sure it opens right away without needing to log in.
If your work lives on a developer platform or design tool, the access rules differ. Read our guide on GitHub, Behance, and other portfolio platforms to make sure your work is presented in the format that fits the role.
Launch Your Attack Plan
Know the best time to share your work for the biggest impact.
- In the Application: If they ask, paste your single link and include your Context Notes in the cover letter section.
- The "Check-In" Time: If you didn't send it before, wait until you get the first interview invitation and send the link as something to look at beforehand.
- After the Interview: After a good meeting, send one specific sample that relates to something you talked about to prove you can do it.
Timing your follow-up well matters as much as the samples themselves. See our guide to following up on a job application for the exact cadence that keeps you visible without being annoying.
How Cruit Helps With Your Portfolio Strategy
Match Your Samples
Job Analysis ToolCompare the job description with your background to see exactly where your skills match and where you might be weak, helping you avoid only sending general work.
Turn Links into Success Stories
Journal ToolKeep records of what you achieved on projects so you can easily write the "Context Notes" that recruiters need to see the value.
Fit Your Writing Style
Resume ToolFind the exact words and skills the industry uses so your resume clearly shows you are a specialist who understands their specific problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my samples don't match the job's industry?
You don't need work from the exact same industry. Look for samples that show the same type of writing skill. If you're applying for a technical role but only wrote for a travel site, choose pieces that show you can explain complex things clearly or follow strict guidelines. Three samples with the right style beat twenty that miss the target entirely.
Does sending fewer samples look like less experience?
No. Sending fewer, strong samples signals confidence and professional judgment. It shows you understand what the recruiter needs to see. A hiring manager would far rather review three excellent pieces than sort through twenty average ones. Quality selection is itself a skill.
Should I show writing range or keep my portfolio focused?
Keep the portfolio focused on the role. Range is good, but it shouldn't muddy your main message. Recruiters aren't looking for someone who can do anything — they need someone who can do this specific job. Mention versatility in your cover letter, but let your portfolio speak directly to the company's current problem.
What format should I use to send writing samples?
Send samples as PDFs (they preserve formatting across all devices and look polished). Name each file clearly, such as "First Last - Sample Type.pdf." Avoid links that require a login or password. If sending online samples, include both the live URL and a PDF backup in case the original page changes or goes down.
How long should a writing sample be?
Aim for 750 to 1,500 words per sample. Hiring managers review many applications and won't read lengthy pieces in full. If your best work is longer, excerpt the strongest section and note that the full piece is available on request. Shorter, focused samples get read. Long ones get skimmed or skipped.
Focus on what matters.
To get the job, you must stop hoping that showing a huge amount of work will lead to an offer. Moving away from the "all-you-can-eat buffet" method is the only way to make sure your best work is actually seen. Remove the clutter. Send only samples that match the job posting. That change transforms your application from a confusing mess into a clear solution. Start by picking your top three pieces that match the job you want the most. You have the skill; now give it the attention it deserves.
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