my new job essay

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• Job Application Documents

How to Write a Job Application Essay

Last Updated: September 24, 2023 References

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 194,979 times.

Many employers now require a writing sample, or job application essay , to accompany all applications or résumés — even if writing is not a significant part of the position. The goal of the job application essay is to ensure that applicants have the right communication skills for the position offered. Sometimes, potential employers will provide a specific topic or series of questions for your essay to respond to. However, you may also be asked to provide an essay with no guidance whatsoever. Either way, approach the essay seriously so that it highlights the skills and assets you could bring to the company. [1] X Research source

Outlining Your Essay

• If you don't know much about the company, do a little research on it before you start writing. You might look at their website or do a general internet search with the name of the company to see if any news articles or other reports come up. Go beyond the four corners of the job listing so that you understand who will likely be reading your essay.
• If there's anything in the job listing or essay requirements that you don't understand, contact the employer and ask about them. Employers are often impressed by applicants who clarify the employer's intent rather than making assumptions.

• For example, if you're applying for a position in sales, you might want to write an essay about your ability to tailor your pitch to specific clients and close the deal. If you have the ability to be more creative, you might tailor your essay to "sell" yourself directly to the employer.

• For each of your points, think of a specific example you can relate briefly that illustrates the point. For example, if you've described yourself as a "team player," you might include an example of how you came in on your day off to complete some of the more monotonous tasks that no one else wanted to do so a project could be completed ahead of schedule.
• It's a good idea to have more than one example in your outline for each point, even if you only end up using one. That way, if you start writing something and it ends up not working as well as you thought it would, you'll have a back-up handy.
• Brainstorming can be difficult. If you find yourself churning over the same thoughts, stand up and take a break for a few minutes. Step outside or go for a walk to clear your head, then come back to it.

• For example, if you want to describe how you increased sales in a specific quarter, you would want to state specifically how much you increased sales. Your former employer may have sales figures that you could ask them for. You might also have that information in your records.
• Wherever possible, use specific numbers and dates rather than making general statements. It's okay to estimate, but make sure your estimate is conservative. Saying you led your sales team to the highest sales in a quarter is impressive — but only if it's true.

Completing Your Rough Draft

• Think of this paragraph as telling the hiring manager what you're going to tell them in the essay. Outline the points you're going to elaborate on in the essay that back up your theme or thesis statement.
• Sometimes it's best to go back and write your introduction after you've written the body of your essay. That way, you can make sure the introduction provides an outline that matches the body.

• If the employer listed specifically what should be included in your essay, follow their order, since that's what they'll be looking for when they read the essay.
• Write in the first person and make yourself the star of any anecdote you include as an example. Use action verbs to focus on what you did rather than focusing on what happened and how you reacted to it. [7] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source

• For example, if you're writing about your skills as a team player, you might note that you discuss doing routine work that others found monotonous so they had time to work on other parts of a project. You could use that detail to move on to a section describing how you're detail-oriented.

• For example, you might write "My business school education, skills as a team player, and focus on detail make me the best candidate to lead your sales team."

Finalizing Your Essay

• For example, you might start by looking solely at punctuation, then read through again focusing on spelling.
• If you find that you tend to repeat a particular error, go through your essay looking for that error specifically.
• If your grammar isn't particularly strong or you're writing in a language other than your native language, have someone else read over your essay as well.

• If you find that you stumble over a sentence while reading aloud, that's a sign that your writing could be clearer. Work with your text until you have something that you can read aloud with ease.

• If the prospective employer did not specify a length, try to keep your essay under 2 double-spaced pages. Remember that hiring managers are busy and don't have a lot of time to read a long, rambling essay.
• Eliminate all unnecessary words or sentences that aren't relevant to the subject of your essay. The majority of your sentences should be short, declarative sentences with action verbs.
• Apps such as Hemingway ( http://www.hemingwayapp.com/ ) or Grammarly ( https://app.grammarly.com/ ) can help you identify portions of your essay that are more difficult to read. Both of these apps have a free version that you can use to edit your text.

• Working backward is particularly helpful for noticing spelling mistakes, especially hard-to-catch homophone errors, because you're seeing the word out of context.

• It may also help to print your essay in a different font or font size than what you used to type it. This breaks your brain's familiarity with the text, which can make typos and other errors more noticeable. Just remember to change the font back after you print it.

Job Application Essay

Expert Q&A

• Give yourself plenty of time to work on your essay. Ideally, you should plan to work on it over the course of at least two days, so you have the time to set it aside after writing before you move to the editing and proofreading stage. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• Unless you're applying for a position in a political or religious organization, avoid including anything in your essay that identifies your political or religious preferences or beliefs. [16] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Avoid using humor, especially sarcasm or ironic humor, as it can be misconstrued in text. Additionally, humor may lead the hiring manager to believe that you aren't serious about the position. [17] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/writing-sample-job-application
• ↑ https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2012/04/30/essay-how-write-good-applications-jobs-or-grants
• ↑ Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 May 2021.
• ↑ https://www.govloop.com/community/blog/government-job-application-essays-made-easy/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/application-essays/
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/editing-and-proofreading/
• ↑ https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/proofreading-tips
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/career-transitions/200906/the-dreaded-writing-sample

About This Article

Job application essays can seem scary, but they’re really just an opportunity for you to highlight your skills and explain why you’re suitable for the role. Read the job listing to find out what traits and skills the company is looking for, like time management, working under pressure, and leadership. If you don’t know much about the company, read through its website and do an online search to find articles about its work. In your introduction, you’ll want to to describe yourself and introduce the main points you’ll be making. Then, write a paragraph for each trait or skill. Use real life examples from previous jobs, your recent studies, or extracurricular activities to support your points. For example, you could highlight your leadership skills by talking about a time you led a group project that exceeded your targets. For more tips, including how to write a compelling conclusion for your job application essay, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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The Experience of the First Job

Growing up as a shy and self-contained person, I have never thought that I would be able to work with people. When I was offered an internship opportunity at a rehabilitation center, I was so frightened, I thought I would fail. The mere thought of constantly meeting new people and talking to them scared me, and overcoming this fear was the most difficult thing I have done in my life. The experience of the last six months has changed my perception of myself, turning me into a more open, friendly, kind, and confident person. Analyzing my journey, I now feel grateful for this opportunity and willing to share my experience.

When I came to work on my very first day, I felt extremely nervous and anxious. However, I was welcomed kindly and introduced to the staff who happened to be nice and friendly people. My job was to meet patients and answer their questions while they are waiting for their appointment. From the start, I encountered several problems due to my lack of experience. The first was always feeling unsure about what I was doing and saying. The second was communication difficulties that I have experienced for my entire life. As a shy person who had never worked with people, I had trouble finding the common language with patients of different ages and backgrounds. The third issue was the fear of new challenges that I had to encounter every day.

At this job, I learned several important things that changed my perception of my future career: how to deal with stress, how to communicate with people, and how to work in a team. When I overcame the initial anxiety of asking for help and realized that my colleagues are always happy to offer me their advice and support, I started to feel much more self-confident. I learned how to talk with patients, what to say and what to do when I am unable to help them, and I was surprised to see that, day after day, there were fewer and fewer problems that I could not solve. This experience has changed my personality, and I now feel that I have turned into a more confident, friendly, kind, and empathetic person that is not afraid to ask for help and meet new challenges.

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Starting a New Job: 18 Tips for Early and Ongoing Success

Set yourself up for success in your new role with goals that focus on learning, visibility, and growth.

A new job is an exciting step in your professional journey, but it can also be intimidating because it will be unfamiliar at first. Those emotions should quiet as you grow more accustomed and comfortable in your new position. It may help to proactively set yourself up for success in ways that go beyond a company’s onboarding processes. Doing so can help you focus during your first day, week, and month at a company and settle in with purpose. 

Let’s go over how you can acclimate yourself to your new responsibilities, new team, and new company.  

Before your first day

Success in your new role can start before you officially do. Confirm your schedule and worksite before your first day. (Ideally, your manager or an HR representative will reach out to you with these details, but you may have to ask.) If you’re working remotely, determine whether your company will provide you with a computer or whether you’ll need to supply your own. 

You may also want to pick out your outfit in advance, plan your route (if you’re working onsite), and even sort out what you’ll eat for lunch. Managing these details ahead of time can often help lessen any anxiety you may feel about your first day.

Get focused on your new role by preparing a 30-60-90 day plan —or the goals you hope to achieve in your first 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. While your employer may expect you to complete a similar type of plan for performance review purposes, it may be beneficial to think about what you want to achieve as you embark on this new endeavor.

18 tips for starting your new job 

As you begin your new role, use the tips below to help guide you. We’ve broken them down into three specific goal categories that can help establish success: learning, visibility, and growth. You don’t need to tackle every single one. Instead, figure out which ones make the most sense for your goals and focus on those.    

5 ways to prioritize learning as you start your new job

There’s a lot to learn about when you start a new job, including your tasks and responsibilities, your team’s dynamic, and your company’s mission. The tips below take all of that into account, helping you develop a strategic approach from the very first day. 

1. Request and use resources.

There’s going to be a lot to learn at first. Besides taking notes, ask for recordings, presentations, or other forms of documentation so you can reference important information later. Bookmark any digital resources for easy access. 

2. Meet with your manager.

During your first day or week, make time to meet with your manager. If they haven’t scheduled a meeting, request one. Go over their expectations for onboarding and getting situated in your role. And make sure you understand which priorities you should focus on, if any.   

3. Listen—and write down questions.

At first, try to absorb what you can by listening more than speaking and observing what you can. Doing both will likely create questions. Keep a running list of them so when you meet with your manager or team, you can go over everything at once and get answers. 

4. Review the tools at hand.

Your company will likely give you access to certain tools or software necessary to your job function. Review those programs, starting with the most important. If you don’t know how to use one, ask if the company offers any internal training sessions or identify resources to help you figure out what you need to know.   

5. Look at the organization structure.  

It can help to know how things are organized at your company. Most companies keep an organization chart (org chart) available for internal use, though you may find similar information on a website. If not, ask your manager about the important people you need to know in your department and others. 

4 ways to be more visible as you start your new job

A job isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about who you are, how you show up, and the connections you make. While it might not always seem important to network and be visible, doing both can have a positive impact. 

1. Introduce yourself to your team.

Your manager or someone in HR may make introductions on your first day, either by walking you around the office or sending out an email. If not, make a point to connect with your immediate team members. Share a little bit about yourself so you can start building personal relationships with your peers. You’re there to work, but you can—and should—develop relationships for support and networking. 

2. Fill out any profile information to increase visibility.

Whether remote or in-person, companies increasingly rely on an array of digital tools, such as Slack, to connect employees. Set aside time during your first week to fill out any profiles, add your email signature, and take other steps that will help make you more visible both internally and externally. 

3. Begin introducing yourself to other teams and employees. 

You should meet your immediate team members over the course of your first or second day. But, if possible, try to introduce yourself to other company employees or teams once you feel more settled in your role. If you work in an office, ask your manager about the other departments your team works with most frequently and reach out to them via email. If you work remotely, introduce yourself via email or Slack.  

4. Connect with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs).

Employee resource groups (ERGs) help connect employees interested in the same topic or who share a similar identity. If your company offers ERGs, or if there’s a professional group available to join, make an effort to take part where you can. Doing so can help you meet employees outside of your team, feel more connected to others, and grow in ways outside of your immediate role. 

5 ways to grow as you start your new job

Growth is an important part of your larger career journey. As you learn about your role, team, and company, the tips below can help you identify ways to develop your skills, experience, and more. 

1. Start a document that tracks your successes and impact.

It’s never too early to start tracking your accomplishments. Create a document where you can make note of your successes, the growth you’ve achieved, and the impact you’ve made—all for easy reference when it comes time to submit your performance review. 

2. Create a career development plan.

For your professional growth, create a career development plan to outline the short-term and long-term goals you want to achieve in your current position. Short-term goals may be things like learning new tools, while long-term goals may be to take on more responsibility in a new area. 

3. Share your ideas. 

It’s important to listen when you first start your role, as we mentioned above, but eventually, you will naturally have ideas to contribute to your work’s or team’s success. Don’t wait to be invited to share what you have—speak up in meetings or, if that feels uncomfortable, speak with your manager privately.  

4. Establish check-ins with your manager.

You should have a regular check-in with your manager to discuss your work, your accomplishments, and any areas you may need some extra help. These can be weekly, biweekly, or monthly, but it’s important that they be consistent so you can receive regular feedback to continue growing.  

5. Explore professional development opportunities. 

Your company may offer professional development opportunities. Ask your manager or an HR representative about resources, such as taking a course, attending a conference, or partnering with a mentor. 

Learn more: How to Find a Mentor

4 additional tips for starting a new job

Beyond learning, visibility, and growth, the tips below may be useful in your first month at a new job. Reflect on how you want to show up in your new role and on your new team. 

1. Ask for help. 

There’s going to be a lot to learn as you get started in your new role. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, either from a coworker, manager, or someone else—it shows that you’re proactive and communicate effectively . 

2. Refine your habits.

A new job offers a chance to refine your habits by leaving behind what wasn’t working for you and establishing a modified routine that does. Spend time reflecting on your habits, such as time management , and identify ways to improve anything that will help you be more successful.   

3. Participate where you can, but don’t overcommit yourself. 

Depending on your company, there may be opportunities for meetings outside of your typical work parameters, such as “Lunch & Learns” or even happy hour events. Participate where you can, but don’t feel as though you need to attend everything. Strike a balance between attending additional meetings or events that will help you achieve the categories above: learning, visibility, and growth. 

4. Set boundaries.

Establish your boundaries early in your role. Do you need to close your door while concentrating on an intensive task? Do you prefer to wait until the next workday to answer emails that come in overnight? Identify what you need to establish a healthy work-life balance and make it clear to your team. 

Learn more: 9 Ways to Set Better Boundaries at Work

Explore further 

As you grow in your new role, consider earning a Professional Certificate from industry leaders like Google, Meta, and IBM on Coursera. Gain valuable career skills in areas such as UX design , social media marketing , and cybersecurity in approximately six or seven months.

Give your team access to a catalog of 8,000+ engaging courses and hands-on Guided Projects to help them develop impactful skills. Learn more about Coursera for Business .

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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Why Starting a New Job Feels So Awkward

• Art Markman

And strategies to help smooth the transition.

When you’re first starting out in a new job, it can feel awkward. Even if you have effective onboarding, you might not be sure what to say, who to talk to, or how to figure out what you need to know. And you’re not alone. Most people struggle with discomfort in the first few days, weeks, or even months at a new gig. The author shares three psychological reasons that explain why these transitions can be uncomfortable as well as ways to overcome the associated challenges – or to help smooth the way for a new hire who just joined your team.

Starting at a new job in a new workplace is exciting, but it can also be uncomfortable. Regardless of how many jobs you’ve had before, you may suddenly feel like the new kid in class, with all eyes on you. How can you overcome the awkwardness of those first few weeks? Is there any way to feel at ease when you’re brand new? And if you’re the one welcoming a new person to your team, what can you do to smooth the way for them?

• Art Markman , PhD, is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology and Marketing at the University of Texas at Austin and founding director of the program in the  Human Dimensions of Organizations . He has written over 150 scholarly papers on topics including reasoning, decision-making, and motivation. His most recent book is Bring Your Brain to Work: Using Cognitive Science to Get a Job, Do it Well, and Advance Your Career (HBR Press).

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Job / Reflection On My First Job

Reflection On My First Job

• Category: Life
• Topic: Job , Personal Experience , Responsibility

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