Q. More companies seem to be asking applicants to submit "writing samples" via the Web. Do you know if they're asking for a portable document format (PDF) of the old paper clip? It seems faster to send a cut-and-paste of a story from
electronic archives into a Word document.
Thanks,
AdamA. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about this and how much it would help us all to have some standards for digital clips.
We can be so much faster, more efficient and environmentally gentler (think fewer trees and less fuel) if we move away from paper/postage and toward digital work samples.
As a whole, the industry is not there yet. The 8.5 X 11" sheet of paper seems to be the most common denominator. It almost always works with everyone. In fact, digital applications are sometimes printed out so they can be filed. That is still easier than having all the paper scanned to be digital.
Increasingly, employers are just going to have to move to digital.
A couple of thoughts about applying online:
Keep file sizes small so you don't jam up mailboxes. A PDF takes up more server space, and it takes more time to download than a document file because it is a visual representation of the page. In most cases, writers should not be sending a PDF or a JPEG, which was created for moving photographic images. Artists, photographers and designers would be more likely to use these formats.
Personally, I find it is helpful and environmentally friendly for people to keep work of all sorts -- including audio and video that cannot be reproduced on paper -- on Web sites where I can just tap in and where new work can constantly be added.
The best approach is to ask prospective employers how they want to receive your work.
Coming Tuesday: He is a year from graduating and wants to know how he can improve his chances of starting a career in Chicago.
PDFs are outdated and overrated. Make an ebook. You can...
