Q&A for How to Write a Job Application Essay

Look for keywords or specific language the company uses on the job post or on their website. Then, incorporate some of those words into your essay to show that you've done your research.

250 - 500 words should be OK.

Ideally, you always want to start with a solid intro that describes who you are and what your essay will be about. Introduce yourself and name the specific position you're applying for. Think of it like you're trying to sell yourself as the ideal candidate for the job. End your introductory paragraph with a thesis that makes the claim that they should choose you for the job. Then, you can go into the rest of your essay making arguments that support your thesis. In fact, it may be a good idea to write your entire essay, making all of the points you want to make about why you're the right choice. Then, you can go back and write your introductory paragraph in a way that briefly touches on the rest of your essay. That way it feels much more like a cohesive unit and can make for a more compelling argument.

One of the best ways to structure an application essay is to stick to a simple, basic essay formula. Start off with a paragraph that introduces who you are and gives a thesis, which should be something that makes the case for why your the best candidate for the position you're applying for. From there, you'll move through the essay following an organization that makes sense logically. Generally, it makes sense to lead with the point you think is the strongest. Imagine the hiring manager is only reading the first two paragraphs of your essay and use the second paragraph to describe the point you would want them to know if they knew nothing else about you. Then continue to the next strongest point. Work your way through the points you made in your introduction until you've expanded on and covered everything. Then, wrap it all up together with a concluding paragraph that briefly reiterates the points you made and illustrates how you've proven the original thesis you made. Keep it rock solid and airtight and you'll make a compelling case for your application.

If you have a solid working draft together, there are definitely a few things you can do to tweak and finalize your essay so it makes your argument more cohesive and compelling. For starters, you'll want to proofread your essay for spelling, grammar, and typographical errors. For application essays, your writing style and creativity aren't nearly as important as producing an essay that's free of errors. Then, try reading your essay out loud. Does it sound compelling? Are there areas you can tighten up or improve? If so, make some changes that improve the flow. When you're feeling confident about it, try working backward through your essay to proofread a second time. When you read through your work from the beginning, your familiarity with the text can cause you to miss errors. By starting with the last sentence and working your way backward through the text, you may pick up errors that you otherwise would have missed. Quality revision work can take your essay to the next level.