how to write an essay about your job

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• Job Application Documents

How to Write a Job Application Essay

Last Updated: April 9, 2024 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 196,103 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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Never again will you sputter and stutter your way through telling a prospective employer who you are and what job skills you bring to the table. Your job application essay turns your elevator pitch into an irresistible call to action: hiring you. Several methods help you write a tight essay that holds a recruiter's attention and gets straight to the point. The funnel and the graphic organizer make it easy to write your job essay.

Funnel Essay Example

Remember high school essays? You start with a general descriptive statement, make three to five supporting points and finish with a conclusion. It looks like this when you outline your essay: Introduction: Broad statement introducing yourself and stating the type of job that interests you. Main Point One

• Supporting Point One
• Supporting Point Two
• Supporting Point Three

Main Point Two

Main Point Three

Conclusion The introduction should state the job category that interests you. It should also specify the job title and three to five of the duties from the advertisement for the job. For example: I'm interested in the position of executive chef that you have advertised at Indeed.com. I've worked as a sous chef at Sandals Jamaica Resorts for the past three years. I 've earned the Grand Dipl_ô_me from Le Cordon Bleu Paris. I bring with me the fusion of fine French cuisine and bold Jamaican flavors. When you open the basket that accompanies this essay, you'll see, smell and taste the very freshest and most flavorful ingredients the island of Jamaica has to offer, lovingly rendered and interpreted through Cordon Bleu techniques. From the Grand Marnier glaze on the jerk chicken to the freshly grated coconut and bitter orange peel in the individual mango cheesecakes with macaron crusts, the flavors of Jamaica take a starring role. Who needs a résumé when you have a Cordon Bleu boxed lunch par deux?

Graphic Organizer Essay Example

When you want to strike a creative note, using a graphic organizer, such as a bubble chart, will help you brainstorm. This method works very well for people who prefer visual or hands-on learning. If you seek a position as a visual merchandiser, cosmetologist, metalworker or auto mechanic, a graphic organizer may help you get your thoughts in order. Print one of the graphic organizers from the resource section of this article. Write your introductory sentence in the center Topic bubble if you use the Cluster/Word Web 1 organizer. Write in the top bubble if you use the Goal/Reasons wheel. Brainstorm job-related details to fill the remaining bubbles. Use the resulting charts to write your essay. For example:

In the center or topic bubble: I want to join the police force to serve as an armed school resource officer. Below that, in bubbles One, Two and Three, you see: I completed three tours of duty with the United States Marine Corps between 2006 and 2018. I learned to face the enemy with courage, protect innocent lives and preserve the safety and security of U.S. interests abroad. Children shouldn't have to worry about their safety and security while in school. By patrolling the grounds and being a living shield, I can give these kids a chance to finish their educations without being paralyzed by fear. My combat experience ensures that you can rely on me to be where I'm needed most at all times. Through my vigilance, no child in this school will ever have to cower in a cupboard.

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Jane Smith parlayed her B. S. Ed. degree into working on everything from job and housing services to selling water treatment systems. Wading into an underperforming position as a program manager, Smith recruited staff and inspected and approved enough provider homes to reduce wait times from two years to two months and increase service utilization by 30 percent per quarter. She helped her team sell over $350,000 in water treatment systems and security equipment in 2017, and currently partners with her daughter as an independent Avon Representative at Avon Beauty by Laura.

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What Is a Career Goals Essay?

An opportunity to expand, what to avoid in a career goals essay, final thoughts, how to write a career goals essay.

Updated January 15, 2024

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As the name suggests, a career goals essay is a personal document that outlines your professional plans.

It describes your educational and work history, and your ambitions for the future.

A career goals essay is generally used in three situations:

• When applying to a school or college
• When applying for a scholarship to fund education
• When applying for a new job

It allows the reader to better understand your personality and fully appreciate why you are making the application.

Career goals essays help admissions staff and hiring managers to select the ideal candidates for a position.

What Should a Career Goals Essay Contain?

A little backstory.

This essay is an opportunity for you to allow your personality and experiences to shine, so avoid generic statements.

The document should be personal and concisely describe your life experiences.

You should explain why you have chosen this career path.

If there was a pivotal moment in your life that led you to this application, be sure to highlight it.

Outline Your Goals

The main focus of the essay should be your goals for the future.

Readers want to see that you are ambitious and driven, with a genuine passion for the role or course you are applying for.

These career goals should be split into your short-term goals (looking over the next one to three years) and your long-term goals (which might look as far as 10 years into the future).

Show How This Application Will Help You Reach Your Goals

Critically, your career goals essay must show how this degree or job will help you achieve your goals .

If your long-term goal is to become a veterinary surgeon, studying a veterinary medicine program will obviously be essential.

However, your goal may be more nuanced than that. For example, you might want to become an expert in a particular piece of technology or software. Your application must show how your success in this role will enable you to become an industry leader.

This will also emphasize to the reader that you have done your research and understand the skills required for that particular sector.

You will have likely submitted a CV and covering letter at other points throughout the application process.

Remember, your career goals essay should complement these documents rather than repeat them.

This letter allows you to expand on the points mentioned in the earlier documents, aligning your previous experience with your goals for the future.

If you are writing a career goals essay as part of an application for a new job, be sure to refer back to the job description and person specification.

These documents highlight the exact type of individual the employer is searching for, so be sure your career goals essay matches the content in them.

Most career goals essays will be submitted via email, so an appropriate title is essential.

‘The Career Goals of [Name]’ isn’t a title that will make you stand out from the crowd.

Don’t forget, whether you are applying to a school or an employer, the reader will have the job of sifting through hundreds, if not thousands, of applications .

Where candidates have very similar experiences and education, their creativity and personality will be used to make the final decision.

Example titles:

How a Digital Marketing Degree Will Allow Me to Support Sustainable Businesses

How My Next Role in Nursing Will Help Me Help Others

An Introduction

Your introduction should set the theme for the essay, and crucially, outline your why .

Many candidates find the introduction the most challenging part of the essay to write. Therefore, it often makes the most sense to write it last.

Your introduction should be an honest and personable account of why you have chosen this field of study.

Starting with a generic opening paragraph will not inspire or motivate your reader. Stay away from phrases such as “I have wanted to be a lawyer ever since I was a little girl.”

This sentence tells the reader very little about your current aspirations.

It can also damage your integrity, as we all know most small children dream of being a movie star or astronaut before the job of lawyer ever springs to mind.

Example introduction:

Most individuals in the US are lucky enough to never need the law to protect them. However, many fail to see how the intricate details of the constitution support their life every day. I have a particular fascination with criminal law after being introduced to the field by a family friend. The monumental impact a lawyer can have on the life and welfare of an individual truly astounded me, and I have spent the years since investigating the effects of the American legal system. This is why I have tailored my education so far to prepare me for a legal career. I work every day on developing my research and analytical ability, and now feel ready to dedicate myself fully to the legal field.

School-Specific Content

Admissions staff, tutors and hiring managers want to know that their applicants have done their research.

You can show them that you have done yours by adding a small paragraph straight after your introduction showing why you chose this school to study at or this company to work for.

First example of school-specific content:

[Insert company name] has an incredible global reputation, with clients in every continent. I can see that staff retention rates are incredibly high, indicating strong career opportunities and the prospect of continuous development. The company values show that diversity and integrity are of the utmost importance, and I would love the opportunity to work for an organization whose principles align with my own.

Second example of school-specific content:

[Insert school name] is well known for producing the highest caliber of graduates, with an excellent global reputation. The school leaderboards show that the grades from [insert school name] ranked within the top five in the country for the past 10 years. I would be proud to associate myself with an establishment that holds itself in such high regard and am thrilled at the prospect of learning alongside the best.

Your Long-term Vision

Remember, it is crucial you show why and how you are actively working towards these goals. For example, merely stating, 'My long-term goal is to become a lawyer with my own practice’ is worthless.

The reader wants to see how this goal aligns with your personality and why you have chosen this route.

The goals set out in this essay should be precise and meaningful .

Example of long-term vision:

Law is an area of study that affects us all. The law protects us, and I am fascinated by its impact on both an individual and global scale. Of course, I want to graduate with a top-class degree, but I am also passionate about the connections and network I will build along the way. My goal is to open my own practice one day, specializing in family law. At the moment, I volunteer in my local practice, gaining experience and building a network that will help me later in my career. I believe the combination of world-class education and hands-on legal experience will help me to achieve this ambitious long-term goal.

Your Short-term Vision

Next, it is crucial to discuss your short-term goals .

If you're applying to school, your short-term goals will explain what you aim to achieve throughout the degree or program.

For a job application, these goals will outline your targets for your first year in the role.

Example of short-term vision:

In the short term, my goal is to build a network in the legal sector. I have already begun doing this through my weekly volunteering role. However, this degree will undoubtedly allow me to meet a much broader spectrum of people. I am excited to curate this network with a range of legal specialists, from students at the start of their careers to tutors with many years of experience in the industry.

The Conclusion

As with any essay, your conclusion should summarize what you have discussed throughout.

You should not throw in any new ideas, subjects or theories at this point. Otherwise, it indicates to the reader that you have not cohesively written the essay.

Your conclusion should be about the same length as the introduction, mentioning your final goals and the name of the establishment you are applying to.

You must outline again why you want to work for this company or study at this school. Using a statistic or fact will show that you have conducted thorough research.

Example conclusion:

I am immensely excited to begin my experience with [insert school name]. Ultimately, this education will allow me to fulfill my dreams of becoming a lawyer and one day opening my own practice. I will bring hard work, determination and enthusiasm to the law school, never forgetting why I began this journey.

Vague or Weak Statements

Every sentence in your essay should be specific to you.

For example, statements such as ‘I want to study medicine because it will allow me to get a good job’ does not show the reader that you are passionate or enthusiastic about this position.

Discussing Financial Remuneration

Whether the essay is aimed at a prospective employer or a college admissions office, they want to see why you want the position personally.

Someone solely focused on the financial rewards will likely not have longevity in the career.

Controversial Topics

Of course, there will be times where politics and current affairs are relevant to the discussion.

However, showing a one-sided argument that doesn’t align with the readers can alienate your application before you even begin.

A career goals essay is an opportunity for your personality to shine through. It isn’t a test of who has the best grades or the most experience , but a chance to show how this job or degree can change your life.

Although the reader is excited to hear about your goals, they are more interested in how this role links to your ambitions.

Be sure to constantly reflect upon how obtaining a place on this course, or securing the job role, is intrinsically linked to your goals.

A word limit is often applied to career goal essays. Where there is no limit, be sure to write no more than 1,000 words.

This piece should be concise and to the point, showing the reader you can effectively convey your thoughts and ideas.

You might also be interested in these other Wikijob articles:

Or explore the Jobs & Careers / Career Planning sections.

Tips On How To Write Essay For A Job Application

Even after getting out of college, you may still have to write essays for some reason. A job application is one of those reasons, and it is mostly inevitable. Often, companies request job applicants to write application essays as part of the screening process. A job application paper usually accompanies your resume, cover letter, transcript, and certificates. Similar to the other documents, it is an avenue for you to ‘sell yourself’ to your potential employer.

What You Need To Write an Essay for a Job Application

The tricky part is you may have been a class topper and still need to learn how to write an essay for a job application. For this reason, an applicant may get an essay for sale on platform Paperell , which offers high-quality and well-written application papers. This eradicates the stress of figuring out what to write. Primarily, writing an essay for a job application is for an applicant to prove the following skills:

1- Professional competence

Your result is more about showing your professional competence, unlike your college essays, which show your academic intelligence.

Those professional papers allow employers to glimpse how you’ll handle similar tasks, especially when you’re applying for administrative posts where memos, press releases, and several emails are rampant.

2- Conversational skills

Another reason for you to write an outstanding piece is to show your conversational skills. You write as a means of conversation, so the tone of your essay shows how you’re likely to relate with superiors, colleagues, and subordinates.

Other skills employers look out for include:

● Self-consciousness ● Time management ● Honesty ● Cooperation ● Creativity ● Emotional intelligence

For these reasons, it is essential for a job applicant to know how to write excellent essays for a job.

Writing An Outstanding Piece

Knowing how to write an application essay for a job is not a skill that randomly comes to anyone. It involves constantly practicing and following the right guide like the one below.

Pre-writing Stage

1- research.

As with other types of papers, you have to carry out extensive research to get a proper perspective. In the research stage, you go through the company’s website to see job essays by successful candidates. You could also check online for some examples. The purpose is not to copy these samples but to understand the company’s preferred writing style.

2- Outlining

After getting a clear idea of what to major in, the next step is to outline. Making an outline simply means arranging your points logically. Your outline needs to include all the points you intend to write in your essays.

While outlining, go through the prompt of the assignment as a guide.

Writing Stage

1- topic selection.

Most times, companies don’t give applicants topics. In such situations, pick a topic relevant to the company’s values and your potential position. Additionally, make sure your subject is interesting but concise.

When you’re given a topic to write on, it is important to read and understand the topic several times. Since other applicants would also strive to write excellent essays, don’t hesitate to go deeper into the topic.

2-  Introduction

This part can either make or mar your result, as it creates a solid impression. The key to a good introduction is to display a deep understanding of the topic or theme. Still, it is important for it to be short—anything longer than two paragraphs is too long.

3- The Body

The body of your essay is the ‘soul’ of the whole piece. The body has to contain verifiable facts to show that you’ve done your research and you’re sure of your notions. Make sure to add statistics, citations, and data as required to make your points more credible. It is also important to make each point clear and concise—vague words mean uncertainty and inadequate planning.

This part should not be longer than two pages except the company states otherwise.

Your conclusion is not a place for you to add new information. The purpose of composing a conclusion is to make a resonant statement about your overall subject. One or two paragraphs are enough for an excellent conclusion.

Post-writing Stage

1- editing and proofreading.

The last thing you want as an applicant is to make a wrong impression by submitting essays with grammatical errors. You have to double-check for possible misspellings, repetitions, and grammar errors. To edit efficiently, it is advisable to use editing tools online.

Tips To Take Note Of While Writing An Essay

Side from the step-by-step writing guide, there are essential things you need to pay attention to. The previously mentioned tips for writing a job application essay might not be as effective if these important tips are neglected.

● Adhere to every instruction in the essay prompt by the company. ● Never follow a generic writing template- originality is key. ● Avoid creating text in an excessively casual or formal tone. ● Don’t be scared of mentioning any skill that is relevant to your potential position. Avoid mentioning irrelevant skills.

Apart from showing professional skills to the company, essays should include some other details. Your paper writing should consist of your name, educational achievements, attained qualifications, past work experience, and field of expertise. Be bold and mention these details, regardless of the fact that they are in your resume and cover letter.

Furthermore, the length of your job application paper and the skills you mention depends on the position you are applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a secretarial role, you have to say your interpersonal skills and the emotional intelligence class you took.

Even if you know about this activity, the company’s preferences and specific prompts should prioritize.

How to Write an Essay about Your Dream Job

Any student in the course of their life is faced with the task of writing an essay about their dream job or about their future career. This type of essay is written in order to get into a college or university and show why you want to study a particular major. Future career essays are also used by scholarship organizations and are used to apply for financial aid.

This essay talks about your inspiration, life ambitions, and goals. These facts are important to academic institutions and employers because they want to know about your career goals and aspirations. You can also follow the link https://writememyessay.com/custom-essay/ and learn more about writing these types of essays. Let’s begin!

Start Your Successful Dream Job Essay

Step 1: think about your future career.

Know that scholarship organizations and universities do not expect you to be 100% confident about your future job. This is an essay about your dream career and that’s why you can set your goals high and write whatever you want. Try to answer these questions in your paper:

• What is your dream career? 
• What attracts you to it and why did you choose this particular direction?
• How did you learn about this job?
• What would you like to accomplish in this career?
• How can college help you achieve your goals?

Step 2: Research Your Topic

In any essay, whether argumentative or narrative, researching the topic is a very important step in writing a paper. You should have enough knowledge about the topic you want to research and only then can you start the writing process.

If your dream is to become a civil aviation pilot, then you should pick a related topic. Best college essay writing services recommend that you research your chosen field thoroughly. 

Researching the topic will really help you write your essay correctly and quickly, and those students who don’t, come to the conclusion that it is still a necessary step.

Step 3: Outline an Essay

Essay writers insist that you make a writing plan. Before you start writing an essay about your dream job, take a sheet of paper and write down the main points you want to talk about in the paper. This will help you keep the main idea and structure the essay properly. Also, your essay should be divided into three parts – introduction, main body, and conclusion.

Introduction

In your introduction, you should formulate and write a thesis statement that can grab the reader’s attention. Use strong vocabulary. Your introduction should be short and clear. Do not write too much in this part, as it is not the most important part of your essay.

The Main Part

This is where you can let your imagination run wild and write. Include here your motivation, goals, and personality traits that you will use in your future career. It is also a good idea to use examples from your life to back up your words.

This part of the essay should also be as short as the introduction. Finish your essay based on the main point and leave the reader with something interesting to think about.

Step 4: Finish Your Essay: Revision, Proofreading and Citations

And the last step in writing your dream job essay is proofreading and editing. After writing, paper writing services recommend not being lazy and rereading your entire paper to correct any flaws. This way, you will be sure that you haven’t made any mistakes.

Moreover, you can ask your family, friend, or essay service to read your essay and give you feedback.

And don’t forget about citations that you can add to your work and make it more credible. Insert citations in the text, readers will definitely like it.

Final Words

An essay about your dream job is actually a serious paper that requires preparation and knowledge. Any mistakes made in it can affect your admission and future. To prevent this from happening, you can turn to professionals from essay writing services, to whom you will give your main idea and they will do the rest for you.

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How to Write an Awesome Essay About Your Career Goals

• Before you begin, ask yourself a few key questions like:
• What are my short-term and long-term career goals?
• Where do I see myself in ten years?
• What events in my life have led me to have these goals?
• What major will help me reach my goals?
• What skills do I need to reach my goals?
• What impact do I want to have on society?

Career Goals Essay Template

Need more inspiration.

After you brainstorm the responses to these questions, look for common themes, or pick out the most interesting stories. You can build your main essay “thesis” or idea around this.

Once you’ve got the main idea, create an outline to put your ideas into essay format. This will give you a general idea of structure.

You can use the career essays template below to give you some ideas. But remember that some rules are meant to be broken, so don’t be afraid to be innovative and think outside the box!

Also, when you’re done, head over to Going Merry to apply for the Career Goals scholarship essay bundle (one essay, one application, multiple scholarships!). You might as well make that essay count. Sign up for Going Merry to apply for scholarships more efficiently.

Here’s a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown:

Paragraph 1 : Establish the main theme of what you’re going to talk about. It should also grab the reader’s attention. For example, instead of starting your essay with something generic (e.g. Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be a zoologist), get creative with it! Try something like My greatest memory as a young girl was going to the zoo for the first time or While most kids play house or school, I always wanted to play zookeeper.

Paragraph 2 : Elaborate on what inspired your career goals. Perhaps it was a relative, a TV show, or simply an experience that you had. Remember that old writing adage, “Show, don’t tell.” In other words, try to demonstrate your interest with story or description. 

Paragraph 3 : Discuss your short-term career goals and your intended major. How will your intended major help you reach these goals? What skills do you need to learn to reach them? At the end of the paragraph, try discussing how your short-term goals can help you achieve your long-term goals.

Paragraph 4 : Focus on your long-term goals and the impact that you hope to have on society. If you’re not sure what your long-term goals are, don’t sweat it; they’ll probably change anyways. You can instead focus on the difference you’d like to make overall. And don’t worry too much about the size of the impact…remember that just doing what you’re truly passionate about has a massive impact on those around you.

The last paragraph is your conclusion. You can use this paragraph to summarize what you discussed in the previous few paragraphs. If you want to be even more creative, try ending your essay with a question for your readers or a new insight. Good luck!

And now that you’re ready with that essay, put it to good use! You can recycle that same essay, when applying for the Career Goals Scholarship Bundle. We’ve joined together multiple scholarships (all requesting essays on career goals), into just ONE simple application! See more info here , or just sign up to get going.

Check out examples from other students just like you. Here are links to some great career goal essay examples:

• Example 1  
• Example 2  
• Example 3  

Or maybe you’re looking for help with an academic goals essay — we’ve got you covered there too.

Also, check out this helpful list of the 10 most common scholarship essay topics !

Sign up for Going Merry today, and upload your career goal essay right to your profile. It’s that easy!

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• Knowledge Base
• How to write an essay introduction | 4 steps & examples

How to Write an Essay Introduction | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on February 4, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on July 23, 2023.

A good introduction paragraph is an essential part of any academic essay . It sets up your argument and tells the reader what to expect.

The main goals of an introduction are to:

• Catch your reader’s attention.
• Give background on your topic.
• Present your thesis statement —the central point of your essay.

This introduction example is taken from our interactive essay example on the history of Braille.

The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability. The writing system of raised dots used by visually impaired people was developed by Louis Braille in nineteenth-century France. In a society that did not value disabled people in general, blindness was particularly stigmatized, and lack of access to reading and writing was a significant barrier to social participation. The idea of tactile reading was not entirely new, but existing methods based on sighted systems were difficult to learn and use. As the first writing system designed for blind people’s needs, Braille was a groundbreaking new accessibility tool. It not only provided practical benefits, but also helped change the cultural status of blindness. This essay begins by discussing the situation of blind people in nineteenth-century Europe. It then describes the invention of Braille and the gradual process of its acceptance within blind education. Subsequently, it explores the wide-ranging effects of this invention on blind people’s social and cultural lives.

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Table of contents

Step 1: hook your reader, step 2: give background information, step 3: present your thesis statement, step 4: map your essay’s structure, step 5: check and revise, more examples of essay introductions, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about the essay introduction.

Your first sentence sets the tone for the whole essay, so spend some time on writing an effective hook.

Avoid long, dense sentences—start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

The hook should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of the topic you’re writing about and why it’s interesting. Avoid overly broad claims or plain statements of fact.

Examples: Writing a good hook

Take a look at these examples of weak hooks and learn how to improve them.

• Braille was an extremely important invention.
• The invention of Braille was a major turning point in the history of disability.

The first sentence is a dry fact; the second sentence is more interesting, making a bold claim about exactly  why the topic is important.

• The internet is defined as “a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities.”
• The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education.

Avoid using a dictionary definition as your hook, especially if it’s an obvious term that everyone knows. The improved example here is still broad, but it gives us a much clearer sense of what the essay will be about.

• Mary Shelley’s  Frankenstein is a famous book from the nineteenth century.
• Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement.

Instead of just stating a fact that the reader already knows, the improved hook here tells us about the mainstream interpretation of the book, implying that this essay will offer a different interpretation.

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Next, give your reader the context they need to understand your topic and argument. Depending on the subject of your essay, this might include:

• Historical, geographical, or social context
• An outline of the debate you’re addressing
• A summary of relevant theories or research about the topic
• Definitions of key terms

The information here should be broad but clearly focused and relevant to your argument. Don’t give too much detail—you can mention points that you will return to later, but save your evidence and interpretation for the main body of the essay.

How much space you need for background depends on your topic and the scope of your essay. In our Braille example, we take a few sentences to introduce the topic and sketch the social context that the essay will address:

Now it’s time to narrow your focus and show exactly what you want to say about the topic. This is your thesis statement —a sentence or two that sums up your overall argument.

This is the most important part of your introduction. A  good thesis isn’t just a statement of fact, but a claim that requires evidence and explanation.

The goal is to clearly convey your own position in a debate or your central point about a topic.

Particularly in longer essays, it’s helpful to end the introduction by signposting what will be covered in each part. Keep it concise and give your reader a clear sense of the direction your argument will take.

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As you research and write, your argument might change focus or direction as you learn more.

For this reason, it’s often a good idea to wait until later in the writing process before you write the introduction paragraph—it can even be the very last thing you write.

When you’ve finished writing the essay body and conclusion , you should return to the introduction and check that it matches the content of the essay.

It’s especially important to make sure your thesis statement accurately represents what you do in the essay. If your argument has gone in a different direction than planned, tweak your thesis statement to match what you actually say.

To polish your writing, you can use something like a paraphrasing tool .

You can use the checklist below to make sure your introduction does everything it’s supposed to.

Checklist: Essay introduction

My first sentence is engaging and relevant.

I have introduced the topic with necessary background information.

I have defined any important terms.

My thesis statement clearly presents my main point or argument.

Everything in the introduction is relevant to the main body of the essay.

You have a strong introduction - now make sure the rest of your essay is just as good.

• Argumentative
• Literary analysis

This introduction to an argumentative essay sets up the debate about the internet and education, and then clearly states the position the essay will argue for.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

This introduction to a short expository essay leads into the topic (the invention of the printing press) and states the main point the essay will explain (the effect of this invention on European society).

In many ways, the invention of the printing press marked the end of the Middle Ages. The medieval period in Europe is often remembered as a time of intellectual and political stagnation. Prior to the Renaissance, the average person had very limited access to books and was unlikely to be literate. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century allowed for much less restricted circulation of information in Europe, paving the way for the Reformation.

This introduction to a literary analysis essay , about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein , starts by describing a simplistic popular view of the story, and then states how the author will give a more complex analysis of the text’s literary devices.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale. Arguably the first science fiction novel, its plot can be read as a warning about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, and in popular culture representations of the character as a “mad scientist”, Victor Frankenstein represents the callous, arrogant ambition of modern science. However, far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to gradually transform our impression of Frankenstein, portraying him in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Your essay introduction should include three main things, in this order:

• An opening hook to catch the reader’s attention.
• Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
• A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.

The length of each part depends on the length and complexity of your essay .

The “hook” is the first sentence of your essay introduction . It should lead the reader into your essay, giving a sense of why it’s interesting.

To write a good hook, avoid overly broad statements or long, dense sentences. Try to start with something clear, concise and catchy that will spark your reader’s curiosity.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

The structure of an essay is divided into an introduction that presents your topic and thesis statement , a body containing your in-depth analysis and arguments, and a conclusion wrapping up your ideas.

The structure of the body is flexible, but you should always spend some time thinking about how you can organize your essay to best serve your ideas.

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How to Write an Essay about Your Skills

If you’re aiming to write a meaningful essay about your skills, you’re in the right place!

Writing an essay about your skills allows you to showcase your talents, abilities, and the experiences that have helped you develop them. In this tutorial, I will guide you through five simple steps to write an effective essay about your skills. Additionally, we’ll use a sample essay to illustrate how these steps work in action.

Let’s do this!

Step 1. Plan the word count for your essay’s paragraphs.

The first step is crucial for simplifying your writing process. You’ll know precisely how many words each paragraph will contain, making the process more efficient.

Essays generally consist of three main parts:

• The introductory paragraph
• Three body paragraphs
• The concluding paragraph

For example, if you want a 300-word essay, here’s a way to distribute 300 words across five paragraphs:

That’s all you need for your essay — five nice paragraphs.

Step 2. Select your main idea and supporting points.

You’ll need a central idea to anchor your essay. Begin by thinking about your skills. What are you good at? What experiences have helped you to develop these skills?

For instance, are you a leader? You might be good at decision-making, problem-solving, and inspiring others.

Your skills and experiences form the thesis of your essay.

For our sample essay, let’s use: “My skills in communication, problem-solving, and team collaboration have been honed through my experiences in various roles.”

We’ll then apply the Power of Three to break this main idea into three supporting points. The Power of Three is a three-part structure that helps you craft your body paragraphs.

Here are our three supporting points:

• Communication has always been one of my strengths.
• Problem-solving skills have been crucial in my personal and professional life.
• Team collaboration has helped me achieve more than I could alone.

With this, we’re ready to start writing our essay. On to the next step!

Step 3. Write the introductory paragraph.

To write an introductory paragraph , just follow the diagram below:

Write an introduction that briefly sets the context of the essay. Then, write your thesis and three supporting points.

Here’s an example:

Introductory Paragraph “Different experiences help us develop and hone various skills. For me, my skills in communication, problem-solving, and team collaboration have been honed through my experiences in various roles. Communication enables me to interact effectively with others. Problem-solving allows me to navigate challenges effectively, and collaboration has helped me achieve more than I could alone.”

Step 4. Write the body paragraphs.

Our essay will have three body paragraphs to expand on our supporting points.

Each body paragraph starts with a topic sentence, then explains and illustrates your point using examples.

Paragraph 1 “Communication has always been one of my strengths. It has enabled me to create and maintain strong relationships, both personally and professionally. For instance, during my time as a project manager, I had to communicate effectively with team members, stakeholders, and clients to ensure the project’s success.”

Paragraph 2 “Problem-solving skills have been crucial in my personal and professional life. They’ve allowed me to tackle complex situations and find effective solutions. For example, during a major project, we encountered unexpected technical issues. My problem-solving skills enabled me to devise a plan to resolve these issues without delaying the project’s completion.”

Paragraph 3 “Team collaboration has always been an integral part of my success. By working closely with others, I’ve been able to accomplish more than I could alone. While leading a project, my team and I managed to exceed our goals through effective collaboration and collective problem-solving.”

Step 5. Write the concluding paragraph.

The simplest way to write a conclusion is to paraphrase the points from your introduction. Let’s do this for our sample essay:

Conclusion “Our skills are shaped by our experiences. In my case, experiences in various roles have honed my skills in communication, problem-solving, and team collaboration. Communication has been vital for maintaining strong relationships, problem-solving has helped me navigate challenges, and collaboration has led me to achieve more.”

And we’re done! I hope this tutorial proves helpful in your essay writing journey.

Tutor Phil is an e-learning professional who helps adult learners finish their degrees by teaching them academic writing skills.

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A Guide to Writing an Essay for Job Interviews

Writing is a doorway into your mental perspective. Your written work will convey to the reader how you reason, how you debate, and how you support your point of view. This is why essays are integral parts of some job selection processes.

The subjects and topics of these essays mostly revolve around specific current affairs or political events. The more you understand the topic and have information about the event, the better your essay becomes.

Things to remember about Essay Writing

• The essay must be organized and presented so that interviewer can follow it easily. It also needs to be neat and free of any ambiguity. 
• The essay is not only a quiz on your understanding of specific facts. Your imagination, ingenuity, and ability to come up with original ideas will be put to the test. Hence, it must be written in an engaging, readable style. However, it must, most importantly, include your viewpoints on the matter at hand.
• Language proficiency does not develop immediately. It requires perseverance and effort. Your motivation to learn a language will impact how well you can communicate in it.
• In the wrong belief that we can produce a quality piece of work in the test room, many of us make the mistake of accumulating information and facts on the likely topics at the eleventh hour of preparation.
• What we must realize is that organizing information using the proper terminology will be a laborious task, especially under the strain of a deadline
• Improve your abilities by being enthusiastic about reading, taking an interest in expanding your knowledge base, and learning new words.
• The essay as a whole needs to flow naturally from one paragraph to the next so that the interviewer can sense the coherence, orderly flow, and arrangement of your ideas. Transitional words and phrases can be used to tie the paragraphs together.

Suggestions for Writing Effectively

Now let’s discuss some general ideas and tips for writing essays.

• Maintain proper structure: Start the essay with an introduction (or a problem), and then go on to give further information about the problem. The essay body should be between 86 and 90 percent in length, the introduction should be between 5 and 7 percent, and the conclusion should be between 5 and 7 percent.
• Don’t lose track of the subject: Remember the essay prompt. Remain focused on the topic. do not just cite examples or quotations and discuss side-events. Stay rooted in the problem or event you are discussing and then present your take on that very event.
• Practice is the key: Preparation is required before the examination phase to develop the ability to produce a decent essay. Writing is the key to a successful essay because it serves as the primary means of transferring thoughts from your head to paper. So don’t just read, start practicing writing essays before you write them for the real interview.
• Draw the readers’ attention: Your introduction’s opening line should spark the reader’s interest and stimulate their curiosity. When discussing a current affair or a political issue, it might be an intriguing question, a stunning reality, or a statement emphasizing the significance of the topic.
• Explain the background of your subject: The next step is to provide the context of the particular issue of current affairs or politics, so that the interviewer may grasp your argument. This may entail offering background information, providing an overview of the significance of discussions on the subject, and defining complex words. Don’t go into too much depth in the opening; you can go into more detail in your essay’s body.
• Be resourceful with your knowledge : In order to write a good article about current topics, you must understand that knowledge comes first. You need to know what is going on around you. Be precise when presenting your current affairs knowledge. Be precise in how you think about these incidents.

Mistakes to avoid in the Essays

You’ve probably got a clear idea about how to write an essay this far. That’s great! But you also need to be aware of the errors to keep away from. Your essays will be of much better quality if you can figure out how to avoid the following errors.

• Synthesis Writing, Not Analytical Essay Writing: If you’re writing about a current event, providing some background information can help to frame the subject. However, the majority of your essay should focus on your analysis. Don’t just summarise what happened.
• Too many arguments: The interviewer always expects you to provide solid justification for your thesis. Some people take this literally, and as a result, they write as many facts, figures, and quotations as they can. To make the thesis statement more credible, avoid adding unnecessary complexity to the article by making unrelated citings. Stick to the topic and state your case logically without factitively.
• Don’t sound contradictory: Be clear from the very first about your take on the event you are discussing. You may discuss different and relevant aspects of the issue you are discussing but don’t sound contradictory in the process. Don’t hold extremist opinions. Your essay should demonstrate how well-balanced, holistic, and analytical you are.

Useful Resources to learn about Current Events

Now, if you are wondering where and how to find the current events or relevant political issues that may be the potential topics of your essay, here are some cues for you.

• Consistency is necessary for the GA segment; daily newspaper reading is required.
• Keep concise records of significant news. The notes should be revised on a regular basis.
• Another way to stay up to date on current events is to subscribe to news networks or current affairs YouTube channels.
• You can read monthly magazines that are offered by different institutions if you don’t have time to read everyday current affairs. These periodicals can be found online and in PDF format.

So, these are everything you need to know about writing an essay on current and political issues; following the DOs and DONTs mentioned here you can create an excellent piece. But always keep in mind that before writing comes knowledge. There is no such thing as perfect writing but the more you are aware of your surroundings the easier it is for you to pen it down. Hence, keep reading, and stay updated to excel in your essay on such topics.  

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Essays About Dream Jobs: 6 Essay Examples Plus Prompts

If you are writing essays about dream jobs, read our essay examples and topic ideas to give you some inspiration.

What are the typical dream jobs that our friends say when we are young? “I want to become a successful actor!” or “I want to be a doctor to help people!” It might be painful to hear these words more often than not, but dreams are just dreams. Some will surely make it, but some will not due to several factors.

We’ve encountered people who shared their stories of determination and perseverance to achieve their goals. Some individuals choose to stop pursuing their dream job for their family or personal reasons. The most heartbreaking ones are those who realize that their dream job is not how they imagined it.

If you are writing an essay about dream jobs, here are 5 essay examples to help you write an insightful piece.

1. The Secret To Happiness At Work by Arthur C. Brooks

2. 10 things i wish i knew before pursuing my dream job by erin sullivan, 3. can a dream job become a nightmare by daisy buchanan, 4. a moment that changed me: i lost my dream job – and found unexpected success by david barnett, 5. even with a dream job, you can be antiwork by farhad manjoo, 6. when you have to quit your dream job to pursue your dream by laura yan, 1. what is your dream job, 2. how to land your dream job, 3. challenges in landing your dream job, 4. what do you want to accomplish in your dream job, 5. social challenges when pursuing your dream job, 6. dream job vs. high-paying job.

“ They find this statistic surprising because, like so many of us, they generally assume that to be satisfied, you must hold your dream job—one where your skills meet your passions, you make good money, and you are excited to get to work each day. No way 89 percent of people have this, right? ”

In his piece published by The Atlantic, Brooks questioned the concept of equivalence between having your dream job and being happy at work. He finds that satisfaction in an occupation boils down to three things – a sense of accomplishment, recognition, and work-life balance. Check out these essays about dreams and sleep .

“ Passion and drive will never fully soften stress or worry. It’s still work, and as a result, it still feels like work. When you do what you love, you’ll work many days in your life– it’ll just be more enjoyable. ”

Professional photographer Erin Sullivan reminds us that having your dream job doesn’t mean that everything will be easy. It will still require an amount of work and dedication. Believe it or not, there will still be challenges you have to overcome to succeed.

“I was still depending on someone else – my manager – to validate me and grant me eternal happiness, just like that perfect grade had been supposed to. Eventually, I quit that coveted role, having recognised that even in our biggest and best dreams, we can feel powerless and unhappy.”

Daisy Buchanan shares two stories – one from personal experience and another from her friend, Lizzie – which relays how being passionate about your dream job can increase being exploited at the office. Thankfully, the essay has a happy ending for both of them, as they can venture out into different roads and find that dreams are about more than work.

“I was devastated, as if a partner I had devoted myself to for more than a quarter of a century had suddenly told me they didn’t love me any more. I felt a crashing sense of impostor syndrome. Had I been fooling myself all these years? Was I not as good as I thought? Had I finally been found out?”

For an award-winning journalist like Barnett, losing his dream job after 26 years in the industry felt like the world’s end. As an unemployed 45-year-old with bills to pay and a family to provide for, the future looked terrifying. However, he was still good at writing, and an opportunity to utilize that came knocking at his door, which gave him a shot to pursue his dream job once again.

“It’s just that I now have space in my mind for a truth that my pre-pandemic workaholism never allowed me to consider — that even a dream job is still a job, and in America’s relentless hustle culture, we have turned our jobs into prisons for our minds and souls. It’s time to break free.”

Written in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, this New York Times opinion essay by Manjoo tackled how the pandemic transformed the American workforce’s way of thinking when it comes to jobs. Suddenly, a new opportunity for workers to get better compensation is at hand, and they quickly realize that there’s more to life than toiling day and night at work.

“Anger wouldn’t work, but silence wouldn’t, either. I thought about what I always valued: being honest, true to myself, my values. Speaking up even when it was hard. I was a bold and ambitious journalist, but in this office, that part of me had gone silent. I couldn’t let it be silent anymore.”

Everything was going well for Yan. She got her dream job with great pay, which allowed her to get a nice residence in New York and buy furniture for the first time. Everything clicked until it didn’t. In this piece, Yan chronicled how her seemingly perfect career turned into a nightmare and how she managed to cope after leaving it all behind.

Essay Prompts About Dream Jobs

Here are some essay prompts about the topic that might assist you in composing your piece.

You might be the one who was able to pursue the career you’ve been aiming for your whole life or the one who held it off either because of personal priorities or several other factors. In your essay, share what you aspired to become when you were young and try to look back on when you realized it. Finally, discuss how it influenced your life as you grew older.

You’ve managed to land your dream job and want to share the things you’ve learned to the new or up-and-coming graduates. Share the actions you undertook to increase their chances of joining you in the field. Did you build your network by attending conferences and talks, or by excelling during your internship? Talk about the attributes they should be looking for in a company, and consequently, what information should they include in their resume if they plan to apply. You can also include how to negotiate for the right compensation. Create a step-by-step instruction in essay form.

There are many reasons for a person to consider not pursuing their dream job. Is it because of financial constraints? Is it because of social and environmental factors? Ask yourself why some people stray off course in pursuing their passion. Discuss these challenges and obstacles and put in your two cents on how they’ll be able to overcome it.

If you’re stuck picking an essay topic, check out our guide on how to write essays about depression .

You pursued your dream job because you wanted to achieve something in the field. For example, did you become a doctor to be the first to cure cancer, or perhaps a lawyer who wanted to champion the poor? Talk about your primary motivation in getting your dream job and trying to insert what the future of your industry holds.

Trace your steps from when you’ve decided to go for your dream job. Write an essay sharing how your parents took this information. Did they support you or receive pushback? Share what you felt the first time you took a step into college surrounded by colleagues with the same aspirations. Was the competition friendly or fierce? Additionally, try to weigh the efficacy of joining a study group or studying alone. 

If there are any, go through the time when you encountered pressure from family or peers and share a lesson or two on how to control those moments of hesitation.

Consider writing an argumentative essay based on this dilemma. For example, try to talk to people who have chosen passion over money and vice-versa and dive into their level of contentment. Were they happy with the choice they made? Were there moments of regret, and would you have chosen differently? By the end, assess your situation and decide where you’ll stand if you were given this option.

Tip: If you liked this article and want to put these ideas into practice, check out our round-up of storytelling exercises .

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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