Introduction
If you want to move from a generic application to a shortlist invite, your writing sample executive assistant is one of the fastest ways to prove you can communicate clearly, anticipate needs, and represent leaders professionally. Candidates researching writing sample executive assistant best practices want concrete examples—emails, meeting minutes, and briefings—that replicate daily EA tasks and show judgment under pressure. This guide breaks down what to submit, how employers evaluate samples, tailoring tips, common pitfalls, and practice prompts so you leave interviews confident and prepared.
What types of writing samples should I submit?
Submit short, task-focused pieces that show the exact skills an executive assistant will use.
Hiring managers usually expect items that mirror on-the-job work: a professional email to reschedule a meeting, concise meeting minutes, an executive briefing one-pager, or a calendar-management note that clarifies priorities. A clean, redacted real example is best; if you can’t share real work, draft samples that use neutral placeholders and match the company tone. Templates that convert well include a subject line, one-sentence purpose, bulleted action items, and a clear closing with next steps.
Takeaway: Choose email, memo, minutes, or briefing samples that are short, real-feeling, and action-oriented to demonstrate immediate value.
How do hiring managers evaluate a writing sample executive assistant?
They judge clarity, concision, tone, and demonstration of judgment in context.
Evaluators scan for error-free writing first, then look for structure (subject + purpose), prioritized information, and tone matching the executive level. Hiring teams also test whether the sample anticipates questions and assigns owners or next steps. According to guidance from hiring resources, samples that show diplomacy, calendar sense, and the ability to summarize complex information score highly. Use a version that highlights how you manage ambiguity or conflicting priorities, and consider including a one-line context note above a sample to orient reviewers.
Takeaway: Proofread, structure, prioritize, and add context so your sample reads like a tool an executive would actually use.
How to customize your writing sample executive assistant for a company
Adapt format, tone, and industry context to mirror the employer’s communication style.
Before submitting, study the company’s public communications and job description language. For a finance executive, use precise numbers and formal tone; for a marketing leader, favor concise, persuasive language and collaborative next steps. Small signals—using the company’s meeting naming conventions or aligning acronyms—show attention to detail. If you can’t perfectly match proprietary terminology, adjust the formality and prioritize stakeholder clarity. Resources that walk through selection and tailoring provide helpful checklists for this step.
Takeaway: Mirror the company’s voice and priorities so reviewers see you as a natural fit from first glance.
Common mistakes to avoid in executive assistant writing samples
Avoid typos, excess length, and unclear next steps.
Common issues include overly casual language, missing action owners, and samples that read like internal notes rather than polished communication. Candidates also mistakenly submit multi-page drafts when a one-page summary would be stronger. Proofread aloud, trim every sentence to its purpose, and label the sample’s intended audience (e.g., “for CEO review”). Review guides recommend a two-stage check: content accuracy first, then tone and format. Small errors can overshadow otherwise great judgment.
Takeaway: Keep it concise, audience-focused, and meticulously proofread to prevent minor errors from undermining competence.
How to showcase soft skills through your writing sample
Use structure and phrasing to signal organization, discretion, and stakeholder empathy.
Soft skills are demonstrated when writing anticipates follow-up questions, balances transparency with discretion, and uses a calm, solution-focused tone. For example, a meeting summary that lists decisions, owners, and deadlines showcases organization; an email that declines a request while proposing alternatives displays diplomacy; a briefing that flags risks and mitigations shows judgment. Pair each sample with a one-line explanation of the goal and intended audience to highlight the interpersonal skill you intended to demonstrate.
Takeaway: Soft skills should be embedded in the sample’s structure—don’t just claim them; show them through decisions and formatting.
Real-life executive assistant writing prompts and exercises
Practice with job-like prompts to build speed and accuracy.
Try these exercises: draft an email rescheduling a board call while managing conflicting executive calendars; write 150-word minutes that capture decisions and next steps; summarize a two-page policy into a one-paragraph briefing for a C-suite audience. Practicing under a short time limit (20–30 minutes) helps simulate interview tests. Several guides provide prompt lists and practice templates to build muscle memory and confidence.
Takeaway: Use practical prompts and timed drills to make professional, audience-focused writing habitual.
How writing samples compare to other interview steps
A writing sample often demonstrates working judgment more directly than a resume or cover letter.
Resumes prove background; cover letters explain motivation; the writing sample shows how you’ll perform daily tasks and interact with stakeholders. Hiring panels sometimes weight a sample heavily for senior EA roles because it reveals tone, prioritization, and clarity under constraint. Treat the sample as a lived job audition—concise, actionable, and reflective of your best working voice.
Takeaway: Invest time in a strong sample—it's frequently the most direct evidence of on-the-job capability.
How employers prefer to receive and present writing samples
Send samples in a clean, professional format with clear context.
Preferred formats include a single PDF or a clearly labeled folder with a short preface that explains role, audience, and constraints. If applying through an online portal, follow upload specs and include a brief one-line context when there’s a free-text field. For interviews, be ready to present a sample and speak to the choices you made (tone, structure, and omitted details). Many career resources recommend redacting sensitive details and including placeholders like [Client Name] when necessary.
Takeaway: Present samples professionally with a short context blurb so reviewers can evaluate content quickly and fairly.
Examples of strong and weak writing samples
Strong samples are audience-focused, action-oriented, and error-free; weak ones are vague or verbose.
A strong email opens with one sentence purpose, lists required actions with owners and deadlines, and closes with a clear confirmation request. A weak sample buries the ask in paragraphs and lacks a timeline or responsible party. Use sample banks and evaluation checklists to compare your drafts against common employer expectations and refine structure and brevity.
Takeaway: Use a checklist to convert drafts into polished, executive-ready documents.
How to practice and get feedback on your writing sample
Iterate quickly: draft, time yourself, get feedback, revise.
Peer review and targeted feedback are invaluable. Use mock evaluations by former EAs or hiring managers, or leverage structured guides and edits that focus on tone, clarity, and prioritization. Several interview prep resources provide sample rubrics; align revisions to those scoring criteria to increase impact.
Takeaway: Frequent practice with real feedback accelerates improvement more than passive reading.
How Verve AI Interview Copilot Can Help You With This
Verve AI Interview Copilot offers real-time, context-aware coaching to refine your writing sample for executive assistant roles. The tool helps structure emails, memos, and briefings to match company tone, highlights clarity and action items, and suggests phrasing that demonstrates discretion and prioritization. Use it to practice timed prompts, receive concise feedback, and iterate quickly on samples you plan to submit. Try Verve AI Interview Copilot to make every draft interview-ready and aligned with hiring expectations.
What Are the Most Common Questions About This Topic
Q: What is the best type of sample to send?
A: A one-page email, memo, or meeting summary that shows decisions and next steps.
Q: Should I redact client names in samples?
A: Yes; replace with placeholders like [Client] or [Company] to protect confidentiality.
Q: How long should a writing sample be?
A: Keep samples to one page or 150–250 words for clarity and scanability.
Q: Can a cover letter substitute for a writing sample?
A: Not usually; a cover letter explains intent, but a sample shows on-the-job execution.
Q: How much time should I spend perfecting a sample?
A: Prioritize one polished sample over many rough drafts; quality beats quantity.
Conclusion
A focused, audience-aware writing sample executive assistant is one of the clearest ways to show you can handle priorities, communicate with leaders, and represent an executive’s voice. Use structured practice, tailored customization, and precise proofreading to make your sample stand out. Structure, clarity, and confidence in your writing prepare you for better interview outcomes. Try Verve AI Interview Copilot to feel confident and prepared for every interview.
