What type of file should my writing sample be?

[36c8c7dd]

I'm about to send my first samples to a job listing, but I don't know what type of file they should be.

Should they be PDFs or should they be in Word? Or something else entirely? 

[prestonhunter]

re: "What type of file should my writing sample be?"

Upwork does not specify.

So it is up to you to use whatever you want to use, as long as the user interface phyiscally allows it.

You might want to include a mix of documents.

And think about what your PURPOSE is in posting portfolio pieces:

Is your purpose to try to get hired as a Microsoft Word professional, who knows how to use fancy MS Word features such as auto-direct reverse osmosis mode with two-factor cooporative overlay? And you realize that many people don't use Microsoft Word at all, but those people aren't your target clients.

Or is your goal to get hired as a WRITER, whose only qualification is the written word? In which case you could upload a pure ascii text file.

A PDF file would allow you to highlight your writing with some minimal formatting, and is a format that is widely accepted and readable.

[pgiambalvo]

Hard to go wrong with PDF's, especially when formatting is important.