Work samples
Table of Contents
Work samples are real or simulated deliverables candidates submit during hiring to demonstrate their skills, problem-solving, and job relevance.
Full Definition
Unlike resumes or interviews that focus on past achievements or verbal articulation, work samples assess what a candidate can actually do. They offer a tangible preview of how someone thinks, solves, and delivers in the specific context of a role.
Work samples can take many forms — writing a blog post, designing a landing page, submitting code, drafting a product strategy, or preparing a report. They might be real (from past work) or fictional (assignment-based), and are particularly effective in async hiring processes where communication is written-first.
They’re often used in later stages of the funnel, after initial screening, and help reduce bias by shifting focus to deliverables over credentials. However, poorly designed work samples risk being too time-consuming, unscored, or misaligned with the actual role.
Use Cases
- SaaS marketing hires — Asked to write a sample LinkedIn post or product email.
- Product designers — Redesign part of an existing product and explain decisions.
- Developers — Complete a short repo-based task with clear acceptance criteria.
- Sales roles — Record a pitch or discovery call simulation.
- Writers/Editors — Submit a blog draft or edit an existing article.
- Ops & strategy hires — Create a dashboard mockup or workflow playbook.
Visual Funnel
Application → Initial Screen → Work Sample Assigned → Submitted & Reviewed → Final Interview → Offer
Frameworks
- 3S Work Sample Design
- Specificity — Tasks should mirror real job deliverables
- Scoring rubric — Predefined, role-relevant criteria
- Scope — Manageable time commitment (1–3 hours max)
- Async Simulation Model
- Evaluate not just task output, but communication clarity, prioritization, and autonomy
- Blind Review Protocol
- Strip identifying info and use structured rubrics to reduce bias
- Paid Pilot Project
- Compensated micro-engagements for senior roles or niche hires
Common Mistakes
- Unrealistic workload — Assignments that take 6+ hours turn off top talent
- Lack of scoring rubric — Leads to subjective evaluation
- Misaligned tasks — Projects don’t reflect actual job requirements
- Free labor optics — If task feels like uncompensated client work, it damages brand
- Poor feedback loops — Candidates left in the dark post-submission
Etymology
The term "work sample" originated in industrial and organizational psychology, where job simulation tests were used as early as the 1950s to predict job performance. Its usage surged in the tech and startup world in the 2010s as a counter-response to resume-based and degree-first hiring.
Localization
- EN: Work samples
- DE: Arbeitsproben
- FR: Échantillons de travail
- ES: Muestras de trabajo
- UA: Зразки роботи
- PL: Próbki pracy
Comparison: Work samples vs CV screening
Mentions in Media
Indeed explains that a work sample is a finished product a candidate submits during hiring to demonstrate skills, experience, and job fit.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management
U.S. Office of Personnel Management defines work sample tests as tasks mirroring real job activities to evaluate how accurately applicants perform duties.
University of California, Davis
University of California, Davis states that work samples verify critical skills and knowledge drawn from the job description as part of hiring decisions.
UCOP explains that work samples are prior-produced work examples that must be job-related and objectively assessed by hiring managers.
JSG Blog emphasizes that work samples allow candidates to show their skills practically while avoiding tasks that exploit intellectual property.
StaffingAdvisors explains that work sample tests involve small, realistic work tasks to evaluate competence in context.
KPIs & Metrics
- Completion Rate — Percentage of candidates who complete the work sample task (indicates clarity and feasibility).
- Pass Rate — Proportion of submissions that meet quality benchmarks.
- Time to Review — Average time it takes evaluators to assess submissions.
- Correlation to On-the-job Performance — Long-term tracking to validate predictive value.
- Candidate Satisfaction — Feedback score from applicants on fairness and relevance.
Top Digital Channels
- Notion — For assignment briefs and submission.
- Google Docs/Sheets — Universal access for content, analysis, and review.
- Loom — Candidates record walkthroughs or video intros.
- GitHub — Code samples and versioned collaboration.
- Typeform — Submission interface with structured input fields.
- Miro — Visual boards for design or product strategy tasks.
Tech Stack
- Async Collaboration — Notion, Slack, Loom
- Submission Collection — Typeform, Google Forms, Airtable
- Evaluation Workflow — Trello, Linear, or custom ATS integrations
- Code Evaluation — GitHub, GitLab, CodeSandbox
- Design Reviews — Figma, Adobe XD, InVision
- Scoring Systems — Google Sheets + rubrics or internal scorecard tools
Understanding via Related Terms
Seeing work samples through the lens of skill matching shows how tangible examples of past projects help verify a candidate’s abilities for a specific role.
Relating work samples to verified candidate highlights how demonstrated work quality supports the validation of a candidate’s professional claims.
Understanding work samples alongside high-trust hiring demonstrates how reviewing actual deliverables builds confidence in a candidate’s capacity to perform.
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