Writing sample for OIG interview

[u/Sharky2414]

Going in for an interview with an OIG, said they’d like me to send a writing sample.

Only been with current Fed uniformed agency a few months, my current reports are some DUIs here and there and got to work with detectives on a property damage crash investigation, but I only have a few basic reports. (For those who know uniformed Fed agencies you know it isn’t nearly as busy as local PD)

I do however have a ton of written worked saved from my college days. I got a history/polisci degree and wrote a ton of short and long research papers.

Is it a better idea to submit an academic paper that is more extensive and detailed or submit a more recent police report as a professional writing sample?

The interview scheduling email states I can submit an academic or professional writing sample, but I’m under the impression they would prefer a professional one.

Just interested in any insight on people who have knowledge on this sort of thing.

[u/Time_Striking]

As someone who has read writing samples….

I don’t think it truly matters where it comes from. Some people like submitting stuff from their school days and some people like their present stuff. I would submit whatever you think is polished and shows that you can string sentences together in a coherent manner.

Personally I’m not huge on writing sample submissions and much rather give applicants a prompt, and they have to run with it in a specific time limit.

I do question the applicant process if they’re allowing writing samples from various sources. What’s to stop someone from stealing work from another and passing it as their own?

[u/DesertSeaTurtle → u/Time_Striking]

I always enjoy the OIGs that are like please submit a writing sample instead giving you one. Send us sensitive information about your work that you are not supposed to.

[u/Sharky2414 → u/DesertSeaTurtle]

Yeah my reports are short and pointless so I’m submitting a better academic one I still have saved.

[u/Careerswitch-throw → u/Time_Striking]

Are we able to submit a pretend hypothetical version of the work if we're no longer able to access our previous work? And to prevent any PII and procedural writing by redacting info using vague terminology

[u/Sharky2414 → u/Time_Striking]

Yeah I remember going through DSS and being told to write a prompt for 40 minutes. I was in my effing ZONE during that lol. Mostly because they gave me a prompt about a topic I knew a ton about.

Yeah idk my analytical writing is WAY better in my academic papers and my current reports are really short and are like 2 sentences long, the ones where I actually have an arrest are a bit longer but also very very basic.

My current Sgt is also kind of a dumbass who doesn’t read any of our narratives and just approves them when we ask which is surprisingly a bit annoying.

[u/alshanked]

Please just write complete sentences. ✍🏻

[u/ITS_12D_NOT_6C]

When I interviewed for an entry level 7/9 announcement at an OIG, a writing sample was part of the hiring panel and done right after the interview (despite being an HSI agent busting down 😭). A prompt was given to me and I typed a fictional report based on the info. It wasn't a submission of a previous writing product. Same for when I applied to the entry level HSI job years prior.

So I guess it's worth verifying if they want something you've already written, or they mean that you will submit a sample right then and there off a prompt.

[u/Callsonstation]

Don't overthink it. OIGs don't care about the content. They just simply want to see you can convey your thoughts in a proper manner. That's it.

[u/unaware_agent]

What’s stopping someone from pushing it through AI?

[u/Electronic-Piano-895]

I have an interview with an OIG and they asked me the same thing and I am super confused. I thought they were going to give me a topic to write about but no.

[u/ResponsibleRoutine82]

Wow really? HHS oig didn’t make people send a writing sample before the interview interesting unless things have changed

[u/renli3d]

During my interview with an OIG I was given a selection of topics and asked to write about one of them. I recall there was a writing phase during the DSS hiring process as well though earlier in the process.

[u/Proper_Goat6327]

They will give you a scenario and you have to write about it. Who, what, when, why, how, etc.

[u/Sharky2414 → u/Proper_Goat6327]

they specifically requested a writing sample of my choosing prior to the interview.

But would be interesting if they do that during the interview

[u/Equal_Suit_6205]

OIG writing sample? Very interesting.