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If an employer / judge asks for a writing sample and they specify a maximum length, does it look bad to submit something roughly half of that length?

I don't think it looks bad. Of course, depends on the length.

Maximum 10 pages, what I would like to use is about 5 and 1/4 pages.

Only if you print it on resume paper, so the extra weight will carry it further down the staircase they use to weed out applicants.

kalvano wrote:Maximum 10 pages, what I would like to use is about 5 and 1/4 pages.

Sounds good to me. Quality over quantity.

Yes. A small one can definitely be a disadvantage, especially when it causes loss of self-confidence.

Bedsole wrote:Only if you print it on resume paper, so the extra weight will carry it further down the staircase they use to weed out applicants.

I know this is a joke, but some judges take writing samples really seriously. The judge I'm extending for now had a bunch of parts highlighted, noted things in the margins, and gave me very specific feedback about specific sections/cases. This might be a total anomaly, but some judges are very conscious of your writing.

ilovesf wrote:

Bedsole wrote:Only if you print it on resume paper, so the extra weight will carry it further down the staircase they use to weed out applicants.

I know this is a joke, but some judges take writing samples really seriously. The judge I'm extending for now had a bunch of parts highlighted, noted things in the margins, and gave me very specific feedback about specific sections/cases. This might be a total anomaly, but some judges are very conscious of your writing.

Freudian slip?

fish52 wrote:

ilovesf wrote:

Bedsole wrote:Only if you print it on resume paper, so the extra weight will carry it further down the staircase they use to weed out applicants.

I know this is a joke, but some judges take writing samples really seriously. The judge I'm extending for now had a bunch of parts highlighted, noted things in the margins, and gave me very specific feedback about specific sections/cases. This might be a total anomaly, but some judges are very conscious of your writing.

Freudian slip?

iPhone auto correct. Totally didn't notice.

ilovesf wrote: I know this is a joke, but some judges take writing samples really seriously. The judge I'm extending for now had a bunch of parts highlighted, noted things in the margins, and gave me very specific feedback about specific sections/cases. This might be a total anomaly, but some judges are very conscious of your writing.

Oh, I agree. The judge I externed for reviewed my writing sample before hiring me and again after hiring me so she could determine my level of expertise before deciding what type of assignment to give me. I was merely commenting on how strange and arbitrary hiring sometimes feels as an applicant.

Bedsole wrote:

ilovesf wrote: I know this is a joke, but some judges take writing samples really seriously. The judge I'm extending for now had a bunch of parts highlighted, noted things in the margins, and gave me very specific feedback about specific sections/cases. This might be a total anomaly, but some judges are very conscious of your writing.

Oh, I agree. The judge I externed for reviewed my writing sample before hiring me and again after hiring me so she could determine my level of expertise before deciding what type of assignment to give me. I was merely commenting on how strange and arbitrary hiring sometimes feels as an applicant.

Oh yeah. My judge straight up said if you passed the grade/writing threshold all she wanted was someone nice to talk to. I feel like a lot of legal hiring is like that though.

Thanks for the replies. I went with the shorter sample. Even though it's slightly less analysis, it's far more polished. Besides, a judge might appreciate brevity instead of trying to fill all 10 pages.

ilovesf wrote: Oh yeah. My judge straight up said if you passed the grade/writing threshold all she wanted was someone nice to talk to. I feel like a lot of legal hiring is like that though.

My judge flat out told me I got the interview because she had a good experience with an extern who had a science degree, and she wanted to see if she could duplicate the results.

Its not the size, it's what you can do with it