How to Create a Job Proposal that Gets You Hired

Landing an interview, booking a consultation call, or even getting a prospect to respond can be exciting. But before that happens, you need to win the company’s interest and that’s often the hardest part.

With countless proposals, pitches, and inquiries flooding their inbox, decision-makers are selective about where they direct their attention. A generic, uninspired message won’t get you through the door. Instead, you need a job proposal that grabs attention, demonstrates value, and positions you as the right fit.

So, how do you craft such a proposal? In this article, you'll discover actionable steps and tips that will transform your pitch into a job-winning opportunity.  

What is a Job Proposal and When Should You Craft One? 

A job proposal is a document that explains why you should be hired and how you would approach the role. Unlike a standard job application, a job proposal can be solicited or unsolicited. 

An unsolicited job proposal means the company did not request it. Instead, a freelancer, consultant, or job seeker identifies an opportunity and pitches their skills for a role they believe would benefit the company. These proposals can be tricky; if not done well, they may appear pushy or spammy. To improve your chances, focus on companies that require your service as a pressing need.

On the other hand, solicited job proposals are those a company specifically requests. This happens when:

• A company posts an open request for proposals (RFPs) and asks candidates to submit their approach
• You apply for a job and they ask for a detailed strategy on how you’d handle the role

When should you use a job proposal? 

1. When Applying for Unadvertised or Hidden Job Opportunities: Many companies don't publicly post all their open positions, so a well-crafted job proposal can help you get in front and show you are fit for a role they may not have even realized they needed to fill
2. Freelance or Contract Work: When applying for gigs on platforms like Upwork or pitching to a potential client directly, a job proposal outlines your approach, pricing, and expertise
3. When You Have a Unique Skill Set or Expertise: If you possess specialized knowledge, experience, or capabilities that set you apart from the typical applicant pool, a job proposal showcases those differentiators and explains how you can uniquely benefit the company
4. Expanding Your Role: If you're already employed and want to propose a new position or additional responsibilities, a job proposal helps justify your request with clear benefits

Why You Should Take Job Proposals Seriously  

Job proposals give you a competitive advantage. Instead of competing with a sea of applicants, it allows you to bypass the crowd and catch the decision-maker’s attention before they even start hiring.

By identifying a company’s needs and offering a solution, you show initiative and come off as an expert. This also lets you create opportunities instead of waiting for them.

Additionally, job proposals allow you to design the kind of work you want. Rather than squeezing into a pre-defined role, you can tailor your pitch to match your strengths, interests, and career goals, putting you in the driver’s seat of your professional journey.

Key Elements of an Effective Job Proposal 

The recommended elements help ensure your proposal covers all the bases -  from grabbing attention to showing value. 

• Headline: It’s the first thing your recipient sees, so it must grab attention and immediately communicate the value of your proposal. For example, instead of "Marketing Strategy Proposal," something like "How a Targeted Email Campaign Can Boost Your Sales by 30 percent" makes a stronger impression. The goal is to make the recipient curious and eager to read further
• Introduction: This section is specifically important for unsolicited proposals. It quickly establishes relevance. It tells who you are and builds a connection with the company by referencing a shared interest, a recent company achievement, or an industry trend. Explain why you’re reaching out and, if applicable, mention a problem you’ve observed. This sets the stage for a proposal that feels personalized and thoughtful
• Executive Summary: If your proposal is detailed (several pages), use an executive summary to provide a high-level overview so the reader quickly understands your key points
• Problem Statement: Dig deep into the reason or problem you’ve mentioned. State its implication, why it needs immediate attention, and the reward of solving it. This not only validates your service but also builds trust
• Solution: Clearly state what you’re offering. Focus on tangible outcomes rather than vague promises. If you’re proposing a project, specify the milestones and how the results impact the business
• Execution Plan/Deliverables: Break down how you’ll get the work done. This structured approach reassures the recipient that your plan is not just an idea but something you can execute
• Budget and Pricing: This section ensures alignment between what you’re offering and what the company is willing to invest. If the company already states a set budget, acknowledge it and break down how your solution fits within and what it covers. If they haven't specified a budget, state yours or present pricing options with a breakdown of deliverables at each level
• Call to Action: End your proposal with a clear, direct request that guides the next steps. Your CTA should encourage the recipient to take action like scheduling a call, replying with feedback, or accepting an implementation timeline for solicited proposals

Note: While solicited job proposals may follow a structured format like this:

Unsolicited ones may require a more flexible structure and conversational tone to capture attention and keep the reader engaged, especially when sent via email. Also, they are often straight to the point (not more than one page).

Here’s an example of an unsolicited job proposal template.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k8lONv8XbQmVsdnlxYpZ2bVugz6yLTZqAFyu2B9asR0/edit?tab=t.0 

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Job Proposal 

Writing a job proposal can feel intimidating, especially when it's unsolicited, as there’s a chance it might be ignored. However, following the right steps can significantly improve your chances of success. Here’s how:

1. Do your homework: Research the company and understand its goal

Effective job proposals have two important qualities: specificity and relevance. Your proposal should feel so tailor-made that it seems nearly impossible to replicate it for another company. At the same time, it must address the company’s current challenges so precisely that hiring you feels like the obvious next step.

But you can’t achieve this level of precision without in-depth research. And no company wants to work with someone who didn’t take the time to understand their needs. The worst mistake? Getting a basic fact about the company wrong. Good research helps you avoid that, while also allowing you to:

• Identify Gaps: Understand what strategies they’ve tried before and why they didn’t work
• Speak Their Language: Use industry terms, align with their brand tone, and reflect their company values
• Spot Opportunities: Suggest timely and practical solutions to their current situation

So, where do you find these insights?

• Their Website: Read their mission, values, and overall brand messaging
• Social Media: Look at recent announcements, product launches, and the conversations they engage in
• LinkedIn: Identify decision-makers to help you address the right persons in your proposal
• Competitor Analysis: Find areas where your prospect could gain an edge
• Customer Reviews and Third-party Mentions: See how they’re perceived and what problems they may need help solving

Note that the amount of effort you put into this stage shows in your proposal. And when a company feels like you already understand them, you move from being another applicant to a solution.

2. Introduce yourself and why you deserve attention

Start your job proposal by clearly stating who you are and highlighting relevant experiences that connect to the solution you’re offering. The goal is to build credibility and grab the reader’s attention. This isn’t the time for a long list of achievements like a traditional CV. Instead, keep it punchy and focused on the most relevant experience to the need at hand.

A simple formula to nail this section is this:
Your Name (or Company Name) + Your Expertise ( or Service) + Connection to the Company

For example:

I’m Ben Bruce, a fractional content marketer for brands like Amazon and Google. I discovered your content through a search and was impressed by its quality. After reviewing your strategy, I identified several areas where immediate improvements could drive significant wins.

This approach shifts the focus from self-promotion and positions you as a problem solver. 

For a solicited job proposal, the intro in the contract proposal template above is perfect.

3. Show understanding of the job or problem

Now, it’s time to prove that you understand the company’s challenges. The more precise you are about the problem, the stronger your case for being the right person to solve it.

Ensure to point out a gap without sounding critical. Do this by acknowledging what they’re already doing well. This keeps your tone positive and frames your proposal as a collaborative opportunity rather than just pointing out flaws.

For example, if you're pitching a content marketing strategy, you might say:

I noticed that you're driving impressive website traffic, which is a strong indicator of your brand’s visibility. However, after analyzing your keywords, I found that you’re missing key monetization opportunities. Since CEO, Aimee James, announced the goal of doubling revenue this year, optimizing for high-intent keywords could help accelerate that growth.

This approach acknowledges their efforts while reassuring them that your proposal is rooted in real data and aligned with their goals.

You’ll also improve your chances if the problem you highlight is urgent and tied to immediate growth. Avoid pointing out problems they’re actively solving, deprioritizing, or unable to afford right now. For example, a startup with tight finances may not be ready to outsource its hiring process just yet.

Note: The given example is just an abridged version. You want to analyze the problem with sufficient detail to prove it deserves attention.

4. Propose your solution and state your deliverables

This section differentiates a job proposal from a random cold pitch. You should explain how you’ll solve the problem. However, your recommendations can’t be generic; you must attach them to tangible outcomes. 

Keep in mind that this doesn’t mean giving out your business secret or strategy for free. Instead, state your approach to solving the problem in a way that shows its value. Alternatively, you could offer to complete a pilot project at no charge to allow the company to see results before committing to further work.

After presenting your solution, structure your deliverables in a clear breakdown. For example:

Step 1: Content audit and research

• Review existing content to identify gaps and opportunities
• Conduct keyword research to target high-ranking search terms

Step 2: Content plan and strategy development

• Create a content calendar with optimized topics
• Define tone, style, and key messaging for consistency

Step 3: Content creation and optimization

• Write and optimize SEO-driven articles
• Ensure readability and engagement with strong calls to action

Step 4: Publishing and performance tracking

• Upload and format content for SEO
• Monitor analytics and adjust strategy for better results

You can also explain the relevance of each deliverable and, if possible, include a timeline to set clear expectations.

5. State your pricing

At this stage, you’ve demonstrated your understanding of the company’s needs, outlined your proposed solution, and deliverables. Now, it’s time to confidently state your pricing. Avoid vague or hesitant language when discussing your rates. Confidence reassures the client that your pricing reflects the value you bring. 

For example, For this project, my fee is $2,500, which includes all the deliverables mentioned.

You can also break down the deliverables and attach pricing to each. This adds transparency and helps the client understand the value behind each component.

If flexibility makes sense for the client, consider offering different packages or indicating whether you’re open to adjustments or phased payments.

For a solicited proposal, it’s best to ask about the budget beforehand. This prevents misalignment and saves time on negotiation. 

6. Close with a Call to Action

Whether your job proposal is solicited or not, you can get ghosted. But a strong closing that encourages a response can make a difference. Instead of something passive like "Let me know your thoughts," make it easy for the recipient to take the next step. 

A better way to phrase it might be, "Would you be open to a 15-minute call next week to discuss how we can make this work?" This keeps the conversation moving forward rather than open-ended.

Create the Job Proposal that Delivers Your Next Big Opportunity

Writing a job proposal, especially as a beginner, takes effort but it’s worth it. The key is to approach it with confidence, clarity, and a focus on real business value.

Don’t make the mistake of writing a vague, unfocused proposal that could apply to any company. A strong proposal should feel so specific and relevant that it’s clear you’ve put real thought into it. It should make the hiring manager or decision-maker think, “This is exactly what we need.”

Even if you don’t get an immediate response, that doesn’t mean your proposal wasn’t effective. Decisions can take time and follow-ups can make all the difference. Treat each proposal as a learning opportunity, refine your approach, improve with every pitch, and keep going.

If a company doesn’t see the value you bring, move on to the next one. The right opportunity will come.

FAQ

What is the format of a job proposal?
A job proposal typically includes a headline, introduction, problem statement, proposed solution, deliverables, pricing, and a call to action.

How do you write a simple job proposal?
Focus on the company’s needs, outline your solution clearly, highlight expected results, and end with a strong CTA. Keep it concise and specific.

What makes a job proposal effective?
Personalization, clear value, a structured plan, and confidence. It should feel tailor-made and make hiring you the obvious choice.