If you are looking for a new job or want to hire yourself out on a freelance basis, an employment proposal is a good way to explain why a company could benefit from your services even if they have not yet realized that they could use some help. The key to writing an employment proposal is to research what the company currently does and then explain why a new position would help business.

Writing an Employment Proposal 

Think of an employment proposal as a kind of business proposal. It shows an employer what you have to offer and shows them why your services would be good for business.

Keep the new position proposal document to a single page. This makes it easy to read and intriguing and shows the employer that you value her time. Identify a business problem the company has and show how your skills and experience can help solve it. List your past accomplishments to demonstrate your expertise.

There are four sections to an employment proposal. First, explain the benefits to the employer. Second, describe how you will provide the service. Third, describe yourself as the ideal person to do the job. Fourth, describe the employment conditions. To help you understand how to write one, take a look at these sample job proposals for a management position for social media and a food preparation expert for a corner store.

Benefit to the Employer

Explain how creating a position would benefit the organization. For example:

  • Increase revenue and/or reduce costs.
  • Improve workflow.
  • Complete tasks more efficiently.
  • Expand the business.
  • Generate publicity.

Corner Store Example

Your corner store already sells deli meats, cheese and an assortment of bread. With the construction of the new business buildings within walking distance, there are 400 office workers who are potential lunch-hour customers.

Proposal: Hire a food preparation expert for four hours each day to make a variety of ready-made sandwiches and sell them for $6 each. At a cost of approximately $4 per sandwich including labor and 50 to 80 sandwiches sold each day, this would provide your business with $100 to $160 per day in profit.

Social Media Example

Your clothing store caters to young professional women ages 18 to 40 but has a limited social media following.

Proposal: Hire a social media manager to increase online engagement and promote the store to your clientele. At a cost of $100 per week, you can not only make the store the talk of the town, but you can increase traffic flow and increase sales by approximately 20 percent.

Summarize How You Will Provide the Service

This section can be similar to how one would write any job description. Explain how you would perform the job and list the essential duties.

Corner Store Example

Your sandwich chef would begin making sandwiches at 10 a.m., serve them through the lunch period and then clean up until 2 p.m. Duties include:

  • Market the sandwich shop to local businesses.
  • Plan and create sandwiches.
  • Sell sandwiches from side counter from 11:00 to 1:00 p.m.
  • Clean preparation area and store leftovers.
  • Track all sales and ingredients used .

Social Media Example

Your social media manager will take photographs of new stock arrivals and advertise specials six days per week, reply to comments and engage with Facebook and Twitter followers. She will work with you on special online events, like "Bring a Friend Wednesdays," to increase store traffic during slow hours.

Describe the Ideal Candidate: You

Use your own experience, skills and education to describe the ideal person for the new job. This should be a short paragraph highlighting your qualifications, not your entire resume.

Corner Store Example

A graduate of the XYZ Culinary School, Peter Johnson is experienced in the preparation and presentation of a variety of meals, including appealing lunch menus. He has also taken courses in marketing to promote the business and excels at customer interactions to ensure every customer leaves with a smile and has reason to return.

Social Media Example

An expert at social media engagement, Sarah Perkins is the social media manager of two local businesses in your building. She has the experience and dedication to bring the success these businesses have received to your store.

Describe the Employment Conditions

Describe the times and days you will work and how much you want to be paid. If it's not already obvious, reiterate how the cost will benefit the employer.

Corner Store Example

Peter will work on a commission basis of $1 per sandwich, which will be included in the sale price. After one month, we should review the situation and if feasible, discuss adding additional items to the menu such as hot sandwiches or small hot meals.

Social Media Example

Sarah will work eight hours per week as needed from Monday to Saturday. She will work four hours per week on two days that you specify to take photographs and engage with store customers and social media followers live from the location. After two months, we will review the progress of the project to extend it or enhance it to ensure the operation is mutually beneficial.