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How to Write a Proposal or Bid for a Job

Thursday, March 19, 2009
Related Tags: job | proposals | association | bid | gotoforms.com
 

Instructions

  • Step 1:
    Determine the format that others in your industry use for bids or proposals. If you belong to an association in your field (such as a marketing association or plumbers association) contact a representative from the association and ask for proposal examples.
  • Step 2:
    Purchase a blank proposal form if you are in a construction or fix-it type field. Triplicate proposal forms can be found at office supply stores like Staples or online at stores like gotoforms.com or simplyforms.
  • Step 3:
    Write a short proposal for construction or fix-it jobs. For jobs where the client is less informed about the type of work you do (such as a homeowner might be about electrician work) keep the proposal short and simple (one to two pages). Ensure that you include essential elements like type of equipment to be installed and exact repair work to be done. Ensure that the price is clearly labeled. (See Resources below.)
  • Step 4:
    Write a longer, detailed proposal for white collar job when the client is an informed consumer. If the client is expecting detailed content as a result of your work (such as a PR strategy), they will expect a detailed proposal. You should include information such as: "who we are," "project deliverables," "project time line" and "costs." Detailed proposals may be 5 to 20 pages in length. (See Resources below.)
  • Step 5:
    Ensure that all job and bid proposals have the following elements: the name of you/your company, your contact information, a description of the job being proposed, a clearly labeled price and a time line (e.g. that the bid must be accepted within a certain number of days).

Tips & Warnings

  • Job proposals are usually not binding. This means that you may be allowed to charge more for the work if the work warrants it. However, if this is the case, you must explicitly state in the job proposal that the terms and conditions may be subject to change.

Resources


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