Re: "Writing samples" for an editor...

Subject: Re: "Writing samples" for an editor...
From: Tom Murrell <trmurrell -at- yahoo -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 27 Jul 2001 04:59:57 -0700 (PDT)

--- jhoadley -at- gol -dot- com wrote:
> I have been working as a Technical Editor at a Japanese company for the
> last 4 years. I am trying to return to the US, but I haven't had much luck.
> The few employers who have been willing to accept the fact that I'm
> relocating from overseas have demanded "writing samples." Since I'm an
> editor, and not a writer, I have very few of those. I do have some "before
> and after" copies of documents to which I have made major changes. Is it
> acceptable to send those instead? For those of you have have made hiring
> decisions before, what would you think if you received documents like
> that?

It's not clear to me whether you're looking at technical editing or technical
writing? If you're applying for TE positions and they're asking for "writing
samples" perhaps they want to see some before and after examples of your work.

Whatever the circumstances, if you send examples of work you've edited, you
need to make sure you clearly indicate that fact so that no one thinks you've
actually written the samples you are providing.

As to what I would think about receiving such documents, that would depend on
the circumstances. As I said above, if you were applying for an editorial
position, I would ask for examples of your editing work, although I might just
as well discuss style guides and editorial philosophy. If you were applying for
a technical writing position, I would NOT want to see work you had edited; I
would want to know how well you can write.

=====
Tom Murrell
Lead Technical Writer
Alliance Data Systems
Columbus, Ohio
mailto:tmurrell -at- columbus -dot- rr -dot- com
Personal Web Page - http://home.columbus.rr.com/murrell/
Page Last Updated 07/15/01

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