RE: Showing Samples:

[<j-m -at- creativeoptions -dot- com>]

John, 

I truly love this approach. It is absolutely a great sales tactic. But I've
had some difficulty implementing it. I wonder if you might share some more
specific detail, though. The packaging, for one. What kind of portfolio do
you use? Where can that kind of portfolio be found? I've not found much more
than oversized portfolios designed for artists work.

I've tried using the equivalent of 3-ring binders with plastic sleeves and
tabs. But that proves most inadequate. How do you deal with published books,
CDs, 500-page technical manuals, etc? Not only are they bulky and cumbersome
but they are so inconsistent in size and girth as to be unwieldy. And, then,
what about online help manuals, websites and PowerPoint presentations? How
do you handle that? 

I figured I'd pull the specific samples / tabs that seemed most appropriate
for the interview discussion. My experience was giving the interviewer too
much - especially when you have a diverse variety of samples - simply
confused the interviewer. But, then when I limited the selection too much,
I've gotten pulled into a discussion on how I decided to format / paginate /
etc. and then the individual decided he didn't need to hire anyone. He could
do it himself. 

I've also taken to scanning pieces of projects - enough to give a taste of
the work without including everything. I then put the scanned images on a
mini-CDs to send ahead with my resume or to leave with the interviewer. Have
you tried this? Do you think it's effective?

Thanks in advance.

J-M



-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+j-m=creativeoptions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+j-m=creativeoptions -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of John Posada
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2006 1:22 PM
To: Robotti, Anne (Carlin); Marsha -dot- Kamish -at- shell -dot- com;
al -dot- geist -at- geistassociates -dot- com; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Showing Samples: WAS (Designing your
Documentation/WritingDepartment)

> > portfolio. When I try to show an interviewer some of my work and why 
> > it's good (blush) they aren't interested! It bums me out. And this 
> > is from people who end up hiring me.

I get them to want to see the portfolio by creating a mystery and
anticipation around it.

First, my portfolio is a 5inch thick black leather, zippered presenation
binder...that puppy cost me 80 bucks about 10 years ago.
It is quite heavy...in fact, I have a should strap on it...it's almost the
size of my computer briefcase, which I hang on the other shoulder.

When I walk into the interview, I make sure that when I place it on the
table or desk, it makes a nice solid "whump" sound and just a little desk
vibration. I then leave it alone. If they ask what is that, I say "My
portfolio." but nothing more.

So, we talk the normal interview talk. However, I notice that every one in a
while, their eyes wander to the portfolio on the desk...it's become the
proverbial "elephant in the room". Sooner or later, they ask to see what's
inside, which is all plastic sheeted pages and tabs according to 6 different
categories of writing; proposals, specifications, customer documentation,
internal technical documentation, etc.

I was in sales for about 18 years. I learned what every good sales oerson
learns...people don't buy the steak...they buy the sizzle.



John Posada
Senior Technical Writer

"I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never
actually known what the question is."
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