Inappropriate interview....(Long but I'm venting so it's ok)

[DWeber <dweber -at- HARRIS -dot- COM>]

     I had a rather annoying interview last night, over the phone.  I was
     called by a human resource person from a private company to "screen"
     me before I go to a formal interview with the company I'm interested
     in.  She asked me about 5 technical writing related questions...then
     started prodding into work environment questions.

     Now, I've had quite a few technical phone interviews before...and
     NEVER was a I asked the questions that were asked to me.  These are
     only a few of the inappropriate questions (at least in my eyes).


     1. Describe a time that you acted totally inappropriate and
     nonprofessional  in your work environment....and what was the end
     result?


     2.  What are some criticisms that have been given to you about your
     work?


     3.  Describe a time when you tried to persuade another worker to
     "conform" to your standards...and lost the arguement.


     The list goes on, and on.  Tell me, are ANY of these personal
     questions appropriate for a technical interview...or any interview at
     ALL??????  I feel that if they want to know how you react in certain
     situations they should give you hypothetical scenarios such as "What
     would you do if ....."  Not ask for personal, very specific incidents.
     Also, what do these questions have to do with my skills and
     professional ability to do the job?   And if you notice, these
     question seem to linger on NEGATIVE qualities.  I don't get it.

     I'm kicking myself in the rear-end for actually answering these
     questions (45 minutes worth).


     And get this, when I was asked one of the few actual technical
     questions, "What is an online helpsystem?", I proceeded to answer her
     using technical terminology.  She responded by saying, "Yeah, and I'm
     supposed to know what that means?"  Well then, maybe you shouldn't be
     giving the damn interview!!!!!


     ARGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!


     What do you all think?  Should a write a nasty letter to the company
     describing the interview process?


     Thanks,
     Diana Moran

     Ps:  I was also asked "When would you NOT use a SANS Seriff font?"
     I've been a tech writer for 4 yrs, and honestly I felt this was a
     "preference" question.  Is there a real answer?


     Also, she asked me to name a reference book that tech writers commonly
     refer to for guidance.  I told her a Style Guide and Standards Manual.
      She said no, she was looking for a specific title.  I asked, "Have
     you been to the bookstore lately?  There are many."  Is there a
     specific GODDLY book?

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