FW: Writing samples: what to look for

["Chung, Emily" <Emily -at- INTERWORLD -dot- COM>]

John-
I strongly agree with everything you stated below. I believe in the "big
black book" and think that it shows good organization and
professionalism when interviewing. However, I do think that many
interviewers like to see production-quality manuals rather than loose
pages. You can still point out important pages from the printed manual.
I've found that many interviewers like to see that I have produced
high-quality, bound, printed, and all together finished manuals. Thanks
for the tips!

Emily Chung
Sr.Technical Writer, InterWorld Corporation
http://www.interworld.com


> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Posada [SMTP:posada -at- FAXSAV -dot- COM]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 1998 12:32 PM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      Re: Writing samples: what to look for
>
> This response caught my attention because I DO have a portfolio...It
> IS =
> a "big black [leather] book with writing samples arranged in a pretty
> =
> package." The leather binder alone cost me about 80 bucks...heavy
> thick =
> leather with a good zipper.
>
> It also has a number of other sections, each with custom tabs,
> including =
> formatted list of references, resume, letters of commendation, letters
> =
> of references, awards, and emails containing strong compliments.  I
> then =
> have three sample sections: hardcopy output, electronic output (such
> as =
> web pages), and presentation output (PowerPoint/speaker's notes-type =
> stuff).  The sample section comprises about 50% of the total volume,
> and =
> the sample section has maybe 60 pages of material.
>
> My reasoning is this.
>
> First, having an extensive sales background (maybe 15-18 years), I
> know =
> that you cannot have a "steak without its sizzle".  By packaging the =
> material, it gives the impression that it is "major stuff" and very =
> important to me (so it should be important to you)..as opposed to =
> "grabbed" and "thrown" (sorry, but that is the mindset I specifically
> =
> want to avoid...if you grab and throw your stuff, how do I know you =
> won't to the same with MY stuff?).  In addition, by it not being
> loose, =
> it eliminates the awkward situation when the client asks (or doesn't =
> ask) if they can keep some or all of the samples. I NEVER LEAVE
> SAMPLES.
>
> Second, Let's face it...If I want to see 150 page book, I'll contact =
> Amazon.  You cannot walk an interviewer through a document that big
> and =
> give it justice, so why bring it.  However, depending on publication,
> I =
> may take 10-15 pages out of it and add it to my portfolio...TOC,
> Index, =
> Introductory section, and some pages throughout with strong visual =
> impact or especially complex wording/layout/ material that you want to
> =
> point out.
>
> I will then PRESENT my portfolio during the meeting...however, not
> until =
> I've said everything I want to say that doesn't depend on the
> portfolio. =
>  As soon as you place something in their hands, they've stopped
> hearing =
> you (sales 101 and don't think that your primary reason for being
> there =
> isn't to sell a product and the product is you...your portfolio is
> your =
> brochure).
>
> I have my portfolio right next to me on my desk.  You know from =
> experience that sometimes, you will look at something you've produced
> =
> and think to yourself "Hot-damn...I'm good!!"  This is the first hint
> =
> that it is a candidate for the portfolio. The other hint is when
> someone =
> comes back to you and compliments you on a particular piece of work.
> It =
> may also replace something comparable that isn't as strong. You may
> have =
> to sanitize it, but it will eliminate the situation in the future
> where =
> you are trying to assemble samples and going crazy because you just =
> cannot remember which job had that really great sample of =
> "something-or-another".
>
> Think of each job as preparing you for the next one.
>
> Anyway...that's my 2 cents
>
>
> Mary Durlak wrote:
>
> >        If you're coming in, *ask* what I'm interested in. I expect
> to =
> see
> >a portfolio, and would hope to see an in-depth copy of something =
> relative
> >to the work at hand. Also, a copy you can leave with me that I don't
> =
> have
> >to return--even if it's not the whole document--is much appreciated.
> >        Word of caution: some TWs find any non-TW samples a major
> >turn-off. Try to know your audience!!
> >        Mary
> >
> This is fascinating, especially since I've NEVER put together a true
> portfolio--meaning a big black book with writing samples artfully =
> arranged
> in a pretty package. I've usually grabbed 3-5 pieces that relate to
> the
> work being discussed and thrown them in a file folder. During the =
> interview
> I talk the person through each piece--who the audience was, whether I
> worked alone or on a team, etc.
>
> How many of you TWs who interview really expect a portfolio? Why? If =
> I've
> written a 150-page how-to booklet, how do I fit that into a portfolio?
> =
> Can
> the strength of the writing overcome the lack of proper presentation?
>
> John Posada, Technical Writer (and proud of the title)
> The world's premier Internet fax service company: The FaxSav Global =
> Network
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> My opinions are mine, and neither you nor my company can take credit
> for =
> them.
>
> HEY! Are you coming to the NJ TechWriter lunch?  So far, about 10
> of us are.  Ask me about it.=20
>
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