TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Any writer who shows up without writing samples is hopeless. All writers
are judged by what they write. Regarding confidentiality, the writer can
blot out any obvious tradenames or edit the source to change the names.
IMO, companies that have the philosophy that the writer can't use work for
a portfolio are treating writers as slaves, nothing more, nothing less.
Perhaps the writer can be selective in showing work that doesn't divulge
patent information. Ideally, the company should establish a policy that
considers a writer's need to build a portfolio.
At the end of your career, a resume with a long list of projects will
certainly be great, but wouldn't you also want a portfolio as well?
Jon Leer
Let's Be Real
----------
> From: Mark Baker <mbaker -at- OMNIMARK -dot- COM>
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: Writing Samples
> Date: Monday, March 23, 1998 2:08 PM
>
> Mitchell, Moira E (MED) wrote
>
> >Has anyone run into a problem taking writing samples to an interview?
> >What do you do if the company you work for says that you cannot give out
> >their documents even if you wrote them?
>
> Several people have replied suggesting ways to get round such
restrictions.
> Consider, though, the impact on the interviewer of having another
company's
> proprietary material presented as a writing sample. If you don't respect
> your current employers confidentiality, why would I trust you with mine?
>
> By the way, I hate it when writers bring writing samples to an interview.
I
> look at them to be polite, but frankly it's a point against the
candidate. I
> already have a writing sample: the resume. The candidate is only in the
> interview because they wrote a good resume. And I don't care about the
> candidate's writing style. I care if they are willing and able to adapt
to
> my department's writing style. There are several questions I ask to try
to
> get at the willingness. The ability can only really be judged in the
> probationary period.
>
> ---
> Mark Baker
> Manager, Corporate Communications
> OmniMark Technologies Corporation
> 1400 Blair Place
> Gloucester, Ontario
> Canada, K1J 9B8
> Phone: 613-745-4242
> Fax: 613-745-5560
> Email mbaker -at- omnimark -dot- com
>
>
>
>
