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Subject:Re: Hiring TW without a test From:Jen <jennee -at- gmail -dot- com> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Fri, 22 Mar 2013 08:09:26 +0200
Gene, you're absolutely right. We're not hiring a tech writer, but someone
who we hope can become a tech writer. I'm not doing the interviews myself,
but my team leader is paying attention to what you said. It's just hard to
gauge someone's writing skills without actual... writing. I hope we'll get
writing samples, even if it's after the initial interviews. (We weren't
involved in selecting the candidates, HR basically said "hey we scheduled
these 5 interviews for you" and we couldn't contact the candidates
beforehand.)
Steve, the legal trial period in this country is 3 months and I hope that
it's enough to figure out if the person can do the job or not.
Dana, not critical, it's the truth! That's actually why I asked for the
whirlers' advice - with our written test gone, I couldn't think of a way to
figure out if they are able to put their thoughts in writing, clearly and
concisely.
On Thu, Mar 21, 2013 at 4:48 PM, Dana Worley <dana -at- campbellsci -dot- com> wrote:
> I hate to be critical (well, maybe just a little), but if you are hiring a
> team of inexperienced writers, when to use bullets and when to use numbers
> is the least of your worries. IMO, the trivial details of technical writing
> are not going to make or break your team. Whether or not they have a good
> command of the language and are able to put their thoughts down in writing,
> clearly and concisely, are where you should focus your efforts.
>
> I agree with Gene (I think it was) who suggested conducting prescreening
> interviews via email.
>
> Dana W.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
> We actually had the first interview today and my team leader used some of
> them - specifically the following: when to use bullets and when to use
> numbers
>
>
> ****************************
> Dana Worley
> Product Manager, Software Products
> Campbell Scientific, Inc.
>
> Jester's Baubles Fused Glass Designs
> www.jestersbaubles.com
>
>
>
>
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