Re: Writing samples

Subject: Re: Writing samples
From: John Posada <posada -at- FAXSAV -dot- COM>
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 11:07:47 -0500

Hi, Tracy...

>> 2) If the person soliciting the position cannot tell enough about the
>> applicant from the resume and phone conversation to know if the person
>> is worth further investigation, then "in most cases", the person doesn't
>> really know what they are looking for or how to do this part of the
>> process.

>So... those who don't do things in *your* preferred order don't know
>what they want or what they're doing? I beg to differ.<

As I said in the message, "in most cases" and I'll stick by that...and yes, some people doing interviewing DON'T know what they are doing.

I had one person interviewing me that opened the discussion with the instruction "You can answer a question until I hold up my hand and stop you."

There are different ways of approaching this process and what may work for one person one way will not work for another person. My approach is to do something in a way that shows me in the best light. I get more benefit from presenting a portfolio and to discuss it then to ship a set of samples and hope that the reviewer sees the sample in the way I hope they do.

Ah, but you can attach a description and narrative you say...It's a fact of life that we cannot get people to read our manuals, so why are reviewers going to be different. They will look at the sample, make an opinion based on the sample, and move to the next sample.

I'm only going to spend my time where it has the greatest possibility of a return, so yes...the process for some positions are not worth my time and effort.

>>>Personally, I'd try to meet the employer's requirements rather than
expecting them to meet mine. I've only been involved on the hiring end a
couple of times, but I can tell you that we *did* look at writing
samples and eliminated applicants who had good resumes but just couldn't
write. There were no phone calls unless you passed that stage.<<<

I WILL try to meet the requirements of the solicitation. I just won't send samples. Such is life and if I'm eliminated because of that, then that's the chance I'm willing to take.

>>>Obviously everybody's experience is different, and if you've been
successful using your own method, more power to you. I guess if you have
a fabulous resume you can be a little more demanding. But to all the new
writers (and wannabe writers) on this list -- if an ad asks for writing
samples, send writing samples!!!<<<<

Maybe the difference is that I don't respond to ads. I only work through agencies.

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.

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