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RE: On-the-spot writing test during a job interview?
Subject:RE: On-the-spot writing test during a job interview? From:"Nancy Smith" <smithcds -at- ici -dot- net> To:<Jim_McAward -at- pittway -dot- com>, "'TECHWR-L, a list for all technical communication issues'" <TECHWR-L -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 15 Nov 1999 09:53:26 -0500
I give the verbal peanut butter sandwich (not PBJ)
to see how an applicant thinks.
What's the stapler test? I'm a software writer and
would be VERY frustrated at being asked to describe
a 3-d object like a stapler or explain how it works!
I would probably beg the interviewer to give me a
software-related test! Ask me about databases or to
do something with a flowchart -- but spare me the
hardware!
Nancy Smith
-----Original Message-----
From: bounce-techwr-l-10572 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
[mailto:bounce-techwr-l-10572 -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com]On
Behalf Of
Jim_McAward -at- pittway -dot- com
Sent: Friday, November 12, 1999 11:43 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: On-the-spot writing test during a job
interview?
I won't hire a writer unless they have performed
well on a live
writing exercise - I've been using the stapler test
for years. I
don't, however, spring it on anyone blind - I tell
them before the
interview that I'll be asking for a writing sample.
In almost all
cases, I save this for the 2nd interview (when I
have the candidate
talk to their potential co-workers and/or other
managers).
It's true that a writing test will apply pressure to
those who "don't
test well"; but the job will do that also, and exact
a much higher
cost if they fail!
Take care,
Jim
- - - - - - - -
James G. McAward
Director, Tech Pubs/Curriculum Development
ADEMCO
Syosset, NY
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