Why don't more job interviews use writing tests?

[Chuck Martin <cm -at- writeforyou -dot- com>]

This question occurred to me recently. In all the interviews I've had 
over the years, in just one was I ever asked to take a writing test 
right there. (In that case, I was shown a section of existing 
documentation, asked some questions about the product, and was given 30 
minutes to rewrite the content. I got that job.)

Sure, you can argue that writing samples should provide a good indicator 
of a technical writer's skills. And they are *an* indicator. But samples 
are the product (usually) of writing and editing cycles, sometimes by 
multiple team members. And because most documentation is not attributed, 
how can a reader know if it is really the writer's work?

Over the years I've seen some atrocious documentation. And I've seen 
some pretty bad non-documentation writing by people who are technical 
writers. So here's a fundamental question: Why don't more interviews for 
technical writers include a writing test, where a candidate demonstrates 
writing skills (or the lack thereof) on the spot?

The cynic in me answers that question with the thought that many 
interviews are conducted by HR folk or development managers, many of who 
wouldn't know good writing if it bit them in the *ss. Part of that 
sentiment come from knowing many people on many development teams who 
glow at the mere existence of printed words on paper without knowing if 
such words are of actual use to anyone.

--
--
Chuck Martin
User Assistance & Experience Engineer
twriter "at" sonic "dot" net            www.writeforyou.com

"I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me.
The day may come when the courage of Men fail, when we forsake our
friends and break all bonds of fellowship. But it is not this day!
This day, we fight!"
                                                     - Aragorn

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given you."
                                                     - Gandalf

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