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Subject:Re: Giving a surprise test to interviewees? From:adf1972 -at- yahoo -dot- com To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Sun, 20 Mar 2005 16:18:11 -0700
Mike O wrote:
> I dunno... if you give me a surprise EDITING test when I have showed up
> for an ANALYTICAL WRITING job, don't be surprised if there is a
> surprise exit to the interview. Because the mis-application of an
> editing test in that context would show a total cluelessness and lack
> of professionalism on the part of the interviewer.
So, Mike, how do you *really* feel about this? *chuckle*.
Well, as I just explained in another post, I feel that the ability to edit
is an integral part of tech writing. And for the jr.-level TW position
that my company's looking to fill, the person will be doing more editing
than writing at first. We're not going to have the new hire actually
writing original stuff right away.
>
> Or, perhaps I would choose to use the writing test as an opportunity to
> explain what I think about surprise writing tests.
If it were my test and you wrote a good answer, I'd consider that a mark
in your favor.
Personally, I'd love to add on a second part to the test where we tell the
person to write an original numbered procedure for something simple, like
how to get money out of an ATM. And to add on a third "Word and technical
competency" section for the people interviewing for senior-level
positions. But considering how much I'm rocking the boat already (the
other interviewer I mentioned is still unhappy), I'm not about to start
pushing even more. At least not for now. :-)
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