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>WW wrote:
>
>I am a novice tech-writer and am interviewing tomorrow for a JUNIOR tech
>writing position with a medical/ pharm administration company. It is a perm
>position and the req. didn't mention any of the advanced utilities, like
>RoboHelp or Framemaker, so I'm pretty comfortable with what I expect the
>environment to be. My question is, does anyone have any last minute advice
>for me?
Since I completed my sixth interview in as many weeks yesterday, yes.
What I've noticed in this series of interviews is the number of open-ended
questions e.g., 'Where do you see yourself here?', 'How would you approach
this project?', etc.).
Point #1: Be prepared to sell yourself.
Yesterday's interview was a complete turnaround for me. Typically,
employers tell me about what they do and what they need, and I tell them how
well I can fill these requirements. Yesterday, however, I was put in the
hot-seat from the beginning.
Point #2: Where comfortable clothing and don't be afraid to ask for water.
I was asked what I knew about the company. Fortunately I reviewed their
website just before I interviewed.
Point #3: Learn whatever you can about the company.
The interviewers used my answer not only to see if I was interested in what
they did, but also to gather feedback about their website. Next, they asked
me to define a doc plan based on what I knew about their documentation
needs.
Point #4: Don't wait for the quid pro quo. That is, don't expect them to
ask "What's your experience with abc?", and then answer. Instead, be
prepared to take the initiative and offer up how you would go about
fulfilling their requirements.
Of course, these points should be noted along with the basics: show up on
time, ask questions, assume at least 50% of the talk-time (don't let the
interviewer do most of the talking).
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