Re: Sample document creation for contract position

[Deborah Hemstreet <dvora -at- tech-challenged -dot- com>]

Melissa Lowery-Smith wrote:
> I have been out of the job market for over 2 years, so perhaps things have changed since I last interviewed for technical writing jobs....

Hi Melissa,

I cannot speak for others, only for myself. I could really use some 
work, but what you have described is something that I too would have 
responded negatively to. What, to me would have been more reasonable, 
would have been to sit with the SME, and then for you to be interviewed 
on how you would handle the project, to see the kinds of questions you 
would raise, how you would plan the project, and to determine if you 
agree that the scope would be 10-15 pages, and why or why not. This, to 
me would seem a more reasonable route of interviewing.

Having said that, I have noticed positions on several websites that 
state that you must provide a "working" sample up front, before they 
will consider you for the position. I struggle with that. Perhaps I 
carry my natural analytical "worst" case too far, but what is to stop 
them from using my work and hiring someone else, or never hiring anyone, 
and just working with samples? I have trouble with this approach.

I know that that there is lots of credible work out there. I know that 
there are people looking for professionals. Unfortunately, we are also 
living in an incredibly unstable economy where finding work in our field 
is not only difficult, but extremely competitive. Location has an impact 
as well. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan - and many here I'm sure will 
agree that this state is one of the hardest hit by the economy. Work is 
dear here... and salaries are dropping.

My husband and I have discussed relocation, but this is really not an 
option at this point in time. One reason is we cannot uproot our kids, 
and another is the housing market...

All that to say that despite how much I would have needed the work - I 
would have responded in the same manner as you. If you can provide 
experience, portfolio, and good references, I believe that if they want 
you to do actual work first, it is reasonable to ask why. I guess I'd 
rather switch careers before I give away my work for free--against my 
will, so to speak.

But I, like you, will be interested in the responses of others...

Deborah
http://www.tech-challenged.com

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