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Subject:Re: An interview question From:Richard Hamilton <dick -at- rlhamilton -dot- net> To:Tech Writers <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Thu, 28 Mar 2013 16:29:06 -0700
Like many questions, I think the value of this one is in the way it is answered and the level of understanding shown by the interviewer, especially if the interviewer is a manager.
I agree with the folks on this thread who say there isn't a correct answer. What is important is what the answer reveals about the interviewer and the company. And, either answer could set up some follow-ups that could reveal even more.
Overall, I think it's a more useful question than those thought questions ("How many gas stations are there in the US?") that seem to be fashionable.
Richard Hamilton
-------
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On Mar 28, 2013, at 3:59 PM, John Posada wrote:
> I dont think the answer to the question will tell you anything usefull and
> may give youisleading information. Example being where documentation is a
> regulatory requurement. Definately a cost but an unavoidable cost.
> Example...i work for a bank in AML (anti-money laundering). I do most of
> the compliance audit docs to regulatory. I get whatever i ask for. Your
> question seems to take the perspective that unless it is a profit youll be
> treated second class
> On Mar 28, 2013 4:53 PM, "Peter Neilson" <neilson -at- windstream -dot- net> wrote:
>
>> Courtesy of Tech Republic I came across a question that one can ask when
>> interviewing for a position. They suggests it for IT interviews. I've
>> recast it for tech writing.
>>
>> “Is the documentation effort seen as a revenue generator or a cost center
>> in this organization?”
>>
>> The answer, or even the foot-dragging involved in speaking an answer, can
>> easily reveal more than anyone was prepared to tell you about how things
>> really happen.
>>
>> Whether to place the question to one's >>current<< management is left as
>> an exercise for the reader.
>> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^**^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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