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Subject:Re: Test assignment for a tech.writer candidate? From:Kate Schneider <kateschneider42 -at- gmail -dot- com> To:Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> Date:Mon, 8 Dec 2014 10:10:17 -0800
I interviewed for a job a couple of years ago where the pre-screen test was
to document how to make a cup of coffee. I'm allergic to coffee. After
debating for several minutes how to proceed and looking up how to make
coffee, I documented the steps to drive to the corner coffee shop. I got an
interview (and an offer), but I didn't take the job, partially because the
interview process left a weird taste in my mouth. A red flag, like Robert
said.
Most other jobs I've interviewed for have just asked for work samples. A
prospective employer should be able to determine from my portfolio whether
or not my writing skills are a good fit. I guess the only thing that might
be worth testing would be software skills if there is a very specific piece
of software that you use and the writer needs to have that experience
coming into the job...but only then if you can't make that call from the
interview itself. (I've never had that kind of test, but I've known other
writers who have.)
On Mon, Dec 8, 2014 at 9:32 AM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com>
wrote:
> Giving me a test is a good way for a prospective employer to flunk the
> interview. Typically when they do that it's just one of several red
> flags.
>
> A test challenging enough to mean anything isn't something I'd do for free.
>
> On Sun, Dec 7, 2014 at 10:38 PM, Alec Chakenov <alec -dot- chakenov -at- gmail -dot- com>
> wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> > If you had experience with hiring technical writers, what kind of test
> > assignment would you recommend to assess technical writing skills?
> > At one software company I was tasked with writing a help article about
> how
> > to use an elevator. I thought that was so irrelevant and did not want to
> > proceed with them.
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--
Kate Schneider
Cell: 619-218-6243
Email: kateschneider42 -at- gmail -dot- com
www.linkedin.com/in/kateschneider/
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Read about how Georgia System Operation Corporation improved teamwork, communication, and efficiency using Doc-To-Help | http://bit.ly/1pJ4zPa
