Re: Inappropriate interview....(Long but I'm venting so it's ok)

[Lynn Gold <figmo -at- RAHUL -dot- NET>]

DWeber wrote:
>
>     I had a rather annoying interview last night, over the phone.  I was
>     called by a human resource person from a private company to "screen"
>     me before I go to a formal interview with the company I'm interested
>     in.  She asked me about 5 technical writing related questions...then
>     started prodding into work environment questions.
>
>     Now, I've had quite a few technical phone interviews before...and
>     NEVER was a I asked the questions that were asked to me.  These are
>     only a few of the inappropriate questions (at least in my eyes).

Ya know, it's too bad you didn't realize what was going down till it was
too late.  You could've had some real fun with this turkey.

>     1. Describe a time that you acted totally inappropriate and
>     nonprofessional  in your work environment....and what was the end
>     result?

I helped the Mac system administrator obtain public domain software he
needed, and in doing so, I was overstepping the bounds of my job as a
technical writer.  I also put in more than 40 hours a week while I was
salaried.

>     2.  What are some criticisms that have been given to you about your
>     work?

I work too hard, and if I don't stop being so efficient, it's going to
spook out my co-workers.

>     3.  Describe a time when you tried to persuade another worker to
>     "conform" to your standards...and lost the arguement.

I tried to persuade my co-workers to use a spell-checker, but they refused.

>     And get this, when I was asked one of the few actual technical
>     questions, "What is an online helpsystem?", I proceeded to answer her
>     using technical terminology.  She responded by saying, "Yeah, and I'm
>     supposed to know what that means?"  Well then, maybe you shouldn't be
>     giving the damn interview!!!!!

Oh BROTHER!

>     ARGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Agreed.

>     What do you all think?  Should a write a nasty letter to the company
>     describing the interview process?

Sounds like they either sent an HR droid to interview you (before y'all
flame me, not ALL HR people are "droids" -- just the ones who don't think
before they talk) or you were contacted by an outside agent.

>     Ps:  I was also asked "When would you NOT use a SANS Seriff font?"
>     I've been a tech writer for 4 yrs, and honestly I felt this was a
>     "preference" question.  Is there a real answer?

Yes.  Usability studies show sans serif fonts are easier to read on screen,
while serif fonts are easier to read in print.

>     Also, she asked me to name a reference book that tech writers commonly
>     refer to for guidance.  I told her a Style Guide and Standards Manual.
>      She said no, she was looking for a specific title.  I asked, "Have
>     you been to the bookstore lately?  There are many."  Is there a
>     specific GODDLY book?

I'd have seriously recommended "The Elements of Style" by Strunk and White,
and "Chicago Manual of Style," and for this interviewer, "The Little Red
Book" (remember that first grade reader?). :-)

--Lynn

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