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You are absolutely right. Without seeing the writing, how can you possibly
know the person's ability. Certainly references are crucial.
Let me ask the list, if you needed a photographer or illustrator, would you
hire without looking at samples?
Jon Leer
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> From: Kimberly Ferri Cakebread <kim -at- ASPECTDV -dot- COM>
> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject: Re: WRITING SAMPLES
> Date: Monday, March 23, 1998 8:50 PM
>
> I'm a working Documentation Manager, and I always require writing
samples.
> If someone can't give me sufficient samples, I give them a writing test.
> I've been burned too many times.
>
> Kimberly Ferri Cakebread
>
>
>
> At 05:48 PM 3/23/98 -0800, you wrote:
> >Hi All,
> >
> >I'm in transition from independent to captive. (Currently a contractor,
> >with negotiations going on regarding a "permanent" position.)
> >
> >When the question of writing samples came up in my interviews, I told
them
> >that my government work was all classified and that I did not have
> >permission from other clients to use their documents for this purpose.
> >
> >Nothing more was said of the issue and we went on to discuss their
problems
> >and my abilities to help solve those problems.
> >
> >I believe that only HR-types ask for samples because they don't know
what
> >else to ask. Documentation managers are more interested in you and your
> >abilities.
> >
> >John Gilger
> >
>
