TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: Follow-Up to "What Might A Writing Test Be"--Thanks, Everyone!
Subject:Re: Follow-Up to "What Might A Writing Test Be"--Thanks, Everyone! From:Tracy Boyington <tracy_boyington -at- OKVOTECH -dot- ORG> Date:Mon, 30 Mar 1998 08:09:38 -0600
> I posted what they did more as *one possible*, not the one and only,
> alternative to the proofreading test Tracy mentioned.
Er... I hate to be nitpicky (well, sometimes I like it, but that's why I
do what I do, right?) but I wasn't the one who originally posted about
the proofreading test. I only commented on why an employer might use it.
I just don't want anybody to think I'm in favor of using a proofreading
test to pick tech writers, because I don't think it's representative of
the *important* things a good tech writer does. Utter nonsense without
spelling, grammatical, and typing errors is still utter nonsense.
When I interviewed with my present employer, I took a short (30 min?)
writing test. The topic was "what are the qualities of a good technical
writer" or something along those lines. Kinda killing two birds with one
stone. While I would never advocate relying solely on a test like this,
or giving it to someone who's been a tech writer for 15 years, it seemed
appropriate for what was close to an entry level job.
