Writing Samples...

["Bridget O'Connor" <bkoadmin -at- bkoenterprises -dot- com>]

Hello all,

I'm a technical recruiter working with a client company who requires that I
submit a writing sample from a candidate at the same time I submit the
candidate's resume.     Usually the candidates are happy to comply and I
don't have a problem.  Every now and then however I run into a candidate who
insists they can't provide a sample because the companies they worked for had
made them sign contracts not to reveal proprietary information.   Obviously,
this situation makes it very difficult for a potential employer to evaluate a
candidate's writing achievements.

My question is this:  Is there any way for these candidates to provide a
writing sample without violating their contracts?  I was told by a writer a
couple of years ago that he had done some research on the subject and that as
long as the samples were used solely for demonstrating his writing skills, he
was within his rights to do so.  He never quoted any legal statutes that were
the foundation for his conclusion however so I don't have anything concrete
to tell a potential candidate who is in this situation.   Do any of you have
any background with this issue that you could share with me?  What I'm hoping
for is either something that I can tell candidates to alleviate their fears
of violating a contract OR something I can tell my client regarding why they
can't expect all candidates to comply with their request for a sample.
Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give me.

Have a great Holiday!

Bridget O'Connor
BKO Enterprises, Inc.
Technical Personnel
BKO -at- bkoenterprises -dot- com
800-385-1914
800-842-7861 (FAX)