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.
Which is why I would never use a test as a stand-alone device to pick a
candidate. Interviews, resume, portfolio, test. A good balance of these
can weed out the ones that can't write, won't play in the same sand box,
steal credit for others' work or can't handle pressure.
Testing isn't a panacea, is one tool in the toolbox to try to ensure the job
and the employee or contractor are a good match. A crafty soul might be
able to fake their way through a couple of the tools, but I don't know if
they could make it all the way through without somebody, somewhere paying
attention to the red flags.
MTC
Connie Giordano
-----Original Message-----
From: John Posada [mailto:jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 12:41 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: FW: New TECHWR-L Poll Quest
Actualy, it isn't that It is that all narcissists, whether they are
writers, programmers, brain surgeons, rocket scientists, or meat
cutters, are offended by being asked to take a test. Its that ALL
tests are not testing to determine a qualified technical writer.
We recently had a technical writer. She produced great sentences and
given a reasonable amount of time, could assemble the most beautiful
seven-step process you'd ever seen.
She would have tested great! She was articulate. She had 12 years
experience (12 years where a person would JUST write. Another person
would JUST edit. Another person would JUST format).
OTOH, within two months of coming on, she folded. She quit. She
couldn't prioritize her tasks, she couldn't handle pressure, she
wasn'r comforable being critiqued. She was afraid to push developers
when she needed something from them. She couldn't figure out the
steps for using new tools...Acrobat Exchange and Distiller were the
two that I helped her on.
There are skills that a TW needs that cannot be tested, so why
volunteer for a test that isn't going to test for the correct skills.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Develop HTML-based Help with Macromedia Dreamweaver! (STC Discount.)
**NEW DATE/LOCATION!** January 16-17, 2001, New York, NY. http://www.weisner.com/training/dreamweaver_help.htm or 800-646-9989.
Take XML and Tech Writing courses online! Our instructor-led courses
(4-6 hrs/wk) give you "hands on" experience at your convenience. STC members
get 20% off! http://www.online-learning.com/index.html.
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
