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Subject:Re: Portfolio For a New Tech Writer? From:"John Fleming" <johnf -at- ecn -dot- ab -dot- ca> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Mon, 2 Jul 2001 11:39:20 -0600
Bruce Byfield wrote:
> Glen Warner wrote:
> > The URL for the About.com forums I mentioned previously suggests
just
> > taking what's necessary to get the job ... that is, if the job
calls
> > for manuals written in Word, bring samples of those. RoboHelp?
> > Bring screenshots.
> I have reservations about this advice. You don't always know what's
> relevant to a particular job. And, even if you have a few hints,
such as
> the fact that you'll be expected to work in FrameMaker, that doesn't
mean
> that other samples won't be useful. Many times, HR won't have told
you
> everything that's relevant. If you prepare for an interview with the
idea
> that you're going to show your Word samples, then three-quarters of
the
> time you'll find when you get there that RoboHelp and Visio sample
would
> have been useful tool
I suppose there are merits to both sides.
If the company doing the interviewing is a software development
company, then it helps if the portfolio is loaded with examples of
software user manuals, screenshots of online help files and the like.
Put that stuff closer to the front, and throw a few choice samples of
other stuff, like policies and procedures in the back.
If the company doing the interviewing is an ISO 9000 consultant, throw
in all the workflow procedures you've got in the front, and round it
out with some choice examples of online help, software user guides,
and the like.
That's one of the nice things about using a three ring binder for a
portfolio. You can juggle the order of the samples and tailor it a
bit to the company / industry.
--
John Fleming
Technical Writer
Edmonton, Alberta
email: johnf -at- ecn -dot- ab -dot- ca
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