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Almost all of my portfolio is composed of proprietary samples. I handle it
this way.
When they ask to see samples, I only do it in person, they can read anything
they want in my presence, they cannot take notes and they cannot leave the
room with any samples. I explain that while this may be overkill, I'll be
treating their material the same way. I've never had a problem.
The side benefit to this is that IF I'm hired, I've already told them what
I'll be doing with their material. They might not see it that way, but I'm
hoping that my lawyer would get them to see the light if push came to shove.
BTW...If they push for a sample, I do have about three pieces I can send.
However, before it goes to them, they get an email that they need to respond
to that says that they will observe all confidentiality. When I get the
email back, they get the sample...make them think they are twisting my arm
and I'm going for it because they are special.
BTW...character ALWAYS matters.
John Posada
Senior Technical Writer
john -at- tdandw -dot- com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Anonymous" <anonfwd -at- raycomm -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 9:55 AM
Subject: FWD: About proprietary writing samples
<snip>
> How do I go about giving an example of what I have done, without
> compromising the policies of my previous companies? Also, keep in mind
that
> I'm trying to show the best character in a job interview; because, if I
show
> proprietary samples to an interviewer, they'd likely worry about whether I
> would show samples of their company to other people if I went to work for
> them.
>
> I know that character doesn't matter much in these times, but it matters
to
> me.
It ALWAYS matters
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