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snip <However, I've always been puzzled by those who claim that they cannot
show anything from a gig.>
This is because of the confidentiality agreement that you must sign before
you can start work at some companies. In one recent example, my client
required that I could not show ANYTHING that I had written for them until 4
years has passed. As a result, I can't show anything that I've done for them
to a potential client.
However, another recent client of mine told me that I could use any parts of
his project as samples (before it was even finished) if I needed to.
One thing that I used to do before I could show "real" samples was to take a
"real" document that I had written and change the proprietary names to
generic names. The idea being that the potential client just needed to see
my style and the way I formatted documentation.
=========================================
Will Husa
Technical Writer
Procedure Writing and Online Help
Phone: 708-927-3569
Fax: 630-668-9283
Website: www.4techwriter.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Posada" <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: <ekarenski-techwrl -at- yahoo -dot- com>
Cc: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:23 AM
Subject: Re: Samples vs. Portfolio
> Karen...I'm sure you are addressing this as best you can. However, I've
> always been puzzled by those who claim that they cannot show anything from
> a
> gig.
>
> Until the current gig where I'm an employee, I've been a contractor for 20
> years and have had over 12 gigs. Not one in the 12 have ever had a problem
> with me showing samples when I've assured them I would follow the
> guidelines
> I listed below, and I've asked...and I've worked in some pretty
> restricted.environments.
>
> How is it that you've had two gigs and both of them refuse. Is it possible
> that you've assumed the restriction and are being more restrictive than
> they
> would be if asked?
>
>
> On 4/23/08, Karen <ekarenski-techwrl -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks for the correction--I really shouldn't be writing when I'm this
>> stressed out.
>>
>> Everything has been proprietary, confidential, internal use documentation
>> except for some marketing brochures and content on web sites. That's why
>> I
>> feel like I have to severely sanitize documents or start over from
>> scratch
>> on my own mini-application.
>>
>> *John Posada <jposada99 -at- gmail -dot- com>* wrote:
>>
>> Karen...I've never done anything in 20 years that I didn't consider
>> proprietary. There is a difference between proprietary and confidential.
>> It
>> also doesn't mean I cannot show it during an interview. The point is how
>> you
>> control the material you show.
>>
>> - Do not let it out of your sight. Having it in binders in clear pockets
>> helps you control the pieces
>> - Do not let the viewer take notes of the contents..about your effort to
>> create the content fine.
>> - Do not let them make photocopies of any pieces. If they say they are
>> doing it to show someone who isn't at the meeting, tell them you'd be
>> happy
>> to come back. You want the oportunity to explain what you did with each
>> piece anyway.
>> - Do not send your portfolio or samples by mail.
>>
>>
>> On 4/23/08, Karen <ekarenski-techwrl -at- yahoo -dot- com> wrote:
>> >
>> > I'm back on the techwr-l archives reading about portfolios and a lot of
>> > the associated issues (i.e. copyright, leaving them for review, etc.).
>> >
>> > I've basically had 2 positions over 12 years where almost all of the
>> > information is proprietary. I'm trying to get over that hurdle by
>> > writing my
>> > own documentation about a software application I wrote for organizing a
>> > silent auction.
>> >
>> > My head's spinning a bit (I think I've been reading the archives and
>> > job
>> > postings too long today.)
>> >
>> > I've seen a few job posts where they request samples with your resume.
>> > I
>> > would prefer to show them at an interview; however, we all have to play
>> > the
>> > game sometimes.
>> >
>> > Sometimes people ask for samples or a portfolio for interviews.
>> >
>> > I know that presentation is important, especially when creating a
>> > portfolio. However, is there anything you would do differently when
>> > asked to
>> > provide samples vs. a portfolio?
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > John Posada
>> > Senior Technical Writer
>> > NYMetro STC President
>> >
>> > - Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with
>> > everything."
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> John Posada
> Senior Technical Writer
> NYMetro STC President
>
> - Said the Zen master to the hot dog vendor "Make me one with everything."
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