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Subject:RE: Hiring TW without a test From:Lynne Wright <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tiburoninc -dot- com> To:Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com>, Jen <jennee -at- gmail -dot- com> Date:Wed, 20 Mar 2013 18:38:39 +0000
Ask them a few questions to test their knowledge of tech writing basics. For example, ask them what the difference is between active and passive voice; when to spell out numbers rather than use digits; etc.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Bill Swallow
Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 1:49 PM
To: Jen
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Hiring TW without a test
Can you get writing samples? If not, require a cover letter and judge
their ability by that and organization of their resume. Also, with
regard to the interview, ask questions around:
* Data gathering and interviewing SMEs
* Resources they use when writing (do they consult a style guide or
other reference)
* Have them in their own words describe the requirements of the role
(not what you indicate in the job posting, but their expectations of
how they will be working)
It's also useful to see how they handle themselves in the interview.
See how they tackle questions about the technology they'll be working
with (writing tools and subject matter), how they react to specific
job tasks you describe, etc.
On Wed, Mar 20, 2013 at 2:19 AM, Jen <jennee -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Hi everyone! The discussion about the editing tests was great and I took
> notes for the future... but I'm in the opposite situation now and I'd like
> to pick your brains. My company is hiring a new tech writer, but we are
> forbidden from giving any type of written test. (I think the policy I'd
> stupid, but there's nothing we can do about it.) We are trying to figure
> out what kind of questions to ask the candidates, but I don't see how a
> verbal conversation can replace a test... maybe someone else has been
> through this before.
>
> A bit of background (important): we're in an European country, we write for
> a global market in English as a second language, tech writing is a very new
> profession here (so we would be hiring someone with little to no
> experience) and the interview will be in English (we hope that if they can
> speak English well, they can also write it...). The existing TW on the
> team, me included, didn't have any prior TW experience and were hired based
> on a grammar/spelling/editing test (+interviews).
>
> Thanks a lot for any advice!
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--
Bill Swallow
Writing and Content Strategy Consultant http://www.linkedin.com/in/techcommdood
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EPUB Webinar: Join STC Vice President Nicky Bleiel as she discusses tips for creating EPUB, the file format used for e-readers, tablets, smartphones, and more.
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