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.
Subject:Re: resume on a web page From:Smokey Lynne L Bare <slbare -at- JUNO -dot- COM> Date:Sun, 9 Nov 1997 16:08:14 -0500
I agree with you 100% John! As the old saying goes, "...the proof is in
the pudding." Today, the writer's portfolio is the most important sales
tool one has demonstrating his/her abilities. Keep it dynamic, always
remove items as better items you have produced come along. It is the
tool which allows you to deal with 'proprietary' work, as it can not be
sent out (as the resume on the web). When people ask for copies of items
you have written, edited, produced, and so on, and this material is
completed under proprietary (due to the hire at will) contracts, then the
safest way to present this medium is in a portfolio with italicized,
generic words replacing the company or product's names.
Viewing the web is nice....but still limited. How does the future
employer know that you actually did the work. I believe we had past
listings dealing with these 'honesty' issues. So is this so different?
I think not. It is another access viewing option, as John mentions.
Case in point. Two resumes appear on web sites looking exactly the same
(layout, font, graphic, format). As a future employer, which would be
the deciding factor given the following:
1. Site 1 was manually coded and designed by an x-programmer (now tech
writer);every feature was manually and painstakingly designed, and
implement from scratch.
2. Site 2 was created by a purchased, high-end piece of software for web
page design. The look and feel is exactly the same as Site 1.
Seeing the exact same resumes, what does this tell the hiring manage? If
the question asked was "...did you create your site?" Both candidates
would tell the truth and say yes. So which one would you choose? Site
1, as this owner definitely has a solid skill set in specific ground
basics (great for troubleshooting)? Or would you chose Site 2, as this
owner has the skill sets to go out and find a tool to meet job specs
within a timely fashion.
Without knowing the background of the sites' construction, and both
candidates being equally talented according to the web resume pages,
where would the manager go? Enter the 'pudding' portfolio. Electronic
portfolios are now being debated legally, so until resolution is reached,
the best is still going to be hand-held portfolios. Either way, these
are options to keep in mind when creating your site. It is a venue....
