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Subject:Re: Word vs. Pagemaker or Framemaker From:Denise Fritch <dfritch -at- INTELLICORP -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 16 Apr 1998 12:27:45 -0700
Roger Mallett wrote:
>Is this a put-on?
>
>You were interviewing for your first technical writing job and they
>asked a question like that?
>
>Only a seasoned professional is going to be able to provide a
>knowledable, persuasive, thought provoking answer/opinion. This is a
>topic that draws blood from the ranks, and has been the subject of many
>wars.
Roger, I've too run into this type of question a few times during my years
in technical writing. And yes, the interviewer is serious.
One such incident I experienced was a pubs manager (a former programmer who
had been placed in charge of the tech pubs department) who wanted to know
about WinHelp authoring systems. He was supposed to set up the department's
system and had little information about what authoring software was
available, let alone the differences. Actually, the question had nothing to
do with the job for which I was interviewing. He was just picking my brain
instead of researching the question himself.
>
>If your interviewer was serious, I would forget about them and keep
>looking -- don't get onboard that ship.
I certainly agree with your suggestion. I would look very carefully at the
manager, company, and situation before accepting a position.
