Re: Tech Writing 101 - How to tie a shoe

["John R. Sullivan" <John_Sullivan -at- STRATUS -dot- COM>]

Robert Clark wrote:

        What things do you enjoy/object to during the interview process?

I don't mind doing a short writing or revising exercise if called upon to do
so; in two cases in the past doing so differentiated me from
other applicants who refused.

Things I object to? Well, at the top of my list is "What is your biggest
weakness?" What an absurd question.

I've determined that I'm never again going to try to answer that question in
an interview. How do others handle this
(and other) ridiculous queries?

I have plenty of other complaints about the traditional interviewing
process, but they're probably not appropriate for the list.


John Sullivan
Stratus Computer (the NEW Stratus!)

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Clark, Robert [SMTP:Robert -dot- Clark -at- SCHWAB -dot- COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 1999 4:15 PM
> To:   TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
> Subject:      Re: Tech Writing 101 - How to tie a shoe
>
> Garret wrote:
> "If anyone has every taken a shot at this (for a writing test, etc.) I'm
> > collecting examples for a tech writing class. Please, no shortcuts
> (i.e.,
> > "Wear loafers.")"
> >
> > Garret Romaine
> > garret -dot- h -dot- romaine -at- tek -dot- com
> >
> >
> Garret,
>
> Your comment about no shortcuts brings this question to mind. You're not
> trying to cheat on your homework are you?  Why don't you share with us
> what
> YOU have written?
>
> Actually, I have seen this question and similar ones from prospective
> employers.  While it is valuable to have the employer learn about your
> skills in descriptive narrative, if I can't convince them with samples and
> the stuff on my website, I bail out of the interview, that is unless, the
> company actually makes shoelaces and needs a user manual. :)
>
> This may be an interesting topic thread to discuss:
>
> What things do you enjoy/object to during the interview process?
>
> For me, I NEVER, EVER fill in the past employment or salary history
> information on applications.  I always put "see resume" and leave the
> salary
> area blank.  I went to great lengths to create a winning resume and I
> strongly feel it is a waste of time to have to rehash the dates and
> descriptions on their form.
>
> As for salary history, AARGH!  It's none of their business.  What I made
> on
> previous assignments has absolute no bearing on what I am willing to work
> for on their new position.  When the question is raised in the interview,
> I
> come back with a question about what their budget for the position is,
> i.e.
> what range they were thinking of.  That way, they can quote a figure and I
> can come back with "that's a little less than I was thinking of, but
> considering my experience and skills and what a great opportunity this is,
> I
> would be willing to consider an offer at XXX."
>
> It's these little things that save a lot of time job shopping and separate
> out the sweatshops from the great places to work.
>
> Group, any other thoughts?
>
>
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>


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