Re: Sample Requests

[John Blessing <jblessing -at- PTD -dot- WABCO-RAIL -dot- COM>]

It would seem that providing extensive samples, particularly in a
sensitive-technology TW position, could present an ethical problem.
 However, in the case in point, I believe that the statement "> If your
resume is selected, you will be asked to provide a few > brief samples of
your work . . ." particularly the words "brief samples," would give the
possible interpretation that the potential employer is not looking for an
enormous volume of information.  Rather, they may simply desire
demonstrated proficiency at template construction (in the case of Frame
especially) or on-line help software use.  This hardly seems unreasonable,
particularly in the latter case where skills can be demonstrated by
directing a possible employer to an already public website.  Certainly, if
you are dealing in sensitive material, there is no question that you ought
not to provide samples of it unless permission has been obtained from the
information proprietor.  However, it would seem that few people have worked
in all sensitive material all the time and could at least provide a single
web page that demonstrates their ability or forward a couple of documents
that show proficiency within an application.

It seems most plausible that the potential employer should be allowed to
ask for samples of recent work, but ought not to be too choosy about the
content of what they receive.  The best solution that I have seen is to pay
the potential employee as a contract writer for a day and have them perform
some basic tasks that demonstrate the necessary skills, but with no outside
information needed.  My two pennyworth,

John Blessing


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