Thanks Warren. Very reassuring. Unfortunately, I didn't make the grade on HTML and CSS skills, so I'm out of the running. At least I've now got an up to date CV and the beginnings of a good portfolio. Thanks again Jasmine 2008/9/2 Warren Lewington <wjlewington@xxxxxxxxxxx> > Congratulations on getting to the process... > > Portfolios are wonderful interview tools. Make up a selection of work from > the last few years you are very proud of, pleased with or means something to > you. Seek emailed (written in other words) permission to allow prospective > employers to "view portions only" of this work – especially if any of it is > sensitive. Take extracts from some parts of this range of > documents/communication that demonstrate strengths or illustrate your > skills, and that you are really happy to talk about. It makes engagement > with interviewers easier if you have something that means something to you, > the enthusiasm comes through that way – and reduces nervousness if you go > back to something familiar. > > > > If the work is web-based, attempt to turn it into a presentation that > stands alone if possible, and make sure it works! Take your own computer and > show case it that way if you can, or don't take it at all. > > > > Writing tests are no problem if you are a good writer, and simply DON'T > panic. In my extensive experience, panic kills people. Concentrate on the > task and you'll do just fine. > > > > My portfolio is varied, I do a lot of illustration and have done some > fascinating engineering work, and all of it I have had permission to show to > prospective clients – not to leave any behind, just to show. That has been a > big help – some of it is a bit spectacular so I am lucky. It is simply > displayed; in a plastic A4 page sleeve binder, bought from a stationary > place – or Woollies more likely. Cheap sod that I am. Don't make it too > elaborate, it needs to be flexible to grow with you and change over time. Do > your best to save trees. > > Enjoy it. > > HTH > > Regards; > > Warren > > > > *From:* austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto: > austechwriter-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] *On Behalf Of *Jasmine Andrews > *Sent:* Tuesday, 2 September 2008 19:24 > *To:* austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx > *Subject:* atw: Re: Australian source of citation advice > [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED] > > > > Austechies, > > > > I am applying for a position that has a three-part recruitment process > including a writing test and submission of a portfolio. It's the first time > I've gone for a permanent job with the title of Technical Writer as I've had > some contract TW roles in the past but have mostly had mostly training roles > with a heavy writing component. > > > > Does anyone have any advice for: > > 1. putting together a successful portfolio > > 2. what to expect from a writing test and how best to prepare for one > > > > I've read some great posts on Tom Johnson's blog (I'd rather be writing), > Scott Abel's site (The Content Wrangler) and Craig Haiss' Helpscribe, but > I'm looking for insights into local practices. > > > > Thanks in advance > > Jasmine Andrews > > > > >