MHT No test, I didn't even make it that far. The glaring absence of any mention of HTML on the CV was enough to take me out of the running. I also spotted a couple of things last night that I missed in proofreading my CV so I'm not suprised... I wouldn't hire me either. I was initially a bit miffed and thought that if I was a web design guru already, then I wouldn't be pursuing tech writing roles. I got over myself and picked up the copy of Visual Quickstart HTML, XHTML & CSS that I bought a few months ago but had been too busy to dive into. I already had a basic conceptual understanding of HTML, and like you say if given a project to complete and some reference material, I could probably have cobbled together something quite workable by applying problem solving skills. But now I can feel the "urge to master" building up inside and I spent all day yesterday brainstorming suitable projects to build skills. Funnily enough, I figured an online CV/portfolio would be the obvious choice, very similar to your e-folio below (which is really neat, by the way). I might ask you off-list how you did some of the features, if that's OK. I've also started a blog <http://jasmineandrews.blogspot.com/> to have somewhere to reflect on my skills development, and to encourage others in my position. I have a short course coming up and once I've got a modest skill-base behind me, I'll be finding a community organisation to offer my services to. Thanks for the advice and encouragement Jasmine 2008/9/6 MHT <runfox@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > Hi Jasmine, > Did they give you an HTML "test" in addition to the writing test, or did > they just go by what you had produced using HTML? > > I would think that for a tech writer, testing your memorized knowledge of > HTML would not be an accurate reflection of capability. Unlike the "code > guys", we don't live, breath and eat the stuff, but often know enough to get > decent web pages constructed. > > In my own instance, I've taken some basic HTML classess and also put > together a number of web sites. I also had to quick learn various templates > and then get HTML to work with them. But if I were to take an on the spot > HTML test and try to do any coding from memory, I'd fail miserably. I > would think a basic understanding combined with knowing what to look for, > where to look and most importantly, adaptability and problem solving would > score higher than memorization. > > Might I suggest, also, that a good place to get both valuable practice as > well as impressive samples is to do volunteer work for a cause of your > choice. It also has the added bonus that prospective employers like to see > that an individual gets involved in the community. Most community > organizations would relish a web site designer / writer / computer literate > person who would work for free. A nicely done e-folio also shows off your > web site skills, as well as giving you a nice platform for samples that the > employer can browse at their leisure. > > A few examples: > http://marytaft.efoliomn1.com > http://www.sherburnecountydfl.org > http://www.winternet.com/~runfox/kiki.html > http://iamtheostrich.blogspot.com/ > > Good luck, Jasmine! > mht > > > > On 9/4/2008 10:51:45 PM, austechwriter@xxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote: > > 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 [link: mailto: > 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 >