GREAT INTERVIEW
I recently interviewed for, and won, a contract job as a technical writer with a group of folks who’ve turned out to be really great, upbeat, and… apparently delightfully demented!
The interview went great, we observed all the formalities of decency and respect, but this all began to fall down at the end of the interview, when the two interviewing bosses – who could barely contain themselves – ended our interview as such:
“Well, this is really good. But, as a proof of concept – so to speak – we require all our applicants to submit an original writing sample on a topic of our selection.”
“Sure,” I replied, “I can get as high-level or as deeply technical as you need.”
“Great!”
YOU WANNA WHAT?
And then they looked at each other (as I was to know later, in barely contained laughter. Then they looked back at me, “We want you to submit, within 24 hours, your original work to us entitled ‘How to Locate and Purchase a Sock Monkey on eBay’.” This all with a severely restrained smirk on their faces.
“Excuse me?” I asked, my senses hedging on what jokers these guys actually were under this barely controlled veneer of professionalism.
“Yes, we want you to write about how to get a sock monkey using eBay,” they looked at me apologetically, in all seriousness.
I thought to myself: Has my eccentric sense of humor found a new home? A place where I can be goofy just so long I do my job? These guys – and perhaps even the people they work with – perhaps they’re all as weird as I am? Yes? Yes? (I hope!)
“Gladly. I shall send you my best monkey-requisition instructions by tomorrow at day’s end.”
They handed me some guidelines for my assignment. It specifically mentioned the sock monkey. These guys were serious about this!
The next day I had created an outline, and filling some of it in. By 5PM I had submitted my sample. The following day I heard the good news.
HAPPY GO LOONEY
As it turns out, a goodly handful of these folks at work are divinely touched (crazy), and we frequently pass the lunch hour or our drinking-water-dispenser time in the throes of idyllic eccentric banter, practicing loud animal noises, serious dialogues on the merits of shaved poodles, or discussions on how nice parrots seem to smell.
THE SAMPLE
I have attached below the text for my job-winning writing sample – for those of you who want to look at it, analyze it, caress it (stop it, Dieter!). For most paragraphs (except plaintext) I preceded by header level indicator text.
Enjoy!
– John
COVER LETTER:
Dear XXXXX,
It was great to meet you yesterday to discuss the writer requirements for the application training project. I hope I was able to answer all questions to your satisfaction.
Please find attached my attempt at the sock monkey assignment. Sorry, it’s about 10 pages long, but I wanted you to see a full course outline to demonstrate how I organized this. I have saved this in Outline mode so that you may easily see it at the organization level. However, please be sure to view this in Print Layout mode to view it as a “live” paper document, too.
I have started out with two high-level objectives (first items in the course text shown in blue) as the kind of directives we would get from the folks at the executive level, and I have mapped these out into five clear curriculum objectives. I have fleshed out some content on a portion of one course objective/chapter, and provide some screen caps. Below I summarize how these information-mapping (blue) items evolve in the attached doc:
1. Executive level directives (2 items, which are then fleshed out to the curriculum-level course objectives mentioned next).
2. Curriculum-level course objectives (5 items stated as a bullet list with brief descriptions).
3. Curriculum-level course objectives as chapters (the “meaty” part of the course).
4. Curriculum-level course objectives (as summary or conclusion to the course).
Hope this goes well by you. If you have any questions, please call me.
Again, my thanks for taking time out your busy schedules to meet up. I hope to see you both again as a significant contributor to the team.
Sincerely,
– John
SOCK MONKEY COURSEWARE TEXT:
NOTE: Editorial notes are indicated by red text. In this document these frequently denote text which should be inserted at the space provided. Please make certain to view this document in both Print Layout mode and Outline mode to see a full rendering of how this document was organized.
NOTE: Information Mapping items (in this case: curriculum objectives) are indicated by blue text.
Level 1 Header: How to Locate & Purchase a Sock Monkey Using eBay
Level 2 Header: Introduction
Level 3 Header: Introduction Statement
Congratulations on your purchase of this guide on How to Locate & Purchase a Sock Monkey Using eBay. Buy now you have most likely heard about the exciting prospects of buying a sock monkey and the many life-changing benefits actual sock monkey ownership can offer both to you and your family.
Level 3 Header: Benefits Statement & High Level Objectives
While thinking about owning a sock monkey is certainly an exciting idea, actually buying a sock monkey is a separate adventure of its own. For some, this adventure can be an overwhelming experience, or a step into previously uncharted territory.
The purpose of this guide is to minimize your risks by providing you with the necessary tools to prepare you for your sock monkey purchase.
This guide will also show you the necessary steps to successfully purchase your new sock monkey.
Level 3 Header: Assumptions & Requirements
Before you begin, please make certain the following resources are readily available and that you have the necessary skills to use each:
- Hardware and OS: IBM-based personal computer with a Microsoft Windows operating system such as Windows 98 or later.
- Browser Software: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 or greater.
- Internet connection: A continuous DSL or faster internet connection.
- Major Credit card or other acceptable form of payment: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or PayPal.
Level 3 Header: Disclaimer
Nominal Conditions: This guide is meant to provide you with general steps in the preparation and execution of sock monkey purchase. As such, this guide is written based upon the assumption that you are preparing for and purchasing your sock monkey under controlled conditions, and that those extraneous factors will not interfere with nominal purchasing conditions. Such extraneous factors may include but are not limited to: noisy distracting children who love to disrupt your concentration, obnoxious birds and other pets who like chewing through your internet connection cable, (etc.)…
Level 3 Header: Conventions:
Commands described in this guide may contain bolded characters designating shortcut keys. To illustrate: In addition to using a mouse to choose File-Run from a menu, you may press from the keyboard (press the first two keys together, release, then press the third key). Refer to Microsoft’s Windows User’s Guide appendix for a comprehensive list of conventional shortcuts.
Level 3 Header: Help or Assistance
If at any time you experience difficulty understanding the material covered in this guide, please speak with your instructor (if in classroom) or contact the Help Desk at 333-3333.
Level 2 Header: Curriculum Objectives
Level 3 Header: Introduction Statement
This guide will provide you with the opportunity to prepare for and purchase your sock monkey. To address these desired results, the specific objectives of this guide are outlined here:
Level 4 Header: Determine Sock Monkey Specifications
Chapter 1: Determine Sock Monkey Specifications will provide you with the opportunity to acquire skills necessary in determining the specifications by which you will purchase your sock monkey.
Level 4 Header: Register with eBay
[Brief descriptive content here]
Level 4 Header: Search on eBay
[Brief descriptive content here]
Level 4 Header: Select a Sock Monkey
[Brief descriptive content here]
Level 4 Header: Purchase the Sock Monkey
[Brief descriptive content here]
Level 4 Header: Upbeat Transitional Statement
Before you take any steps to purchase your sock monkey, you should first determine exactly what kind of sock monkey will best match your wildest desires. Chapter 1: Determine Sock Monkey Specifications will provide you with ample guidance for properly identifying the requirements your sock monkey should meet to ensure a rewarding purchasing experience.
Level 3 Header: Curriculum Content
Level 4 Header: Introduction Statement
Level 4 Header: CHAPTER 1: Determine Sock Monkey Specifications
Level 5 Header: Why Create Sock Monkey Specifications?
Level 5 Header: The “5W-2H” Specification Methodology
Who
For whom are you buying your sock monkey? (audience identification)
What
What kind of sock monkey do you wish to buy?
What color?
No tail? Button eyes?
Cotton vs. nylon? (Hypoallergenic monkey)
Hot-swappable sock monkey?
Where
Do you wish to buy your sock monkey from an American vendor?
Foreign-based sock monkey vendor?
When
Should your sock monkey be delivered by UPS ground or Overnight Express?
How
How will you pay for the little fella?
Do you want him wrapped as a gift or loose in the box so he can run around while shipping?
How Much
What is your budget for your sock monkey purchase?
Why (* optional)
If your boss instructed you to buy a sock monkey, what were his/her reasons?
How can you translate these reasons into exact monkey specifications?
Level 5 Header: Chapter Review
Upbeat Transitional Statement
Level 4 Header: CHAPTER 2: Register with eBay
Level 5 Header: Introduction statement
While it is possible to conduct searches and find items on eBay without being a registered user, you will eventually need to register anyway to buy your desired quarry. Because you are determined to purchase a sock monkey, we recommend that you register now so that you may buy without delay and satisfy any obsessive needs you may have for an impulsive sock monkey purchase.
NOTE: We assume you are not a current eBay user, and therefore provide you with steps for registering. If you are an active eBay user, please log in as you normally would, and make certain the information you have loaded to your eBay profile is up to date. You may then skip this chapter and proceed to Chapter 2: Search on eBay.
Level 5 Header: Content
To register with eBay, please ensure your computer is turned on, connected to the internet, and that you have opened your browser software. Follow the steps shown below:
NOTE: Some of the following steps are accompanied by images showing how you may perform each step. Please bear in mind the content on the web pages shown below are subject to significant changes without notice and thus may not exactly match the web pages depicted in this guide.
HELP & ASSISTANCE:If at any time you experience difficulty performing the steps depicted above, please speak with your instructor (if in classroom) or contact the Help Desk at 333-3333.
- In your internet browser address bar (indicated by the red arrow below), type in the value eBay.
- Then key [Ctrl] + [Enter]. Your browser page should then navigate to the eBay web site home page.
NOTE: The “www.” Prefix and “.com” suffix should automatically be appended to the eBay web address entry. If these appendages do not appear, then type in www.eBay.com and press [Enter].
- Find the Register link on the web page (indicated by red arrow below), and click it.
You should be taken to a registration page similar to the one shown below:
- Fill your personal information into each box shown on the page. The image below depicts several boxes properly filled with sample information.
NOTE: Some fields may appear in the form of drop-down menus which provide you with several values, from which you may choose only one. Please choose the appropriate value. For example: If you live in Indiana, at the State / Province field please choose the value Indiana.
- After filling all of your personal information into every fields, please check this information for accuracy.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page.
OPTIONAL: View the content available through the User Agreement and Privacy Policy links located near the bottom of the page. These links are indicated by red arrows in the image below.
NOTE: The User Agreement and Privacy Policy link contents may attempt to open as separate browser windows. Please make certain that any pop-up blocking software on your PC has been disabled to allow you to view these pages.
- Click the checkbox adjacent to I agree to the following:. The red arrow in the image below indicates a successfully checked checkbox.
NOTE: By clicking on this checkbox, you signify your agreement to the terms as described in the eBay’s User Agreement and Privacy Policy.
- Click the Continue> button to finish this portion of your registration.
A new page similar to the one shown below appears.
[insert screen cap here]
- [Next step text]
- [Next step text]
- [etc., etc.]
Level 5 Header: Chapter Review
Congratulations! In this chapter you learned to register with eBay as a new user. By completing this critical step, you are now ready to purchase your beloved sock monkey at any time.
Upbeat Transitional Statement
In the following chapter, you will learn how to search for your sock monkey on eBay in accordance to the specifications you developed in Chapter 1.
Level 4 Header: CHAPTER 3: Search on eBay
Level 5 Header: Introduction statement
Level 5 Header: Content
Specifications-Based Searching
Level 5 Header: Chapter Review
Upbeat Transitional Statement
Level 4 Header: CHAPTER 4: Select a Sock Monkey
Level 5 Header: Introduction statement
Level 5 Header: Content
Level 6 Header: Specifications-Based Selection
Level 5 Header: Chapter Review
Upbeat Transitional Statement
Level 4 Header: CHAPTER 5: Purchase the Sock Monkey
Level 5 Header: “Buy Now” Purchasing Strategy
Defined:
Example:
Pros:
Cons:
Level 5 Header: Bid-Based Purchasing Strategy
Defined:
Example:
Pros:
Cons:
Level 5 Header: Shipping Methods
Level 5 Header: Packaging Selection
Level 5 Header: Communicating with the Seller before purchase
Level 5 Header: Chapter Review
Upbeat Transitional Statement
Level 5 Header: Knowledge Test (or “Guide Summary”, etc…)
Level 5 Header: Determine Sock Monkey Specifications
Level 5 Header: Register with eBay
Level 5 Header: Search on eBay
Level 5 Header: Select a Sock Monkey
Level 5 Header: Purchase the Sock Monkey
Level 4 Header: Appendices
Level 5 Header: Appendix 1: Tools & Checklists for Sock Monkey Specification Determination
Level 5 Header: Appendix 2: Sock Monkey purchase for users without an acceptable means of payment.
Level 5 Header: Appendix 3: Accessing eBay Help
Level 5 Header: Appendix 4: Recommended Reading & Other Resources
Level 5 Header: New vs. Used
Level 5 Header: Training & Certification on Sock Monkey Use
Level 5 Header: RealSock© Sock Monkey Authenticity Certification
Level 5 Header: Sock Monkey Purchases for Left-Handed Users
Level 5 Header: Purchasing Sock Monkeys as Gifts
Level 5 Header: Sock Monkey Ethnicity
Level 5 Header: Sock Monkey Dating Services
*****************
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Legal stuff: Disclaimer & Safety Notice: Author does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, safety, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed or referred to. Information is provided for informational purposes only. Any actions taken on the reader’s part are taken entirely at the reader’s own risk. Author shall not be liable for any errors in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. Furthermore, Author shall not be liable for any loss of profits, contracts, opportunities or any direct, indirect or consequential loss of any kind (including death and/or injury), business interruption or loss of property arising out of or in connection with the use of the information herein. So there.
© 2008 John Melendez – All rights reserved worldwide. Duplication in part or in full is prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted.
