Anyone ever have to take a writing/editing assessment for a job interview?

[cyberswede]

It's a first for me - I have to take it tomorrow before meeting with the search committee for the interview. Eek!

Anybody have any tips?

[BainsBane]

1. yes, once.

It was for a temporary gig scoring no child left behind exams. I would say that if you feel comfortable with with writing and your command of grammar, just remind yourself of that.

[cyberswede]

3. Thanks!

I'm fine with grammar, but I haven't really had to write anything interesting since grad school. I hope it's like riding a bike.

[BainsBane]

4. Don't write about anything political

Keep it innocuous.

[Arugula Latte]

2. Pay attention to subject/verb agreement and avoid dangling modifiers

If it's a copyediting type of thing, Strunk and White have classic tips (these have to do with composition, but are helpful in editing, too):

Choose a suitable design and stick to it.
Make the paragraph the unit of composition.
Use the active voice.
Put statements in positive form.
Use definite, specific, concrete language.
Omit needless words.
Avoid a succession of loose sentences.
Express coordinate ideas in similar form.
Keep related words together.
In summaries, keep to one tense.
Place the emphatic words of a sentence at the end.

[cyberswede]

6. Thank you!

I read through the style manual the employer has available online, and several of the points you mention were included. I was particularly interested in the suggested ways to avoid cliched/redundant/pretentious language (e.g. use "next to" rather than "adjacent to&quot . It was quite a list.

[suffragette]

5. Breathe

Before you start, breathe in through the nose and slowly exhale the air through your mouth. Do it three times and on the second and third time, feel yourself lowering your shoulders as you exhale.
It's a quick and simple way to calm and center yourself.

Trust yourself and pace yourself to allow time at the end so you don't feel rushed and to check to see if you've missed anything small or subtle.

[cyberswede]

7. Great advice!

I know I'm going to be nervous - your tip should definitely help.

[suffragette]

12. It looks like you have prepared well.

Tomorrow, let it flow.

[elleng]

8. Stick with your FIRST IMPRESSION/

response; its MOST often correct.

[cyberswede]

10. Good tip!

Thank you! I can see second-guessing myself - I'll try not to do that.

[Paulie]

9. Keep a lid on that

That it is a good idea to limit amount that you use of the word that. Sometimes this and that but never that and that. That always bothers people.

[cyberswede]

11. Now THAT is helpful. LOL

Your post made me smile (in addition to being good advice). Thanks!

[catnhatnh]

13. Go read posts at Free Republic....

...and realize that's half the competition. Now giggle and remember it's like starting with 50% in the bag.

[cyberswede]

15. Thanks for the giggle!

I'll do it!

[lastlib]

18. ...and note the things they do that suck, and don't do those.

and you'll be in like Flynn..................(I don't know who Flynn is, or how "in" he/she is, though.)

[catnhatnh]

25. In like Flynn

Not really a polite term:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_like_Flynn

[Sekhmets Daughter]

14. You'll do just fine...

I've taken writing sample tests a few times. Write as though you were speaking. If at all possible, reread what you've written out loud, even at a mere mumble your ear will catch any awkward phrasing. If that's not possible, reread with your lips silently forming the words...that is almost as effective an editor.

[cyberswede]

16. Thanks - that's a good idea.

Well...I'm off to the interview.

Why is it more nerve-wracking to meet with a committee than an individual person? Argh!

Thanks everyone.

[whistler162]

17. remember the answer is always 42

[In_The_Wind]

19. Never. Good luck! You'll do just fine.

What type of company is it?

[Sweet Freedom]

20. You can look up "editing test" online

There's tons of sites that review common editing errors, etc.

Be sure to familiarize yourself with editor's marks if you don't already know them.

http://wadsworth.com/english_d/templates/student_resources/1413001890_burnett/UsageHandbook/edit_marks.htm

Good luck!

[cyberswede]

21. I cleverly read the entire style guide they had online...

and actually applied several of the guidelines they had listed.

Things like spelling out the name of a center rather than using the acronym, typing out years from the 20th century (1968 rather than '68), using times properly (1 p.m. rather than 1:00 p.m), using commas with dates properly, stuff like that. I'm good with regular sentence structure & punctuation, but the details like I mentioned above are more specific, and I'm glad I read the style manual.

Thanks for all the tips!

[ballardgirl]

22. How did it go?

I have always been able to write/edit, etc. but it would be nerve wracking to do it on command. Let us know how you think you did, please. Good luck with the rest of the process.

[cyberswede]

23. I did ok, I think,

I'm completely incapable of being objective.

[mulsh]

24. yes I had to write an expository paragraph, any topic

I wrote a paragraph about how to make Fettuccine Alfredo. I got the job.