Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

Companies will often request a writing sample from potential writer hires. Without adequate notice, the companies have a license to steal.

I am writing a few posts about copyright. I am compelled to do so by recent interviews with employers who seem ignorant of copyright basics. There is much good information on copyright and intellectual property rights online. The Wikipedia article is one good place to begin learning.

I have interviewed with several companies for tech writer positions. One frequent request is for a writing sample. It is unfortunate, but some companies have stolen from me via these writing samples. I have no recourse, because I gave them the right to steal.

There are ways for a writer to protect themselves.

First: the money. My words are money. If I am to be a professional writer, I have to understand and tell that to others. It is not arrogance; it is fact.

When a potential employer asks for a writing sample, they are saying, “Please give us some of your words. (Please give us some of your money.)” A profitable company, with money in the bank, is asking an unemployed writer for money. Hmmm, doesn’t sound too good, but writers almost always comply.

Second: the protection. Attach the writing sample to an email. On the top of the writing sample and in the email include something like:

“I own the content of the attached writing sample. I grant permission to the single first recipient of this email to read my writing sample. I prohibit distribution in all forms of my writing sample to any other person. (The single first recipient cannot forward, print, show on the screen, etc. the writing sample. The single first recipient cannot discuss the writing sample with any other person.) If the prohibition is violated, your company must pay me $10,000 within seven days.”

“But being this tough will cost me a job!” That may be so. If you are desperate enough for a job to give money to a potential employer, do so. I have been this desperate at times and I know the awful feeling. Nevertheless, understand what you are doing, i.e., giving money to a hiring manager so that the hiring manager will consider your application. (Some people refer to such a gift as a bribe. Ooh, that is a dirty word.)