How tight is the market? -- and other questions about changing jobs

[rhoggan -at- lewis -dot- com]

Hey All,

I don't know if this is okay for posting or not, but here goes anyway...

As I read through the digests, it sounds as though the market looks pretty
gloomy. When I search the job boards, it doesn't look too bad, but not as
good as it was last year. So, here is my question: Is it really that tough
to find a job, especially if you have three years of experience and formal
(college) training as a tech-writer?

I talked to my boss a few weeks ago and mentioned I was going to start
looking for other work opportunities. More than anything, I'd like to take
a two-month sabbatical in Europe, then spend time with my family, then
start work in early 2002.

Of course, in order to do such a thing, you must have all your ducks in a
row. For the most part, they are--no debts, substantial savings (for six
months of unemployment), no hairy-scary relationships, yada, yada, yada.
The only thing I don't have settled is a job to return to and health
insurance for the unemployed.

My employer is prepared to make a counter-offer which will include a raise
and probably a shift in responsibilities and departments. I perceive the
shift as a good thing.

My current position is as team leader of documentation and mentor to new
writers. Over the past few years, I've churned out a lot of good
documentation so I'm well respected and usually get what I want (tools,
resources, and so on). In my industry, we do well when there is a downturn
in the economy, so the bonuses are getting bigger and bigger. The pay is
about 3,000 below average is on the STC salary survey for my
area/experience/education.

Is it insanity to jump out of a job like this at this time, or is this
gloom and doom only a hype? How difficult is it now to find new employment
in this economy? Currently, I live in a state that ranks 49 out of 50 in
most surveys and statistics, so relocation is not a problem--except to the
state ranking 50th. <GRIN>

Thanks in advance for any comments and advice...

Royce


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