Re: Senior Technical Writer
That "Senior" attached to the title translates to about 20% - 30% higher
compensation ($$$$$).
Conversely, it could also mean that you lose jobs because you look too experienced. In such cases, the reasoning is that, if you're qualified to do more, you won't be content with a less senior position, and will soon move on. That could be annoying if you need the job. So, I'd say that the advantages and the disadvantages cancel each other out.
I notice many posters belong to the "call me what you want, just pay me
fairly" school of thought. This strikes me as naive. By the same logic they
could send in a resume written in crayon, since the qualifications read the
same be they written in crayon or laser ink.
Not really. The presentation of your resume shows your professionalism. Similarly, refusing to become obsessive about titles strikes me as a sign of professionalism. A person overly concerned about titles may like playing office politics too much to be someone I'd want to hire.
This entire discussion reminds me of my mother-in-law's shock when she learned that the students I taught at university called me by my first name. She thought I should insist on "Mr." My reply was that, if I couldn't get them to respect me on the basis of my knowledge and behaviour, being addressed by a title wouldn't win me respect, either.
The same goes in the office. A title buys me respect for the first five minutes of an acquaintance. After that, I have to earn it. I use a title in my sig line for business because of that first five minutes, but that's about the extent for me. Worrying about it beyond that strikes me as a waste of energy.
If your resume says "Senior" they have the assurance that at least SOMEONE
out there considered you so qualified. No "Senior" and they'll have to read
deeper; if they have a lot of resumes, they'll call the non-Seniors last, if
ever. Unless of course they are looking to low ball you on salary.
In my experience, when you're filling a senior position, the number of entries goes way down anyway. Far from discarding resumes, I've generally had to go back to the pile and see if I missed any qualified applicants.
Anyway, this argument would carry more weight if "Senior Technical Writer" had any generally recognized definition. Since many HR people have only the vaguest idea of what a technical writer is, what chance is there that they will know what a senior one is?
There are key words that add up to a senior writer, and that is probably what you should concentrate on in your resume.
--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com
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That the game could get that rough,
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RE: Senior Technical Writer: From: Dugas, Andrew
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