Re: Senior Technical Writer
Just because
you have the title of Tech Pubs Manager or Senior Technical Writer, does
not mean you are better, more capable, or even an authority. I know plenty
of senior level writers with sub-human level skills.
I'll second that. Some examples:
- Once, I was involved with looking for my replacement as I moved into non-writing duties. One candidate claimed to have spent a year as a Senior Technical Writer in Ireland. When I talked with this writer, I found that not only project management skills but even template design were lacking. But the other two people responsible for hiring were impressed by the title, and hired over my objections. The hire was a disaster. The writer didn't know how to take responsibility for an entire company's documentation needs, or even how to plan a document, and it showed on virtually a daily basis.
- Another time, I took a class in which student's homework assignments were discussed in class. During the class, I noticed one student who asked very basic questions, and whose assignments I could most politely describe as mediocre. A few months later, this writer was a self-proclaimed Senior Technical Writer - on the basis of what criteria, I don't know, but it couldn't have been competence.
- Yet another time, I tried to organize a mentor program (no doubt as the result of bad karma in another lifetime). When I devised a form on which mentors could give their background, I suggested that anyone with over three years' experience could be defined as senior writer (I'm not sure why I arrived at that conclusion, and I wouldn't use that definition now, but never mind). A local STC member jumped at this definition, counting the months before they could define themselves as "senior." Whether the definition was accurate didn't matter. What this writer wanted was an excuse - any excuse - to define themselves as "senior," regardless of skills or time served.
I could go on and on, but I won't, except to say that I've observed countless times that STC members confuse "senior member" status in their organization with "senior writer" status. But, as the result of all these encounters, I'm left in no doubt that wish to be called "senior" is an ego thing, or at best a cheap career move.
More than anything else, I generally avoid worrying too much about titles because I want to disassociate myself - both in my own eyes and in other people's eyes - from either of these attitudes.
Personally, I'd rather built up a solid resume of good work delivered on time, with lots of references. That takes time, but I think it gets me more jobs and gives me a better reputation than calling myself "senior" anything (although maybe Senior Cynic would be valid).
--
Bruce Byfield 604.421.7177 bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com
"Sometimes it seems unimaginable
That the game could get that rough,
But the stage is set and the exit's barred,
And the makeup won't come off."
- Al Stewart, "Carole"
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References:
RE: Senior Technical Writer: From: Andrew Plato
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