Re: What's A TW Got To DO To Get A Job Around Here?!

[kcronin -at- daleen -dot- com]

Beth-

Are you applying for these jobs anyway? I hope so. 

The job descriptions posted in want ads are shopping lists, containing all
the attributes that their "dream applicant" might have. Most companies
will settle for less if suitably impressed with your other skills.

Also, these job descriptions are often composed by HR staff who may or may
not fully understand the REAL requirements the jobs they're describing.

At each tech writing gig I've had, I've had to learn that company's
products and technologies. I didn't (and couldn't) do so until I got each
job. Broad-level expertise is always helpful, so learning some programming
or networking concepts would certainly be helpful, but I'm a little
cautious about the niche-focused approach that Andrew preaches. What if
that niche dries up? I currently work in the telecom industry, and
although you'd think that with everybody and their brother using cell
phones and Internet-enabled PDAs, we'd be in the chips; instead our market
itself is cr -at- p -dot-  Who knew?

If there are one or two requirements that appear in most of the job ads
that interest you (such as say, Java, HTML, C++, or whatever), maybe it
would be a good idea to take a quick course at a community college. Can't
hurt.

But in the mean time (is that one word or two? too lazy to check), keep
applying for these jobs, even if you fear that you're not fully qualified.
You're an experienced tech writer. I'll bet you could do most of those
jobs, if given a chance.

Also, read up on the latest job-hunting strategies. I'm a big advocate of
Martin Yates' "Knock 'Em Dead," a book he updates annually. The hit that
your confidence is taking right now could hurt you during interviews, so
you want to make sure your interviewing skills are as sharp as your tech
writing skills.

Good luck!
_____________________

Always use styles, even when nobody's looking.


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