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It's a shame -- hiring managers often overlook good writers if there are
so-so writers who knows the tools. The risk is huge, because software
environments change. When hiring managers choose wisely, they hire good
writers and give them experience learning a new tool. More often, they hire
less skilled writers. When the software environment changes, the
less-skilled writers haven't learned a new tool in a dog's age. And what's
this? They don't even have an aptitude for learning a new tool? Oops!
So what's a skilled writer to do? I dunno. Maybe make it easy for the hiring
managers -- read about and use as many tools as you can, so you can speak
intelligently about any document development environment and refer to it on
your resume.
In real life, here's how it's done:
1. Buy a RoboHelp book and download the tria version.
2. Stay up all night with a pot of coffee and a bag of licorice learning how
to use the thing.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each tool you want to learn.
4. Add "Extensive self-directed study" in the "Professional Interests"
section of your resume. And pat yourself on the back.
(And if you happen to be a really damn good writer, well...that'll just be
your little secret...)
Cheers,
D
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