RE: Technical Writing Certifications

Subject: RE: Technical Writing Certifications
From: "John Rosberg" <jrosberg -at- interwoven -dot- com>
To: "Tariel, Lauren R" <lt34 -at- saclink -dot- csus -dot- edu>, "Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>, "Dori Green" <dgreen -at- associatedbrands -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2007 08:07:05 -0500

Only if certification had real, specific, industry-related value --

There is nothing majikal in hiring technical writers, any more than
there is in hiring engineers, picking out a doctor, choosing a general
contractor, or deciding who to invite to the prom --

After some amount of time spent interviewing/being interviewed, I
believe that most humans develop a "nonsense" detector (cleaned up for
the family audience) -- this detector can easily be augmented through
the use of 360 degree interviews --

Read the resumes for applicable skills (or the claims of them), related
industry experience, if that's important, level of experience and
accomplishments --

Again, no majik or tiki involved, but basic managerial skills being
exercised.

-----Original Message-----
From: Tariel, Lauren R [mailto:lt34 -at- saclink -dot- csus -dot- edu]
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 1:57 PM
To: Gene Kim-Eng; Dori Green; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Technical Writing Certifications

How does the plan of interviewing candidates work in a market that is
saturated with "technical writers" who really aren't qualified for the
job, but can write up a resume, produce samples (possibly borrowed), and
come up with references, so the TWs look qualified? If you are hit with
50 or so resumes from "qualified" candidates, how do you determine who
to call for a phone interview and later bring in for an in-person
interview? Certification can help slim the numbers in large markets.

Lauren

________________________________

From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com on behalf of
Gene Kim-Eng
Sent: Thu 9/27/2007 10:21 AM
To: Dori Green; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Technical Writing Certifications



I employ an "old Jedi techpubs manager trick." I talk to
candidates about their past experience, projects,
methodologies, etc., look at their work samples and ask
them questions about them, then talk to their previous
managers and/or clients. It's admittedly unscientific,
but I guess the Force must be with me, because in 15
years I haven't made any hiring choices I later regretted.

What *I* really need is some way to test prospective
*employers.*

Gene Kim-Eng



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References:
RE: Technical Writing Certifications: From: Tariel, Lauren R

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