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Subject:Re: how bad is the job market? From:Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> To:TECHWR-L Writing <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:52:00 -0800
I've been following the SF Craigslist writing/editing jobs list for
years. I've never seen an ad for a real technical writer job with a
real software company (which this is) that didn't offer more than
double minimum wage.
Despite the "entry level" title, this ad specifies many of the skills
that make experienced software industry tech writers worth what we're
paid: English degree, good people skills, the ability to write for
both technical and non-technical audiences, single-sourcing,
experience with SQL, Linux, and source control, etc.
On Tue, Jan 26, 2010 at 6:38 AM, Bill Swallow <techcommdood -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
> Yep, a friend sent me that as well with some rather colorful comments.
> In the end, there will always be ads like this. There will always be
> publishing houses looking to pay $10 for a 500 word article. In short,
> the lowballers will always be there. I think they're just more
> prominent now because more people are looking.
>
> On Mon, Jan 25, 2010 at 8:01 PM, Robert Lauriston <robert -at- lauriston -dot- com> wrote:
>> How bad is the job market? There's an ad on Craigalist today for an
>> entry-level tech writer, $10-15 an hour depending on experience.
>>
>> In San Francisco, $10 an hour is 21 cents above minimum wage.
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