RE: Resume recommendations for older writers?

Subject: RE: Resume recommendations for older writers?
From: "Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- M-S-G -dot- com>
To: 'Emoto' <emoto1 -at- gmail -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 20 Apr 2017 18:15:21 +0000

Bob said: " Let's face it: nobody wants to be the tech writer"

And you know what? That's true!

I have never heard anyone outside of this list say, "You're a technical writer? Wow! That's exactly what I want to do."

Food for thought, eh?

Craig

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Emoto
Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2017 2:05 PM
Cc: Tech Writing <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Re: Resume recommendations for older writers?

I would make no bones about the fact that you are returning to writing. Any hint of concealment is bad. Spin it as returning to your roots or your first love, if you must. Relate the recent repair work as time spent in the trenches that emphasizes just how important good tech is, and mention tasks that related to documentation as "hands on, real-world experience" that gives you additional perspective and insight.

As tech writers, I think we are cut a lot of slack in the age department.
They assume we know what we're doing, how to use the language, and how to manage documents. They hire us, so they don't have to worry about it. This differs from those who want to hire recent grads, or (pardon the
expression) kids, who are immersed in the latest technical fads. Let's face it: nobody wants to be the tech writer, except all of us on this list.
:-)

As a 60-year-old who has had various staffing agency jobs over the past ~3 years (and now a full-time regular job) I shared your concern about the age thing, but what can you do? So, I just plunged ahead like always. A friendly attitude, and being relaxed and friendly during interviews seem to work just as well as ever. Somehow, with a little age and grey hair, they seem to believe me now when I say "I can do that for you".

Best of luck!

Bob

On Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 1:45 PM, Dave C <davec2468 -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

> Hi fellow Tech-WrLâers,
> Iâm re-entering the writing market after a decade doing repair
> workâwhat I used to write about (service manuals) prior to this hiatus.
>
> Iâm 50-plus years and all writing work is well back in history, as are
> my writing samples: googling the products mentioned in the samples
> will give away the era I worked in.
>
> Iâm concerned about age bias, at least in the resume-submission phase.
> Simply eliminating dates from the previous work experience is the
> first thought that came to mind. Also, creating some modern writing
> samples is another idea.
>
> Anyone here been through this dance before?
>
> Any and all suggestions will be gratefully received.
>
> Thanks,
> Dave Carpenter
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References:
Resume recommendations for older writers?: From: Dave C
Re: Resume recommendations for older writers?: From: Emoto

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