Re: Is temping a good way to start?

["Mitman, Rikki" <Rikki -dot- Mitman -at- COMPAQ -dot- COM>]

Yes, it's a good way to start, because you'll get to try different kinds
of work, expand your experience more quickly, and check out different
companies. However, I'm concerned your limited direct experience and
portfolio might make it a little harder.

As others have pointed out, you can rewrite the descriptions of previous
jobs on your resume to highlight the writing you did at each place.
Also, you might try to find positions with companies whose technologies
(or whatever needs to be documented) a related to your business
experience -- user guides for financial applications and such.

Also, it is sometimes possible to get around the
confidential/proprietary nature of some writing samples by whiting out
such things as company and product names. There's still enough text left
in the sample for an interviewer to get as sense of your capabilities
and the breadth of your experience. I have done this, and those who saw
the samples liked the fact that I managed to show my work while
respecting the trust others had placed in me.

It's hard to recommend agencies without knowing where you are. You might
want to post your metro area; local people will probably give you some
good references.

>KFuhlbrig  wrote:
>
>Yes, in case you hadn't guessed, I too want to get into tech writing.  For
>a variety of reasons, I need the flexibility that freelance work provides.
> Is a temp agency a good place to get some experience and develop a
>portfolio? If so, can you recommend any particular agencies?
>
>FYI, my background is in finance and strategy, and I have no formal
>training in tech writing.  However, I do write extremely well, and I've
>discovered I really enjoy hacking around at a computer all day.  I
>understand basic typography and design, and have created two items to show
>prospective employers:
>1) I reformatted a page from Michigan's Drivers' Manual...it was
>appropriately written, but the formatting totally obscured the message.
>2) I have a done a product brochure/spec sheet for a new industrial robot
>application.
>
>In addition, I have written bazillions (notice the use of precise
>technical terminology) of reports, all well received, but they are all
>confidential material.  I can't use them.
>
>Is this an appropriate start? Any hints and tips would be most welcome.
>
>Also, if anyone has compiled a "newbie FAQ", I'd love to get a copy of it.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>--------------------------------------
>Eschew obfuscation
>Kathryn Fuhlbrigge
>KFuhlbrig -at- aol -dot- com
>(yes, I know it's not a cool address, but, hey, I don't get junk email!  ; P
> )
>
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