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Subject:Re: How to get that first TW contract From:Janet Valade <janet -at- SYSTECH -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 24 Jul 1997 16:54:49 PDT
>This seems to imply that Buck feels it's easier to obtain contract work than
>it is to get a full-time job as a techwriter. (Please correct me if I've
>misunderstood). As an aspirer techwriter who is currently working in another
>field, I would love to know whether anyone else has any thoughts/insights
>into this issue.
My experience (Southern California and the Bay area) shows it to be the
opposite. The agencies I have talked to have more trouble finding people
to take perm jobs than to contract. Agency people have told me that most
writers want to contract. When I was looking, my most recent jobs were
contracts. The agency person would always ask if I would consider
a perm job, in a hesitant voice that seemed to expect a no. Also, I
think it is easier to get a perm job when you have little experience.
A company hiring an employee for the long haul is more willing to train
them; a company hiring a contractor wants someone who can be productive
NOW.
--
Janet Valade
Technical Writer
Systech Corp, San Diego, CA mailto:janet -at- systech -dot- com
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