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Subject:Getting experience/that first job! From:"Geoff Hart (by way of \"Eric J. Ray\" <ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com>)" <ght -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA> Date:Wed, 23 Sep 1998 06:56:54 -0600
Roy Aney wondered <<...how do I overcome the "Only those with
experience need apply" mentality and find that rarest of commodities
- a first job/assignment?>>
Finding a job: The standard trick that worked for me (all three
times) is to scan the employment ads for companies who are hiring
engineers and scientists, and to check the business section of your
local paper for articles on companies that are expanding. Where there
are new SMEs <stitch>, there are new writing jobs; where companies
are expanding, there are entry-level positions. Send a letter "on
spec", but make sure you send it to the right person (e.g., the
manager responsible for corporate communications)!
Getting a job: Putting together a first portfolio is a piece of cake.
Work for your local school/church/club/whatever newsletter, and keep
"before and after" samples. Write documentation on how you use the
cup holder (pardon... the CD drive) on your computer. Offer a
charitable organisation free writing and editing services for a few
small projects. Voila!
--Geoff Hart @8^{)}
geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
When an idea is wanting, a word can always be found to take its place.--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
