Landed my first job as a technical writer

[James Barrow]

>Craig Cardimon wrote:

>I went from a programmer/developer to technical writer in three days. Talk
>about a career change!

>Interview on Tuesday, phone offer on Wednesday, email confirmation on
>Thursday. My new job starts Monday, December 4. I will be full-time staff.

>I don't think there are any other tech writers at this place. There are
>several manuals that could use updating, both print and online.

>I have some jitters. I am browsing the TECHWR-L site, but can you folks
>offer any personal kind of advice?

Congratulations!  This is so ironic since I just got a job as a
programmer/developer in three days.  Just kidding.

Best advice:  Don't worry too much at first about crossing your "T"s,
dotting your "I"s, split infinitives, dangling participles, and the like.

Focus more on audience analysis.  Write your documentation for your
audience.  And, when you proofread your work, imagine that you're a
first-time reader and that you have never seen the documentation/software
before.

All the best,

Jim