[TCP] certification (was: ranting STC)

[elizabeth j allen]

I have to take up Nancy's side of the argument on this one. I applied for
a position as a full-time technical writer at a multinational organization
that listed the following (among others):
     REQUIREMENTS
     -Degree or Diploma in technical writing.

I have neither and my resume says so. Not only was I called in for an
interview, I got the job. I love it and they seem very happy with me as
well: I just received gift certificates for a steak house dinner for two
and a movie after delivering my first hardware manual a week ago.

Frankly, I am at a stage in my career where I don't really wish to work
with a company that would be so foolish as to exclude potential candidates
based on their lack of a degree or certification. I have worked at lousy
companies in the past and have no wish to repeat the experience of being
treated like a third-class citizen because of my lack of "formal"
credentials.

I have never had a problem getting hired as a technical writer and almost
*all* of my experience has been as a captive employee, not a contractor.

Elizabeth
--
Elizabeth J. Allen
Technical Writer
"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler." -- Albert Einstein


Dubin, David said:
> Nancy,
> I understand what you are saying, and don't disagree with your premise,
> however, not all TWs do contract work, many are, or wish to be employed
> by an enterprise on a full time basis. Because of this, they must go
> through the applicant process, which for many companies today, includes
> an electronic scan of the resume that looks for specifics such as
> degrees and certifications. Those resumes that do not contain text on a
> required degree or specialized certification, are NOT passed on to the
> HR person for review. One of my certifications is as a PHR (Professional
> in Human Resources) so I am well acquainted with this, in addition to
> the fact that Sage produces recruiting software that does just that.
>
> Due to the high degree of competition in many job markets for TWs, if
> you don't meet the minimum qualifications, you don't get your foot in
> the door, let alone to the level of hiring manager interview.
> Additionally, more and more companies that have hired TWs (and
> curriculum developers) as contract employees (1099 wages), are
> withholding permission from contract employees to use the work the TW
> did for the enterprise as a sample for proprietary reasons.
>
> Would certification "simply become another manipulable criterion for
> hiring, paying, and firing. . ." is anyone's guess. I do not doubt that
> could happen, but let's face it, a manipulative employer will manipulate
> whatever is to their advantage to pay the lowest possible price for the
> highest quality work.
>
>
> David B. Dubin
> Senior Curriculum Developer
> Sage Software
> 727-579-1111 x 3356
> david.dubin at sage.com
> Your business in mind.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nancy Allison [mailto:maker at verizon.net]
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 9:55 AM
> To: Dubin, David; TECHWR-L
> Subject: Re: [TCP] certification (was: ranting STC)
>
> Maybe I'm naive, but I've been able to get contract work at dozens of
> companies over the past 23 years by showing my samples, answering
> questions intelligently, and producing strongly positive recommendations
> from recent employers.
>
> I've never seen a need for certification. I don't even think it would
> actually
>
>>enable very
>>talented TWs who have either no degree or an AA degree, but who can
>>produce effective, useful documentation, to compete in the global
>>marketplace with TWs with advanced degrees, but who cannot produce
>>cohesive, effective work.
>
> as David Dubin suggests. I think a certification would simply become
> another manipulable criterion for hiring, paying, and firing, and its
> value would be independent of the quality of anyone's work.
>
> So, maybe cynical, not naive!
>
> --Nancy