While the field of usability has existed for decades, the number and quality of careers in the field have greatly improved in the last 10-15 years. The long-term prognosis for the industry is good: there are constant opportunities in almost every industry since new products and technology come out all the time, in usability as well as user-centered design, interaction design and user experience design.
#10588
Computerjobs: Technical Writing 
Offers a large database of jobs for IT professionals, including technical writing positions. Allows job seekers to post their resumes and bookmark jobs. Allows employers to post new jobs and search resumes.
ComputerJobs.com. Careers>Job Listings>Writing>Technical Writing
#14498
Conquering the Cubicle Syndrome
Cubicles aren't really physical walls--they're a state of mind. In effect, it's the belief that you've been compartmentalized and isolated that defines the cubicle. The four-sided, felt-lined livestock pens loved by evil office managers everywhere hides the truth: cubicles are all about being isolated and treated as part of the building infrastructure, whatever the physical location of your chair.
Hart, Geoffrey J.S. TECHWR-L (1999). Careers>Workplace>Collaboration
#31705
Considerations for Hiring Technical Writers
If you have a group of stressed out and overworked technical writers and need to add to your staff, hiring the right technical writer can be a challenge. The author provides some tips on the hiring and interview process and what you might look for in exceptional technical writing candidates that will best fill the needs of your group of technical writers.
Rastocny, Philip. Writing Assistance (2008). Careers>Interviewing>Recruiting>Technical Writing
#24007
Considering Independence? Know Your Options
Anyone who’s ever considered working independently has probably approached this decision with caution. And no wonder: Outside the comfortable structure of full-time employment lies a seemingly chaotic and intimidating sea of new challenges.
Zaino, Gene. Certification Magazine (2003). Careers>Freelance
#13184
Consulting and Independent Contracting 
The Consulting and Independent Contracting progression will focus on both beginning and advanced topics relating to independent work. Independent work requires attention to two main areas: maintaining professional standards and practices; and building a successful contracting or consulting business. As the role of contractors and consultants continues to evolve practitioners face issues articulated in the topics below. Individual topics addressed are: choosing between contracting and consulting, marketing a business, and addressing legal issues. For those already established we look at ways to expand the consultant’s personal resource network and issues of incorporation as a growth alternative.
Barker, Thomas. STC Proceedings (2001). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#31373
Consulting as a Process: Getting to Know Your Client and Using Technology
Much like the strategic planning process used by talented communicators around the globe, consulting too is a process. It is circular because it feeds into itself, and it is strategic because it is grounded in the business and relationships. Each step incorporates multiple sub-steps. For example, “collaborate on the solution” may incorporate brainstorming, best practice benchmarking and collaborative implementation.
Wilson, Stacy. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Consulting>Technology
#24706
Consultants, like Life Savers®, come in flavors. Some are sweet and cloying, some area little too tart, some are bitter, some are too hot and spicy, and some like baby bear’s porridge taste just right. Clients may put up with the flavor of the month, but will he or she recommend or select it the next time around. Since referrals and repeat business are the life-blood of consulting, maintaining an excellent working relationship with a client is critical. Learning how to work with a client is the key to consulting with panache and knowing the rules helps open the door.
Burrer, Donna J., Faye Lepp and Curtis C. Stokes. STC Proceedings (1994). Careers>Consulting
#14602
Consulting: Keeping Up in a Down Economy
Barker explains how consultants can prepare for survival and long-term growth in the technical communication business, even in the midst of an economic downturn.
Barker, Thomas. Intercom (2003). Careers>Consulting
#19871
In the 90’s, contingency staffing (also called temporary staffing) has become a way of life for businesses that have had to streamline operations and reduce fixed costs in order to compete. Consequently, contract employment and independent contracting have become a way of life for many technical communicators who can’t — or prefer not to — find a full-time job.
Cheirrett, Peg A. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#14651
Continuing Education: The Key to Your Career
Janicko offers suggestions for getting the most out of continuing education and argues that continual learning can bolster careers in technical communication.
Janicko, Raymond P. Intercom (2000). Careers>Education>Continuing
#30312
Contracting as a Career Alternative
The technical contracting industry provides a unique career opportunity for experienced professionals in most technical communications disciplines. It also provides a possible alternative to unemployment in view of the continuing 'down-sizing' and restructuring activity going on in today's marketplace.
Randolph, Brett W.F. Boston Broadside (1991). Careers>Consulting>Freelance
#14958
Contracting Experiences From Hell
So you've got a contract. The client seems reasonably well heeled and reliable (or you have an agency that can run interference for you). All you have to do is produce and collect, right? Not necessarily! As the following anecdotes show, having a good contract and having your professional ducks in a row are important at all stages of your client relationship.
Hilp, Robin. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts
#13527
Contracting Versus Consulting: Making an Informed, Conscious Decision 
As independent or freelance technical communicators, we typically call ourselves contractors. Our clients and potential clients, however, might consider some of us contractors and others consultants, with different expectations applied to each. The differences in perception vary from one individual to the next, but you might generalize them as differences in the level of abstraction of the technical communication product with which each type of worker is engaged.
Ames, Andrea L. Technical Communication Online (2002). Careers>Consulting
#15101
Contracting: Flat Fee or Hourly Rates?
Recommends that technical writers working as independent contractors quote flat fees for projects instead of hourly rates. The article offers tips on preparing portfolios and conducting client interviews.
#14957
In an economy that is constantly changing, many technical writers are (or have thought about being) contractors. Being your own boss certainly does have a certain cachet. But is it for you?
Turner, Gordon. STC Williamette Valley (2002). Careers>Freelance>Contracts
#15102
Frick responds to several common questions of novice independent contractors.
Frick, Elizabeth A. 'Betsy'. Intercom (2001). Careers>Freelance
#19872
Contracts that Don’t Bite: Contracting for Technical Writing Services in the Real World
The presenters examine all aspects of contracting from the viewpoint of both the contractor and the employer/client. The focus will be on the contract itself which provides a clear starting point for maneuvering through the critical issues, including what constitutes a legal contract and topics a contract should cover. The ensuing discussion will cover the different ways that writers work and are paid, managing the inevitable changes to a project, and a closer look at the pros and cons of working on an hourly or term contract compared to fixed price contracts, or contracts with an upset limit.
Forsyth, Diane and Duncan A. Kent. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Freelance>Consulting
#23627
This paper describes the differences between an employee, an independent contractor, and a consultant and why it is important to understand these distinctions. It also mentions why it is important that independent contractors set effective goals and describes the difference between static goals and dynamic goals. An approach for taking up assignments as an independent contractor is provided. This approach describes activities that need to be done prior to starting an assignment, while working on the assignment, and after the assignment is completed.
Alexander, Susan M. STC Proceedings (2003). Careers>Freelance
#11816
People unfamiliar with usability think that it's cosmetic and can be combined with other phases of development when time is available. It's often difficult to educate them, especially if they are more senior than you are and consider it a waste of time. They will not be convinced by statistics from anywhere other than outside the organization. What should you do next? You may be able to say something like 'It seems your only objection is [whatever], so if we can resolve this issue, do you have any other reasons why we shouldn't do usability testing?' This way, you have their agreement to do usability just as soon as you have resolved the issue.
Dick, David J. Usability Interface (1999). Careers>Usability>Management
#14123
Jobs for Copy Editors is a free service provided to the publishing community. If you have an opening and would like to advertise it here, just complete the job form. Ads are only accepted for positions containing the words copy editor or proofreader and from organizations that identify themselves. To view current job openings visit our job board.
#19816
Copy Editors and Technical Editors: We are Family
The authors of this paper have the unusual background of having worked in both the newspaper (copy editors) and business (technical editors) fields, which are not as diverse as people might think.
Huth, Elizabeth Ann and Kevin J. Schmidt. STC Proceedings (1995). Careers>Editing>Technical Editing
#31390
The Corporate Name: To Change or Not To Change
The announcement ads are everywhere-in magazines, in newspapers and on television. Hundreds of companies, large and small, change their names every year. The Wall Street Journal reports that some 400 to 800 annually make a name change, and these numbers don't include the thousands more that only consider such a move. Why is it that so many corporations are reassessing their names? What spurs them to undertake a procedure that is often painfully emotional, and, in all cases, is time consuming?
Bell, James. Communication World Bulletin (2005). Careers>Management>Marketing
#27964
A selection of writing samples for cover letters, CVs and resumes.
#10068
Cover letters can mean the difference between your work being read and being tossed callously into the nearest wastebasket. Writing cover letters makes me feel stupid and small, as though I were begging some faceless entity (read: editor) to acknowledge my pitiful existence.
Van Nooten, Sylvia. Writer's Block (1999). Careers>Resumes>Cover Letters
#31923
The Cover Letter: Door Opener Par Excellence
Although we are allowed to put more into a cover letter than can appear on a magazine cover, the challenge is still to keep it succinct. In fact, writing something that is powerful and yet short is the single most difficult kind of business writing. You already know that although it's easy to go on and on in a company memorandum, saying the same thing in half the space can make your work twice as powerful.
Jensen, David G. Science (2002). Careers>Resumes>Cover Letters
