Nurturing a New Writer

Technical communicators represent one of the most mobile groups of professionals I'm aware of, with some sources claiming that the average time between changing jobs is as low as four years. This means that many of us will soon find ourselves in the position of working with newcomers, whether permant staff or 'temps,' and this means we may face the problem of how to mentor or supervise someone new to our workplace. This article discusses how to work with someone who already has the basic training, but is nonetheless naive in the ways of your particular organization.

Hart, Geoffrey J.S. Geoff-Hart.com (1999). Careers>Mentoring>Writing>Technical Writing

Offshoring: Strategies for Prevailing in the Global Marketplace for Technical Writing  

Offshoring will not go away. Technical communicators can improve their prospects by taking offshoring into account as they envision their futures. After defining offshoring and outsourcing, this paper presents a brief history of offshoring and the myths associated with it, followed by a reporting of observations made by practitioners in the field. The conclusions of this report include recommended strategies for technical communicators to consider as they move forward in their careers.

Highby, Marie. STC Proceedings (2004). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>Offshoring

Oh, Oh! The Job Ad Says OO  

More and more job notices request some knowledge of object-oriented programming concepts. So, what are object-oriented programming concepts, why are they so special, and what documentation challenges do they create. This seminar answers your questions about the real meaning behind those job ads.

Gallagher, Susan W. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Writing>Programming>Technical Writing

Online Options for Frustrated Journalists

Apparently many of the best journalists and editors are interested in making the jump to online media, but they also have many concerns and misconceptions about the online content business. Since I kept hearing the same questions, I thought it might be useful to present my boiled-down answers here. These aren't one-size-fits-all solutions, but rather points for working journalists to consider.

Gahran, Amy. Contentious (2000). Careers>Writing>Online

The Personal Narrative of a Technical Writer

When I graduated with an Honours degree in English from St. F.X., I had no idea that I would find work as a freelance technical writer; in fact, I had next to no idea at the time what technical writing was. In short, a technical writer produces the literature of engineering, technology, software, and systems development.

Currie, John. St. Francis Xavier (1999). Careers>TC>Writing>Technical Writing

Power Words for Resumes

A list of verbs one should consider when writing a resume.

Tech-Writer. Careers>Resumes>Writing

Providing On-the-Job Writing Training to Nonwriters  

Professional communicators today must often work with writing done by coworkers who have little or no formal writing training. This situation opens a long-term opportunity for professional development'from negotiating with management to developing tactful-but-truthful mentoring methods for the nonwriters. The mentor will develop skills in goal setting, curriculum development, and possibly even classroom-style teaching. This interactive workshop will lead participants through a 10-step process for becoming a successful writing skills mentor and give successful tips and techniques for evaluating and attacking writing problems.

Edgerton, Rebecca J. and Jill Nicholson. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Mentoring>Writing>Technical Writing

Providing On-the-Job Writing Training to Nonwriters  

Professional communicators today must often work with writing done by coworkers who have little or no formal writing training. This situation opens a long-term opportunity for professional development–from negotiating with management to developing tactful-buttruthful mentoring methods for the nonwriters. The mentor will develop skills in goal setting, curriculum development, and possibly even classroom-style teaching. This interactive workshop will lead participants through a 10-step process for becoming a successful writing skills mentor and give successful tips and techniques for evaluating and attacking writing problems. This workshop is an expanded version of the 90 minute workshop given last year to rave reviews.

Edgerton, Rebecca J. and Jill Nicholson. STC Proceedings (1999). Careers>Mentoring>Writing>Technical Writing

Published Tech Authors Only Need Apply

It seems Microsoft is foregoing technical writers for technology writers. Apparently they want technology journalists writing the online help for the next version of Windows.

Creative Tech Writer, The (2003). Careers>Documentation>Writing>Technical Writing

The Question No One Asked Me at the Career Advice Panel, Thank Goodness

Tonight I participated on a career panel for technical writing majors at Utah State University. In preparation, I tried to think of answers to questions they might ask. The one question that I was sure some student would ask is this: 'If you were to do it over again, would you choose technical writing as your career?'

Johnson, Tom H. I'd Rather Be Writing (2008). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing

Recruiting Spree for Technical Writers

I had a chance to interview three technical writers in Pune, the oasis of technical writers. All of them were techies doing technical writing. I am into EDA technical writing these days (one of the toughest areas of technical writing—this is rocket science, buddies!) and naturally technical acumen is a strength. All of them were new to technical writing (and perhaps even writing) as was evident from the fact that none of them brought in writing samples.

Kamath, Gurudutt R. IT People (2003). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing>India

Reinventing Yourself As a Marcom Writer  

Lange, a marketing writer who spent four years as a technical writer, compares the two disciplines and discusses how technical writers can move into marcom.

Lange, Penny L. Intercom (2002). Careers>Writing>Marketing

Resumes -- Content

Employers read resumes in order to find evidence that a particular applicant is well qualified for a particular job. Experience, education, training, and personal qualities relevant to the job are all important. The resume should describe what has led the applicant to where he or she is now.

Wymelenberg, Erin Vanden. Seton Hill University (2000). Careers>Resumes>Writing

Resumes -- Presentation

Many employers look for creativity and imagination when the job calls for it. However, it is best to aim for a professional, neat, and organized look for your resume. If you are applying for a job that requires radical creativity, you can always include a portfolio of your wildest, most unbusinesslike work!

Wymelenberg, Erin Vanden. Seton Hill University (2000). Careers>Resumes>Writing

Resumes -- Top 5 Problems

I regularly ask my students to submit resumes early in the semester. Here are the top 5 problems that typically cause stress for my students (and me) on resumes.

Jerz, Dennis G. Seton Hill University (2001). Careers>Resumes>Writing

Sell Your Technical Writing Services  

Times are changing. Before 2001, when you went to sell your technical writing services, you might have checked a job board, read a newspaper, or called the manager of Human Resources and then referred to a written job description. In 2004, things are different.

Walsh, Tina K. Intercom (2004). Careers>Freelance>Writing>Technical Writing

The Shifting Technical Writing Market

I believe that technical writers, by and large, do a poor job of marketing themselves in a competitive business. We cannot simply send resumes out anymore and expect the employers to come to us. The market moves too quickly for that. And business is changing: We're about to start moving even faster.

Knowles, Michael. Write Thinking (2002). Careers>Writing>Technical Writing

Six Tips for Effective Self-Appraisals

Thorough, ongoing documentation is the key to well-written Self-Appraisals that increase your perceived value within your Company and impact your performance rating.

ULiveandLearn.com (2005). Careers>Writing>Business Communication>Assessment

So You Want to Freelance as a Webzine Writer?  

The Web offers a second universe for writers. Web publications have opened up just as the paper markets have shrunk for journalists, humorists, essayists, fictioneers, and yes, freelancing technical communicators. Webzines appear at a time when pay rates for magazine articles and books have begun to mirror the economy’s split into poor and rich, with fewer lucrative contracts in the middle. But now the opportunity exists for a writer to make a middle-class living on the Web.

Price, Jonathan R. STC Proceedings (1998). Careers>Freelance>Journalism>Writing

So You Want to Freelance as a Webzine Writer?

The Web offers a second universe for writers. Web publications have opened up just as the paper markets have shrunk for journalists, humorists, essayists, fictioneers, and yes, freelancing technical communicators. Webzines appear at a time when pay rates for magazine articles and books have begun to mirror the economy’s split into poor and rich, with fewer lucrative contracts in the middle. But now the opportunity exists for a writer to make a middle-class living on the Web.

Price, Jonathan R. Communication Circle, The (1998). Careers>Freelance>Writing

Starting a Technical Writing Business from Scratch

What does it take to start your own technical-writing business? Chutzpa! Insanity! I began mine by getting a loan from my local bank for my first computer to set up a home office. It was a Micron desktop 386, the fastest computer in town! That was nine years ago. I now have a nice office, a sizeable staff, and all the work I can handle, most of the time.

Nickolich, Ruth. Writing Assistance (2006). Careers>Management>Technical Writing

Strategies When Hiring a Technical Writer  

This article offers tips for project and development managers hiring a technical writer to document a software development project.

Kelly, William T. TechRepublic (2003). Careers>Management>Writing>Technical Writing