RE: Another interview thread ...

Subject: RE: Another interview thread ...
From: "Brierley, Sean" <Sean -at- Quodata -dot- Com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 13:34:04 -0400

Excellent questions, here's some thoughts from Connecticut:

I've been paying close attention to the job market for a quarter, or so. I
perceive the following issues.

1) Confusing levels of seniority. Some companies that are looking for senior
writers with 3-5 years' total experience (not Charlie's job). I consider 3-5
years' experience not to be very senior. Indeed, other companies are looking
for non-senior writers with 5 years' experience.

2) Confusing requirements with "plusses." I have noted that some companies
list a bunch of items that they would like but are not required. Then, the
companies turn around and treat these "plusses" with the same filter that
they use for their requirements. The result being that candidates might be
put off because they perceive the "plusses" as thinly-veiled requirements.

3) Companies seem to often require exactly the experience that they have to
offer. That is, a company that makes Super-Widget is looking for a technical
writer with Super-Widget experience. I have experienced situations in which
the required experience was not satisfied by similar experience or a proven
ability to learn the subject quickly.

4) Companies seem less willing to relocate a technical writer or pay a
little more for the right tech writer who has to commute a long distance,
than they do for other technology professionals. Thus, many tech writers are
reluctant to apply for jobs at the edge of their commuting range or in a
location that would require a change of address.

So, what would I do?

If the lead tech writer must write robust code for the product in question,
require programming experience.

If the lead tech writer must be able to look at code and sort of understand
what it is doing, for an SDK or some such thing, then require programming
education or equivalent on-the-job experience.

If the lead tech writer needs to be computer savvy such that they can teach
themselves a particular product and such that they understand programming
concepts, state in the ad that the job requires a technical understanding of
XYZ concepts and be prepared to discuss those concepts at the interview.

As a lead writer, I am particularly attracted by jobs that offer
responsibility and authority, along with some hands-on documenting. I am
also attracted by cutting-edge but not necessarily bleeding edge technology.
I understand some C++ , scripting HTML and some JavaScript, and am computer
savvy. But, my interests are in documenting, not coding. I am attracted
particularly by companies that seem willing to invest in their employees,
just as all employees invest in a new employer when they take the large step
of changing jobs. Location doesn't matter much, I'll commute 90 minutes or
so for the short term followed by relocation, or commute up to 60 minutes
for the long-haul, or even up and move for the right job. I am attracted to
companies that would make a similar investment in me, if they discerned I
was the "right candidate." Finally, as a family guy, I am attracted by
stability.

So, who's next???

Cheers,

Sean



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Charlie Montgomery [SMTP:Charlie -dot- Montgomery -at- onename -dot- com]
> That is, how many of you have current, applied programming skills (like
> Java) and
> actually use these skills to improve the value of your writing?
>
. . . I've recast our job description for an open position twice
(once as a senior tech writer, once as a senior programmer writer) and still
received a surprisingly low number
> of resumes, I'm wondering whether it's the market or the description.
>
> * When does a job's subject matter dictate that a writer have actual
> programming experience vs. good ole technical acumen?
> * If you were to try to hire a lead/programmer/technical writer-type,
> what job title/description would you use?
> * If you are a lead/programmer/technical writer, what job postings
> attract you?

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