TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Re: "Is it a red flag in the hiring process if they tell you that you'll be the only tech writer, with complete control over everything?"
Subject:Re: "Is it a red flag in the hiring process if they tell you that you'll be the only tech writer, with complete control over everything?" From:Nina Rogers <janina -dot- rogers -at- gmail -dot- com> To:"Cardimon, Craig" <ccardimon -at- m-s-g -dot- com> Date:Fri, 24 May 2019 09:30:26 -0400
I was a team of one at a software company for about five years, and I loved
it. I was a team of one at the next tech writing job for my first few
years, and it wasn't so good. I'd gotten spoiled at the previous job--I
really was king (or queen, I guess) of the documentation castle, and people
trusted that I knew what I was doing. I got used to being a voice of
authority on all things documentation. At the next job, the one I'm at now,
I'm questioned on everything, have no voice of authority, and non-tech
writers are trying to step in and run documentation processes--and it's
been a nightmare. They finally hired a second, very good tech writer (which
they'd needed to do for years), and they can now compare me to another tech
writer ... which has been good. What Tom Johnson says about non-tech
writers not understanding how much work goes into the job really hits home,
though. That lack of knowledge has had some seriously detrimental effects
at my current job.
On Thu, May 23, 2019 at 5:11 PM Gene Kim-Eng <techwr -at- genek -dot- com> wrote:
> My fondest memories of past positions are ALL sole writer situations.
> And all in startups, to boot.
>
> The key is to clearly define what "complete control" means and ensure
> that all parties see it the same way. If I have confidence that everyone
> will take my word as gospel when I say what can be accomplished within
> the time frame specified and the resources available, hand me the
> contract and I'll sign it.
>
> Gene Kim-Eng
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
>https://www.avast.com/antivirus
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy and
> content development | https://techwhirl.com
>
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as janina -dot- rogers -at- gmail -dot- com -dot-
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-leave -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
>http://www.techwhirl.com/email-discussion-groups/ for more resources and
> info.
>
> Looking for articles on Technical Communications? Head over to our online
> magazine at http://techwhirl.com
>
> Looking for the archived Techwr-l email discussions? Search our public
> email archives @ http://techwr-l.com/archives
>
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Visit TechWhirl for the latest on content technology, content strategy and content development | https://techwhirl.com
