Re: What constitutes a senior tech writer and how to get

Subject: Re: What constitutes a senior tech writer and how to get
From: Shelly Hazard <shelly -dot- l -dot- hazard -at- EXGATE -dot- TEK -dot- COM>
Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 14:30:10 -0700

I'm going to jump into the discussion a little late (just catching up on
email)....

Every post on this subject has made a good point and I'm not going to debate
the question of who's at fault. But I would like to add a couple of
comments from my own experiences.

First off, titles can be somewhat meaningless and are very subjective to the
situation and the company you work for. I once worked under the title of
Documentation Specialist level 3 - it didn't have a thing to do with what I
did, but that was the closest title the company had in their structure.
Also, the definitions of the titles can change as you move from company to
company, so what may apply at one is not true for another. In short, when
you add your experience to your resume, you use a title that best defines
what you did - your next employer may choose to redefine it.

One thing I do (both to increase my skills and to increase my 'worth') is to
encourage the people around you to come to your for help. I work in a
marketing department and am constantly telling them that I'm always
available if they need help. I've helped them write articles, prepare
papers for lectures, modified labs, written application notes, and sometimes
just proofread and edit letters for other people in my department. If you
encourage co-workers to come to you if they need help, it provides you with
a number of valuable assets. You have the goodwill of your co-workers on
your side and if you're truly helpful, they will go out of their way to sing
praises of you to your manager. It increases your visibility within the
department and gives you valuable experience. Lastly, it gives you work to
do that can be challenging and different from the every day hum-drum of your
usual work day.

Am I a senior technical writer? By most of the definitions posted here, no
I am not because I've only worked under the title of technical writer for
two years. But, I have produced manuals, service procedures, written
articles (that have been published), assisted and supported all manner of
marketing materials for my department, and am currently the lead role for
documentation on our most critical project. I am also the only technical
writer we have at present. I am not a junior level (though my current job
title states that I am due to a very long story), but I freely admit I am
not a senior level tech writer. Why? Mostly because I have not yet done
some aspects of technical writing (for ex, creation of WinHelp files) - I
think some of being a senior level is state of mind (how skilled do you feel
you are based on your experiences and knowledge) and some, as stated by
others, by years of experience. While I'm not sure I agree with those who
say 'you should have 8 years or more experience' to become a senior level
writer (I think I've packed more experience into two years than many get in
eight), I do agree that experience is important. I am sure I could perform
any tasks that they put before me. But I can't say - "Oh sure, that project
will take 2 months and three people working full time" because I haven't
experienced that particular project before to know what it entails.

The best advice I can give is - listen and learn. If you truly want to
succeed, take advantage of the experience and needs of those around you.
Seek out all opportunities. Help out wherever you can and always keep an
open mind. No, proofing that presentation for the product marketer won't
get you a promotion, but it will provide a grateful co-worker who will
remember that you helped him out when he needed it. It will also provide
you with the knowledge of the presentation, which will help you understand
what the product/technology is about so you can make it clearer to the user
who uses the manual as a reference.

My two cents, for what it's worth.

Shelly

From ??? -at- ??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000=


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