Going Beyond Technical Writing: Practical Advice February 14, 2008
Posted by engl381 in : Uncategorized , trackbackListen to this podcast interview with Mark Hanigan, former president of STC (Society for Technical Communication). He argues that technical writing is a skill set, and not necessarily an end-profession. Check out other podcasts on this blog, like this interview in which RJ Jacquez, “senior product evangelist,” talks about the new Adobe Technical Communication Suite.
One reader posted the following suggestions in comments in response to the Hanigan interview:
Here are my top five tips for acing that tech writing job interview:
1. Tell your potential employer that even though you don’t know everything about their widgets right now, you love learning new things. In fact, it’s struggling through the learning process that enables you to communicate with their users.
2. Showcase professional pieces in your portfolio that not only show you’re a wiz in robohelp/framemaker, etc, but also show that you solved a problem and achieved a positive outcome for a real world client. If you don’t have these, volunteer to create them on spec for a non-profit organization.
3. Don’t sell yourself short when convincing your employer that writing matters. Make sure your employer knows that strong writing and editing is not just about juggling commas. It’s about organization, understanding your audience, usability, and ultimately creating a satisfying user experience.
4. Don’t be afraid to bring in some fresh ideas. Tell your potential employer about audio/visual/interactive elements that you think would enhance their traditional documentation. Show initiative.
5. Relax and be yourself. If you’re a geek who is passionate about technology, grammar, and the latest trends in communication, then it’ll come through in the interview. Remember that you’re trying to find the perfect fit for you.
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