Re: Are technical writers not eligible for a good pay packet?

[John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

> Sometimes it makes me furious when an interviewer says 
> "For a technical writer, your salary is great". 

My response..."Actualy, ... for what you get, my rate is
appropriate". Then move back to the discussion of the interview.
They're doing this as an opening move to get you to settle for a
lower rate than you might be asking for. Make believe it didn't
happen.

Persoanly, it isn't whether technical writers are eligible for a good
pay. It is whether YOU are. If you are an idiot writer, then maybe it
IS great. However, if you are on the 98 percentile, maybe it is
appropriate or underpaid.

Right now, I'm interviewing for my next gig. I'm working in NYC, have
been doing this for enought years to qualify me as a senior level
against anyone's requirements, and have gobs of experience.
Therefore, my rate is pretty high. As I talk to recruiters, they ask
me my rate and I tell them. I immediately add on to it that the rate
has nothing to do with the position they are proposing...it is based
on the previous position, which doesn't have much to do with the
current conversation. For the position being discussed, it may be OK,
it may be too high, or it may be too low depending on what is
involved.

Don't let the recruiter steer you into a direction you don't want to
go...the market is too hot right now. On Wed morning., I posted my
resume to Monster.com. No lie...20 minutes after I posted it, the
phone rang, and continued to do so all day, from eight different
recruiters. Yesterday, I posted to Dice. My late this morning, I had
seven emails asking availability. Pick what you want, say what you
want, and don't waste your time with the bottom feeders...go for what
YOU want.  

Enjoy the situation...it may not alwats be this way...though is has
been for the last five years and doesn't seem to be slowing down.

=====
John Posada, Senior Technical Writer,
in process of looking for next contract effective 1/1/01.

"I'm not flying. I'm falling...with style."
 -- Buzz Lightyear

mailto:john -at- tdandw -dot- com, 732-259-2874

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