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> 1. Is it appropriate to tell your interviewer that you considered
> the salary at your previous job low for that market?
The problem with this approach is that it then begs the question - well,
then why did you take the job at that salary.
> Or should you continue with the
> "that salary was for that job and isn't appropriate here" line?
I would qualify it with something like, "that was the entry level salary for
a tech writing job at that particular company. With the experience I've
gained I'm looking to move beyond that level now" or something to that
effect.
> I'm currently very unhappy with what I'm making now, but I took the
> job for the experience and am hoping for greener pastures elsewhere.
> Is this something to tell interviewers, or should it be avoided?
You really don't want to volunteer this, and I would avoid trying to
over-explain it if it comes up. That was the past, this is now. What you are
currently looking for is an opportunity that provides you with increased
responsibility and appropriate compensation for that level of
responsibility, in line with the company's salary structure [assuming their
salaries are "competitive"] | or in line with salary surveys for technical
writers at your level of experience [if they are clueless].
> 2. I'm a relative newby, with 1.5 yrs full-time experience and 2 years
> part-time experience wrapped up in tech writing intern jobs during the
> college years. Is it appropriate to move my education section to a
> lower portion of my resume?
I would definitely move it down. Education at the top pretty much screams
"Entry Level".
Good luck,
................................................................
Michael Collier, Technical Writer Office: N636
Information Systems Laboratory http://isl.arlut.utexas.edu/
Applied Research Laboratories: The University of Texas at Austin
Voice: 512-835-3408 e-mail: mcollier -at- arlut -dot- utexas -dot- edu
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