Re: Why are companies now requiring techical writer candidates to be SMEs?

["Chuck Martin" <twriter -at- sonic -dot- net>]

"Lisa Wright" <liwright -at- earthlink -dot- net> wrote in message
news:195074 -at- techwr-l -dot-  -dot-  -dot- 
<snip>
> If you look at ads for product managers, business analysts, and other
> areas, you will see similar demands for relevant experience. I don't
> think QA and programmers fall quite in the same bucket, unless perhaps
> they're more senior or more independent and need to solve specific
> business problems.
>

I don't think I completely agree. When Microsoft is hiring programmers for
its Office team, do they want people who have programmed Office-type
applications before, or do they want the best C++ (or whatever language
Office is programmed in these days) programmers. From what I've heard of
their interviews, it's the latter.

Ads for programmers list X number of years of experience in C++, or Java, or
SQL, etc., plus sometimes experience in technologies such as client/server,
TCP/IP, etc., but not X number of years experience using Microsoft Visual
Studio or Oracle Developer. It's the capability to use the language, and use
the language well, that results in greatest productivity, and ultimately
success in reaching business goals.

--
--
"I don't entirely understand it but it is true: Highly skilled carpenters
don't get insulted when told they are not architects, but highly skilled
programmers do get insulted when told they are not UI designers."
     - anonymous programmer quoted in "GUI Bloopers"

Chuck Martin
User Assistance & Experience Engineer
twriter "at" sonic "dot" net      www.writeforyou.com



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