Re: VISA - How to Hire a Techwriter

[eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com]

Actually, seems that the text really annihilates some list members pet peeves
about STC promoting only writing skills. Seems that the president of the Toronto
chapter has his head in the right place:

On required skills:
<<"It's not just the ability to write, but the ability to organize the
information so it will be useable and relevant to the user," says Robert
Milkovich, vice president of the Society for Technical Communication's (STC)
Toronto chapter. >>

On what to look for in a writer:
<<Check the writer's resume for experience in your industry: They'll need
familiarity with the lingo, laws, and inner workings of the field to communicate
to others. "Nothing would be worse than hiring someone to do writing and realize
they've never worked in the field before," says Milkovich. >>

I also liked the responsibilities that are laid out for the hiring company:
<<Have a sense of what you need written - Web documents, instruction sheets, or
an annual report - and clearly define how much technical knowledge readers will
have. >>

Wonder if the folks in charge of the VISA site went looking for the article or
if Robert Milkovich (or another Toronto STC member) approached them. If the STC
approached them, then I think some congratulations are in order. Seems it IS
possible for the STC to actively and positively promote the profession to the
outside world. Not only did it result in a prominently placed web article but
also a radio commercial.

Now considering the above and seeing as our own list member Geoff Hart is going
to be the STC Montreal chapter president, some of the list STC detractors might
want to temper their gripes and over generalisations about the character and
knowledge of STC executives and members.

Eric L. Dunn



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