Re: VISA - How to Hire a Techwriter

["Cheryl Wallace" <cwallace -at- costlink -dot- com>]

Did you notice there are *two* entries on how to hire a techincal writer?
Check under the How To menu.  The other piece, with the souce listed as
Visa, has a different slant.


Cheryl Wallace
Systèmes CostLink Systems



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <eric -dot- dunn -at- ca -dot- transport -dot- bombardier -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 9:50 AM
Subject: Re: VISA - How to Hire a Techwriter


>
>
>
> 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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