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Subject:RE: A brief intro and a few newbie questions From:"Goldstein, Dan" <DGoldstein -at- DeusTech -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 28 Oct 2003 10:42:02 -0500
Ben, you might be interviewed by an "intelligent employer" who would be
impressed by knowledge of RoboHelp and FrameMaker in an entry-level
interviewee -- even if they're not "expected." As we always say, it's not
the tools you know, it's your ability to learn new ones quickly and apply
them to the work at hand. It's also a good test of your ability to handle
the unexpected.
Since you have already written user guides and tutorials for employers and
various Web sites, you might try writing new ones with FrameMaker, and then
asking the employers' permission to use them as samples. The same is true of
online Help -- especially as a newbie with limited references from prior
jobs, showing a sample is better than saying "I know how."
Dan Goldstein
-----Original Message-----
From: Goober Writer [mailto:gooberwriter -at- yahoo -dot- com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 9:25 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: A brief intro and a few newbie questions
> I really enjoy the documentation aspect of my job
> and want to pursue a
> career in tech writing rather than systems
> administration. I would like to
> eventually work on projects for open source and/or
> consumer software,
> especially games and other entertainment related
> items.
Not much money in open source documentation. People
work on open source stuff because they enjoy what they
do and believe in a open community approach to
software development. You can do it if you enjoy it,
but don't expect much or any return for your time and
effort other than satisfaction. (Yes, I collaborate on
open source projects.) Check out sourceforge.net if
you're interested in helping out! There are 15 docs
needs at the moment: http://sourceforge.net/people/?category_id=4
I hope that isn't construed as an ad, as this is all
open free collaborative stuff...
> Landing an entry-level position early next year is
> my goal. What types of
> skills should I work on to help me get a good
> entry-level position?
Interviewing, resume writing, and contact-building
skills.
> Can I
> use the documentation I have created in the past as
> part of my portfolio?
If you get an OK from your employers... Others contend
you don't need to, but I prefer the ethical route.
Sure, you did the work, but were paid to do so. Your
work is property of your employer, not you.
> I've read a lot about RoboHelp and FrameMaker, but
> do not have access to
> these programs. Do companies expect entry-level
> writers to be familiar with these applications?
RoboHelp for FrameMaker is a NEW online publishing tool for FrameMaker that
lets you easily single-source content to online Help, intranet, and Web.
The interface is designed for FrameMaker users, so there is little or no
learning curve and no macro language required! Call 800-718-4407 for
competitive pricing or download a trial at: http://www.ehelp.com/techwr-l4
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