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Don Ramage asked about the increased presence of temp agencies in tech
writing jobs. I have had experience with Volt, Manpower, Adecco, Kelly, CSC,
and several local agencies.
> I noticed that a lot of postings for technical writing are listed by
agencies such as Kelly.
Yes, most of the TW openings I have heard of in my area (Front Range of
Colorado) have been through temp agencies.
> Unless these agencies have branched from temp work to recruitment and
placement, I assume that they are filling short-term positions.
Some of both. Kelly and Manpower both have gone into the technical business
with varying degrees of success. When I worked for Manpower some years ago,
they offered few benefits, relatively low pay for the contracting world, and
seemed somewhat ill-at-ease managing technical professionals instead of
assemblers and janitors, etc. I also interviewed with Kelly, which also
seemed to have trouble getting beyond its secretarial roots.
In fairness, both agencies may have improved. Do lots of the proverbial
people networking, and you may find someone with experience with the
agencies in your area.
> This raises another question: Are more companies turning to temp positions
for tech writing needs, to cut corners perhaps?
Yes. As usual, tech writing is seen as an extra and not an essential by
many/most companies. With the economy down, employers naturally try to avoid
hiring and so they turn to the temp agencies to get a writer when the need
arises.
On the minus side of agency work:
* Lower pay relative to most free-lance contracts or permanent positions
* Few benes (most agencies don't offer basic benes like paid holidays and
vacation accrual until you have worked about a year for the company)
* Short-term assignments
On the plus side:
* Some agencies are pretty good at beating the bushes for the few jobs that
are out there right now
* You may end up well-placed to hear about positions within the company you
are assigned to
* Short term assignments with more employers can expose you to a greater
variety of software tools and technical knowledge, offering a good way to
enhance your resume. Some people even prefer this variety.
* Not all contracts are short term. I have had assignments of two weeks, six
months, 18 months, and 2+ years.
* You get to skip lots of company meetings that the "permanent" employees
can't avoid! ;-)
As always, YMMV.
Ken Stitzel
rent-a-fed tech writing contractor
Fort Collins, CO
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