Re: Bone-headed Question

[Beth Agnew <beth -dot- agnew -at- senecac -dot- on -dot- ca>]

The only bone-headed question, Dave, is the one that is not asked. As 
techwriters, it's our job to ask the most basic questions from time to 
time. You mention "not too many positions that match my liking". That 
could be a problem. One's first job upon graduation is very likely not 
going to be ideal from any standpoint. It's more important to get /any 
/job in the field, even if it's a bit on the fringe of where you want to 
end up, than it is to try to find the "right" job. You know what they 
say, if at first you don't succeed, lower your expectations. :-)

I would also suggest less reliance on search engines, and more reliance 
on personal networking. Go to the watering holes, where the people who 
hire, work with, and are techwriters show up. Local STC meetings, even 
IEEE and ACM meetings, conferences, tradeshows, anything that gets you 
meeting people in the industry is worth your time. Yes, it's lots of 
legwork and talking to strangers, but many jobs are never posted online 
or otherwise, so that's the only way you'll hear about them.

Target your resume and cover letter to the speciifc job description and 
company rather than sending out generic resumes. Apply for any job that 
fits your qualifications, even if it doesn't fit your preferences. When 
you have a couple of years' experience, you can expect to be considered 
for a job that is more in line with what you'd like to do.

Good luck!
--Beth

Beth Agnew
Professor, Technical Communication
Seneca College of Applied Arts & Technology
Toronto, ON 416.491.5050 x3133
http://www.tinyurl.com/83u5u

David Loveless wrote: