TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I need your advice to help me get out of the grueling situation that I'm in.
I'm a Technical Writer with five years of documentation experience. I moved
to United States last year and worked on an online-help project for a
fortune hundred company.
I have genuine liking for my profession and I absolutely love technology. I
keep myself up-to-date with the latest in our field. I have strong
recommendations from colleagues and employers. But somehow, all this is not
helping me find a job. I get interview calls from companies based on my
resume but once they hear that I have just six months of American experience
they disappear. My non-U.S experience isn't given any consideration. No
one's even ready to take a writing test or take a technical test and see if
I can actually do my job.
Today a recruiter even suggested that I take up some QA engineering training
(I'm guessing because of my Electronics Engineering degree and programming
experience). She went on to tell me that Technical Writing is not for a
non-American and that without experience, I'll go nowhere. My eternal
optimism has evaporated. I'm fed up of people calling me and saying I don't
have adequate experience. Where do I fit in ten years of experience in my
twenty seven years on earth?
Documenting technology is what I like. If I have a career, this is what I
want to do. I'm ready to give certifications and whatever it takes to give
me an edge. What do you all suggest? I am not good at networking. Should I
start attending Technical Communication seminars? Get any specific
certification? Get a Master's degree?
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