Re: Finding that first tech writing job?

["CapDev Communications" <capdev -dot- communications -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Hi Mark,

I worked in fundraising at major nonprofit organizations in NYC for about 15
years, and writing successful government, foundation, and corporate grant
proposals was an important part of my job. To move from fundraising into
technical writing, I undertook a graduate courses in technical communication
and worked with a very solid consulting firm.

It could be that the reason that you are not getting much of a response to
your resume is that you do not have enough experience and training to
compete, especially for contract work.

To compete for contract work in IT, you need a solid set of computer skills,
a very good knowledge of IT networks and software development, and a
portfolio or at least references from past clients.

Suggestion: Find a good certificate program in technical communication and
take the requisite courses to earn the certificate.

Good luck!

Pat




On 9/13/07, Mark Xavier Phillips <indeauto -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:
>
> Howdy all,
>
> I'm looking to land my first contract technical writing job, preferably in
> the IT field. I've worked for years writing grant proposals, but have only
> written a handful of guides and manuals.
>
> I've been sending out resumes to jobs posted on Monster, Dice, Career
> Builder, and others, but so far no responses.
>
> Just wondering if there's a better way to go about it? Is there much work
> right now for tech writers, or is the field swamped with folks looking for
> contracts?
>
> any advice or thoughts from experienced folks would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks
> Mark
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
> Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
> printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
> Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
> http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
>
> True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
> Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
> documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com
>
> ---
> You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as
> capdev -dot- communications -at- gmail -dot- com -dot- 
>
> To unsubscribe send a blank email to
> techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> or visit
> http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/capdev.communications%40gmail.com
>
>
> To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
>
> Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
> http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.
>
>


-- 
Patricia Egan
P. O. Box 194391
San Francisco, CA 94119-4391
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or 
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007 
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more.
http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

True single source, conditional content, PDF export, modular help.
Help & Manual is the most powerful authoring tool for technical
documentation. Boost your productivity! http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- 

To unsubscribe send a blank email to 
techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40web.techwr-l.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-  Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/ for more resources and info.