RE: Technical Writing Certifications

["John Rosberg" <jrosberg -at- interwoven -dot- com>]

Only if certification had real, specific, industry-related value -- 

There is nothing majikal in hiring technical writers, any more than
there is in hiring engineers, picking out a doctor, choosing a general
contractor, or deciding who to invite to the prom -- 

After some amount of time spent interviewing/being interviewed, I
believe that most humans develop a "nonsense" detector (cleaned up for
the family audience) -- this detector can easily be augmented through
the use of 360 degree interviews -- 

Read the resumes for applicable skills (or the claims of them), related
industry experience, if that's important, level of experience and
accomplishments -- 

Again, no majik or tiki involved, but basic managerial skills being
exercised. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Tariel, Lauren R [mailto:lt34 -at- saclink -dot- csus -dot- edu] 
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 1:57 PM
To: Gene Kim-Eng; Dori Green; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Technical Writing Certifications

How does the plan of interviewing candidates work in a market that is
saturated with "technical writers" who really aren't qualified for the
job, but can write up a resume, produce samples (possibly borrowed), and
come up with references, so the TWs look qualified?  If you are hit with
50 or so resumes from "qualified" candidates, how do you determine who
to call for a phone interview and later bring in for an in-person
interview?  Certification can help slim the numbers in large markets.
 
Lauren

________________________________

From: techwr-l-bounces+lt34=csus -dot- edu -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com on behalf of
Gene Kim-Eng
Sent: Thu 9/27/2007 10:21 AM
To: Dori Green; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Technical Writing Certifications



I employ an "old Jedi techpubs manager trick."  I talk to
candidates about their past experience, projects,
methodologies, etc., look at their work samples and ask
them questions about them, then talk to their previous
managers and/or clients.  It's admittedly unscientific,
but I guess the Force must be with me, because in 15
years I haven't made any hiring choices I later regretted.

What *I* really need is some way to test prospective
*employers.*

Gene Kim-Eng



^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.