Re: tech writer group dynamics - Positive Approach

[alone writer <a_lone_wrtr -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

>>>I have never worked with another tech writer before, so i am a little
apprehensive
   
  Jill-
   
  Be not afraid. 
   
  1. You will now have an ally that can help you communicate with management: how tough it is to scope projects, getting respect, time & budget woes, on and on. You can join forces and promote Tech Writing at your company and expand your charter - what a concept. 
  2. You have a wonderful opportunity to make a new friend, but more than this you have an opportunity to learn from a new writer: tools skills, project skills, editorial, writing, and doc design skills, and much more
  3. I would avoid trying to play the ?I?m the Senior Writer? game, it creates division right off the bat ? go for the higher ground and make the new person feel like they are welcome
  4. Take the new person to lunch and make a public statement welcoming the new writer
   
  I could say more, but if you want to email off-list?
   
  ALW
    

Jill Mohan <jillemo -at- gmail -dot- com> wrote:

  Hello,

I have just been told that my employer may be looking to add another tech
writer to the staff (doubling it, as I am the only one). A manager told me
to be prepared to interview candidates, and that they are hoping to clone
me. The company is a small defense contractor in northern Virginia.

I have never worked with another tech writer before, so i am a little
apprehensive about a few things: what will the career path be, how will it
be decided as to who gets to work on what, how long should it take to
write/review documents, etc.

Any caveats or recommendations for a person in this quasi-enviable position.

Thanks,
Jill Mohan
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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 a_lone_wrtr -at- yahoo -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/a_lone_wrtr%40yahoo.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.



       
---------------------------------
Take the Internet to Go: Yahoo!Go puts the Internet in your pocket: mail, news, photos & more. 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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.