Re: What about Technical Writer vs Communicator?

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

Perhaps it's a generational thing.  I keep hearing from a
lot of people I might describe as "young whippersnappers"
the idea that the delivery method somehow defines the
"communications," while us "old pharts" see things like
graphics and multimedia as ways to "deliver writing."
So some might see a person who can author text, draw
graphics and program multimedia as a "communicator,"
while I would see that person as a much more talented
than average writer who has kept pace with new tools
and methods of delivery (I don't hire people who can draw
graphics and/or program multimedia but who can't write).
The title at the top of the resume tells me little about you
except how you self-identify, and possibly how your
interpretation of your work compares to mine - which
might or might not be factors in a hiring decision.

Now, here's the conundrum for anyone revising their
resume: is it better to list the totality of your skills in a
resume titled "communicator," at the risk of possibly
deemphasizing the fact that you are a great writer and
hope that the resume will be received by someone who
"gets" this new paradigm in the same way you do, or
to add all the additional skills to a resume titled
"technical writer" because the hiring manager is
more likely to be one of us "old pharts?"

Gene Kim-Eng


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Hemstreet, Deborah" <DHemstreet -at- kaydon -dot- com>
> But when I was interviewed for this job, I saw that they needed far 
> more
> than a "writer" and sold myself as a technical communicator to meet
> their needs. My current job title is "writer" because the HR 
> department
> does not know how to handle new titles... I don't care. The people I 
> am
> working for know and recognize what I do...
>
> Something I would like to see STC do - is to have a more concerted
> effort to EDUCATE the public and businesses as to the breadth and 
> depth
> of our profession. Get people used to hearing we are COMMUNICATORS...

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

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.