Returning to Tech Writing?

[Geoff Hart <ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca>]

Barry Baldwin wondered: <<I'm trying to return to Tech Writing in the  
software industry after a hiatus spent teaching English overseas, and  
a stint as a translator promoted to project manager in manufacturing.  
I've got 6+ years of writing professionally, and 4 of those in the  
software industry.>>

Sounds like a good resume, though you might want to take a step back  
and ask yourself whether you might actually enjoy the translation and  
project management roles more than the actual writing. Maybe not! But  
combined with your teaching experience, they're important assets: so  
many companies are required to localize their work that someone who  
knows writing, translation, and management, and who has first-hand  
experience with foreign people (i.e., potential clients) should be a  
hot property. That's probably how you should be selling yourself.

<<I've been job-hunting for about a year, and haven't had much  
success. Jobs are scarce, and I haven't been able to land an  
interview with the few that I've found.>>

I've found that the best jobs aren't advertised. So instead, read the  
following article and see if it kindles any flames:
http://www.geoff-hart.com/resources/2006/finding-work.htm
Then start hunting down people who might not know yet that they need  
you and pitch woo: explain specifically how your unique skills are  
going to solve their specific problem.


----------------------------------------------------
-- Geoff Hart
ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca / geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com
www.geoff-hart.com
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