TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
This brings to mind why dealing with HR types on the front end is so
often flawed. Identify, find and talk to the hiring manager. Show him or
her you understand the job, and can do it profitably the way the company
wants it done. Of course, in this case, it's not necessarily an HR type
that we have in Recruiter X. Nonetheless, any headhunter worth his salt
knows that the fundamental issue is whether you can perform. If this one
understands this, provide the ammo that shows you can do the job. If
Recruiter X does not understand and remains hung up on the certificate,
despite your being demonstrably competent, he or she very possibly is
not worth more of your time.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jim -dot- pinkham=voith -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Geoff Hart
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2008 6:17 AM
To: TECHWR-L Whirlers; chrismorton11 -at- gmail -dot- com
Subject: Techwr-l certification?
Chris Morton wondered: <<Like many of you, I've been a techwriter for
what seems like forever...well, twenty years, anyway. I've provided work
to Microsoft, Ziff-Davis, Que, Hewlett-Packard, the State of CA,
Learning Tree International...the list goes on.>>
Which, on the face of it, sounds like a sterling resume... exactly the
kind of person any hirer with a brain would seek out. We now segue
smoothly to reality:
<<This morning recruiter X contacted me about a nearby position for
which I had submitted my resume, cover letter, LinkedIn endorsements,
and such. She first asked about my education. I have the equivalent of
an associate degree... Then she asked if I have a technical writing
certificate (for what reason, I wondered).>>
Because a degree, "or equivalent", is a checklist item for most
personnel departments, many of whom haven't the faintest clue as to what
they're doing and most of whom have never heard of technical
communication. You used to see "or equivalent experience", but the
"experience" part seems to have been fading slowly away. Basically, in a
hirer's market, it's a question of narrowing down the number of resumes
you have to read: if you can hire two otherwise identical candidates,
but one has a degree, why not hire that person instead?
(Among other things, if it's a technical communication degree, they're
probably younger, and you can pay them less because they're less
experienced.)
<<What do all of you think about such certification and, if you think
it's worthwhile, from where should consider getting such certification
online?>>
After 20 successful years in the biz (like me), a specialized degree or
certification is gilding the lily. It's completely unnecessary, and it's
unreasonable to ask for this kind of credential. You've proven yourself
to the satisfaction of some very big names.
(Microsoft anyone?) But if you find that the kinds of jobs you're
applying for require this as a checklist item, then clearly none of this
matters: if you want to work in the biz, you need your green card.
----------------------------------------------------
-- Geoff Hart
ghart -at- videotron -dot- ca / geoffhart -at- mac -dot- com
www.geoff-hart.com
--------------------------------------------------
***Now available*** _Effective onscreen editing_
(http://www.geoff-hart.com/home/onscreen-book.htm)
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial. http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/
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 Jim -dot- Pinkham -at- voith -dot- com -dot-
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help gives you everything you need to author and
publish quality Help, Web, and print content. Perfect for technical
authors, developers, and policy writers. Download a FREE trial. http://www.componentone.com/DocToHelp/
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-
