RE: Sr Tech Writer job?

["Combs, Richard" <richard -dot- combs -at- Polycom -dot- com>]

Al Geist wrote:
 
> I regularly see help wanted ads for a company. One day, curiosity got
me
> and
> I called them about the position. They wanted a Sr. Tech Writer and
were
> willing to go as high as $20 an hour with minimal benefits. However,
> benefits wouldn't start until they satisfied a six-month grace period.
> (They
> justified the "minimal" benefits by saying they were a small company
and
> that they haven't had much luck with writers.) That was about a year
ago
> and
> I've seen four ads (once ever three months) for a Sr. Tech Writer with
5-7
> years experience. The company is also about 150 miles away. They
refuse to
> pay more and they refuse to allow telecommuting, because technical
writers
> are just not reliable. I hope they find someone to fit their needs.
> Unfortunately for them, I AM reliable and don't like to be insulted
before
> I
> even turn in a resume. I imagine a lot of other writers (Jr. on up)
also
> don't like to be insulted.

Quite a few years ago (early or mid 90s, IIRC), when contract tech
writers in the Denver area were averaging $30-40/hr., Quark was working
on their first Xpress release for Windows. They advertised for contract
tech writers for the project, specifying really senior-level years of
experience and skills -- and offering $10-12/hr. 

I vowed then and there never to buy a Quark product. First, because I
didn't like being insulted. Second, because I figured they probably got
the quality (and reliability) they deserved. 

Richard


Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
------
rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
------





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