Re: How to find/hire technical communicators in Shenzen, China?

[Sarah Lee Hauslinger <slhauslinger -at- gmail -dot- com>]

Thanks, Scott. The managers in the China office will locate and qualify 
the applicants based on the job descriptions and requirements I provide, 
then I'll interview the candidates by phone and review their writing 
samples to make the final hiring decision. They've never been tasked 
with hiring technical communicators before and don't know where to 
begin, which is why I made this post. I've managed remote/offshore teams 
for several companies over the past decade, so I'm already familiar with 
the process.

-Sarah Lee

quills -at- airmail -dot- net wrote:
> I may be coming in to this a little late, but I'll offer my 2 cents 
> worth.
>
> The problems of staffing remotely are probably greater than you can 
> imagine, until you run afoul of them. Wouldn't it be easier to specify 
> the skills you are looking for, and prioritize those skills, and then 
> rely on your people in China to hire on site? The only additional 
> thing you might add is to arrange for a telephone interview with the 
> candidates and you so that you can verify their English proficiency. I 
> know the Hewlett-Packard generally works in that manner and they mix 
> their project teams between remote sites.
>
> Scott
>
> Sarah Lee Hauslinger wrote:
>> The company for which I work has an office in Shenzen, China. We are 
>> looking
>> to hire some (English-proficient) junior/entry-level technical 
>> communicators
>> to work in our offices over there. They will be supporting the 
>> efforts of
>> our techpubs staff here in the US, mostly doing production
>> editing/monitoring tasks. Here are a couple of questions for which I am
>> seeking answers:
>>
>> - Which universities in the People's Republic of China have degree 
>> programs
>> in Technical Communication? What are the titles/levels of degrees 
>> offered?
>> What kind of training do the students receive--software skills, writing
>> skills, and so on?
>>
>> - Where/how can we post job openings for the local area?
>>
>> - What other resources are available in the area (or throughout the 
>> PRC) for
>> recruiting technical communicators?
>>
>> Just as an FYI, I've been trying to get additional headcount approved 
>> here
>> in the US, but upper management  refuses to make the investment. 
>> Although I
>> really don't think hiring in China is the best option, it's all they are
>> willing to provide. I'm fully aware that the quality of the output very
>> likely won't be as high, and also very clear on the issues regarding
>> managing staff on the other side of the globe (with a language 
>> barrier to
>> boot). So, please understand that I'm not looking for advice or 
>> commentary
>> on anything other than what I've outlined in the questions above.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any info you may be able to supply, everyone.
>>
>
>
T
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