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Skill with a particular DTP package helps the hiring organization in the
following ways:
1. They don't have to send you out for $1,500 to $2,000 in training.
2. You're more likely to "hit the ground running." We're VERY busy these
days, and this really helps.
3. You're less likely to interrupt co-workers with "quick" questions about
basic tasks.
Granted these are all short-term benefits, compared to excellent research
and writing skills, which provide much greater long-term benefits. However,
a benefit to an organization is a benefit to an organization. Why hire
someone who doesn't have a skill already when there's a selection of
excellent candidates who do?
Also, I hope we're not so naive as to believe that a product (in this case,
ourselves) is always marketed based on its most important features. People
like a product to be sexy. Expertise on the latest DTP package is a sexy
skill.
