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.
Subject:responding to programmer ads From:Rogers George <reg13 -at- DOL -dot- NET> Date:Thu, 6 Nov 1997 18:09:31 -0500
Melissa Hunter-Kilmer wrote:
>
> Bill Brucksch <bbruck -at- HALCYON -dot- COM> wrote:
>
> > One tip that I saw in the archives recently involved the following:
> > Read through the paper and find companies that are hiring
> > programmers. About two weeks after the ads appear, write the
> > companies and tell them that you understand they're ramping up to
> > create new software and that you'd like to help with the
> > documentation of the software.
>
> I have seen this tip before, and it sounds as if it should work, but I
> have never heard of anybody who tried it. I would be very interested
> to hear first-hand accounts of how well the tip actually works in the
> marketplace.
I have used this. (Didn't realize it was a tip!) It's been a long time
ago, but I'm pretty sure it got me some good contacts. I didn't wait the
two weeks, and when I called the number (or visited the address) I
explained my situation and asked to speak to the person responsible for
the docs. I recall I would get a colleague who could give me the inside
dope, or a harried manager who needed a writer.
Best wishes,
Rogers George
mailto: reg13 -at- dol -dot- net