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>recruiting firms are more interested in slamming a technical
writer into
>any available slot than they are in making sure there=92s a good fit
>between contractor and prospective client.
The Rocky Mountain chapter of the STC developed a wonderful
brochure called "How to Hire the Best Technical Communicator." (The
Canada West Coast chapter adapted it--with permission--for our own use.)
It addresses some of the dilemmas you're grappling with: conceptual vs.
application skills, types of work done by technical communicators, etc. I
hand the brochures out to recruiters, HR departments, engineers who hire.
It doesn't guarantee change, but does give you some common vocabulary and
a starting point from which to negotiate tasks.
