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.
Quickly off the top of my head, I would be interested to know what the
budget is for the department (if you have one!) and how is it determined,
how much control you have over the documentation 'vision' and if you don't
who does - do you manage people or vision, or both, how autonomous are you,
what is development process (in case of software company).
A million questions come to mind! That's why I was a little confused by your
question. Even if you know everything there is to know about the company,
the industry, its products, etc., unless you know someone on the inside, how
do you know how the company is run, the corporate culture, the specifics of
your position and your department? It is crucial that as a manager you
understand what you're getting into so you know if the structure is one in
which you can be successful. No two companies are the same. In some cases,
the structure makes your job as manager difficult, and in some cases, it
facilitates it. You should find these things out before you take the job,
not after. And as the interviewer, I would want the person to want to know
these things, it would show me they have the experience and depth I want in
a manager...
