Re: Am I experienced?

[Andrew Plato <intrepid_es -at- yahoo -dot- com>]

> After years of doing writing at my various jobs, I got my first 'real' job in
> technical writing 6 months ago. At the same time, I started a freelance 
> contract. Now my department has been "reorganized" (eviscerated). The options
> we've been offered are starting to look like jive and I may need to look for
> another day job (the contract is still going).
> The place I've been working during the day has paid me very well. How much 
> experience can I legitimately claim? Does 6 months of simultaneously working 
> two jobs add up to a year?

> (Sure feels like it!) Can I expect commensurate big bucks? All feedback is 
> gratefully accepted.

"Big bucks" and "technical writing" do not belong in the same sentence. :-) 

Its not a matter of time spent doing something it is a matter of what you can
do and your ability to communicate and demonstrate that to prospective
employers.  There are plenty of people with 1 year of experience who are very
capable and very experienced. Just as there are plenty of writers with 10+
years experience who are total morons and should go back to flipping horse
burgers at Jack in the Sack. 

Have a killer portfolio that is slick and polished. 
Sell your technical skills not your eagerness.
Don't assume your experience is archetypal.
Be flexible.
Be positive. 
Never talk bad about a former employer or co-worker.
Avoid clichés (*everybody* claims to be a quick learner and willing to learn
new things.  Don't even waste your time with such clichés.) 
But the big on...
*Demonstrate your knowledge.*  If you can't demonstrate your knowledge then you
can't expect people to trust you and hence hire you for the "big bucks". 
Merely working somewhere for a year does not inherently qualify you for a
raise. 

Good luck

Andrew Plato 


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