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Subject:Finding a good job title From:"Damien Braniff" <dbraniff -at- amphion -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 6 Feb 2001 15:07:15 -0000
To me it doesn't matter a great deal what they call me as long as I'm paid. As for titles, it's me who writes the job application/CV/whatever so I can call myself whatever I like - Tech Writer/Tech Author/Documentation Specialist etc. This is what the company/recruiter see first and what gets your foot in the door. Once you've done that and got the interview then it's up to you to sell yourself with personality, attitude, portfolio etc.
Having said that, as Donn said, some form of 'standard' may help. We've done the certification thing fairly recently (so a few more months before we start that debate again!) but some form of recognition would be useful - it would be nice to say I'm a tech writer and get an 'oh yes'! instead of a blank stare. Here in the UK the ISTC is trying to raise the profile of the job generally and awareness of Institute members in particular (view being that members have a minimum level of expertise, have a code of conduct etc). Things are getting better though - last time I insured the car and was asked my occupation 'tech author' appeared in the list of categories, definitely a first, usually it's 'Is that computing, engineering, admin...'!
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