Re: Speaking of specific job requirements...

Subject: Re: Speaking of specific job requirements...
From: Dick Margulis <margulis -at- fiam -dot- net>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Tue, 26 Feb 2002 06:18:32 -0500

The "dream job" ad that Darren posted is a great opportunity. It is a clear indicator that the company that posted it needs a writer to help them formulate job ads. I'm not kidding. A recurring theme here is that HR types don't know what tech writers do, and we know that most of them are not writers themselves, in any sense of the word. So how do most HR departments handle job postings? They take what the hiring managers write up in the way of a job description and post it pretty much as is. And who are the hiring managers? Well, to start with, they're managers, often engineers or MBA types who also can't write and don't know it.

What's my point? A self-contradictory, illogical, badly written job description is a strong indicator that the company needs your services, Ms. or Mr. job-seeker. Call the company president and say so. Create a job opportunity for yourself at the executive level. Make a pitch for becoming the writer/editor who keeps management's feet out of their mouths. Offer to review the HR department's policies and procedures while you're cleaning up the job postings.

Okay, maybe it's not a full-time permanent job. Maybe it's not your first choice writing assignment, but for those of you who are out of work and looking for something to keep food on the table, a badly written ad may be a good place to start.

Darren Barefoot wrote:

I just received the following job listing (for Vancouver, Canada), and
was struck by the requirements. Now, generally I'll apply for a job if I
only have some or most of the skill set. However, the way they've
phrased it here ("only applicants with the following") would discourage
me from doing so. That's if I was currently looking for a job anyway.

They're really draining the potential applicant pool when they're
looking for someone with AutoCAD, a university degree and Doc-To-Help.
That combination has got to be pretty obscure. Additionally, most
writers I know with more than 5 years experience prefer to call
themselves "Senior". Thanks. DB.

[snipped for the listbot]




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References:
Speaking of specific job requirements...: From: Darren Barefoot

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