Re: Rise In Number of Tech Writing Jobs?

[eva knodt <knodt -at- worldnet -dot- att -dot- net>]

I noticed a similar trend. However,  there seems to be a huge  
difference in these offerings compared to the golden pre-bubble-bust  
days. When I did contract tech writing between 1999 and 2001, the  
jobs paid between $55 and $65 per hour plus benefits from the agency  
and the jobs actually fit the skills and experience on my resume. The  
calls and emails I have received in the past two months suggest the  
scene has changed quite a bit:

1. The recruiters don't seem to care about whether or not there is  
even a remote fit between the candidate and the job requirements.
2. The pay seems extremely low ($35 to $40 per hour).

Note these are "agency jobs."  My question is: what has happened to  
the contracting scene? Is contract technical writing now being  
outsourced to India? Are they looking for local people only for jobs  
where they need someone on site? Are my observations typical or did I  
just happen to run into some rotten apples?

I quit my full-time technical writing job back in December (my  
company got bought up and it stopped being fun). I am considering  
going back to contracting for a while, but the agency I used to have  
(and was very happy with) went under.

I would appreciate some input from those of you who work as  
contractors for agencies.

Thanks,

eva




On Jan 12, 2006, at 10:20 AM, Scott Abel wrote:

Has anyone noticed an upturn in the number of contracts and job  
openings lately. I have seen many more opportunities than usual come  
across my desk in the last month or so. It almost seems near the  
level of pre-dotcom bust days.

I received over 60 offers this week (from listservs, job services,  
recruiter emails and posting to websites). This seems like good news!

Thoughts?

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