RE: Opinion anyone?

["Somayya El Gemei" <SElGemei -at- mobilecom -dot- com>]

There is no ground in my opinion to what the agent suggested about
"Technical Writing is not for a non-American".  English is my second
language and I've been working as a technical writer/ Documentation
specialist for the past 11 years, and based on salary surveys, I'm one
of the highly paid ones. 

Opportunities are there for those qualified, perhaps for non-native
speakers they needn't only be qualified but "Highly Qualified" to
compensate for the fact that English is not our first language.  This is
the reality but ....don't give up.  Just work on improving your skills
and the opportunity will knock at your door.  

Not sure if this makes a difference or not but I live and work in
Canada.  "I'm not suggesting that you move to Canada but you will come
across a sensible employer who will give you the opportunity and you'll
be on your way.  

I agree with Dan, focus on building a portfolio and improving where you
think you might need to improve.  

Good luck
S

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+selgemei=mobilecom -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+selgemei=mobilecom -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Alaina Stern
Sent: March 5, 2007 1:15 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Opinion anyone?

Hi Everyone,

I need your advice to help me get out of the grueling situation that I'm
in.
I'm a Technical Writer with five years of documentation experience. I
moved
to United States last year and worked on an online-help project for a
fortune hundred company.

I have genuine liking for my profession and I absolutely love
technology. I
keep myself up-to-date with the latest in our field. I have strong
recommendations from colleagues and employers. But somehow, all this is
not
helping me find a job. I get interview calls from companies based on my
resume but once they hear that I have just six months of American
experience
they disappear. My non-U.S experience isn't given any consideration. No
one's even ready to take a writing test or take a technical test and see
if
I can actually do my job.

Today a recruiter even suggested that I take up some QA engineering
training
(I'm guessing because of my Electronics Engineering degree and
programming
experience). She went on to tell me that Technical Writing is not for a
non-American and that without experience, I'll go nowhere. My eternal
optimism has evaporated. I'm fed up of people calling me and saying I
don't
have adequate experience. Where do I fit in ten years of experience in
my
twenty seven years on earth?

Documenting technology is what I like. If I have a career, this is what
I
want to do. I'm ready to give certifications and whatever it takes to
give
me an edge. What do you all suggest? I am not good at networking. Should
I
start attending Technical Communication seminars? Get any specific
certification? Get a Master's degree?

Please help!

Thank you,
Alaina
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