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Does anyone else get as aggravated as I do when browsing
want ads for tech-writer positions, to find prospective
employers specifying the brands/models of software tools as
REQUIREMENTS for the positions? E.g.: "XYZ Corp. seeks
user documentation specialist for its industry-leading
SoftWidget software. Documentation experience preferred.
Familiarity with MS Word [or WordPerf, or Pagemaker, etc.]
a must."
I can understand a company's need to standardize its staff
on certain tools, but why should this be a barrier to
employment for an otherwise highly qualified professional?
Don't they know that the learning curve for a different
but comparable tool (Word vs. WordPerf, PM vs. Framemaker,
PC vs. Mac, etc.) is usually just a week or two?
An analogy: "Skilled carpenter wanted. Some woodworking
experience preferred, but must use Black & Decker model
9312 hammer."
