TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Carl commented on a job posting that required both UNIX and Frame experience.
He said:
>Where does not get Frame
>experience fresh out of school (UNIX, I can see--but both)?
It's probably necessary for someone fresh out of school to take two more
steps prior to serious job hunting:
1) Figure out what the local DTP platform of choice is.
2) Find a local company that does training in this platform, and sign up
for a course.
One way to accomplish #2 would be to contact local agencies. "Here's my
resume, but as you can see I've never used FrameMaker. If you can suggest
a place that will train me, I'll revise the resume."
I was forced into that situation a couple of years ago, when I was job
hunting and had virtually no marketable DTP skills. (I knew Xyvision. Big
deal....) I made some phone calls, found a two-day course in FrameMaker,
and soon had a valuable addition to my resume.
This method is also helpful to each of us, as the WP/DTP of choice seems to
change every few years.
Rick Lippincott
Boston Technology
Wakefield, MA
rjl -at- bostech -dot- com
