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.
Subject:Re: Why are we excluded??? From:"E. Forrest Christian" <eforest -at- MICRO-NET -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 5 Jun 1998 09:17:36 -0500
One rule for hiring outside one's country says that the skill should not be readily available on the native job market. It is very difficult to argue that a foreign candidate has a skill that one cannot obtain from a US native, and almost impossible when hiring for English-language writing.
And perhaps they do not understand that you speak English. Really.
A story to illustrate: I was talking with an Indian friend of mine, when another friend who did not know him came up. They chatted for awhile, and then this new arrival complimented him on his command of English. We waited until he had left to start laughing. Of course, my Indian friend spoke English well, since it was his native language.
Sometimes, Americans just don't know that there are native English speakers who are not from the US, England or Australia. I've even had folks ask what language the Scots speak. (I always tell them "Flemish".)
E. Forrest Christian
Freelance Technical Writer
eforest @ micro-net.com
----------
From: kalpana thakar [SMTP:k_thakar -at- YAHOO -dot- COM]
Sent: Friday, 05 June, 1998 8:06 AM
To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
Subject: Why are we excluded???
Hello everyone,
I am Kalpana and am working as a senior technical communicator for a
multinational software company in Delhi-India.
My work involves writing end user manuals, rewriting error messages,
writing on-line help, working on the web, etc.
I am aware that there are lots fo jobs for technical writers all over
the US. However, I have been told that generally companies in the US
do not entertain Indians for the post of technical writers. Why is it
so?
I am writing for the US market as all my company's products are sold
in the US market. Infact our products are even bundled with Compaq and
HP devices.
Given such a scenario, why should companies hesitate to recruit
technical writers working in India?
Regards,
Kalpana.
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
