Job Responsibilities
I write documentation for software end-users, i.e., user guides,
online help, and quick start guides. I derive content for the
documents from using the software and from reading engineering
design documents or interviewing subject matter experts. I also
write policy and procedure documents. I derive that content from
observing others, interviewing end-users and subject matter
experts, or in rare cases from reading existing documentation. I
also edit and re-write documentation, but ideally most of my
time is spent creating new documents. I create the entire
document; the tables, the images, the cover, and everything
else. I rarely work with a publishing or marketing department.
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Job Requirements
I have a liberal arts BA, but companies hire me for my writings
skills and financial experience. I also have a technical writing
certificate. I am never asked about my education during
interviews. I am asked extensively about my experience on
individual projects, my knowledge of tools, e.g., FrameMaker,
RoboHelp, Visio, and my ability to interact with coworkers.
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Uppers
I have never worked overtime. I don't usually have to attend meetings. People
have a lot of respect for writers because few people can actually write. I have
always been able to schedule vacations whenever I want. I can manage my own day
and my own week. The workloads are never unmanageable.
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Downers
Sometimes there is no work. So, if you're in an environment
where you're expected to put in an eight hour day, you surf
the 'net for eight hours. You work in a cubicle. Since your work
is assigned by others (somebody has to tell you what to
document), you wait around a lot for input. In Southern
California, all the work is in Orange County, Santa Monica, or
downtown Los Angeles, which always requires an hour commute.
Since most companies are fat with management these days, it's
hard to know who you work for and who has the final say. If you
work with old technical writers (50ish), they tend to be scared
of technology and can undermine effort to improve the
organization or methodology.
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Lifestyle
Work hours are regular shifts, 7-4, 8-5, etc. I never travel. Dress code is
business casual or casual. I work in cubicle surrounded by 10-100 other cubicles,
and it's loud. I interact with engineers, few women, mostly men, and mostly white
or Asian men. There's not a lot of diversity in IT environments. Everybody is
smart, but not everbody is socially competent. Most folks like to highlight how
technically savvy they are every chance they get. Mostly I interact with project
managers and engineer-types. Rarely are folks not nice or polite, but they're not
usually warm either. Expect to work on the same document over and over because
things change a lot. Deadlines always slip, so you have to be flexible.
Salesmenship helps, because folks get their feelings hurt when you try to correct
their writing (e.g., if an engineer writes a spec sheet).
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Compensation
Pay rate depends upon your area of expertise, so the range is
wide, $25-100 per hour plus benefits. Usually you get hired by a
staffing firm, not the client. This is why it's sometimes
called "consulting," but according to tax laws you're not an
actual consultant, you're an employee of the staffing firm.
The staffing firm pays you W2, usually with health benefits.
Sometimes they offer a 401K, but usually only after 90 days.
Since many of the assignments are about 90 days, the 401K is
useless. If the client likes you, they'll keep finding work for
you and may even hire you permanently.
Personality and presentation are everything. First the staffing
firm interviews you, then, if you're not too scary, they'll pass
you onto the client. Since technical writers tend to be creepy
and bookish, if you can project confidence and hygiene, you'll
do well. Showering and brushing one's teeth can go a long way.
Recruiters are your friends, so treat them as such, but do ask
them the rate in your initial conversation.
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Advice to Jobseekers
Find a niche, e.g., the medical field, construction, autos.
Learn the popular tools. On your next contract, ask for one
dollar more per hour than your last contract. Search the jobs
boards to learn where the demand is. Don't pay attention to
Salary.com, the salaries are way, way too low.
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