Job Responsibilities
Plan, research, and write policies and procedures covering
company operations, including computer processes. I spend about
40-45 hours each week with some aspect of the writing process
(interviewing users or analysts, editing the work, outlining a
chapter, revising material per user review, etc.).
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Job Requirements
I received a BA in English/Linguistics. I earned a Secondary
Education certificate. These have supported more than 20 years of
work as a technical writer.
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Uppers
I can definitely make life easier for many of the computer users in the company.
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Downers
Being a full-time, permanent employee (as opposed to a contract
employee) is more constraining than I'd like, but it's not really
that bad.
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Lifestyle
I spend about 50-55 hours a week on this work. This includes between 40-45 hours
actual work/requirements, and 10 hours of commute time. I work in a downtown
building, and I usually dress in slacks, tops, and jackets with clogs or other
comfortable footwear.
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Compensation
Base salary $58K, 3 weeks' vacation, 1 week personal time off
(sick time, etc.), 3% stock option, 60% discount on mass transit
pass, good health insurance, a few professional association
memberships, some industry-specific educational benefit, other
professional development opportunities not given to contractors.
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Advice to Jobseekers
I think the ability to write clearly and simply overrate all
other aspects of this job: it's the content as well as the look
of the material. If people can understand what they're reading,
there's always to be a market for that writer.
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