When requested to do a quotation for a new client (either as an employee or independent consultant), remember that the client is typically not the expert. They often think they know what they want for a deliverable, timeline, budget to spend, etc. But often it is based on minimal knowledge of communications, and influenced by [...]
Performing a quotation (or effort projection) for a project can fairly straight-forward, especially if the project has only one dimension to it, such as content development or graphic design. However, when a project is an entire technical document or website, or training course, then the complexity of such a project can involve a whole myriad [...]
As technical communicator, if you are ever asked by your employer to develop a style guide for the resident technical communication department, then consider yourself lucky! Even though the exercise of developing a style guide can be fairly complex and time consuming, it should be viewed as an excellent opportunity for you to become an [...]
Typical obstacles to your career development and continuing education as a technical communicator include: Time. Procrastination. Money. Lack of awareness of new trends, tools, and methodologies. Lack of awareness of continuing education opportunities In-decision: deciding what to do next. Not asking questions of colleagues or peers in the profession. Avoidance of inquiring with experts. Not [...]
If you know of a friend or business colleague who is looking for a challenging and interesting career change, here are some facts about the Tech. Comm. profession which will likely get them interested and excited: Respectable, stable profession. Variety of paths/specialties to pursue. Challenging professionally, intellectually. Opportunity for creative expression. Exposure to fascinating/interesting technologies. [...]
JPG has an abundance of Technical Writing and Marketing Communication opportunities currently available--from entry-level, to mid-, to senior-level. If you are thinking of a change to grow professionally, or exploring new door-opening opportunities to freshen your career, then you will want to check these out: J1821--Digital Creative Producer. J1820--Marketing Communications Specialist. J1819--Tech Writer. J1818--IFU Technical [...]
Helpful tips for working more effectively with SMEs: Introduce yourself and get to know SMEs on a personal level, as well as professional-level. Identify your role in a project, and your objectives. Communicate to them that their role as a SME is important. Persuade SMEs to collaborate with you on a theme of ownership and [...]
The following article explains how technical communicators can develop content without being an expert: https://lnkd.in/dzhv9kW
Here are ten ways to lose your competitive advantage—or even eliminate yourself from contention—against the competition when competing for a specific tech. comm. job opening: Overlooking any typos or grammatical mistakes on your resume and samples. Not including a cover letter with your resume. Arriving late for an interview. Being inflexible and limited in availability [...]
Skills, strengths, and/or experiences that make a new tech. comm. graduate “market ready” (the more of these you can show on your resume or at the interview, the higher up in the selection process you will reside): Internship (paid or non-paid). Relevant paying jobs while in enrolled at college or university (i.e., school newspaper or [...]