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To get a position in today’s difficult job market is no easy task. New technical communicators—or technical communicators who haven’t had to search in a while—can find it exceptionally difficult, even with many positions available. But with some extra effort to promote yourself and your skills, you can get ahead and establish yourself as a technical communications candidate who is above the rest. Danielle M. Villegas shares pointers based on her own recent experiences.
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How Did you Get That Tech Comm Job?
Who Am I?
Just like you.
Danielle M. Villegas • Currently a Web Publishing
consultant at BASF• 2012 Graduate of the
MSPTC Program at NJIT• Writer for the
TechCommGeekMom blog and STC Notebook blog’s “Villegas Views”
• Part-time instructor for World Learning
• Part of the Thought Leadership for Adobe Technical Communication group
Employers may be aggravating the 'skills gap'
Employers having difficulty finding qualified people
Millions of small- and medium-sized employers are unwilling or unable to spend $ to bring new hires up to speed; training often the 1st thing cut; question of ROI
(Source - NBC News: http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economywatch/employers-may-be-aggravating-skills-gap-1C7450821)
How Can You Stand Out?
Specialist or Generalist?
• Generalist= Multi-Specialist
• Most employers are asking for specialists BUT...
• Multi-Specialists have more value; can grow & adapt with changes. Promote your specialties!
Examples of Multi-Specialist skills
• Content management?
Sure, you can write, but do you know…
• SEO?• Use Social Media
(Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn)?
• Web design?• Instructional design?
Create an E-Portfolio of Your Work
• This impresses employers!
• Provides PROOF of your skills
• Update regularly• If needed, "sanitize"
in-house documents as needed.
http://techcommgeekmom.businesscatalyst.com
Get an education!
• Take a course--any course! Learn a new skill or update ones you already have
• Grad certificates, Master's degrees available
• Also courses, course certificates, and professional certification through STC
• Learn new software - use Lynda.com
Get Involved in Social Media
• Helps to stay on top of trends in the field and what the latest technology is
• Connect with experts and other tech comm pros
• Start a blog to share ideas and viewpoints
http://www.businessinsider.com/your-tweets-are-more-important-than-your-rsum-2013-2
February 20, 2013 - from Business Insider:
Enterasys — a wireless network provider — will be considering applicants for a six-figure senior social media position, but no paper résumés will be accepted. Instead, the company has decided to recruit solely via Twitter.
Jennifer Grabowski, a spokesperson for the company, tells us that candidates need to have a minimum Klout score above 60, a minimum Kred influence score of 725, a Kred outreach of at least eight, and more than 1,000 active Twitter followers in order to be considered. Enterasys is hoping to fill the position by April.
This Company Will Only Accept 'Twitter Resumes' For A Six-Figure Job
How do I get involved in Social Media?
(Click on the blue box to see the Prezi presentation.)
TechCommGeekMom.com
Get a Part-Time Job in the Meantime
• Helps to gain new skills or keep current skills fresh
• Often pays better than unemployment and helps build employment credibility as well
Network, Network, Network!
• Get involved in STC
activities • Keep in touch with
people you meet at conferences
• Use social media! Start with Twitter and hashtag #techcomm
Create a Functional Résumé Instead of a Chronological
Résumé
Improve your chances--show off your skills, not your history!
Why We Should Ban Resumes!
The idea of matching someone’s skills and experience on a resume to a job description consisting of an arbitrary list of skills and experiences seems rather archaic to me. Some people actually defend doing this faster as a major advance in modern HR practices.
--Lou Adler, The Original Headhunter and Author: Hire With Your Head and The Essential Guide for Hiring and Getting Hired (February 21, 2013)
http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130221192310-15454-why-we-should-ban-resumes?_mSplash=1
Social Resumes Increase in Recruiting and Job Seeking [infographic]
http://www.recruiter.com/i/social-resumes-increase-in-recruiting-and-job-seeking-infographic/
Machines Read Your Resume First, Not a Person!!
Infographic:http://www.hireright.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/
robots-reading-resume-ats-recruiting-infographic.png
Chronological Résumé
Functional Résumé
Summary: Create Your Own Brand!
• Become a multi-specialist
• Create an e-portfolio of your work
• Get an education
• Get involved in social media
• Get a part-time job in the meantime
• Network with other tech comm professionals
• Create a functional résumé instead of a chronological one
Contact me:Email: [email protected]
Website/Blog: TechCommGeekMom.com
E-Portfolio: http://techcommgeekmom.businesscatalyst.com
Twitter: @techcommgeekmom
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemvillegas/
Questions/Discussion?
