Program Report

Climbing the Ladder

By Kevin Thompson

	Saul Carliner
	Photo by Kevin Thompson

It's always good to have an advantage. If you attended the STC Boston Chapter's program September 13 at the Sheraton-Lexington Inn, then you were lucky enough to pick up some pointers from Saul Carliner on how to win over a potential employer.

"I don't do romance matchmaking, but I do a pretty good job at job matchmaking," Carliner said. "Be very assertive, sell yourself, and don't let them sell you short."

Carliner's sentiment was echoed by the professional staffing firms in attendance, including Clear Point Consultants, Inc., nSight, PUBSNET, Randolph Associates, Inc., Thinkpath.com, and Winter, Wyman, & Company. Representatives from Bentley College were also available to offer guidance in selecting courses to further career options.

Edward Marshall, Mary Flebotte, Denise Dunn, and Anna Pratt
Photo by Kevin Thompson

"Sell yourself on your resume to the (placement) agency, so we can sell you to the company," said Linda Barboza, who is the manager at the Waltham office of Winter Wyman & Company. With numerous layoffs in 2001, there is an abundance of candidates but not many job orders, Barboza said. This is where Carliner's advice provides a candidate with skills to land a job.

"You need substantial credentials, and listing 'I did this thing for my mother' is not substantial," Carliner said. "List classes of software, not specific programs. Ads ask for specifics, but managers really don't know what they want. They will take a good writer every time."

Carliner began his career as a junior technical writer. He worked in the corporate world for 17 years before transitioning into education. He is an Assistant Professor of Information Design and Corporate Communication at Bentley College and has written books including An Overview of Online Learning, Eight Things that Training and Performance Improvement Professionals Must Know about Knowledge Management, and Techniques for Technical Communicators.

	Terry Skelton and Joan Cipriano
	Photo by Kevin Thompson

Carliner advises technical writers to fully understand their own credentials and to be able to communicate them to a prospective employer. He quoted something that a former professor of his would say on the subject of hygiene: "We don't notice the presence of it, but we do notice the absence of it."

Carliner believes that the technical writing industry is constantly changing and will continue to expand and grow. He feels that technical writers need to view things differently—to think outside the box or to alter the comfort zone.

Taryn Light
Photo by Kevin Thompson

"Being a tech writer is not enough," Carliner said. "You have to have some marketing, training, or some other skills or background."

Carliner advises tech writers to learn about another industry or technology that they enjoy. Ultimately, you have to finely craft your message to land the job or career that you want.

"You can do whatever you want if you dream it and plan for it," Carliner said.

Download the handouts from Carliner's presentation for information about building skills, networking, creating a personal development plan, and tracking your career development progress.

Kevin Thompson is a former journalist for a Connecticut daily newspaper. He has a BA in Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University and is a technical writer at Media 100, Inc.