August/September 2003

Volume 44, Number 1

A first-class awards reception

by Ron Arner

If next year's awards reception is anything like this year's, you'd better mark it on your calendar now!

The 28th Annual Art, Online, and Publications Competitions Awards Ceremony and Reception was held on June 26th at The Cable Center on the University of Denver campus. Besides being able to view the outstanding winning entries of the competitions and indulge in the fabulous catering of the Breckenridge Brewery, attendees were treated to the presentation "Seeding the Clouds: How to Make it Rain on Yourself Even During a Dry Spell" by John Hedtke.

John is the author of 23 books, is on the STC's Nominating Committee, and just completed a year as president of the regional STC chapter in Indiana. John began his presentation by assuring those present that "It isn't your imagination—this really is the worst (economy) our profession has seen in 20 years." John went on to share with those present not only two dozen things we can do to improve the chances of finding work, but his unique humor and encouragement as well.

John's 24 points, with explanations that could be recorded amidst the laughing, follow:

1. Update your resume. You are a technical communicator, and your resume shouldn't be dull or boring or out of date. Most important, make sure your resume contains no typos!
2. Create a portfolio. Only 5% of technical communicators have portfolios, but it is an essential part of your job search, so create one!
3. Build a Web site. Building a Web site "shows your professional side." Whether you want to post your resume and cover letter on your site is up to you.
4. Add new skills. Take software certification courses, and read books like The Chicago Manual of Style and The Pocket Pal.
5. Change your mode. If you are working freelance, become a captive; if you are working captive, try freelancing!
6. Change your venue. If you have been in software development, for example, and aren't having any luck, try to get into another area such as training.
7. Expand your geographic area. This does not mean you need to move; just consider a longer commute.
8. Sign up with a lot of agencies. In normal times, you may only sign up with two or three agencies, but in this economy, that won't cut it.
9. Evaluate what you've done already. See if there is anything you can improve on, or if you are being led in a new direction. If you don't normally work with an editor, consider hiring one.
10. Write magazine articles. This is a fun solution. "It is the cocktail peanuts of technical communication." John also recommended a book if you are interested in pursuing this option, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles.
11. Network as much as possible. Interact with others as much as possible and always give out your business card.
12. Go to every STC event you can! STC events are great networking opportunities, and always bring a resume with you. You never know who may be looking for someone with just your skills!
13. Go to lots of non-STC events, too. Seek out other professional and business organizations for more networking opportunities.
14. Volunteer! Volunteer for newsletters, STC, local high schools or colleges as a teacher, etc.
15. Speak to groups. Successful consultants, as opposed to unsuccessful ones, often have excellent speaking skills and rarely lack for speaking engagements.
16. Participate in your alumni association. This option wins as a networking, volunteer, and job opportunity source.
17. Consider lowering your standards. Are your rates too high? Are you being picky about what kind of people you work with or what companies to work for? "This is a buyer's market, and you need to be priced to move. What we (technical communicators) do isn't art." John also described this as the "I know it's not perfect but it's Thursday" philosophy, and shared with us a quote from Hollywood: "No matter how hard you try, you can't polish a turd."
18. Write a book. As mentioned above, John has authored or co-authored 23 books. Nothing looks so good on your resume.
19. Write third-party books for a company. Third-party books are hard work, but they're worth it. (Third party books target a specific company or product.)
20. Don't let your employment situation affect your lifestyle. Keep going with your life (exercise, etc.) in spite of your work situation!
21. Be ready when the floodgates open. Don't be surprised when the jobs finally do start coming through. Be prepared to sub-contract work.
22. Do more. Do more of whatever it is that has made you successful in the past.
23. Do it differently. If beating your head against a brick wall isn't helping, beat it against a different brick wall.
24. Have fun. Finding work in hard times isn't easy, but relish it as much as you can.

John said that a successful job search really boils down to the last three points above: doing more, doing it differently, and having fun while doing it. He concluded with a quote from noted philosopher Bugs Bunny, "Never take life too seriously, because it's going to kill you in the end!"