Hiring Excellence: Seven Traits of Successful Technical Communicators

Presenters Bernard Aschwanden President of Toronto STC chapter Trainer and consultant in CMS, XML, DITA, and publishing technologies Rob Frankland Long-time documentation manager Technical communication consultant Rob Hanna Technical communication consultant Member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Technical Communication http://www.slideshare.net/

Bernard Aschwanden

President of Toronto STC chapter

Trainer and consultant in CMS, XML, DITA, and publishing technologies

Rob Frankland

Long-time documentation manager

Technical communication consultant

Rob Hanna

Technical communication consultant

Member of the Board of Directors for the Society for Technical Communication

About this Presentation Presented to the STC Conference in 2006 in Las Vegas Panel co-presenters/co-authors: Amber Swope – IBM Lisa Swallow – Mentor Graphics Rob Frankland – Sock Monkey Rob Hanna – ASCan Enterprises Visnja Beg – IBM Other presentations to local STC chapters http://www.slideshare.net/

Presented to the STC Conference in 2006 in Las Vegas

Panel co-presenters/co-authors:

Amber Swope – IBM

Lisa Swallow – Mentor Graphics

Rob Frankland – Sock Monkey

Rob Hanna – ASCan Enterprises

Visnja Beg – IBM

Other presentations to local STC chapters

Presentation Overview Introduction Seven Traits Ethical Conduct Technical Skills Hiring Trends Supporting the Profession Q&A http://www.slideshare.net/

Introduction

Seven Traits

Ethical Conduct

Technical Skills

Hiring Trends

Supporting the Profession

Q&A

Technical Writers Technical writers put technical information into easily understandable language. They prepare operating and maintenance manuals, catalogues, parts lists, assembly instructions, sales promotion materials, and project proposals. Many technical writers work with engineers on technical subject matters to prepare written interpretations of engineering and design specifications and other information for a general readership. Technical writers also may serve as part of a team conducting usability studies to help improve the design of a product that still is in the prototype stage. They plan and edit technical materials and oversee the preparation of illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and charts. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.slideshare.net/

Technical writers put technical information into easily understandable language. They prepare operating and maintenance manuals, catalogues, parts lists, assembly instructions, sales promotion materials, and project proposals. Many technical writers work with engineers on technical subject matters to prepare written interpretations of engineering and design specifications and other information for a general readership. Technical writers also may serve as part of a team conducting usability studies to help improve the design of a product that still is in the prototype stage. They plan and edit technical materials and oversee the preparation of illustrations, photographs, diagrams, and charts.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Technical Communicators Develop and design instructional and informational tools needed to assure safe, appropriate and effective use of science and technology, intellectual property, and manufactured products and services. Combines multi-media knowledge and strong communication skills with technical expertise to educate across the entire spectrum of users’ abilities, technical experience, and visual and auditory capabilities. Proposed BLS Definition: STC.org http://www.slideshare.net/

Develop and design instructional and informational tools needed to assure safe, appropriate and effective use of science and technology, intellectual property, and manufactured products and services. Combines multi-media knowledge and strong communication skills with technical expertise to educate across the entire spectrum of users’ abilities, technical experience, and visual and auditory capabilities.

Proposed BLS Definition: STC.org

Technical Communicators Technical Communicators are… Technical Writers Technical Editors Information Developers Information Architects Documentation Specialists Instructional Designers Technical Illustrators http://www.slideshare.net/

Technical Communicators are…

Technical Writers

Technical Editors

Information Developers

Information Architects

Documentation Specialists

Instructional Designers

Technical Illustrators

What We Bring to the Table http://www.slideshare.net/ Behaviours Traits Skills Technical Expertise Habits Ethics

Seven Traits Successful Technical Communicators are: Confident Passionate Driven to Explore Creative Problem Solvers Continuously Learning Technically Apt Comfortable with Chaos http://www.slideshare.net/

Successful Technical Communicators are:

Confident

Passionate

Driven to Explore

Creative Problem Solvers

Continuously Learning

Technically Apt

Comfortable with Chaos

Confidence in Self To try new things To actively seek out needed resources To stand up for what you believe To advocate for the user http://www.slideshare.net/

To try new things

To actively seek out needed resources

To stand up for what you believe

To advocate for the user

Passionate in What You Do User champion Pride in your work Drive for excellence Not satisfied with “just a job” Works within Communities of Practice Do you see yourself as a professional? http://www.slideshare.net/

User champion

Pride in your work

Drive for excellence

Not satisfied with “just a job”

Works within Communities of Practice

Do you see yourself as a professional?

Driven to Explore Natural curiosity and desire to innovate Interested in all aspects of the technical communication business Regularly makes time to explore Does not wait for others to tell them what the best solutions are Not afraid to try something different http://www.slideshare.net/

Natural curiosity and desire to innovate

Interested in all aspects of the technical communication business

Regularly makes time to explore

Does not wait for others to tell them what the best solutions are

Not afraid to try something different

Creative Problem Solving Able to identify problems and act independently to solve them Sees the opportunity in adversity Can identify and effectively explain issues before they become problems Persistent Think creatively http://www.slideshare.net/

Able to identify problems and act independently to solve them

Sees the opportunity in adversity

Can identify and effectively explain issues before they become problems

Persistent

Think creatively

Continuous Learning Industry isn’t static It’s up to you to keep learning New skills New technologies New tricks Develop and revise career goals to stretch beyond your current state Make your own personal investment and don’t rely solely on your employer http://www.slideshare.net/

Industry isn’t static

It’s up to you to keep learning

New skills

New technologies

New tricks

Develop and revise career goals to stretch beyond your current state

Make your own personal investment and don’t rely solely on your employer

Technical Aptitude Quickly learn new technology Be able to train others Understand the domain about which you write Be able to communicate this knowledge http://www.slideshare.net/

Quickly learn new technology

Be able to train others

Understand the domain about which you write

Be able to communicate this knowledge

Comfort with Chaos Sees change as opportunity Capable of moving out of their comfort zone Adaptable Able to surf through the chaos http://www.slideshare.net/

Sees change as opportunity

Capable of moving out of their comfort zone

Adaptable

Able to surf through the chaos

Ethical Conduct Ethical behaviour supports the theory and practice of technical communication so that businesses and customers benefit from safe, appropriate, and effective use of products, information, and services John Hedtke describes ethical conduct as: Abiding by professional standards, and Complying with appropriate laws http://www.slideshare.net/

Ethical behaviour supports the theory and practice of technical communication so that businesses and customers benefit from safe, appropriate, and effective use of products, information, and services

John Hedtke describes ethical conduct as:

Abiding by professional standards, and

Complying with appropriate laws

Abide by Professional Standards Be honest in communication and about qualifications in circumstances that might lead to conflicts of interest. Strive for excellence in delivered products and processes. Acquire and maintain professional expertise. Help others understand the value of technical communication. Honor professional commitments. http://www.slideshare.net/

Be honest in communication and about qualifications in circumstances that might lead to conflicts of interest.

Strive for excellence in delivered products and processes.

Acquire and maintain professional expertise.

Help others understand the value of technical communication.

Honor professional commitments.

Comply with Appropriate Laws Honor copyrights, patents, and other property rights and acknowledge the authorship and ownership of intellectual property. Avoid harm to others through incomplete or inaccurate communication. Honor confidentiality and respect the privacy of others. Obey the laws and policies concerning technical communication and data privacy and security of my country and my company. http://www.slideshare.net/

Honor copyrights, patents, and other property rights and acknowledge the authorship and ownership of intellectual property.

Avoid harm to others through incomplete or inaccurate communication.

Honor confidentiality and respect the privacy of others.

Obey the laws and policies concerning technical communication and data privacy and security of my country and my company.

Technical Skills Requisite skills are under constant change Important to focus on the applicant’s adaptability and willingness to learn new skills Look at categories of skills rather than specific skills with a single technology or piece of software http://www.slideshare.net/

Requisite skills are under constant change

Important to focus on the applicant’s adaptability and willingness to learn new skills

Look at categories of skills rather than specific skills with a single technology or piece of software

Then and Now As evidenced by the pace of change over the past few decades, our profession is under constant change Some believe that we are on the precipice of a major technological change not just in technical communication but in the way we all communicate Gollner, Joe; Stilo 2008 http://www.slideshare.net/abelsp/workshop-content-engineering http://www.slideshare.net/

As evidenced by the pace of change over the past few decades, our profession is under constant change

Some believe that we are on the precipice of a major technological change not just in technical communication but in the way we all communicate

Gollner, Joe; Stilo 2008 http://www.slideshare.net/abelsp/workshop-content-engineering

Trends in Hiring Practices Twenty years ago Exacting researcher Efficient organizer Skillful reporter Accomplished teacher Publisher’s apprentice Science and engineering devotee Graphic arts patron http://www.slideshare.net/

Twenty years ago

Exacting researcher

Efficient organizer

Skillful reporter

Accomplished teacher

Publisher’s apprentice

Science and engineering devotee

Graphic arts patron

Trends in Hiring Practices Today Knowledge of online publishing technologies Creation of metadata Content management Localization Audience-centric focus Write well Visualize Information http://www.slideshare.net/

Today

Knowledge of online publishing technologies

Creation of metadata

Content management

Localization

Audience-centric focus

Write well

Visualize Information

Technological Advances You must develop with the industry Changes in 20 years New delivery mediums New delivery mechanisms New skills New expectations New tools New technologies http://www.slideshare.net/

You must develop with the industry

Changes in 20 years

New delivery mediums

New delivery mechanisms

New skills

New expectations

New tools

New technologies

Role of Technology Then Technical writers wrote about technology Now Technology is embedded in what we write about technology We write less and manipulate text http://www.slideshare.net/

Then

Technical writers wrote about technology

Now

Technology is embedded in what we write about technology

We write less and manipulate text

Trends in Hiring Practices New study – Skills for ≤ 2 years of experience Some Experience Subject Area Knowledge Tech Writing Skills Technology Skills Project Management Skills http://www.slideshare.net/ Lanier, Clinton; Analysis of the Skills Called for by Technical Communication Employers in Recruitment Postings; Technical Communication; February 2009 p51- 61

New study – Skills for ≤ 2 years of experience

Some Experience

Subject Area Knowledge

Tech Writing Skills

Technology Skills

Project Management Skills

Trends in Hiring Practices Some Experience Technical writing (34%) Subject matter (34%) Subject matter writing experience (38%) http://www.slideshare.net/

Some Experience

Technical writing (34%)

Subject matter (34%)

Subject matter writing experience (38%)

Trends in Hiring Practices Subject area knowledge Specialized writers Technical vs. Technical writing degrees Tech writing skills Called for in ads (17%) Are these skills a given? http://www.slideshare.net/

Subject area knowledge

Specialized writers

Technical vs. Technical writing degrees

Tech writing skills

Called for in ads (17%)

Are these skills a given?

Trends in Hiring Practices Technology skills HATS (16%) Specialized software tools (20%) Project management skills Interpersonal skills Collaborative skills Excellent communication skills Excellent oral communication skills http://www.slideshare.net/

Technology skills

HATS (16%)

Specialized software tools (20%)

Project management skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent oral communication skills

Do They Know Themselves None of the traits are binary When do they feel most confident? Where is their passion? What subjects are they driven to explore? What types of subjects are they good at? http://www.slideshare.net/

None of the traits are binary

When do they feel most confident?

Where is their passion?

What subjects are they driven to explore?

What types of subjects are they good at?

What Will They Face? Types of Chaos Technology-based Team-based Corporate-based Problem Solving Opportunities http://www.slideshare.net/

Types of Chaos

Technology-based

Team-based

Corporate-based

Problem Solving Opportunities

Do They Have the Right Mix of Technical vs Communication Skills? http://www.slideshare.net/ Most Least Audience Laymen Professionals Technical Writing Ability Technical Ability

Can They Write for Your Customers? http://www.slideshare.net/ Laymen Professionals Technical Audience Cell phones PC software Medical Financial Procedural Aerospace IT Web Apps SpecialtySoftware Insurance Programming Audience Base (Size)

Professional Development Technical Communicators need to stay connected with changes in the field Look for candidates that identify with the profession outside of 9-5 Look for candidates that make an ongoing effort to connect, renew, and develop through professional associations http://www.slideshare.net/

Technical Communicators need to stay connected with changes in the field

Look for candidates that identify with the profession outside of 9-5

Look for candidates that make an ongoing effort to connect, renew, and develop through professional associations

Supporting the Profession The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is a world-wide professional association with 12,000 members The STC is headquartered in Arlington, Va with chapters in Toronto and Waterloo The STC has been supporting the profession for more than 50 years http://www.slideshare.net/

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) is a world-wide professional association with 12,000 members

The STC is headquartered in Arlington, Va with chapters in Toronto and Waterloo

The STC has been supporting the profession for more than 50 years

Badge of a Professional Hiring an STC member means hiring a professional with all the tools in his/her toolbox Hire an STC member and get access to a vast network of professionals and resources http://www.slideshare.net/

Hiring an STC member means hiring a professional with all the tools in his/her toolbox

Hire an STC member and get access to a vast network of professionals and resources

The STC Supports its Members Traditional Channels Publications Online Resources Local and Virtual Communities Competitions Learning Opportunities Emerging Channels STC Body of Knowledge Professional Certification http://www.slideshare.net/

Traditional Channels

Publications

Online Resources

Local and Virtual Communities

Competitions

Learning Opportunities

Emerging Channels

STC Body of Knowledge

Professional Certification

Where Can You Learn More? The Society for Technical Communication is the first stop for your needs in learning, networking, and professional growth http://www.stc.org http://www.stctoronto.org http://www.stc-soc.org http://www.slideshare.net/

The Society for Technical Communication is the first stop for your needs in learning, networking, and professional growth

http://www.stc.org

http://www.stctoronto.org

http://www.stc-soc.org

Summary Successful TC exhibit specific traits Traits and competencies have changed over time Traits vary by industry and needs Look for technical communicators that identify with the profession http://www.slideshare.net/

Successful TC exhibit specific traits

Traits and competencies have changed over time

Traits vary by industry and needs

Look for technical communicators that identify with the profession

Questions? http://www.slideshare.net/ Thank you for attending

Hiring Excellence What to look for as a hiring manager How do you determine who is likely the best candidate from a resume and interview? Questions and techniques to use to “weed out” and identify excellent candidates. http://www.slideshare.net/

What to look for as a hiring manager

How do you determine who is likely the best candidate from a resume and interview?

Questions and techniques to use to “weed out” and identify excellent candidates.

From a Resume Know what position you are looking to fill but also what skills are lacking on your team or may be useful. http://www.slideshare.net/

Know what position you are looking to fill but also what skills are lacking on your team or may be useful.

From the Interview Understand the personality traits that will enable the candidate to fit in to the team, the environment, the company. http://www.slideshare.net/

Understand the personality traits that will enable the candidate to fit in to the team, the environment, the company.

Looking at Technical Skills Review resume and probe the use of the tools they have used. How much knowledge in the tools and for what purpose they used them Probe use of various writing methodologies Knowledge of tools/skills, how much? Possible use of standardized technical aptitude test http://www.slideshare.net/

Review resume and probe the use of the tools they have used.

How much knowledge in the tools and for what purpose they used them

Probe use of various writing methodologies

Knowledge of tools/skills, how much?

Possible use of standardized technical aptitude test

Looking at Soft Skills Are they presentable? Do they project an aura of confidence but not cockiness? Do they answer questions without hesitation and are able to present examples of what they have done in certain situations? Use behavior based interviewing that probes examples of how candidates have dealt with various situations (BBSI). http://www.slideshare.net/

Are they presentable?

Do they project an aura of confidence but not cockiness?

Do they answer questions without hesitation and are able to present examples of what they have done in certain situations?

Use behavior based interviewing that probes examples of how candidates have dealt with various situations (BBSI).