Tech Comm Café: February 15 recap; next meeting March 15

At the February Tech Comm Café, attendees exchanged insights about finding employment and setting themselves up for good working conditions. They enjoyed sharing past experiences and looking forward to advancing in their careers as technical writers.

We initially reviewed some costs and benefits of incorporating. Some clients prefer that contractors be incorporated for compensation purposes, so that employers don’t have to cover benefits such as employment insurance. Some even offer a higher pay rate if the contractor is incorporated. Still, incorporation is not to be taken lightly. Incorporation makes taxes more complicated, and it costs less to register your business as a sole proprietorship.

We also discussed protective measures for working on contract. The contract should cover schedule, hourly rate, compensation in case the employer cancels, scope of work, and other conditions of employment as protection from unfair treatment. It’s a good idea to bring your own contract into a new job, as well as signing the company’s contract. Ask a lawyer to assist with creating or reviewing contracts. Experts recommend, and companies sometimes require, business insurance for contractors, but one member gets around such a requirement by ensuring that the client has its own insurance.

We discussed student volunteer opportunities at the 2023 STC Summit, happening in Atlanta at the beginning of May. Student volunteers receive complimentary registration, with the same opportunities as other attendees for networking, breakfasts, an award show, talent show, and more. Attendees can save on accommodation if they skip the conference hotel and stay at a nearby hotel, short-term rental, or university dorm. At least one of the group plans to volunteer this year and possibly present a webinar recap of the experience, which will be useful for those who can’t attend and help build the student’s résumé.

We also shared interview experiences and how to prepare for interviews. For technical writer positions, interviews often require a writing assignment of some type, whether it be a procedure for a task, an editing test, or a personal reflection piece. Applicants might have two days or two hours to submit an assignment. However, it could be more important to pay attention to the process of preparing the document, rather than striving for impeccable quality. You could stand out from the competition by arriving with well-thought-out questions about the assignment, such as the audience, subject matter, or company style and format. Employers appreciate a job applicant who comes prepared.

The Tech Comm Café provides networking opportunities, job leads, answers to work-related dilemmas, and a burst of professional energy to keep you motivated. We discuss technical writing tools and techniques, career planning, portfolios, and anything else related to working as a technical communicator.

We welcome anyone who’s interested in technical communication — contractor, in-house, student, long-time tech writer, STC member, non-member, career-changer, or recruiter. We hope to see you at the next meeting!

Next Meeting: ONLINE on Wednesday, March 15, 2023

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• If you plan to attend, RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, to receive login instructions.

Date: Wednesday, March 15
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Location: Online via Zoom

Agenda

1. Introductions. Take 60 seconds to introduce yourself, your background, current activities. A good chance to try out that new elevator speech.
2. Announcements and job leads. If you know of an interesting event or a job opening, or you’re looking for work, share it with the group.
3. Brainstorming Q&A. Ask about a work-related problem and discuss potential solutions.
4. Speed networking. Make new contacts and discuss your professional backgrounds and goals.