This month’s virtual get-together began, appropriately for a networking meeting, with the question: Can you network if you’re not looking for work? Should you? Why or why not?
All agreed that networking, online or in person, offers much more than job-hunting contacts. It’s an opportunity to share information about work, education, events, skills, and technology. If you have a question, you have a good chance of meeting a contact who has the expertise to help — which happened at tonight’s meeting. If you’re the one providing answers, you have the satisfaction of helping. When you are looking for work, people are more likely to remember you when they hear of a job lead or need your expertise.
Tips for getting the most out a networking meeting: Focus on listening and learning, not on trying to sell your services. Collect contact information from as many people as possible and follow up with them later to be sure they remember you. This might be an answer to a question they asked, or an interesting piece of news about a topic you discussed — anything to make yourself memorable and useful.
Starting a conversation can be difficult in a room full of strangers. Recommendations included listening in on a small group’s conversation and chiming in when you have a comment to add, and icebreaker questions such as “What do you do all day?” and “What brings you here?”
On a somewhat networking-related note, someone was looking for a voice translator app, not for work but so they could chat with a neighbour who doesn’t speak English. Hmm, maybe that neighbour knows someone who needs help with writing. If you’re looking for work, networking includes telling everyone you know that you’re available, from your dentist to your kid’s teacher to acquaintances at the dog park. You never know who’s going to have a job lead.
We also discussed AI authoring tools. Do they help technical writers or will they put us out of work? If you use one, do you tell your clients? Who owns the copyright? One writer uses them for first drafts, with his client’s knowledge, but “humanizes” the writing before publication.
Finally: how do you get an interview when you have no experience? Again, networking can help. Ask others how they got their first job; what courses, volunteer work, or non-tech-comm jobs gave them transferable skills and demonstrated their commitment and relevant experience?
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, April 19, 2023
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- If you plan to attend, RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, to receive login instructions.
Date: Wednesday, April 19
Time: 7:00-8:00 p.m. Pacific Time
Location: Online via Zoom
Agenda
- Introductions. Take 60 seconds to introduce yourself, your background, current activities. A good chance to try out that new elevator speech.
- 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.
- Brainstorming Q&A. Ask about a work-related problem and discuss potential solutions.
- Speed networking. Make new contacts and discuss your professional backgrounds and goals.
Heather Sommerville is a senior technical writer and editor with over 20 years of experience delivering clear, concise writing for business and technical audiences. She is an STC Associate Fellow and has served in many volunteer positions with the STC Canada West Coast chapter.