Most people at the March meeting were repeat visitors, mainly experienced writers but some students as well. It was good to see familiar faces as well as new ones.
We began with a spirited discussion of robocalls (especially the ones that wake us before dawn) and the blank or incomprehensible voicemails that often accompany them. People were pleased to learn that some phone service providers offer a call screening or call control service that blocks most autodialled calls, and were eager to sign up as soon as the meeting ended.
One member had just moved into a co-working space. It costs more than working at home, of course, and adds some commute time to the day, but she’s finding that it provides a good separation from the distractions of family, household chores, and the feeling of never leaving the workplace.
Another described a recent promotion at work, which led to tips about negotiating a new job title, responsibilities, and pay rate:
- Write a new job description or a proposal that shows the skills, accomplishments, and value you’ve demonstrated in your current position and will bring to the new one. Convince your managers that the company needs you.
- Ask supportive managers or colleagues to recommend your skills.
- Ask for more salary, budget, staff, benefits, or tools.
- Research current salary rates, from the STC salary database or local and industry sources.
- Ask for more than the average rate. Either they accept your number and you get a big raise, or you at least have more room to negotiate.
- If the company has recently lost staff to higher-paid jobs elsewhere, remind them that other experienced, productive, valued staff (you) might be next.
- Be ready to push back, to get out of your comfort zone, and even to walk away. The current pandemic has brought labour shortages and shifting priorities for some workers. It’s a good time to be looking for work. (Be sure your résumé and portfolio are up to date.)
That led to a discussion of leaving a salaried job to set up as a contractor. If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge, try some contract jobs on the side to see whether that work style is feasible for you. Check with local, provincial, and federal business departments, and a lawyer, to learn about requirements for company names, business licences, GST, incorporation vs. sole proprietorship, liability insurance, taxes, and so on.
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 20, 2022
- Subscribe to receive email announcements of future meetings.
- If you plan to attend, RSVP by 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 20, to receive login instructions.
Date: Wednesday, April 20
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.