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Flight or Fight By Linda Shaltz
Writing about unemployment is an unenviable task. It is no surprise that there has been a definite downturn in the job market, bordering on recession. Unemployment is high and spirits are low. While the situation is grim, there is also reason for hope IF you're willing to adapt. Several Bay Area recruiters offered almost identical messages:
Most agreed that the market has stalled for at least 18 months, so let's focus on the positive. Ask yourself what you can control. Concentrate on expanding your skills. With budgets stretched thin, many employers are looking for people who can multi-task. You may find job postings for combination jobs such as Technical Writer/Quality Assurance, Technical Writer/Graphics Editor, XML Programmer/Writer, etc. Subscribe to one of the many Internet job sites and study the skill requirements for the few postings there. Consider taking a class in Java, XML, or Visual Basic to become more marketable. You don't have to become a programmer to benefit from these classes. Writing for the Web isn't as frightening as you might think, either. If you haven't already done so, check out area colleges and courses available on the Internet. Don't restrict yourself. There are still some writing positions available in journalism, training and curriculum development, and defense-related areas. Be willing to expand your job-seeking horizons. While specializing in a specific area of writing used to be the recommendation, not many writers can afford that type of thinking anymore. The more flexible you can be, the more opportunities you will find. It really is about "who you know." Networking is one of the most important tools in your control. Interviewing is a required skill for technical writers, so use it. Join professional organizations, attend the meetings, and network. Talk about what you do at social gatherings but don't forget to listen, too. You just might hear about the perfect opportunity. And don't forget to be a contact for someone else. If you hear about a job that isn't right for you, pass it along. The person you help today could help you tomorrow! Relocation might be the answer for you. The Bay Area is in a slump, but work is still available in other parts of the country. If you were thinking of relocating anyway, this might be the time. If you're not ready to relocate but are willing to travel, try to work with recruiters who can find out-of-state positions for you. For some this might be a welcome adventure! There are no easy answers and certainly no one answer for everyone. You will encounter negative influences, people asking, "Why bother?" The best course of action is to maintain a positive attitude and a desire to persevere. If that desire outweighs the obstacles, you can survive. Don't give up!
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The Devil Mountain Views -- Nov/Dec 2001 |
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