optimizing content-development portfolios (6/2011)
DESCRIPTION
Silicon Valley hiring for content developers (Tech Writers, Course Developers, Marketing Communicators, etc) is picking up. But it's mostly the tried-and-true who are getting hired. To join their ranks, you need to prove your resume's claims. Here's how.TRANSCRIPT
Optimizing your Content-Development Portfolio
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Overview
1. Context2. Goals3. What should be in your portfolio4. How to present your portfolio5. What to do if it’s proprietary6. Q & A
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Context
My experience
2 yrs’ journalism and marcom, 8 yrs’ tech pubs (as staff TW, Pubs
Mgr, contract TW), 16+ yrs’ tech comms recruiting
My role
Matchmaker, advisor, candidate champion
My sources
(1) industry hiring managers, (2) personal observation, (3) job
descriptions, (4) candidates’ input
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Goals
•Keep you sane
•Let you secure work reliably and efficiently
•Give you ideas and hope
•Anticipate and address issues
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Portfolios Overview
1. Role of a Technical Communicator’s portfolio
2. What to include
3. How to present it
4. What to do if it’s proprietary
5. How to build a dev-doc portfolio
6. What if you’re new to tech writing?
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Your Portfolio’s Job
•Prove your resume’s claims
•Prove you understand your audience
•Prove you know the tools
•Prove you can organize, write, and deliver
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
What to include
•Three kinds of software doc contentProceduralConceptualReference
•Three contexts for delivering that infoLinear proseTask-based help Instructional/Tutorial
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
What to include, pt 2
Prove you can organize, write, & publishdoc plan
TOC
conceptual content
procedural material
reference material
glossary
index
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
What to include, pt 3
What sells best?Clear, crisp, friendly prose (for end users)
Screenshots, illustrations (for all)
Code examples (for developers)
Detailed, complete instructions (devs, admins)
Scenario-based tutorials (for all)
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
How to present it
Keys to effective portfolio presentationAccessibility
Relevance
Context
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Accessibility
Put it onlineLinkedIn profile (box.net, Creative Portfolio Display app)
Website you control (private directory, private user/pw)
Email (YouSendIt.com for large attachments)
Guided tour (join.me, gotomeeting.com)
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Relevance
Based on HM’s requirementsExplain how you approached similar challenges
Explain what you delivered and why
Discuss what you learned
Identify how you succeeded
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Context
1. Identify your role in content development
2. Explain circumstances Accessible SMEs, stable product, well-defined features,
understanding of audience, authoring tools, schedule,
protection?
3. Pinpoint its strengths, weaknesses
4. What would you do differently next time?
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
But it’s proprietary!
Bring solutions to achieve mutual goalsHave prospect sign an NDA too
Neuter proprietary content (ex. Disney character names)
Redact
Ask ex-boss for permission
Ask IP owner’s Legal Dept for permission
Take names, addresses, SSNs
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Build a Dev-Doc Portfolio
Create your own rewrites of public domain docSee synergistech.com/dev-doc-portfolio.shtml for eg’s
Demonstratefamiliarity with technical subject material
understanding of audience's needs
working knowledge of authoring tools, and
motivation, initiative
Create short before-and-after samples
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
But don’t…
say “I can learn anything; just teach me.”
say “I can’t show you my samples.”
make your inexperience (with their product, technology,
tools, culture, dev environment) their problem.
lead with your limitations
Reduce their risk! And don’t make them think
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
If you’re new to the business
Read the Catch-22 articlewww.synergistech.com/catch22.shtml
Find ways to show
Initiative
Motivation
Capacity to learn fast
Value (“I’m a good investment, not a liability”)
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.
Interested? Intrigued? Let’s talk.
Andrew Davis, recruiter
C: 650-271-0148
www.contentrules.com/jobs
© 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.