Comments for Between the Lines http://swo-btlines.com Chapter Newsletter for STC-SWO Thu, 04 Dec 2008 21:36:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 Comment on Editor’s Message by editor http://swo-btlines.com/editors-message/#comment-828 editor Sun, 04 May 2008 22:58:00 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/editors-message/#comment-828 <p>Like Mindy, I was recently informed by a client that my long-term contract was ending in June. I received more notice than Mindy did, but it's still a shock to the system. My story, however, is not about my reaction in the face of stress, but about a comment made by one of my co-workers during a global teleconference last week.</p> <p>The meeting had been long (as usual), but an unusual number of questions and requests had come my way--more than the typical perfunctory 'any problems with the docs?' query). Judy, How will we communicate this change? Judy, do we need to update this procedure? Judy, what are the regulatory requirements for documenting these installation steps?</p> <p>As I was fielding the questions, a Regional Manager IM'd me with this comment: "Judy, I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate what you do. Thanks for helping us out in so many ways." Made my day. But, of course, I'm still facing the end of a long-term contract. Wonder if I can pay my high-speed Internet bill with appreciation-based currency? Nah. Probably not :-)</p> Like Mindy, I was recently informed by a client that my long-term contract was ending in June. I received more notice than Mindy did, but it’s still a shock to the system. My story, however, is not about my reaction in the face of stress, but about a comment made by one of my co-workers during a global teleconference last week.

The meeting had been long (as usual), but an unusual number of questions and requests had come my way–more than the typical perfunctory ‘any problems with the docs?’ query). Judy, How will we communicate this change? Judy, do we need to update this procedure? Judy, what are the regulatory requirements for documenting these installation steps?

As I was fielding the questions, a Regional Manager IM’d me with this comment: "Judy, I just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate what you do. Thanks for helping us out in so many ways." Made my day. But, of course, I’m still facing the end of a long-term contract. Wonder if I can pay my high-speed Internet bill with appreciation-based currency? Nah. Probably not :-)

]]> Comment on Editor’s Message by Mindy http://swo-btlines.com/editors-message/#comment-826 Mindy Sun, 04 May 2008 03:49:47 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/editors-message/#comment-826 I recently improved the life of my client by remaining professional in the face of stress. Recently, I was laid off from my mortage company client, just like so many others in the months before me, since that industry is struggling right now. My boss, in from Dallas just to give me my walking papers, told me they'd terminated my contract, and instead of getting the standard two weeks, they now no longer had that luxury, so I had about as long as it would take to pack my boxes. So I took a couple slow, deep breaths, consciously pulled my shoulders down out of my ears, and started typing up a detailed list of where all my files were, complete with hyperlinks to network directories, as well as the status for each of the projects I'd been working on. It wasn't an easy situation for either of us, nor for my co-workers who watched with worried faces, but I think the document I left behind helped to make the situation easier for everyone; it gave me something to focus on beyond the end of a 2.5 year era in my life, and it gave them direction and a fast ticket to be able to step in and take over where I left off. I recently improved the life of my client by remaining professional in the face of stress. Recently, I was laid off from my mortage company client, just like so many others in the months before me, since that industry is struggling right now. My boss, in from Dallas just to give me my walking papers, told me they’d terminated my contract, and instead of getting the standard two weeks, they now no longer had that luxury, so I had about as long as it would take to pack my boxes. So I took a couple slow, deep breaths, consciously pulled my shoulders down out of my ears, and started typing up a detailed list of where all my files were, complete with hyperlinks to network directories, as well as the status for each of the projects I’d been working on. It wasn’t an easy situation for either of us, nor for my co-workers who watched with worried faces, but I think the document I left behind helped to make the situation easier for everyone; it gave me something to focus on beyond the end of a 2.5 year era in my life, and it gave them direction and a fast ticket to be able to step in and take over where I left off.

]]> Comment on Why I Belong to STC by Clyde http://swo-btlines.com/why-i-belong-to-stc/#comment-652 Clyde Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:34:24 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/why-i-belong-to-stc/#comment-652 Hi Susan. I completely agree with your assessment. A growing industry will no doubt drive higher membership numbers as more technical communicators find work in that part of the world. Thanks for thoughts and for saying hello. Hi Susan. I completely agree with your assessment. A growing industry will no doubt drive higher membership numbers as more technical communicators find work in that part of the world. Thanks for thoughts and for saying hello.

]]> Comment on Why I Belong to STC by Susan http://swo-btlines.com/why-i-belong-to-stc/#comment-645 Susan Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:04:58 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/why-i-belong-to-stc/#comment-645 Hi Clyde. I'm a tech writer in Shanghai and am considering joining STC. My colleague told me there are maybe 10-12 STC members in China, but with the growing industry, I expect the numbers to rise in the near future. Hi Clyde. I’m a tech writer in Shanghai and am considering joining STC. My colleague told me there are maybe 10-12 STC members in China, but with the growing industry, I expect the numbers to rise in the near future.

]]> Comment on Editor’s Message by editor http://swo-btlines.com/123/#comment-604 editor Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:40:00 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/123/#comment-604 Elizabeth - You're welcome. Congratulations on your new venture. Good luck on expanding your client base. When you have only one client, you're reallly in a captive position, so it's always good to spread your talent around :-) Elizabeth -

You’re welcome. Congratulations on your new venture. Good luck on expanding your client base. When you have only one client, you’re reallly in a captive position, so it’s always good to spread your talent around :-)

]]> Comment on Editor’s Message by Elizabeth Evans Fryer http://swo-btlines.com/123/#comment-504 Elizabeth Evans Fryer Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:42:49 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/123/#comment-504 Judy, What a timely piece. In February I (re)started my freelance business, Suasive Communications. As I have a steady customer, I haven't really written or thought about any plans for the future, but that client may not be there forever. You present some great ideas and some good Web sites. Thanks. EEFryer Judy,
What a timely piece. In February I (re)started my freelance business, Suasive Communications. As I have a steady customer, I haven’t really written or thought about any plans for the future, but that client may not be there forever.

You present some great ideas and some good Web sites. Thanks.

EEFryer

]]> Comment on Steps to a Successful Interview: Presentation by Louise Tincher http://swo-btlines.com/steps-to-a-successful-interview-part-two/#comment-62 Louise Tincher Tue, 25 Dec 2007 00:18:32 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/steps-to-a-successful-interview-part-two/#comment-62 Re: #14 Disarming Landmines One tactic for handling difficult questions is to respond with a question (e.g."That's an interesting question, why do ask?"). This works on several levels: 1. It is non-confrontational. 2. Their response may provide insight into their underlying concern, which you can then address appropriately. 3. The conversation may proceed without returning to the original question. 4. At a minimum, you gain time to think. Re: #14 Disarming Landmines
One tactic for handling difficult questions is to respond with a question (e.g.”That’s an interesting question, why do ask?”). This works on several levels:
1. It is non-confrontational.
2. Their response may provide insight into their underlying concern, which you can then address appropriately.
3. The conversation may proceed without returning to the original question.
4. At a minimum, you gain time to think.

]]> Comment on Steps to a Successful Interview: Presentation by Elizabeth Fryer http://swo-btlines.com/steps-to-a-successful-interview-part-two/#comment-60 Elizabeth Fryer Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:50:26 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/steps-to-a-successful-interview-part-two/#comment-60 Concerning item 14 about the interviewer asking illegal questions, what about disabilities? If I apply for a job with the US government and complete the form saying whether I'm a veteran or a displaced fed worker or have disabilities, I think I don't HAVE to say I have a disability, but if hired, I would disclose it. Would the person who hired me feel betrayed? Should I disclose my disability on the pre-app form? I know it's not supposed to, but would that hinder my chances of even getting an interview? (It's a mental disability, but it wouldn't interfere with my job performance.) Or maybe disclosing it to the government may improve my chances of getting an interview? What do you think? Concerning item 14 about the interviewer asking illegal questions, what about disabilities? If I apply for a job with the US government and complete the form saying whether I’m a veteran or a displaced fed worker or have disabilities, I think I don’t HAVE to say I have a disability, but if hired, I would disclose it.

Would the person who hired me feel betrayed? Should I disclose my disability on the pre-app form? I know it’s not supposed to, but would that hinder my chances of even getting an interview? (It’s a mental disability, but it wouldn’t interfere with my job performance.) Or maybe disclosing it to the government may improve my chances of getting an interview?

What do you think?

]]> Comment on Your Story Is Powerful by Tom Johnson http://swo-btlines.com/telling-your-powerful-story/#comment-11 Tom Johnson Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:03:15 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/telling-your-powerful-story/#comment-11 Thanks for the link to the podcast. Your encouragement to tell our powerful story is thought-provoking, because I often don't think of my job as a story, but you (and Susan) are definitely right. I need to flesh my story out more. Thanks for the link to the podcast. Your encouragement to tell our powerful story is thought-provoking, because I often don’t think of my job as a story, but you (and Susan) are definitely right. I need to flesh my story out more.

]]> Comment on Calling All Verbivores by Mindy Hoffbauer http://swo-btlines.com/calling-all-verbivores-3/#comment-10 Mindy Hoffbauer Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:18:50 +0000 http://swo-btlines.com/calling-all-verbivores-3/#comment-10 If you enjoy reading student bloopers, try Anders Henricksson's _Non Campus Mentis_, where more smiles, chuckles and belly laughs await. If you enjoy reading student bloopers, try Anders Henricksson’s _Non Campus Mentis_, where more smiles, chuckles and belly laughs await.

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