STC CWC Member Forum

April 2 CIC Coffee Meeting

2013-05-06T16:43:16Z

Lora, a BCIT student, joined myself, Jake, Janice, Autumn, and Jacqui at Blenz Coffee in Metrotown Mall at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 2. Welcome Lora.

We talked about networking, volunteer postings, and resumes. It seems there are some companies that don’t reply or acknowledge when they receive a resume. They just seem to be collecting resumes. Not very thoughtful of them!

Janice has been busy with a quite a few interviews and Autumn has been busy networking. Jake talked about his experience with localization.

Jacqui told us about her paid blogging experience. The discussion on paid blogging brought up the question “How much should a writer charge for blogging?”

We might have an answer to this question and discuss some other issues at the next meeting – Tuesday, May 7, 7 p.m. at Blenz, Metrotown. Hope to see everyone there.

March 5 Contractors Meeting

2013-03-26T21:18:28Z

Thanks to Barry, Autumn, Janice, Mellissa, & Jacob for joining me at that coffee place that I can never remember the name of.

Janice told us about her interview at a local organization. This interview was the second for this job. Her first was by telephone and the second was in person. Hope she makes it to the third. We’ll have to wait for the next meeting to find out more.

Autumn told us about her informal interview which was more like an informational interview. Networking, networking!

We discussed other issues such as:
• the differences between a contractor and an employee; and the advantages and disadvantages for each
• designing your resume for the job - Mellissa read an interesting article on doing resumes as an infographic. Autumn heard of inserting logos of companys the employee worked for in the resume.
• volunteering - the unrealistic qualifications demanded for a volunteer for some postings, advantages of working as a volunteer
• knowing programming for some writing jobs – what programming some writers have and how they obtained it. It appears there are a few ex programmers around who turned writers.

Mellissa gave us an update on the upcoming and exciting program nights.

February 5 Contractors Meeting

2013-02-17T17:49:34Z

Autumn, Melissa, Barry, Moise and Jackie joined myself for the February meeting at Metrotown.

We talked about different aspects of job hunting. This included the ever popular topic of employment agencies, leaving some of our portfolio behind after the interview (not recommended), keeping up with the different methods of job hunting, and networking on LinkedIn.

Some popular sites to look for jobs are Elance.com, Craig’s List, and Vancouverwriting.com.

We also discussed the unfortunate problem of a personality conflict with a supervisor.

Come join us next time, March 5 (7 pm) at Blenz Coffee, Metrotown.

Linda

January 8, 2013 CIC Meeting

2013-01-15T17:16:12Z

We welcomed 2 newcomers at our Jan. 8 meeting. Janice Jones & John Deeley joined Autumn and myself at Blenz Coffee in Metrotown. We found lots to talk about. Some topics were:
• Marketing oneself for a marketing and/or communications position
• Volunteering
• Writing programs at institutions like BCIT and Douglas
• Writing resumes - chronological and functional
• Requirements for grant and proposal writers
• Looking for work
• Protecting your personal data and files with good passwords
• Signing up for STC membership
Also, Autumn told us about the mentorship program at the YWCA she is involved in.
The next meeting is Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Come and join us.

Dec 4 CIC meeting

2013-01-07T15:43:16Z

We had a nice and comfortable turnout for our Dec 4 meeting attended by Autumn, Jake, Susan, Mellissa and Linda.

For those looking for internships, monitor Freshgigs.ca as they sometimes advertise for internships. Fortis periodically advertises for a tech writer so that is a company to monitor.

Jake is trying to locate proposal writers to present in a future program.

I looked for suggestions on possible courses or new software to learn to add to my resume. Some suggestions were InDesign, Captivate, Framemaker, Flare, Adobe’s Technical Communication Suite. If anyone can suggest others, please let us know including where I can get various training. Someone suggested checking out Lynda.com.

See everyone January 8.

CIC Meeting Nov. 5

2012-11-08T21:41:25Z

It was the monthly Consultants and Independent Contractors (CIC) Coffee Meeting Tuesday, November 5. Even though most were apparently watching the US election results, Mellissa & I were there. We found lots to talk about such as: how much extra a contractor should charge as opposed to the rate of an employee, wonderful and challenging Photoshop; the new website, and the upcoming Plain Language conference in October 2013.

The next coffee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4. Hope to see you there!

July 3, 2012 notes from STC-CWC Consultants and Independent Contractors meetup

2012-07-04T23:24:39Z

July 3, 2012 notes from STC-CWC Consultants and Independent Contractors meetup
Tuesday, July 3, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 at Blenz Coffee, Metrotown Mall, Burnaby
Organized by Bonnie Willimott
Recorded by Mellissa Ruryk and transcribed by Barry Shanko
Attending: Barry Shanko, Pam Drucker, Moise Potie, Mellissa Ruryk, Bonnie Willimot, Heather Sommerville, John Deeley

DISCUSSION:
• Why is this group called CIC? Because it was named that as a special interest group. Other names were proposed to reflect the networking aspect and meet up flavour. Pam explained how the chapter’s bulk email notifications work because not everyone receives notification. Moise in PR role will send meeting reminders to: contractors, team leads, volunteers and members groups.
• Mary Metzger was sick but sends her regrets.
• Heather said she heard of a job lead at Aeroinfo in Richmond for a 6 month contract.
• Barry clarified the difference between Aeroinfo and Aerotek entities. He’d been to 3 interviews but no luck.
• John said he wasn’t really looking since he was still attending courses at the BCIT tech writing program. He was doing carpentry and working as a volunteer editor at Vantage Point (formally Volunteer Vancouver).
• Pam encouraged the group to apply to recruiter ads so everyone’s resumes are on file. Instead of thinking of competing, the recruiter might be seeking to fill more than one position. She also mentioned her contract end date is coming up and like most contractors, has uncertainty despite lots of work to still to be done.
• Moise is happily working at Wenco, a Richmond mining firm.
• Mellissa mentioned a job she’d seen, but first you have to take a training course from them for which you have to pay for (big $$$$). STC-CWC pulled the job ad from its website as it seemed to be a bit of a bait and switch situation.
• Bonnie wants to find a position in Burnaby and wants to work more at contract positions, preferably at web-type postings using content strategies/marketing and social networking. She’s upgrading her HTML, Javascript and CSS skills.

CHAPTER ISSUES:
• In looking for a new meeting place, it was mentioned a place had been found near 8th and Yukon Street, near Broadway and Cambie Skytrain. It was a restaurant, and that possibly the proposed place would offer us use of their space for dinner and a program for $20/person. Discussion about if this was too much for a meeting.
• Another question: What if 5 people showed up in person and 20 “attended” via webinar?
• Discussion of how to minimize risk and still make some $$$ for the chapter? Maybe this could be a one-off or an infrequent arrangement.
• Reserve Saturday July 21 from 9:00 to noon for chapter planning meeting at Bonsor Rec Centre next to Metrotown Mall, Burnaby

NEXT CIC MEETING: Tuesday August 7, same place and time.

June 5, 2012 notes from STC-CWC Consultants and Independent Contractors meetup

2012-07-04T22:57:30Z

Tuesday June 5, 2012 from 7:00 to 8:30 at Blenz Coffee, Metrotown, Burnaby
Organized by Linda Farnworth
Attending: Linda, Bonnie, Barry, Heather, Mike, Josh, Christine, John, Moise, Pam

Roundtable intros and update on homework from May.
Linda showed her portfolio inspired from Douglas College student portfolio exhibit.
Christine gave update on blog name and content.
Heather raised discussion about whether or not to use photo in LinkedIn profile
Josh announced the happy result of long interview process including providing 5 references.

Discussed possible technical writing opportunities.

John (john at monkeymediasoftware dot com) mentioned there might be an opportunity with him and emailed this information about the position:
We need a writer to edit and format word documents, as well as transform legacy slides into a structured (eg xml) format for better reuse. Applicant needs to be a good writer and have some familiarity with structured authoring.
We may be also looking for a writer to use the DITA standard for context sensitive help, but this requirement is not imminent and if DITA is used, skills may be learned on the job.

Christine also mentioned a possible 6-8 month contract with Chris being the contact person. She also reports that it looks like Chris added his job on the STC CWC Job Postings page - posting #946. Here is the information she passed on: These are some basics he’s looking for, but he has a much longer list, which I’m sure he’ll share with people who ask. Thanks!

email: chrism at infomap dot ca
Needs 3-5 writers for contract of 6-8 months
Policy and procedure writing for call centre
DITA and Information Mapping experience
Minimum 5 years experience
Certificate / Degree in technical writing
Work from home, available online 9am-5pm
Available for frequent online or phone meetings, sometimes with little notice

Good luck!
Linda is on vacation so Bonnie will organize CIC coffee networking group through summer. See everyone next month.

July Contractors Getogether

2012-06-25T11:45:24Z

Hi Everyone,

The contractors’ group will be meeting on Tuesday, July 3. We’ll be at our regular spot at the Blenz in Metrotown, starting at at 7 pm.

The Blenz location is very close to the transit loop, and there is lots of free parking as well.

Hope to see you there.

1 May 2012 notes from STC-CWC Consultants and Independent Contractors meetup

2012-05-05T14:06:45Z

7:00 to 8:30 at Blenz, Blenz Coffee, Metrotown, Burnaby, Lower Level, GS Zone
Attending: Heather, Marika, Pam , Moise, Robert, Jacquie, Christine, Linda
Organized by Linda Farnworth
Notes recorded by Jacquie Boivin

Intros – round-table
Who is currently looking for work?
Work Safe BC - recent saw mill explosions and need to develop training materials

Discussion about blogs:
how frequently does everyone update?
once per month seems like a good frequency
what are some good blogs that people read?
diythemes.com for marketing tips
I’d rather be writing – Tom Johnson
how does one post an anonymous blog?
blog addresses of people in attendance?
http://www.robertdesprez.com - Robert
http://www.masit.ca - Jacquie
http://girlscribe.blogspot.ca/ - Christine

Assignments:
Linda – to get 50% to 80% of portfolio complete with samples that represent different skills; before & after formatting examples; find own area and strengths
Christine – develop travel blog
Heather – post LinkedIn picture
Marika – investigate how to set up an anonymous blog

Next meeting 
Tuesday June 5, 2012
  The May meeting begins regular gatherings. Please post comments to the Contractors forum, http://www.stcwestcoast.ca/index.php/forums/viewforum/15/
 Location: Blenz Coffee, Metrotown in Burnaby
There is no RSVP. Just show up. 
For more information, contact cicsig at stcwestcoast dot ca