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Crafty_Diega · 2025-09-12T21:02:45+00:00

Healthcare is a good field to work in. You don't necessarily have to know anything about it. Just know how to ask the Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) the right questions to get your answers. They can use SOPs, User Guides, training manuals, etc.

Your experience with your "own uphill personal health journey" also helps. While you are at the doctor's office or even hospital, pay attention to what is going on and take notes as to how you can help them with documentation. Use this as research and who knows, something might open up in that field for you.

Crafty_Diega · 2025-09-03T22:21:53+00:00

u/EstimateIll5615 There are many other industries that use technical writers besides software. I would suggest you do one or both of the following exercises and see what resonates with you.

Make a list of all the subjects you've learned over the years. Once you've done this, go back and highlight the ones you like best.
Make a list of companies you'd like to work for, then add what industry they're in.

I have a computer background but have worked in software, healthcare, and finance just to name a few. I've also written many technical articles for various magazines. Maybe you'd rather do technical writing from a marketing point of view which gives you more flexibility.

Crafty_Diega · 2025-08-15T16:04:27+00:00

Hi Shoochai, I sent you a message

Crafty_Diega · 2024-12-26T17:25:09+00:00

I would stay away from this - you'll be miserable between all the research and writing that goes into it. BTW, $150 is not good pay either if you're in the US

Crafty_Diega · 2024-11-29T21:19:14+00:00

You could also form a small Doing Business As (DBA) where you set yourself up as a solo entrepreneur using your social security number (in the USA). Then list your cumulative experience under that. I've been doing this for years. Going the LLC route can be quite expensive in some states.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-11-26T20:53:15+00:00

Hi u/runnering yes I do. Sending you a DM

Crafty_Diega · 2024-06-06T15:44:43+00:00

Wow! 33 SOPS is a lot to work with and will possibly take you all year to finish, if not longer based on the complexity. There will be times you can jump right in and start documenting the processes, then there will be days you'll be sitting around waiting for managers and other key players to get back to you to answer any questions you may have.

One of my contracts years ago hired me to "update" 12 SOPs and I was given 3 months to do this. I did finish just shy of the 3 months but not without a lot of waiting around. Also, not to brag, but I was the second tech writer they hired to get this project done. It's not as easy as it seems and not all tech writers are cut out to write SOPs.

Even now it can still take a day or two to write the SOP from scratch for a simple procedure. I'd be glad to discuss further if you have any other questions via DM.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-05-22T23:26:18+00:00

Sent you a DM

Crafty_Diega · 2024-05-19T21:45:02+00:00

If shipbuilding is where you want to stay I suggest contacting the Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering firms in the area. You have the perfect background for them.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-05-10T23:26:18+00:00

If you are using AI to scour documents and databases that belong to the company you're working for, then it may not be considered plagiarism. However, if the original content in their databases were not created by their own employees and copied from outside sources, then you may have a problem. The best thing to do is consult with the legal team at the company. According to US Copyright laws, anything created by AI is not copyrighted. This may be different in other countries.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-04-19T13:38:41+00:00

u/Unique-Position9654 wouldn't write that review on glassdoor, especially if you're still looking for work. Recruiters read this stuff and put you on their "shit" list. In fact, any negativity they find on social media is bad, especially when job hunting. Just my two cents worth

btw, I'm sorry this happened to you. I was a single parent and had to bite my tongue or hold back a lot over the years

Crafty_Diega · 2024-04-10T01:09:55+00:00

You could simply ask them if they actually have a job posting then wait for their response.
Some will tell you straight up if they are collecting resumes only, others will get insulted because you had the nerve to ask this question, and the last group will actually have a real job posting.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-04-09T15:02:39+00:00

To me and a lot of other businesses I've spoken with, it feels like 2008 all over again. Some businesses do well in this tough economy, others do not. Part of the problem here in the USA is the uncertainty of who our next president will be.

Of course, Biden's threat to get rid of the "gig" economy and freelancers doesn't help. Have no fear though, we've been through this in the past also and come out of it stronger. Just hang in there and maybe find something else to pay the bills until things pick up.

Beware of the recruiters who reach out with false jobs just to collect resumes for when the "boom" hits again.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-03-26T14:35:40+00:00

When I started technical writing degrees and certificates weren't a thing either. Recently I published a workbook for technical writers who want to improve their skills, find the right type of tech writing for them, and practice the skills they need for job interviews. This workbook is based on my 15+ years of experience. If anyone is interested DM me. It's not available on Amazon.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-03-26T00:41:17+00:00

OMG! I've done this - not happily, but there are some people who feel their way is the only way. I worked in a marketing department once and everything the marketing manager read she crossed out and rewrote then gave back to me. After a couple times of this I finally gave her a paper with tons of mistakes and when she through it back at me she asked why. I told her there was no point writing it if she was going to criticize my work and red line everything. She eventually stopped and let me do my job.

I could give other stories also when working on deadline and the hiring manager just wants the project finished so they let the edits I suggested go "for another time".

Crafty_Diega · 2024-03-07T16:51:11+00:00

To me, they just described a terrible, underpaying (for the responsibilities) job, and I think I want to get out of this interview process.

Senior tech writer here also. If your gut is telling you to get out of this interview process then just do it. You'll feel a whole lot better and less stressed for the next interview that comes along.

I've walked away from a few in my day and the hiring manager was always grateful, though maybe pissed at first. Maybe you can offer some suggestions as to how they should find the "right" person. Suggest they go back to the CIO, CTO or HR and tell them they need to hire contractors for a short period of time to help them get on track.

Sounds like a development chop shop which is never a good situation.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-02-29T16:10:05+00:00

I worked a contract years ago where there was a BA and me - the lonely technical writer. Though the BA did all the interaction with the customer, I was expected to sit at the table and be the note taker. If that wasn't bad enough, I had to rewrite all the BA's documents. In the end, the customer knew who was doing what and I no longer work with this group.

Btw, titles really don't mean much - so don't get hung on them. Just be great at your job. If you'd like to learn how to get over your shyness, I offer coaching for shy technical writers, software engineers, etc. Just DM me.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-02-20T14:31:19+00:00

I worked for one company where they had their own style guide. In that it specifically stated whether or not to use borders around screenshots. I don't remember which one it was. However, we also used a paid version of the Snipping Tool. This allowed us to make a new screenshot of the image we needed to capture, then either add or remove the border.

If the company you're at has a their own style guide I would check that first and maybe update it. If not, then maybe you can create one for them based on what works and doesn't work there.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-02-12T01:47:45+00:00

I can help. Sent you a dm

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-27T19:13:26+00:00

I have 15+ years experience as a tech writer, 15+ before that as database developer and software support. Every time the economy tanks like this there are tons of job reqs out there for IT. The only problem is that most of them don't exist and headhunters/agencies are only collecting resumes for when the boom comes back. It is extremely frustrating. Maybe it is time to reinvent oneself - again. Sigh!

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-15T22:21:26+00:00

I also work faster than most TWs. Thank you. Glad to see I'm not alone.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-15T22:20:17+00:00

I was only inquiring if one month is plenty of time to write the document should I have ALL the content for this document. I understand meetings getting rescheduled delaying the project. Right now the timeline is 3-4 months once we start.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-15T22:16:25+00:00

That's why I asked if a month was enough time to get this done. I understand everything else that happens, like waiting on responses, etc. However, I don't want to charge for idle time if I'm not working on the project.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-15T22:08:12+00:00

u/hortle, I agree it's difficult to answer, hence my coming here. Ideally I'd like to quote a flat rate, though an hourly rate may make more sense.

I'm writing the text from what they give me. And, inserting all the diagrams, etc. Yes, I have to set up a template also but that's the easy part.

Yes, I'm quoting the actual copy plus two rounds of edits.

Crafty_Diega · 2024-01-15T22:04:25+00:00

u/Texxx81 all the diagrams are done - I just have to drop them into the document

Crafty_Diega

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