Where to find technical communication talent

I like to connect industry professionals with people that they want to know.

This updated blog post is inspired by the frequent incoming emails from recruiters and hiring managers that are looking for technical communication talent. I often receive  requests like “How can I reach qualified technical communication candidates for this job?” and “Do you know anyone for this job?”

The frequency of inquiries indicates that our economy is on a recovery trend. More job openings are always good for our industry. My friend and industry icon Jack Molisani says “Rising tides float more boats.” I like to help people, so connecting candidates and hiring managers is a real win for everyone.

Because of my home offices in NJ and FL, the resources provided here are based on these geographies. However, you can adapt these ideas to your own requirements.

TechWhirl’s website http://techwhirl.com/careers/

You can post a job for free. Job postings auto-expire in a few weeks. We received many responses to a Rocket Software information developer posting.

TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels. TechWhirl is a platform for professionals in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information. For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine are created for, by, and about technical writers offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.

Tech Writer Jobs www.techwriterjobs.net

With 6,200 members in the Tech Writer Jobs group on LinkedIn, recruiters and hiring managers can post a job on www.techwriterjobs.net and choose the “Post ad on social media – LinkedIn” option. Learn more at http://www.techwriterjobs.net/post-a-job/

I respond to every inquiry, with an email message similar to the following message:

“Opportunities like this one are welcome news! I am happily employed, but I do have many peers and connections in our industry. I recommend that you post the job on …”

STC Chapters

And provide the appropriate geography lead for the Society for Technical Communication (STC) chapter. Many STC chapters are using LinkedIn groups to manage their job postings.

PA, NJ, and DE: STC Philadelphia Metro Chapter LinkedIn group http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=104514. You can auto-join the group to post this job and future opportunities. This group reaches our STC Philadelphia Metro members in NJ, PA, and DE, as well as any LinkedIn group members.

Job postings on LinkedIn groups auto-expire in 17 days.

NYC, NJ, CT, and surrounding areas: STC NY Metro web site http://www.stcnymetro.org/home/jobs.

The STC Orlando Central Florida Chapter is active and thriving. To post a job, send email to employment@stc-orlando.org.

For other geographies, do a chapter search on www.stc.org and visit the appropriate geographic community website. All job postings at the community level are free.

To reach the entire STC membership, jobs.stc.org to submit a paid job posting to the STC Job Bank. You must create an account to post and manage job openings, search and manage job candidates, and create a company profile.

Massachusett-based NinaNet-Writers Group

Members of this group are people in the technical communications field who live in, for the most part, the greater Boston area and southern New Hampshire.

The group’s primary purpose is posting New England-based (and ONLY New England-based, please) job notices that are of interest to information designers such as technical writers, editors, usability specialists, course developers, instructional designers, and so on.
Note: I landed a location-independent job lead from this group listing, so don’t let geography limit your search.

The group Web site http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ninanet-writers/ requires a Yahoo! account. To contact the group moderator, send email to: ninanet-writers-owner@yahoogroups.com.

Other job posting sites?

Do you know of other job posting sites? Let me know and I will share here.