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by Bea Bailey
If you're in the field of technical writing and not being paid what you're worth, keep striving for more. Don't quit your job immediately, but keep looking quickly and carefully. Remember, you have to have more than a degree or degrees. Here in the Raleigh-Durham area alone, there are five universities. They are different students all competing for that golden opportunity; a chance to gain a position as easily as not studying for a test. There are also individuals who have been "in the business" longer than you. Your archenemy is competition. Before searching and interviewing, ask yourself, "what writing have I completed that shows my worth?" How are you keeping up with the challenges of today's technology? Do enough working individuals trust your opinion and writing enough to not only hire you, but keep you? While the focus of this article is on a company recognizing your worth, you must first know what your worth is.
After knowing who you are and why, go after what you want. Research the companies and compare them. The HR director and, if he/she likes you, the immediate supervisor will interview you. Interview them first to make sure you're the exact fit. No questions. There are companies willing to pay the employee's full worth. Why? Can they afford to? Is it a weak promise to get you in the door? I've found the companies will pay you according to three factors: your industry, your degree, and of course your experience. If the company/organization is credible, your salary and benefits will be exemplary of your talent and ability to focus on professional growth.
Research and Explore
Research the companies you're applying to first. Read all blogs, articles and "About Us" pages about the companies. Learn as much as you can. If a recruiter calls you about an interview, go! The purpose of an interview is for each person (you and the person representing the company) to find out as much as possible in a small amount of time. When you get there, ask questions about what you've read online, if you have questions. Make sure you get the answer you want. Leave fear at home, that day. Interview them while they interview you: you make the money. Don't let the money make you. Letting the money make you is accepting what ever is handed to you.
Practice your negotiating skills. Almost everything in life is negotiable. Take a pen and paper to the interview and write down key ideas about the company and their future objectives. Many companies operate on a playing card platform: these companies will offer you some perks to get you in the door. After signing the initial offer, all other ideas go out the window like playing cards in the wind. Why? Maybe they cannot afford to pay the crème de la crème, or they just don't want to pay at all. These companies want the Fortune image, but aren't willing to back up their offer. In either case, avoid these companies. Your new career will become like the playing cards: it will fold into anything a company/organization wants it to be rather than a sturdy, productive career for you. Don't read into anything or any detail that isn't there. Sometimes we can become so caught up in what we want, that we see more than what's there. This is where your game face comes into play. Play carefully.
Know you're worth, and a company/organization will accept your worth: full value, not face value.
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