First the bad news, then the good news
Jun. 7th, 2011 08:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
stephbgI checked in with my client today as I do on occasion, but instead of the usual take-care-get-well-we-miss-you response it was the inevitable I'm Sorry But We Need To Replace You.
Oh.
It's a perfectly reasonable response, and quite legal. Not surprising, but still a bit of a shock. Going back to work on any basis at all has been my holy grail for some time now, and no matter how I tried to shrink that goal to make it achievable, I just haven't been able to do it at all for several months now. This distressed me. This is an understatement.
However, in ensuing exchanges it emerged that it was not, in fact, possible to replace me, and they'd still like me to have a role of some sort. I suggested acquiring a (professionally, not necessarily chronologically) junior writer I could train/mentor/manage. Someone with sound written and verbal communications skills, common sense and reasonable intelligence to do the leg work of producing words, under my direction. Someone without perhaps much of a resume, but good raw material. I was like that once :-)
This idea has really grown on me. I've always worked with an I-might-get-hit-by-a-bus mentality, so my projects and methods are well documented. Since my bus was particularly slow-moving, the new person will have the advantage of my ghostly presence to help them along. Knowing where to start and what to read next will make a big difference. I should also be able to remotely field plenty of questions, so the developers don't have to.
I have a new goal, and it feels achievable. I feel potentially useful once again, and I *love* the idea of helping someone get a professional lift. I'm sure one of my former minions would be willing to give me a reference :-)
For those interested, the job involves writing (but more likely extending and updating) software user guides, sales and marketing materials, training materials, troubleshooting guides, and other document types as required, all in Australian English. I'll be writing up something more detailed soon. This is a junior position and the salary is likely to reflect that, but it should be a great opportunity to get training and experience. Location: Osborne Park, Perth, WA. Nice people. I'll be wanting to see a portfoilo of writing examples, and will set an assignment for all candidates. Must be able to communicate clearly by phone. No specific technical experience required. More info to follow.
Oh.
It's a perfectly reasonable response, and quite legal. Not surprising, but still a bit of a shock. Going back to work on any basis at all has been my holy grail for some time now, and no matter how I tried to shrink that goal to make it achievable, I just haven't been able to do it at all for several months now. This distressed me. This is an understatement.
However, in ensuing exchanges it emerged that it was not, in fact, possible to replace me, and they'd still like me to have a role of some sort. I suggested acquiring a (professionally, not necessarily chronologically) junior writer I could train/mentor/manage. Someone with sound written and verbal communications skills, common sense and reasonable intelligence to do the leg work of producing words, under my direction. Someone without perhaps much of a resume, but good raw material. I was like that once :-)
This idea has really grown on me. I've always worked with an I-might-get-hit-by-a-bus mentality, so my projects and methods are well documented. Since my bus was particularly slow-moving, the new person will have the advantage of my ghostly presence to help them along. Knowing where to start and what to read next will make a big difference. I should also be able to remotely field plenty of questions, so the developers don't have to.
I have a new goal, and it feels achievable. I feel potentially useful once again, and I *love* the idea of helping someone get a professional lift. I'm sure one of my former minions would be willing to give me a reference :-)
For those interested, the job involves writing (but more likely extending and updating) software user guides, sales and marketing materials, training materials, troubleshooting guides, and other document types as required, all in Australian English. I'll be writing up something more detailed soon. This is a junior position and the salary is likely to reflect that, but it should be a great opportunity to get training and experience. Location: Osborne Park, Perth, WA. Nice people. I'll be wanting to see a portfoilo of writing examples, and will set an assignment for all candidates. Must be able to communicate clearly by phone. No specific technical experience required. More info to follow.
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no subject
Date: 2011-06-07 04:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-06-08 09:52 am (UTC)Work at The Borg has gotten rather un-fulfilling lately too.
This is a timely reminder that I Am Not Stuck At The Borg Forevermore, which is most definitely a good thing.
Time to consider where else I might want to go to and what things I might be able to do.
*offers hugs for the Unpleasant Surprise, Life, and Other Stuff™*
no subject
Date: 2011-06-09 10:29 am (UTC)