April 2016 – TechCommGeekMom

Saddle up for a FREE workshop event from Adobe at #STC2016!

Posted on April 27, 2016 by TechCommGeekMom

While I was unable to go to the STC Summit last year, I am looking forward to going to Anaheim this year to not only being a presenter at the STC Summit, but also to learn and connect with other technical communicators again!

I realized that one of the events I’ve always liked attending is the Adobe pre-conference event. They always have great information to share. However–what’s this? No Adobe Day this year? Nope. But wait…there’s something better.

Register for the FREE Adobe Tech Comm Tools Workshop at the 2015 STC Summit! — (Click on the wanted poster for more information)

That’s right! Saddle up, and gain some skills through this FREE Adobe Tech Comm Tools Workshop! This looks like a great event, cowboys and cowgirls! There are industry leaders leading the workshop, you earn a certificate for participating (which you can include on your resume, it’s that good), and lunch and snacks are included in the afternoon. And did I mention it’s free? Who says you can’t get a free lunch AND a free certificate? Evidently not Adobe!

Oh, did I also mention that even if you can’t attend to earn the certificate, you can still follow along on my Twitter feed found at @techcommgeekmom that day, as I’ll be tweeting highlights of the event for all who come to the Twitter corral!

If you don't comply, you can't register. But these are easy terms to deal with, Sheriff. — If you don’t comply, you can’t register. But these are easy terms to deal with, Sheriff.

Now, there are some caveats in registering, namely that you have to bring your laptop, and download the Adobe Tech Comm Suite Release 2015 Trial Version (if you don’t already have the full version). Other than that, it should be like riding into the sunset.

This is a great opportunity for those who would like to either get to know the Tech Comm Suite better, or brush up on some skills. Space is limited so you should register as soon as possible to get your seat on this great event!

Information and Registration for the Adobe Tech Comm Tools Workshop at the 2015 STC Summit

(My apologies to those who are more sci-fi savvy for mixing my space westerns together. Firefly and Cowboys and Aliens were the first things I thought of!)

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Here’s How I Know When A Job Applicant Is Lying – Forbes

Posted on April 26, 2016 by TechCommGeekMom

Matthew is an HR Manager who’s figured out how to catch job applicants’ lies when he interviews them. Is Matthew on to something?

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.forbes.com

This is an excellent article for anyone who is job searching–whether it’s in tech comm, e-learning, or digital marketing.

Having sent out G-d knows how many resumes in my lifetime (I know Princeton University alone has received over 100 from me over time, so I’ve generally given up on them), and been on dozens of interviews to know that what the author of this article, Liz Ryan, says is true. Sure, everyone will try to stretch the truth a little bit to make themselves better, but there are ways to say, “Yeah, I’m not as strong in that but I can learn quickly,” in a way that isn’t lying, but still expresses that more carefully. Additionally, this is one reason that volunteering, or talking about topics that interest you–but you aren’t doing–in a blog is helpful. I know that while I haven’t been an instructional designer, anyone who’s read my blog knows that I have a decent foundation in instructional design principles, and I know much about the tools and lingo used in the field. So for me to apply to an e-learning or m-learning job is not that far-fetched. A stretch, sometimes, but nothing more than that. Sometimes recruiters have contacted me with something that I think is way off target, but I’ll look at it a second time, and think, “Hmm…maybe I can do this after all.”

As Liz Ryan said in the article, it’s a two-way street as well. Employers are always working to ensure that their brand evokes something positive, even when things aren’t going well, because they want to retain good talent.

What do you think? Include your comments below.

See on Scoop.it – M-learning, E-Learning, and Technical Communications

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The T-shirt that can speak in any language

Posted on April 20, 2016 by TechCommGeekMom

Communication breakdown inspires Swiss travelers to create genius clothing solution

Sourced through Scoop.it from: edition.cnn.com

This is a brilliant idea to encourage communication without translation! I applaud the creators of this product to take the time to figure out some truly universal icon images to use around the world. This is a great step towards better communication and better understanding globally. Now, if we could only incorporate more of this in our work… I think I need to get one of these. What do you think? Will you purchase one of these items? Include your comments below. –TechCommGeekMom

See on Scoop.it – M-learning, E-Learning, and Technical Communications

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Tech Fatigue

Posted on April 19, 2016 by TechCommGeekMom

This isn’t a rant post. But if you have worked in tech for long enough, you know this feeling — tech fatigue. At some point, everything new feels old,..

Sourced through Scoop.it from: techcrunch.com

I’m sure that I’m not alone when I say that I think that as a technical communicator, I definitely have tech fatigue. Sometimes it’s even “tech trending idea/issue” fatigue. I think I’ve been hearing about how content marketing is what needs to be done now and going forward for the past 2-3 years. Single-sourcing and structured content is what companies should be doing. Mobile content is the wave of the future! These have all come to fruition, but not to the level that was touted. For example, I’ve worked for several global corporations who have looked at me like I had three heads if I mention the concept of single sourcing, or writing for mobile, or considering plain English due to localization and translation issues. That shouldn’t be! Many cutting-edge or bleeding-edge ideas around technology have been slow to take hold. Why? I think part of it is that people are slow to adapt and give in to change. For example, iPads have been around for about 6 years, and smartphones have been around longer. How is it that I am still able to give presentations and workshops on the basics of writing for mobile? Neil Perlin is another person who comes to mind who does much more about teaching mobile concepts than I do. Why aren’t more companies on top of this? What do you think? I agree with the author’s perspective of why he loves tech. I don’t think I could’ve put it better myself. But I understand the fatigue as well. Include your insights below. –TechCommGeekMom

See on Scoop.it – M-learning, E-Learning, and Technical Communications

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Why Women Job Hop More Than Men

Posted on April 19, 2016 by TechCommGeekMom

Women are much more likely to switch jobs more frequently than men, but it might not be a bad thing for their careers.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.fastcompany.com

This is an interesting article, as I think this definitely applies to the tech comm field especially. It’s not unusual for technical communicators to be brought into projects as either short term or long term contracts, so it’s built into the industry right now. I can attest to that point, but I can also attest to both looking for flexible schedules and climbing up the career ladder as the reasons why I end up job hopping a lot. I am that woman they speak of in the article! At this point in my career, it’s the only way to go if I want to stay employed at all. How many of my female readers can relate to this article as well? Do you think this is something that works for or against women? Include your comments below. –TechCommGeekMom

See on Scoop.it – M-learning, E-Learning, and Technical Communications