Silicon Valley hiring for content developers (Tech Writers, Course Developers, Marketing Communicators, etc) is picking up. But it's mostly the tried-and-true who are getting hired. To join their ranks, you need to prove your resume's claims. Here's how.

1. Optimizing your Content-Development Portfolio © 2011. Content Rules, Inc. All rights reserved.

2. Overview Context Goals What should be in your portfolio How to present your portfolio What to do if it’s proprietary Q & A

3. Context My experience 2 yrs’ journalism and marcom, 8 yrs’ tech pubs (as staff TW, Pubs Mgr, contract TW), 16+ yrs’ tech comms recruiting My role Matchmaker, advisor, candidate champion My sources (1) industry hiring managers, (2) personal observation, (3) job descriptions, (4) candidates’ input

5. Let you secure work reliably and efficiently

6. Give you ideas and hope

9. Prove you understand your audience

10. Prove you know the tools

12. What to include, pt 2 Prove you can organize, write, & publish doc plan TOC conceptual content procedural material reference material glossary index

13. What to include, pt 3 What sells best? Clear, crisp, friendly prose (for end users) Screenshots, illustrations (for all) Code examples (for developers) Detailed, complete instructions (devs, admins) Scenario-based tutorials (for all)

14. How to present it Keys to effective portfolio presentation Accessibility Relevance Context

15. Accessibility Put it online LinkedIn profile (box.net, Creative Portfolio Display app) Website you control (private directory, private user/pw) Email (YouSendIt.com for large attachments) Guided tour (join.me, gotomeeting.com)

16. Relevance Based on HM’s requirements Explain how you approached similar challenges Explain what you delivered and why Discuss what you learned Identify how you succeeded

17. Context Identify your role in content development Explain circumstances Accessible SMEs, stable product, well-defined features, understanding of audience, authoring tools, schedule, protection? Pinpoint its strengths, weaknesses What would you do differently next time?

18. But it’s proprietary! Bring solutions to achieve mutual goals Have prospect sign an NDA too Neuter proprietary content (ex. Disney character names) Redact Ask ex-boss for permission Ask IP owner’s Legal Dept for permission Take names, addresses, SSNs

19. Build a Dev-Doc Portfolio Create your own rewrites of public domain doc See synergistech.com/dev-doc-portfolio.shtmlfor eg’s Demonstrate familiarity with technical subject material understanding of audience's needs working knowledge of authoring tools, and motivation, initiative Createshort before-and-after samples

20. But don’t… say “I can learn anything; just teach me.” say “I can’t show you my samples.” make your inexperience (with their product, technology, tools, culture, dev environment) their problem. lead with your limitations  Reduce their risk! And don’t make them think

21. If you’re new to the business Read the Catch-22article www.synergistech.com/catch22.shtml Find ways to show Initiative Motivation Capacity to learn fast Value (“I’m a good investment, not a liability”)

22. Interested? Intrigued? Let’s talk. Andrew Davis, recruiter C: 650-271-0148 andrewd@contentrules.com www.contentrules.com/jobs