Searching for My Next Great Adventure… – Page 3 – Tammy J. Morrison

Again with the Technical BA …

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I’m certain I didn’t make any answers that were overtly technical.

The first answer I gave was…

“As a business analyst with MacEwan University, I planned a database system to support their COSO Framework project. I used the AGILE methodology to develop a data input form to ensure that data entry was easy and efficient to use for a varying degree of user skill levels. As well as a custom query engine that provides users with a varied degree of database knowledge to export data to other applications for further data analysis. The result of which meant that admin support personnel and non-technical management could both enter and analyze data without technical skills.”

That’s a complete restate of the answer that got me the interview.

Then because the only education focused position I’d been involved with I had to rephrase this – they realized at this point I didn’t have much education work experience.

Then the next question was about documentation.

So my answer was…

“As a senior business analyst and technical writer with Enbridge on the SCADA replacement project, on the Cybersecurity stream, I led the development of the Disaster Recovery Process – defining the plan of creating a flowchart that acted as the guidance for what documentation was required, what teams would be involved and when depending on the crisis situation. As a result the SCADA Disaster Recovery process passed the Cybersecurity tabletop exercise with top marks and no revisions.”

I thought that was pretty impressive.

Now things don’t have anything on my crib sheet.

From talking to different levels of the business – this I kicked back to TELUS. I didn’t have a crib answer for it but I spoke on dealing with folk from the frontline to executive level. How I’d approach them and talk with them. I thought it was pretty good, too.

Now I can’t remember anything else I answered. I know one of them impressed her from her comments though.

I didn’t even have too much trouble speaking.

When I spoke to the recruiter, he figured I was too technical.

*sighs*

I was avoiding being technical.

On the other side, I also didn’t get the technical writing position that I applied for.

After the Interview

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It felt good. They were fun to talk to.

I felt comfortable, not stressed. This is the first time I’ve felt like that since my health issue.

I have more classic contracting company interviews to get through but man do I hope I get this one.

One last thing worries me of course…

No asking for references.

A good friend of mine; my guru into technical writing, says that references are a thing of the past. Most tech startups don’t ask for references. That only old legacy companies think references are a ‘thing’. Well, them and recruiters.

I don’t know, what do all of you think?

Getting Past the ‘No’s

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Prior to my health issues, I didn’t hear ‘No’ very often. If I got a job interview, generally I got the job. I never had to wait more than a month to get a new position. That all changed in 2021. I could blame it on the pandemic but I think it has more to do with the impacts of the health problems in 2019.

I’m not built to not work. Many people have suggested that I take time off. First off, the funding I have to live on doesn’t make it very comfortable to live. It’s not that I have expensive tastes, but I don’t think my income has been this low since I was in my 20s. Secondly a lot of my identity is tied into my work.

Unfortunately, in 2021, ‘No’ (or variable nice ways of saying it) has become the rule rather than the exception.

I call 2018/19 the year from Hades. Our family farm house burnt down (as well as several other buildings on the farm itself), my mother passed away, my immediate family (aside from my daughters) abandoned us because of my mother’s will and all my health issues (which ended up with me spending a month in the hospital).

The upside is – not only did I survive but my health is for the large part resolved. Except one little thing that feeds into the finding work issues.

I used to be a ‘silver tongued devil’ especially during an interview. I would come away from the meeting knowing I had the job.

Not so much now… Writing no problem, but you don’t write for an interview. Speaking is now a problem. Not as big an issue as it was when I got out of the hospital, but it’s still not 100% and when I get tense (as in a job interview) the speech gets worse.

So what do I do? My blog is one thing. Turning up my networking game is another. I’m still not 100% on that, but I am getting better at it. Next job interview (tomorrow) is thanks to my networking game. I’m hoping I’ll get the job as it’s also a writing gig.

Does anyone have some suggestions on how to up my chances to coming up with a new position?

Have I Mentioned I Love Writing?

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Pretty sure I’ve mentioned I love writing.

From short stories to documentation to feasibility studies, I love writing.

I’m really excited that I turned a corner and have started to get interviews of a technical writing nature. I’ve had two in the past week and I have another two scheduled. One that a technical writing friend is certain I will get.

He bet me I would. I’ll take the bet because it’s one I would like to loose. (Assuming that him winning would mean I would get the job.)

Another friend says I should work for myself and set up WordPress sites for other people. I definitely can do it (in fact I think one of the possible writing positions wanted me to have WordPress experience). Is there much work in setting up WordPress sites for other folk?

I suppose I see setting up WordPress as simple and easy. The same way I regard many of my skills.

So tell me, is there a market for setting up WordPress sites?

Too Technical?

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Too technical? That’s been the decision of several possible employers with a business analyst position I have applied for.

Not technical enough? That’s been the decision of several possible employers with a technical analyst position I have applied for,

This is the result of my jack-of-all-trades background. I explain that I have both. I am the result of years of having to translate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. The ability to translate what those non-technical folk need to the very technical developers. Understanding what those developers are saying and being able to translate it to the non-technical stakeholders.

Can I help a SCADA team develop the new system, no, but can I understand with greater detail the issues they are having and be able to explain it to non-technical stakeholders, yes.

Current HR practices seem to turn away from the usefulness of an IT translator. A literal IT middleware of sorts.

The closest position I’ve been able to find is technical writing and it isn’t an easy position to find.

Most of the applications I hear back from are reporting positions.

When you add my age, it makes me wonder if there is a place for me in the post-pandemic work force.

Writing for a Living

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This week was a maelstrom of programming, graphic design, writing and consolidating samples. Twenty-four hours over three full days, and five more testing the site, making corrections, getting feedback and here it is.

My professional skill demonstration.

Four different resumes, projects, sample writing and a blog.

The bigger challenge will be getting people to look at the site and read the words within.

The sample documents are the pieces I am most proud of. From How-To’s to articles, this is what I love to do.

In that line, I’ve learned a secret. Indeed isn’t the place to look for technical writing positions. LinkedIn is. I have to thank my friend, Darrell, for his guidance on that.

Now it’s time to complete some work for two companies that reached out with possible positions for me.

It’s Sunday but there’s no rest for the wicked.

Looking for Work is Work

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So people who think looking for work is ‘easy’ and an excuse not to work are dead wrong.

Let me go through an average day.

So first you have to check your schedule – do you have an interview. In the past week I’ve had at least one a day. So you have to prep for that, research the company you are interviewing with, prep comments from your own resume and see how it relates to the job. Also with my disability I have to prep words that I think my brain might loose under stress.

Then the 30-60 minutes on the interview.

Then if it’s a contract there is generally a conversation to be had with your recruiter.

Then regardless of the interview there is looking to see if there is any jobs to apply to. I have quickly realized that applying for Administrative or Receptionist work is pretty much useless to me – even though I have a specific resume to it. The instant they look at my list of companies/positions I worked for, they ignore my application. All the interviews I have gotten have been for my background.

I look everyday. I write cover letters and/or adapt ones I already wrote.

Then there is following up with the company I reached out to for help. Yes that’s right – I did that. I wasn’t ordered to by AISH or Social Assistance. I looked for a company to help me.