I’ve been looking for a job (though somewhat lackadaisically) for a while. I keep an eye on several different job listing sites and send out some resumes every week. I haven’t gotten many responses, but I haven’t sent that many out, either. I wasn’t responding to any ads unless I met every one of their requirements.
Unfortunately, most of those ads for tech writers or QA people list a whole bunch of different software packages as “requirements.” I learn any new software extremely quickly, but I don’t happen to have access to Mercury Winrunner, or any of the Rational software products, RoboHelp, or the current versions of FrameMaker or Dreamweaver.
I finally realized that some of those “requirements” are really “preferences.” And last week I sent out a couple of responses to jobs demanding familiarity with a package I’ve never used. I didn’t mention that and it isn’t on my resume—I just stressed the experience I do have. And I got a response today asking about my minimum hourly rate.
I may never hear from the guy again, but some response is better than none. And maybe something will come of it.
