Tech Writer Survey Report:  Contract Workers

6/26/2002

 

1.    As a contractor, do you work as:Responses for this field: 352


2.    What best describes the industry your primary client is in?Responses for this field: 352


3.    What department are you associated with?Responses for this field: 350


4.    What kind of writing do you do? (check all that apply)Responses for this field: 1138


5.   How many years have you been a technical writer?Responses for this field: 352


6.    Do you supervise other writers?Responses for this field: 351


7.    From start to finish how long is your contract expected to last?Responses for this field: 350


8.    Did staff in your documentation department change over the last 12 months?Responses for this field: 336


9.    Do you expect staff to change over the next 12 months?Responses for this field: 338


10. What kind of writers does your department use?Responses for this field: 339


11.   How has your workload changed over the last 6 months?Responses for this field: 347


12.   How many writers are in your department?Responses for this field: 340


13.   Are you pleased with the technical writing field and are you going to stay in it?Responses for this field: 350


14.  What areas do you feel have the most overall potential over the next 5 years?
(Rank from 1-8; 1 being the highest)

On-line help

Responses for this field: 328



Training development/e-learning

Responses for this field: 327



Software documentation

Responses for this field: 317



Hardware documentation

Responses for this field: 308



Marketing communications

Responses for this field: 309



Web content

Responses for this field: 324



General documentation

Responses for this field: 308



Other

Responses for this field: 240



15.   Do you think there should be a formal certification for technical writers?

Responses for this field: 352



16.   Where do you work?

Responses for this field: 351



17.   Besides compensation, what do you most look for in a technical writing opportunity?

Responses for this field: 352



18.   How do you feel about the opportunities for contract technical writing over the past year?

Responses for this field: 350



19.   Hourly rates for contractors are:

Responses for this field: 352



20.    If you were unemployed next week, how long do you think it would take to find a comparable job or contract?

Responses for this field: 352



21.    To maintain employment and to have a successful career a writer should:
(Rank from 1-7; 1 being highest)

Continue to learn new tools

Responses for this field: 345



Become an expert in a primary area

Responses for this field: 332



Improve industry knowledge

Responses for this field: 328



Diversify their skill sets (on-line, web marketing, training etc.)

Responses for this field: 335



Network and sell skills and services

Responses for this field: 331



Move up the ladder/gain management experience

Responses for this field: 316



Other

Responses for this field: 234



 

22. What best describes your supervisor?

Responses for this field: 348


 

Please click on one of the following link to browse the Reports

1) Intro Page 2) Permanent Workers 3) In Between Workers 4) Other