At one end of the spectrum: While trying to find a job, the demons showed me how they can redirect phone calls to their people, who are trained to pretend to be companies that are hiring, and therefore keep jobs out of reach by arranging fake interviews.
At the other: They also showed me how they can simply steal my car keys right before a job interview to keep my from making it.
On the way to this particular fake interview, they showed me how they can mess up a GPS navigation system to keep you from finding the location of a job interview (they do this routinely now); I also kept getting phone calls along the way, where the interviewer--or someone--gave me a new address, just like what happened to my mom that same December (in 2006), when she got a mysterious call on our way to her hotel that redirected her to a different hotel than the one she had reservations at.
Then, they showed me that they were connected to plenty of people who could pretend to be interviewing for a job but were really there to waste my time, as was the case with this guy.
To prove that he was connected to the demons, he eluded to my eventual death by gunshot at the SLE, "Heaven's Gate," which is where I would reside almost five years later—and, which he mistakenly called, "Gate of Heaven," and where I would be threatened with death by gunshot, as I was just last night.
Interview from Hell
Bush
|
Uh, no.
|
Wong
|
Okay. So, I... So, like I said, they...they actually are, um, uh, [a] company—major company—that does, basically, produce, um, hormone, uh, Homeland Security Devices. And, um, [it's] a major company, uh—growing—doing pretty well on the market right now. [inaudible] Obviously, they're looking for a similar technical writer. Um, I'll have a full description for you. They're...they're kind of lagging a little bit on...on sending me that over; but, you know, I could...I could just shoot...shoot...shoot you, uh, $40 to, uh, my [unintelligible] homies.
|
Bush
|
Yeah, don't shoot me.
|
Wong
|
Okay, I won't shoot you; I won't shoot you. [chuckles] I'll shoot it over to you. [chuckles] Okay, so, what...what are you currently up to right now, uh, James?
|
Bush
|
Well, right now, I am, um, looking for [a] technical writing position.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
I, um, had been working with someone down in LA on a software engineering project...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...[I'm] kind of, um, doing my own thing these days—taken some time off; and, um, I'm ready to get back with it. It has been awhile, so...
|
Wong
|
Okay, so, your last position, uh, was that over at, Eye [vocal prosody or phrase-tagging indicator?] ...Eyenovation?
|
Bush
|
Well, it wasn't technically a position. It was more, um...it's, uh, uh, a guy who, um...I guess he was in a company, where I am...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
He just needed a developer.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
I needed to learn [Objective-C], [so], [w]e became friends. I needed to learn a new software language. I wanted to learn how to develop applications for the Mac.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, um...so, I helped him out...
|
Wong
|
For sure.
|
Bush
|
...in that respect. Um...
|
Wong
|
Okay. How long, um, did that project take? When I looked it up on the grid, it said, "through 95 to 96."
|
Bush
|
Yeah, actually, it took a really long time.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
Um, just due to personal circumstances—sometimes he was in a hurry for it; sometimes he wasn't.
|
Wong
|
I see what you're saying.
|
Bush
|
So, I kind of felt at leisure to—not that I really in a leisure time—but, you know what I mean. [chuckles]
|
Wong
|
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
|
Bush
|
So...
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay, and, that was... You said that was over in Los Angeles or...
|
Bush
|
Yeah, he said he's by LA. Um, I haven't actually been down there to visit him.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
He's at Calmbank, I think it's called. That's the drive...the avenue...drive...avenue for him... LaVerne!
|
Wong
|
LaVerne? Okay, so, you haven't actually... This was kind of like a telecommute thing?
|
Bush
|
Exactly. Exactly.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Um, and, looking before that, you were at Cloudmark.
|
Bush
|
I was at Cloudmark.
|
Wong
|
Okay. What...what kind of company is that?
|
Bush
|
They make, um, anti, um, spam, anti-phishing, uh, software...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...filtering software for large ISPs and, um...the desktop...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...Windows, primarily, um…[they] make a version for, like, UNIX, and things like that for people, who use that for web servers...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
I'm sending that resume to you now.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
So, we can [inaudible].
|
Wong
|
Okay. Excellent. Excellent. Um, and, your, uh...you actually did tech writing for them, as well?
|
Bush
|
Yeah!
|
Wong
|
Okay, so...can you tell me how you came across that position, and, um...kind of like how...how do...how do they, um, had you, basically, take care of the project, as in a day-to-day, or was it cert—...certain hour of time that you worked or did they give you a time limit? How did it work? We're trying to get him to [unintelligible]
|
Bush
|
Well, it works like this: um, you know, get it done on-time...
|
Wong
|
Mm-hm...
|
Bush
|
...and, right.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, so, you know, you...you just, um...the way you do it...oh! I think at any company is, if you have impressions as to what your hours should be or the time you should spend on a particular project...
|
Wong
|
Make sure it's done.
|
Bush
|
...or if you need a fluctuating, you know, some...you know, a different schedule than one that they may have, uh, suggested before, you just ask.
|
Wong
|
I see what you're saying.
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
So, basically, you finish up a project on [radio station ID] and then took off [inaudible].
|
Bush
|
Right.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Um, what was your...oh! How did you land that position? Or, how did it come about?
|
Bush
|
A recruiter called me.
|
Wong
|
A recruiter called [inaudible]?
|
Bush
|
Mm-hm. Mm-hm.
|
Wong
|
Okay. That's him. What's your annual salary over there? Over at Cloudmark? You remember, or...?
|
Bush
|
Yeah, it was a lot less than, um, DigitalPersona; it was, like, $73...$72...$73[,000] a year.
|
Wong
|
$73[,000] per year. Okay. Awesome! And, was there, like, a...it was strictly, uh, a clowny-face position or was it just...or did they just need, you know, somebody dumb, drawing their time [inaudible].
|
Bush
|
Um, I'm not sure what you mean.
|
Wong
|
So, you know, a lot of the positions I do recruit for—especially, in the tech writing industry...
|
Bush
|
Uh-huh...
|
Wong
|
...um, they usually need to update a manual, or, they need to have to...they need a tech writer to...to, basically, um, write-out some information on the...how to get there...basically, shitting on the market. Um, it takes...it'll take half a year...year...you know, four or five months. Uh, so, I'm kinda getting...so, I'm...I'm trying to find out who, uh...how...how is...was it...was it, like, a project-based position or does it just strictly...
|
Bush
|
[clears throat]
|
Wong
|
...for a certain period of time; or, was it just, you know, as...as soon as you finish, then [unintelligible].
|
Bush
|
You know, I don't really recall.
|
Wong
|
[laughs] Huh! I see. Okay! Okay! That's fine.
|
Bush
|
But, um, what is the position, uh...I mean, they look for a technical writer to write manuals for a hardware product?
|
Wong
|
It was actually for a software product.
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
Um...
|
Bush
|
And, the software product--again--is what?
|
Wong
|
I don't actually have all the specs on it, which is why I want to go ahead and shoot over to you, um, the description to you later on.
|
Bush
|
What's the name of the, um, company?
|
Wong
|
Uh, Bay Systems.
|
Bush
|
[inaudible]
|
Wong
|
[inaudible] bar assistance. I see your a [inaudible] software developer at DigitalPersona.
|
Bush
|
Well, a technical writer—no—tech pubs manager; but, um, I had some software development...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...um, experience. So...
|
Wong
|
Okay. And, you're a web designer, as well?
|
Bush
|
[nods]
|
Wong
|
Okay. Tell me a little bit about that, that company...what...what's that company about?
|
Bush
|
They, uh, make, um, fingerprint-recognition (biometric), uh, hardware and software; so, they, uh, use that to secure desktop computers in the enterprise, home users—things like that.
|
Wong
|
Fucking tweaker. And, you were there from 2001 to Q94?
|
Bush
|
Uh, yeah.
|
Wong
|
Was that...was that part of, um, wh...wh...was that from a recruiter, as well? Or, how did they land on you?
|
Bush
|
Um, Trish Borrmann, um, a friend of mine I made at Louth/Harris, uh, Broadcast Automation...
|
Wong
|
Okay...
|
Bush
|
...um, referred me there...
|
Wong
|
Okay...
|
Bush
|
...to that position. Unfortunately, she got laid off, like, in a couple of weeks or a couple of months after that. Um...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
That was unfortunate; but, uh, I stayed on with the company.
|
Wong
|
Okay; you stayed on for a little while. Uh, okay, back-and-forth. So, let's kind of, um, talk about your...your first position. How...I mean, how did you even get into to the, the tech writing arena? I mean, was it something that you've always wanted to do, or that you fell in[to]?
|
Bush
|
Well, um, I like the power of language.
|
Wong
|
[unintelligible]
|
Bush
|
I like to be able to write something on the Internet—I mean—from the angle of technical writing. You know, as an engineer works real hard with the product [unintelligible] the customer; but, they...they need to know how to use it. So, I kind of abridge.
|
Wong
|
Okay. So, you kind of, like, go in [inaudible]?
|
Bush
|
Yeah.
|
Wong
|
Now, what was your...what was your background education in? I mean, did you...how did you learn, I mean, how to, basically, write in this style [inaudible]?
|
Bush
|
Well, on the job, mainly. Um, I...first of all, I started writing very early. I've worked—I know, it's sounds so silly—working for the school newspaper.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
I, um, hated her guts; but, she was the best teacher in the world.
|
Wong
|
I see what you're saying.
|
Bush
|
But, Ms. Schenck...
|
Wong
|
[laughs]
|
Bush
|
...she was an awesome teacher. I mean, she really...you know, she was really serious about her writing; she grilled me to death, and I hated her for it; but, I thank her for it [unintelligible].
|
Wong
|
Mm-hm.
|
Bush
|
But, um, she, um, she kinda got me going there. I won an award—a journalism award.
|
Wong
|
Sure...
|
Bush
|
...and, just took...kept my writing up. I've just always been, um, a fast learner when it comes to language.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. I see what you're saying.
|
Bush
|
And, so, once I got to California...sorry! Once I got to California, um, I...I joined with, um, ICG—you can see that now, down at the very end of the resume there.
|
Wong
|
Mm-hm...
|
Bush
|
And, um, you know, I kinda, you know, just studied everyone else. I mean, I've worked with a lot of pros. There are a lot of people better than set you up...
|
Wong
|
Right.
|
Bush
|
So, I tried to be like them as much as I could.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. Excellent. Um, ever since then, you've been taking [inaudible] contractor's assignments and, um, there are different companies that [unintelligible] again, doing software tech writing, more or less in software development [unintelligible]. Now, how do you feel about...I mean, I remember you said that you did have some experience with some [unintelligible] companies that [unintelligible] systems? Or...? [inaudible] out there...
|
Bush
|
Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no! I just, uh...it's always been a passion of mine...
|
Wong
|
Passion for...?
|
Bush
|
[A] passion for, uh, law enforcement; not...not local police, so much as, uh, um, uh, like, when you said, "Homeland Security," [unintelligible].
|
Wong
|
[laughs] I got [unintelligible].
|
Bush
|
I did!
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
I was excited about that; so, that's kind of neat.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Now, how do you think, um, [inaudible] new industry, um, or, basically, a new company [inaudible] all new material... How do you think that will, um... How do you think they'll...you'll be to catch on? You know, really hit the ground running? Obviously, you're a quick learner. I mean, did you...do you think that's going to be a problem?
|
Bush
|
I think networking with people... I mean, you need to first draw...talk to everybody—and, everybody mean[s], like, you know, anyone in marketing or engineering or sales and will talk to you and...and let them describe to you how they sell the product or market it, and how they...why they engineer it the way they do, to kind of hear what the customers...or hear...hear what they're hearing from their customers...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, then, if permitted, I mean, uh... A lot of times, companies want to shield you from their customers because they want to control what information [is] going in and out and the contact with them... I mean, if I could talk to them, it would be wonderful.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
Um, that...that'd be something... Or...or, at least, their sales partners will probably have some feedback as to what customers are saying. And, just keep in touch that way and just try to understand the problem; so, that would be a little research—there would be some research there, as far as, uh, their R&D department, if they have it; and, say...
|
Wong
|
Insurance?
|
Bush
|
...you know, "What problem are you trying to solve here?"
|
Wong
|
Okay. Now, um, obviously, I've never been a tech writer... How does...how...how does...how does word-tracking and language come about? Is it something that you kind of naturally pick up? Or, I mean, is there some kind of guideline when you're writing for, say, like, uh, a technical manual or something like that? I mean, obviously, when I'm reading it, it's... I mean, the way I see it, a tech writer is someone that does connect, um, end-user and, uh, I guess, engineer, together. You know what I mean. Engineer...engineers don't always have the best communication skills, right? Um, obviously, their key skills are strong in a different area. Uh, how does...how does that...were there certain guidelines?
|
Bush
|
Of course.
|
Wong
|
Are there some... I guess, like, are there certain methods you use or is it straight...or is it sort of a freestyle [unintelligible]?
|
Bush
|
Well, you know, it goes on... You know, there's [unintelligible] on the police—I'm sorry! Let me start over.
|
Wong
|
Alright...
|
Bush
|
It, um, depends on the situation, of course. You know, the type of technical document you're writing; but, yes, there are standards that...technical publication standards. There are, um, uh, also writing style guidelines. I mean, you can pick the Chicago Manual of Style or Strunk & White; and, you can try to make sure you follow... I...I...I recommend the Chicago Manual of Style. Journalism writing is probably the best kind of writing in the world in that it is very succinct, direct [and] to-the-point. It only does if the accent is easy to read. And, so, that's why I feel like, uh, that's one style that I should approach—and, I do.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...or use. And, um, I also keep a copy of, uh, the, um, Microsoft's Technical Publication[s] Style Guide.
|
Wong
|
Mm-hm. Mm-hm. You kinda use that as...as a [inaudible]?
|
Bush
|
Only if I'm writing, uh, um, a document that...that is, uh, for a, uh, software product that runs on Windows.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, then, Apple has their own, for example.
|
Wong
|
Okay. I see what you're saying. Okay.
|
Bush
|
That way, you describe things, um... You know how they, like, you know, the Mac look-and-feel...you try to make your developer...to make their application fit with...
|
Wong
|
Sure...
|
Bush
|
...the mold, so to speak, so that, when people use Macs, they'll use to use, they'll always kind of follow a certain pattern... You know, they're easy to figure out; so, they...you do the same thing with the technical documentation, in that you, um...you want it to read like Microsoft's documentation for it [to] make sense, so that it's, um...everything's cohesive.
|
Wong
|
I see what you're saying. Hm. Okay. Um, so when did you finally finish over at Eye...Eyenovation Multimedia? Um, what...what month in 2006?
|
Bush
|
Well, like I said, it wasn't a real position...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...but, um, it was...
|
Wong
|
[inaudible]
|
Bush
|
Yeah! And, um, you know, it's...it's on-going...
|
Wong
|
Okay...
|
Bush
|
I mean, the guy is not really... I'll be honest with you: the guy's not delivering on his end of things; um, but, he has, just like me, you know, personal issues that come up from time-to-time...
|
Wong
|
Sure.
|
Bush
|
We don't have firm commitments on some things...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
Um, I've done all of the work [laughs] the other things...deliverables on his end [that] haven't happened; and, uh, so, it's a little bit discouraging. So, I'm just gonna kind of wait and see what he does.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
But...
|
Wong
|
And, you've been actively searching, um...
|
Bush
|
Oh, yes.
|
Wong
|
...for a tech pubs position?
|
Bush
|
Oh, yes.
|
Wong
|
Do you find it pretty tough right now in the market to...to, like, uh, to find these positions? Or...?
|
Bush
|
Well, yeah. I'm not...I mean, I obviously not hired...
|
Wong
|
Mm-hm...
|
Bush
|
...but, um...it seems to me that all these recruiters that I keep getting calls from, they all are trying to place me in the same position. [chuckles] And, I, uh, I know there are more technical writing positions out there. I am networking with people; I'm asking them what they do... When I meet people, I ask them what they do for a living.
|
Wong
|
Sure, sure.
|
Bush
|
Um, if it's a company I think I want to work for, I [inaudible].
|
Wong
|
[laughs] Okay.
|
Bush
|
Uh...but, uh, so far, it's just not...
|
Wong
|
It hasn't really been prepping to much.
|
Bush
|
No! It's kind of a discouraging thing.
|
Wong
|
We'll see if we can change that a little bit. So, let's kind get some logistics out of the way. Um, obviously, you're looking for a technical writer position. Um, does it matter... I mean, does it matter what type of industry, or, um, obviously, you said that you were interested in Homeland Security. Is there anything you get into besides tech writing or...?
|
Bush
|
Software engineering would be really exciting. Uh, I would have to come in just as an entry-level programmer...
|
Wong
|
Sure.
|
Bush
|
...because, you know, I have do...I do my software programming on my own.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, um, I haven't really worked with a [sic] teams that develop software...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...engineering; so, then, I think that, um, all-media design is another one, marketing...marcom...
|
Wong
|
Sure. Sure.
|
Bush
|
...that can be writing and just designing ads, and, um, um...
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
...collateral. Um...
|
Wong
|
Now, um, like I said, the way I gauge the salary of a tech writer, um, isn't you...isn't...isn't a normally a[n] annual salary. Um, the positions that I placed with before have always been in contact. Um, punch priest. So, obviously, there's an hour to be rude. Um, out of...give me a ballpark figure of...of what you'd be looking for...for a position...
|
Bush
|
[coughs]
|
Wong
|
...um, both temp-to-hire on the annual side and it was just like a short-term contract case.
|
Bush
|
So, here's what I find works the best: I mean, a company has in mind what they're going to pay you and they're not going to stray outside of that. They'll...there not...they'll never get the [unintelligible].
|
Wong
|
So, that's in our contract. Mm-hm...
|
Bush
|
So, if an it position...you know, does it fit? Or, is it interesting or whatever? Let's just see what they come back with.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
I'm not gonna be real picky at this point; however, if it's a contract position, I'm looking for something a little bit long-term.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. The sheep is crying. Now, when I say...when you say long-term, how...how long is...is the shortest...can I call you for that? Three months? Two months? One month? Five months?
|
Bush
|
Um, I think that the long-term is just a preference; but, we'll just go with a case-by-case; same thing with the salary.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. Open the contract with your eye.
|
Bush
|
And, I prefer to telecommute. And, we'll look for any company, uh, in any state. [inaudible]
|
Wong
|
Now, um, telecommute is, um, preferred; but, you're not opposed to going after [inaudible]?
|
Bush
|
I'm not opposed to it, no.
|
Wong
|
Okay! Okay!
|
Bush
|
I'll take it on a case-by-case basis.
|
Wong
|
[unintelligible]
|
Bush
|
I appreciate you, uh, trying to refine it and everything; but...
|
Wong
|
Oh, no! Definitely! Definitely!
|
Bush
|
Yeah, it's just like...like, right now, I just want to get to work.
|
Wong
|
Okay! Okay! Okay! Fair enough. Um, and, what about, if you did have to commute on-site, um...how far would you want to drive? In this...in this area? Most of the companies I deal with are in Silicon Valley. Um, but, I mean, for this position and for positions down the line, um, I just want to be aware so that if I come across something that's a little bit too far, you know, [inaudible] bothering you with a call [inaudible].
|
Bush
|
Never...never worry about me bothering with a call.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
Bothering me with a call...sorry! Sorry!
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
Always call me; always call me.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
3-7-7-5 North First Street. That's where RAE Systems is?
|
Wong
|
Yeah, it's pretty close by here, actually.
|
Bush
|
Yeah, that is close.
|
Wong
|
[inaudible]
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
That'd...that'd be okay; but, what if...what if the position was in San Jose? [inaudible]
|
Bush
|
Yeah, definitely.
|
Wong
|
'K. [pause] Okay! So, um, [it's] pretty self-explanatory; what I'm going to do, at this point...I want to try to connect with my...my [unintelligible] systems. Um, I've been working with her for a little bit and...and kind of talking to her about, you know, what it is you've done, your situation, and, um, kinda getting more of, you know, an idea of what they're looking for because, um...you know, I want to get a head-start on the competition, basically. I don't...I don't know exactly the...uh, they're very details...specifics, or what exactly they're looking for in a candidate, um... What specific project that... I know she has a, uh, [unintelligible], she said she was going to be in contact with you [unintelligible] technical writing manager.
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Bush
|
Okay.
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Wong
|
So, once I get that information, um, I'm going to go ahead and share with you, as well.
|
Bush
|
I guess this is, uh...is this the technical writer position on a marketing team...
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Wong
|
Um...
|
Bush
|
...posted on their web site?
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Wong
|
You know what? They...they...they post...they do post a bunch of different positions on there. Um, so, we never know. Um, it's...it's...comes...it really comes down to [the] relationship with the...with the client. Um, they'll do postings, um, just to...just to attract, you know, um...
|
Bush
|
Candidates...
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Wong
|
[unintelligible]
|
Bush
|
...basically.
|
Wong
|
But, um, realistically, what is viable and what is not, and what they're really hiring for, um, obviously, recruiters are going to do job-tracking. We actually placed, um, the [unintelligible] client out there. I'm looking at the requisition right now; so...which is why she...she...she's sort of working [unintelligible] fast, trying to, like, let us see what's going on with it. So...
|
Bush
|
Well, if it is this position...?
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Wong
|
Sure. And, it might be.
|
Bush
|
...um, I mean, I'm looking for something that...what...what I do when I look at the req, is, uh...is that we look at, uh, the areas I might be weak in—I start with those and I think...
|
Wong
|
Sure. Sure. Sure.
|
Bush
|
"Hm, how can I bolster my...my... How can I market myself in those areas without sounding like I can't get the job done?"
|
Wong
|
Uh-huh. Uh-huh.
|
Bush
|
And, right now, I'm not seeing anything that I haven't done. I mean, I'm an Adobe Certified Expert in both these programs.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
Um, 'InDesign'—I love it.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
I use it all the time.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
HTML--I've hand-coded it for years.
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Wong
|
Okay. Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
Um... [unintelligible]
|
Wong
|
[inaudible]
|
Bush
|
Yeah. Yeah.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. Excellent. I saw that, and it was at it's most, um, simplest form of it's own. Um, so, I wanted to kinda get more of a feel and see, obviously, you know, this is probably a general description [unintelligible] that. So, let me see if I can get some more info. I mean, it could be just be this simple; I'm not sure. But, let me find that out, okay?
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
Um, I'll have your resume; I'll probably share it with her. And, then, um, we'll talk more about, I mean, the pay range and everything like that and, then, um...
|
Bush
|
And, just see what she comes up with.
|
Wong
|
Yeah, see what she comes up with. Now, what...you know, I kinda want, uh, a basepoint—sort of like an ending point [unintelligible] of what I could work with. Uh, she said, um, you know, 'this amount.' I said, "Well, he's looking for this amount." How...how...how far down can I...can I say...you know, I...I...everyone needs some sort of a...a...a baseball [inaudible].
|
Bush
|
Well, you need...
|
Wong
|
...like a wide-range [inaudible]
|
Bush
|
[coughs] You...you...you need to make sure that you take care of yourself first.
|
Wong
|
Okay.
|
Bush
|
That, if you have, um, a set amount that you need to make for this...this whole situation...this whole project...you know, this whole, um, the con—...the contract to be, uh, you know, profitable for you, then you need to know where that low point is for you, right?
|
Wong
|
Definitely. Definitely.
|
Bush
|
I mean, if she's says $20 an hour and you need $30 to make this worth your while... Or, if she says, "$20, and that's all I'm going give to you," you know, and, he gets $10 [chuckles] ...whatever! You know, obviously, you're gonna have to do work from your end; so, take...take care of yourself first.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay.
|
Bush
|
And, if you think that this, you know...when you talk to her, and feel her out, and [if] you think you can go higher than what you need, then all the better for you.
|
Wong
|
Okay. Okay. Definitely. And, you know what? Um...
|
Bush
|
What is the hourly rate that you employ technical writers at right now—the average?
|
Wong
|
Okay. Average? I would say, um, [it] depends on the industry; but, anywhere from $20 to $40 on hourly salary. Um, obviously, it depends on the industry... The last...the last position—to be quite honest with you—we placed a technical writer out at a, um, funeral home. And, it was sort of an interesting situation because they need someone to do technical manuals for their financial counselors, um, for people that are, basically, dealing with, um...the families who are dealing with the deceased. Um, so, so, you can...you can kinda tell that's a lot different than high-tech, [as] you can imagine. But, um, like I said, the project—it depends on the size of the company and the type of industry, because, um, what's important is, is that you have, um, experience in the high-tech industry. Um, you don't...you'd be a lot more marketable. Um, something like that [chuckles] would be...would be a whole lot different, um...so...
|
Bush
|
Something like what?
|
Wong
|
Um, like, like, uh, like, uh, a technical writer at...for a funeral home.
|
Bush
|
That makes no sense whatsoever.
|
Wong
|
Really?
|
Bush
|
Yeah.
|
Wong
|
Okay. What...what do you mean?
|
Bush
|
Well, when do you do...use a technical manual at a funeral home?
|
Wong
|
It's... Well, it's, um... Okay. There's... The one I placed the, uh, the tech writer for was, um...she actually used to work for a biotech firm. Okay? And, they needed someone to...to, basically, rewrite the whole, um, manual, um, for these guides, um, for, you know, uh, um... They basically had...this funeral home is...is, um...
|
Bush
|
What's it's name?
|
Wong
|
Uh, Gate of Heaven [I lived at Heaven's Gate SLE at the time], basically. Gate of Heaven is the name of the funeral home. And, they needed...they...they...they hire financial counselors, basically, to help people with, uh, like I said, the family of the deceased, and, there's, I guess, rules and, um, certain methods you can use, um, to sensitively deal with that type of position—that type of [unintelligible] grieving.
|
Bush
|
Um, what kind of product does, uh, this make? What does the funeral home make or...
|
Wong
|
[stutters] It's not really a product position. You know, we're sort of past the burial agreement.
|
Bush
|
Like a brochure?
|
Wong
|
It's not really a brochure; it...it's more...it was more of a[n] in-house manual.
|
Bush
|
Hm.
|
Wong
|
Because, it was outdated; and, obviously, I'm not an expert in the funeral industry. But, there are a lot of guidelines that employs...you need to follow when dealing with confidentiality. Um, um, you know, the finance of...basically, just...just on the...on how...how to handle, you know, certain situations. So, it...it was a sort of an unorthodox, um, type position; but, I mean, I'm just trying to, uh, you know, illustrate what they're trying to...what the pay rate was...benefits and [unintelligible].
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
So... Okay!
|
Bush
|
The pay rate... What did...what did you say it was again?
|
Wong
|
$28 to $40... Uh...
|
Bush
|
$28 to $40? Or?
|
Wong
|
$28 to $40. That was the range that that company was willing to pay.
|
Bush
|
Okay, so...
|
Wong
|
So...
|
Bush
|
Okay.
|
Wong
|
Okay, so, like I said, let me...let me...let me get...let me get ahold of, um, my contact over there that works with them. Um, I have...have your resume. Um, I have all, um, your information in terms of what it is you're looking for, etc., etc., etc. So, let me see what I can do with this and, um, I'll definitely be in touch with you, too. Okay?
|
Bush
|
Thank you so much for your time, Jonathan.
|
Wong
|
Thank you! I really appreciate you coming in.
|
Bush
|
You bet!
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