# Navigating Your First Tech Writing Job: A Guide to Judgment Day
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Chapter 1: The Reality of Submission
The moment has arrived. You've completed your set of documents after putting in considerable effort. You meticulously crafted your wording, formatted everything just right, and ensured your screenshots were perfect. Now, it’s time to submit your work.
After two weeks in my new role, I handed in my documents, feeling as though my writing was under scrutiny, almost as if I were being evaluated myself. I found myself asking repeatedly: what if my work isn’t up to par? I critiqued my own efforts, doubted my decisions, and second-guessed my abilities. Essentially, I was overanalyzing everything, leading me to question both my skills and my choice of career.
Submitting your work for feedback can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. To help you remain composed while writing and awaiting reviews, here’s some advice I found beneficial.
Section 1.1: Embrace Selective Feedback
Writers often grapple with self-doubt. We read, re-read, and sometimes even triple-read our work, constantly thinking, "I could have done this better." While it’s true that improvements can always be made, fixating on perfection can hinder your progress.
What if, upon submitting your work, you receive feedback that isn’t quite what you hoped for? Developing your technical writing skills involves learning how to discern what feedback to take to heart and what to disregard. As you write more, you’ll cultivate a sense of discernment that allows you to absorb valuable critiques while filtering out the noise.
Being selective about the feedback you choose to accept is crucial for staying grounded in a sea of opinions.
Subsection 1.1.1: The Power of Decision-Making
Section 1.2: Confronting Your Fears
If you earn your living through writing, nerves are a constant companion when Judgment Day arrives. You may wonder, how can I alleviate my anxiety?
The answer is simple: "eat the frog." This phrase means to tackle your task head-on. Just write and submit your work without dwelling on others’ opinions. The truth is, you won’t know how your submission will be received until it’s complete.
Writing can be an intimidating profession since it exposes you to the capricious judgment of others. Readers have varied tastes and preferences, but one truth remains: impactful writing resonates emotionally and forges connections. If you have genuinely tried to create something that assists the user, you’ve succeeded, regardless of the outcome.
Keep in mind that the anxiety you feel is not everlasting. One day, you will be the one reviewing submissions from other tech writers. Your past experiences will remind you to approach their work with empathy and understanding.
So, write those documents. Submit them. Trust that the tech writing gods will guide you.
Chapter 2: Learning from Experience
In this section, we’ll explore practical tips for navigating feedback and building resilience in your writing career.
The video titled "Applying, Interviewing, and Transitioning into an Academic Job (Part 2)" provides insights into the job search process and the transition into academic roles, which may resonate with those in tech writing looking to expand their career.
Another valuable resource is "Learn on My Mistakes | 6 Tips to Survive Your Transition to Full-Time Job," where personal experiences offer guidance for navigating your first full-time position successfully.