BrainPower

Resume

Profile: Web Writer | Editor | Marketing Writer | Technical Writer | Project Manager for the Web

Professional Experience

1993-current – CONSULTANT – based in the San Francisco Bay Area
Planned and executed winning strategies for Web and print; technical documents such as specifications, APIs, end user guides, and internal use manuals; marketing materials such as proposals, requests for information (RFIs), requests for proposals (RFPs), white papers, and presentations; business reports and eBooks.

Client projects include:

June 2002 - continuing – EMC Corporation (Pleasanton, CA)
Role: Web Writer/Editor

Expanded and updated corporate site: http://software.emc.com (formerly, documentum.com and legato.com)
Won Merit award for "Documentum Content Management Products Section" in the Online Communication competition of Touchstone 2002, sponsored by the Society of Technical Communication (STC)

  • Web publishing – Wrote and edited Web pages, brainstorming with product marketing managers to develop content, and entering text, images, and multimedia into content management system (CMS). Optimized graphics for the Web. Also edited eBooks and interactive diagrams.
  • Search engine optimization (SEO) – Implemented keywords/key phrases for higher ranking of pages in search engine results and to create a more meaningful user experience.
  • Usability – Conducted usability study from scratch, writing a proposal and scripts, and determining logistics as well as performing remote and in-person usability testing. Also analyzed site logs in order to determine priorities for Web sites.
  • Engineering specifications – Wrote business and technical specifications for Web developers, enabling on-time, accurate delivery of templates with the requisite properties. Interviewed product marketing managers to determine business requirements and performed competitive Web page analyses to optimize usability on redesigned sections of the site.
  • Tools used: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Documentum repository, Documentum Web Publisher, Google, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Fireworks, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Mozzila Firefox, Netscape Navigator, Visio, WebEx, Windows Notepad, and WinZip.

March 2000 - Nov. 2001 – PeopleSoft, Inc. (Pleasanton, CA)
Role: Web Producer
Helped roll out redesigned site: www.peoplesoft.com (acquired by Oracle)

  • Web publishing – Led development of Web pages through 2 content migration cycles, brainstorming with product marketing managers to develop content, and entering text, images, and multimedia into customized content management system. Rewrote and edited documents and coded in HTML.
  • Content migration – Developed templates and workflows for Interwoven content management system. Migrated content from previous content management system (OpenMarket Future Tense) to Interwoven. Worked with developers to implement new tools and system fixes.
  • Developing direct response pages – Produced sales-oriented landing sites, promoting them via e-mail, direct mail, and advertising channels and measuring their effectiveness with hits vs. inquiries tracking.
  • Producing interactive multimedia – Produced interactive product tours, diagrams, and demos, assembling script, graphics, video and/or audio client testimonials, and ensuring that multimedia provided a coherent, enjoyable, and compelling experience for users.
  • Project management – Worked with teams that included writers, graphic designers, video/audio producers, programmers, project managers, and product marketing managers as well as vendors. Worked with writers to hone and revise scripts; worked with graphic designers to conceptualize and create graphics and Flash animations; selected video/audio clips from videotaped customer testimonial library. Created work flows and role-based tasks to improve on-time delivery of deliverables.
  • Web site- and usability-testing – Tested Web pages for quality assurance (QA), ensuring they conformed to W3C and Document Object Model (DOM) standards, and that Web enhancements (audio, CSS, DHTML, Flash, JavaScript, video, XHTML, XML) performed appropriately in both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. Analyzed and disseminated Web tracking statistics and evaluated competing sites.
  • Tools used: Adobe Illustrator, Interwoven Teamsite, Lotus Notes, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office 97, Netscape Navigator, Open Market/FutureTense, PeopleSoft 8 tools, Sametime Connect, Visio, Windows 98 and NT, Windows Notepad, WebEx, and WinZip.

Aug. 1999 - Feb. 2000 – Wells Fargo Bank (San Francisco, CA)
Role: Content Producer
Rolled out major new site: www.wellsfargo.com/retirement

  • Producing Web pages – Developed Web pages, meeting with various product teams (such as Customer Support, IRA/Retirement Center, Home Equity, and Year 2000) to define objectives and timelines, determine content and functionality, design visually appealing layout, ensure rapid download times, and quality-control results.
  • Writing Web content – Wrote original content as well as edited outsourced articles, ensuring that they adhered to the site's tone and stylistic requirements. Hand-coded content in HTML.
  • Coordinating projects – Performed project management functions for Web site development (including planning, scheduling, and implementation). Maintained ongoing communications with teams (consisting of product/service managers, Web developers, designers, and project managers) as well as vendors.
  • Web site- and usability-testing – Tested Web pages for QA, ensuring they conformed to W3C and DOM standards, and that Web enhancements (CSS, DHTML, JavaScript, XHTML, XML) performed appropriately in both Netscape and Internet Explorer browsers. Implemented cross-browser, multiplatform, and user testing.
  • Tools used: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office 97, Microsoft Outlook, Netscape Navigator, Windows 98, Windows Notepad, and WinZip.

Feb. 1999 - Sept. 1999 – TriStrata Inc. (Redwood City, CA)
Role: Lead Writer/Documentation Manager

  • Managing documentation projects – Coordinated projects from start to finish, developing an information plan, work estimates, status reports, supervising contractors, reporting to management and, in general, ensuring projects progressed as scheduled.
  • External user guides – Revised external technical guides, translating complex software into easy-to-grasp concepts.
  • Engineering specs – Designed and created engineering specifications template. Interviewed engineers and input pertinent information into specs.
  • Marketing documentation – Edited and rewrote white papers. Created white paper and proposal templates to enable faster turn-around.
  • Online help – Revised and rewrote online help files.
  • Tools used: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office 97, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Windows NT, Netscape Navigator, RoboHelp, WebWorks Publisher, and WinZip; also, TriStrata Secure Information Management System, 2.0 and 2.5 releases.

Projects prior to 1999 are described under More Projects.

Computer Skills

  • Operating Systems/Networks/Platforms: DOS, Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, 98, 95, NT, NetWare, Solaris, UNIX; Hewlett-Packard and Sun workstations, IBM PCs/clones, Macs.
  • Markup/Scripting Languages/Web Enhancements: HTML, ASP, audio, ColdFusion, CSS, DHTML, Java applets, JavaScript, SGML, XHTML, XML, XSL.
  • Web Authoring: Adobe GoLive, Adobe PageMill, Adobe Premiere, Allaire HomeSite, HotDog Professional, HoTMetaL PRO, Luckman's WebEdit PRO, Luckman's WebStudio, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft Office's inbuilt HTML conversion, Quadralay WebWorks Publisher (for FrameMaker on PC/Unix), Web Weaver (on Mac).
    (Note: I've created raw HTML in text editors as well as used HTML editors/converters.)
  • Web Content Management Systems: Documentum Web Publisher, Interwoven Teamsite, OpenMarket/FutureTense.)
  • Web Browsers: Firefox, HotJava, Lycos, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mosaic, Mozilla, Netscape Navigator, WebTV.
  • Graphics: Adobe AfterEffects, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe ImageReady, Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photo-Paint, GIF Construction Set for Windows, InterDimensions gifx, Macromedia Fireworks, PictureGear, Visio, VisualFlow.
  • Multimedia: DVgate, InterVideo WinDVD, Macromedia Flash, MovieShaker, QuickTime, RealNetworks' RealPlayer and RealJukebox, Smart Capture, SonicStage, Winamp MP3, Windows Media Player.
  • Word Processing: AmiPro, Microsoft Office XP Professional (2002) and Office 97, WordPerfect.
  • Desktop Publishing: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker, Microsoft Publisher, QuarkXPress, Ventura Publisher.
  • Online Authoring: RoboHelp (for WinHelp Classic as well as HTML Help), WebWorks Publisher.
  • Presentation Tools: Applix, Freelance Graphics for Windows, Harvard Graphics for Windows, Microsoft PowerPoint, WordPerfect Presentations.
  • Project Management: ABT Project Workbench, ABT Repository, ABT Team Workbench, Microsoft Project 2000.
  • Enterprise Software: Documentum 5, PeopleSoft 8.
  • Network Applications (on LANs/WANs): Eudora Pro, Lotus cc:Mail, Lotus Notes, Microsoft Outlook and Outlook Express, Netscape Messenger, Sametime Connect, WebEx.
  • Database/Spreadsheet Tools: Act! for Windows, Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Paradox for Windows, Quattro Pro for Windows.
  • Accounting Software: Microsoft Money, Quicken, SimplyTax, TurboTax.
  • Utilities Tools: ArcSoft PhotoPrinter 2000 Pro, Cute FTP, DigitalPrint, FTP Voyager, Notepad, PC-cillin 2000, Textbridge Pro, War FTP, WinZip, WordPad, WS_FTP.

Publications and Presentations

  • "Blogging for Business" presentation, Communication Arts Network, San Ramon, California, April 2007.
  • "Joys and Pitfalls of Contracting" panel, Society for Technical Communication, East Bay Chapter, April 2000.
  • Judge, software guides and online information categories, Touchstone 1999, the Northern California Technical Communication Competition, December 1999.
  • "Interactive Web Page Design for Web- and TV-based Browsers," presented at the 1998 Society for Technical Communication Region 8 Conference, San Ramon, California, October 1998.
  • "Doggone Bad Design Flaws," WebTV Developer site, September 1998.
  • "How to Design Web Pages for WebTV," presented at the 1997 Society for Technical Communication Region 8 Conference, Santa Barbara, California, November 1997.
  • "Local 3 Adds Benefits for Members," HearSay, National Writers Union, July 1997.
  • "A Web Site of Our Own!," HearSay, National Writers Union, June 1997.
  • "Surfing the 'Net," column on the Internet, Cleveland Computer Monthly, 1996.
  • "Robot Wars: Excessive Violence or Escape Valve," Radio Control Car Action, August 1996.
  • "The Internet – Bringing Romanians Together," presented at the 20th annual conference of the American-Romanian Academy (ARA) of Arts and Sciences, University of Nevada, Reno, August 1995.

Special Skills

  • Internet-savvy
  • Marketing experience and training
  • Project management skills
  • Direct mail/response-savvy
  • International business and working abroad experience
  • Foreign languages:

    • - Bilingual Romanian-English
    - Fluent in French and Spanish
    - Conversant with Italian and German
    - Some knowledge of Swahili and a smattering of phrases in other languages

Education

  • 1996-current – Writing, project management, Web design, and programming courses, University of California, Santa Cruz Extension and University of California, Berkeley Extension.
  • 1991-1992 – Marketing and sales courses, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension.
  • 1987 – Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, specialization in Social Psychology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Affiliations

Miscellanea


  • U.S. citizen
  • Flexible, versatile, creative
  • Work well under pressure and with short notice
  • Willing to travel
  • Self-starter
  • Excellent communicator and team player

View Marinela Miclea's profile on LinkedIn