Professional resume of Karen Farrell, technical writer and web designer

1. Karen Farrell farrelldoc.com/contact/
www.farrelldoc.com
SUMMARY
I am a highly skilled, experienced, and award-winning technical writer, editor, and website designer who has worked on many
diverse projects. I am proficient with a variety of information development and design tools, which I use to present accurate and
precise content intelligently designed for each audience and purpose. My ability to combine technical writing and website design
skills results in polished online media with professional content. As an employee and as a consultant, I have extensive experience
in software, oil and gas, medical services, sports, municipal government, insurance, small business, and journalism. I have
provided services for Fortune 500 companies, midsize organizations, single-owner businesses, and individuals.
SKILLS AND APTITUDES
 Design and develop documentation using user-centric approach and professional writing best practices: technical
documentation, marketing collateral, user assistance, corporate documentation, email marketing communications
 Perform all levels of editing, develop online help, create interactive PDF forms, design document and website
templates, assist in GUI design, evaluate and rewrite technical publications
 Work independently or within a group, work with remote teams across time zones, lead projects and teams
 Design, evaluate, and redesign internal and external websites using search engine optimization (SEO) and
professional writing best practices: website design, content writing, basic graphic design, social media, Google app
integration, payment gateway integration, shopping carts
 Demonstrate expert-level usage of Adobe Acrobat Professional, Bridge, Dreamweaver, FrameMaker, and LifeCycle
Designer ES2; CSS; cPanel; Facebook Pages (business); Google Adsense, Adwords, Analytics, Maps, Places, Webmaster
Tools, and YouTube; HTML; Jive Clearspace and SBS; Microsoft Office; Stylizer; and WordPress
 Demonstrate advanced- or experienced-level usage of Adobe Contribute, Captivate, Fireworks, Flash Professional,
InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop; BMC Remedy AR System; Camtasia Studio; Clickability; Documentum; ForeHelp;
HTML Help Workshop; RoboHelp; SharePoint; Vantive; Visio; and WebHost Manager
WORK EXPERIENCE
November 1995 to Present
Owner, Farrell Documentation, Alvin, Texas, www.farrelldoc.com
 Write and edit technical, marketing, and corporate documentation; design, update, and maintain websites of varying
complexity for multiple clients; write and edit website content; design, develop, and edit online help; develop and
deliver email marketing campaigns; design hardcopy, website, and email marketing templates
 Provide services for software companies, oil and gas service companies, city governments, biomedical service
providers, medical doctors, public and private sports organizations, small businesses, and independent professionals
February 2004 to Present
Owner, Alvin Golf & Country Club, Alvin, Texas, www.alvingolf.com
 Design, develop, and maintain website and intranet; design, write, and deliver marketing, user, and internal
documentation; design, write, and deliver email marketing communications; develop promotions and marketing
campaigns; create and sustain advertising, social media, and mobile application
 Manage accounts receivable, human resources and training, event facility operations, and inventory and purchasing
July 2010 to January 2013; October 2006 to December 2008; March 2002 to July 2002
Information Development Consultant, BMC Software, Inc., Houston, Texas, www.bmc.com
 Wrote user guides, standards, and training materials for BMC Communities; developed user training blogs and videos
 Edited award-winning online help; prepared marketing datasheets
 Redesigned and created new content for Technology Alliance Program (TAP) partner pages on bmc.com; implemented
new design of and created carousel graphics for TAP landing pages on BMC Communities
 Worked with technology alliance partners to create and deliver press releases
 Migrated hundreds of documents and other media assets from SharePoint to Jive
 Designed, developed, and delivered email newsletter to technology alliance partners
 Redesigned and implemented new channel partner web portal; performed Jive SBS administrative functions
 Edited, moderated, and uploaded user contributions to BMC Communities; communicated with users in forums
 Worked with alliance partners to develop and enhance their featured pages and other content on BMC Communities
 Designed, developed, and deployed user surveys using BMC Remedy AR System, KineticSurvey, and other tools
 Prepared resource center and forum category structure for launch of new developer website, BMC Developer Network
(now BMC Communities) using Jive administrative console
 Prepared category structure and hundreds of documents for migration to Clearspace using Clearspace administrative
console; set up community structures in new architecture after migration
October 2002 to March 2004; April 2001 to August 2001
Information Developer 2, BMC Software, Inc., Houston, Texas, www.bmc.com
 Wrote and edited service management documentation using FrameMaker, Documentum, Siebel, and Vantive; used
Vantive to manage technical bulletins
 Developed and delivered specialized training for new writer while leading critical project with tight deadline
 Researched, wrote, and edited online help, getting started guides, and hardcopy and online release notes for Internet
service management software products using FrameMaker, RoboHelp, and Acrobat
 Worked with local and remote developers, QA representatives, and marketing specialists to develop technical
documents and to provide input on product development
 Served as editing resource for my team; provided FrameMaker assistance and other technical support

2. Karen Farrell Page 2
January 1996 to April 2001
Principal Technical Writer, GX Technology Corporation, Houston, Texas, www.gxt.com
 Managed documentation projects for five geophysical modeling and imaging software products from planning stage
and template design to printing or online delivery using FrameMaker, Acrobat, RoboHelp, and ForeHelp
 Hired and directed contract writers
 Researched, designed, wrote, and edited award-winning online help, hardcopy and online user guides, training
manuals, and installation guides
 Developed and maintained documentation site on corporate intranet
 Edited newsletters, website, technical reports, and award-winning marketing materials and journal articles
 Maintained corporate style guide for use in all external communications
 Worked with scientists, developers, marketing specialists, and senior managers to develop technical documents and
corporate communications; assisted support staff in presenting user training classes
EDUCATION
August 1992 to May 1996
B.S. in Professional Writing, Summa Cum Laude, May 1996, University of Houston-Downtown, www.uhd.edu
 Coursework in technical writing, technical editing, advanced grammar, online documentation, print production, and
journalism (GPA: 4.0)
 Peer Tutor, UHD Writing Center, Fall 1994 and Spring 1995
– Assisted in the development of remedial English coursework and instructed students in the course
– Tutored students in English, from remedial level to upper-level professional writing
 Student Representative, Student Publications Committee, Spring 1995 through Spring 1996
 Senior Writer, Dateline (university newspaper), Fall 1994
– Conducted interviews; researched and wrote articles; reported on student government
– Edited articles for style compliance and content
 Assistant Editor, Bayou Review (university literary journal), Fall 1994
– Solicited entries; recruited faculty judges
– Edited written entries and assisted writers
HONORS AND AWARDS
Professional—Society for Technical Communication, www.stc.org
 Houston Chapter Technical Art, Publications, and Online Competitions. Awards: four Distinguished, seven Excellence,
five Merit, two Achievement
 International Online Communication Competition. Award of Merit
 International Technical Publications Competition. Award of Merit
Academic—University of Houston-Downtown, www.uhd.edu
 Student Representative (delivered valedictory address), Class of 1995 – 1996
 The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
 The Professional Writing Award of Excellence, Spring 1996
 Delphian Scholar, 1994 – 1996; Helen Tedens Scholarship, 1994 – 1995; Colleen Edling Award, 1995 – 1996
 Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1993 – 1994 and 1994 –1995
 Dean's List, Fall 1992 to Spring 1996
CHARITABLE WORK
Sponsor, Webmaster, and Baseball Representative, Alvin High School Baseball, www.alvinbaseball.org
September 2008 – Present
 Provide monetary and equipment donations
 Host, design, develop, and maintain website; create and maintain social media sites; design promotional flyers
 Act as baseball representative in the Alvin Yellowjacket Booster Club committee
President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Communications Director, Bay Area Baseball Association
March 2006 – October 2010
 Oversee directors and volunteers; direct baseball league play and tournaments; participate in new field development;
manage finances; manage all corporate and nonprofit functions
 Host, design, develop, and maintain award-winning website; maintain email accounts; design graphics; develop
internal documentation and templates; write press releases and marketing materials; communicate with teams;
vendors, and sponsors; design logo; prepare and submit 501(c)(3) application and accompanying materials
CREDENTIALS
 Current resume, list of awards, and references (password protected) availalable on www.farrelldoc.com