technical writer's resume

FIRST OF ALL, above any considerations of technical aptitude, organizational habits, or familiarity with documentation technologies, you must be able to WRITE - and this must be displayed through your professional looking resume!

Of course you can write, you're a technical writer aren't you?

On the contrary, many people involved in the field of technical documentation concentrate solely on trying to be experts in the technology they are documenting, and completely ignore the fact that the knowledge they are developing must be communicated to someone else--most likely someone with far less technical aptitude. As a result, they view the material that they write as "dry" or "non-creative", and this underlying philosophy becomes very obvious through sentences and paragraphs that are lifeless and uninteresting.

YOU must show that you are different! Through your resume, you must convey the fact that you have a passion for technical documentation and understand its place in the overall communication environment.

Here is a a comprehensive list of qualities that the perfect technical writer would possess. A few of the main areas are briefly described below. It will be of EXTREME IMPORTANCE that you find a way to show these qualities to your audience through your resume - they will set you apart from the other candidates and increase your chances of getting the INTERVIEW!

Technical writer resume qualities #1

You must display/convey the ability to translate a morass of technical details into a clear hierarchy of concepts. Such a quality encompasses the ability to think logically, and then clearly communicate one’s thoughts to others. In many cases, the writer must have the ability to communicate this information in different ways, depending on the audience. This is, after all, what technical writing is all about.

Technical writer resume qualities #2

Point out that you have knowledge and give attention to document design. This is not about being a graphic designer. Technical writers must understand the relationships between various components of a document, and be consistent in applying them. Such attention to document design will help the reader understand the concepts being presented.

Technical writer resume qualities #3

Consistency in editing. The writer should have a solid understanding of the rules of the language he or she is working in, know how to use them properly, and know when those rules can be bent.

Technical writer qualities #4

Ability to plan one's workload. Another logical thinking quality, this ability allows the writer to take a murky collection of project requirements and translate them into a clear and comprehensive set of tasks. The resulting schedule that can be developed will help identify potential trouble areas, and minimize headaches for both writers and their managers.

Technical writer qualities #5

Proper and consistent reporting habits. This quality involves the ability to understand that tasks assigned by a manager are a priority, and that it is up to the writer to figure out when and how the task can be completed, or to alert the manager to potential problems and provide alternatives. It’s alright to be told how to do this the first few times, but it is a skill that the writer must pick up quite quickly.

Technical writer qualities #6

Establishing and maintaining a good rapport with clients. This starts with the client's first impression, so good presentation and appearance is a must, along with a pleasant demeanour. Writers should have the ability to identify a client’s requirements and then find a blend between what the client wants and what the writing team can offer.

Technical writer resume qualities #7

Good knowledge of documentation tools. These days, knowing how to properly use a wide range of wordprocessing packages or on-line help tools is crucial. Knowing how to use the tool is often a key aspect in integrating the final product into a client's environment.

Technical writer resume qualities #8

Desire and ability to learn new concepts. No one can be an expert in every subject area, but the technical writer is often required to write about a wide range of topics. Being able to perform research efficiently, and quickly pick up key knowledge components is a vital skill in ensuring the versatility of any technical writer.

Technical writer resume qualities - wrap up!

Of course, there are some qualities that will be more important to your prospective employer than others, and you will have to do your research and find out what your evaluators are looking for!

No writer will ever possess the perfect set of skills. The main goal for you should be to highlight core set of skills that your employer will be looking for - DO YOUR RESEARCH!

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