Technical writers are responsible for transforming complex instructions or information into digestible content that is easily understood by the target reader. The end result may be a how-to guide, instruction manual, journal article, etc. Right now there are over 25k technical writers in the US, and we are currently seeing an influx of professionals into this career post-covid, so it is particularly important, right now, for your resume to catch a recruiter's attention and impress.
The vast majority of technical writers have a bachelor’s degree so recruiters are bound to look for that in your resume. Note that your bachelor’s degree does not necessarily need to be in writing or English (though that would be a huge plus). Recruiters will also want to see a history of technical writing so if you have written any type of guide or journal article - even if it was in a previous career- ensure that that experience takes center stage in your experience section.
This resume guide was created for you in consultation with top recruiters in this field, and within the guide, you will get to see successful resume samples, recruiter tips, effective action verbs, and the most relevant skills recruiters want to see in your skills section. Use this guide’s material as inspiration as you develop your own resume.
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A technical writer writes content that gives information to a target audience. Some of the mediums used include guides, manuals, journal articles, etc. Your goal is to make complex information easily digestible and understandable. Your resume should show a strong background in technical writing and, preferably, a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field as well. Take a look at this recruiter-approved resume sample.
When applying to technical writing jobs, you should always include a portfolio. In this portfolio, include your strongest and most recognizable technical writing samples. This will give recruiters a better idea of what you can do.
Show that you are a well-rounded technical writer by mentioning the different mediums you write in. This applicant has included tutorials and product manuals among the mediums they have experience with.
Technical writing gives little space for creativity and is commonly used for laying out a company's procedures or giving very specific or educational information to their audience. This content includes manuals, guides, product instructions, etc. In most instances, you will be given the information you need to use, and your job will be to transform it into engaging and easily-read content.
A degree in English or a similar field would be beneficial but not absolutely necessary. A history writing technical copies, on the other hand, is essential to attract recruiters. Take a look at this impressive technical writer’s resume.
Go the extra mile by earning certification in technical writing. It’s an easy way to show recruiters your dedication and prove your skills. This is especially helpful if you are trying to transition into technical writing or just starting out.
If you generally specialize in writing for a specific industry, mention that in the intro to your resume. This is especially useful if you are applying for a job within that industry.
As the name suggests, this is a technical writer joining the industry. You would not be expected to have a wealth of experience but having any writing experience even outside of technical writing would be expected. Ensure that you build a strong skills section and have a clear title to help you get past ATS filters. Here is a successful resume sample.
To make up for your lack of experience, you can pursue certification in technical writing. It will show recruiters that you are passionate about the profession. The knowledge you will gain will also help you thrive in your work.
You may not have a lot of professional technical writing for your portfolio. If you don't, create a concept and create technical writing for it. E.g pick a product on the market and create a how-to manual for it. Just make sure to indicate that the content is a mock sample.
To be hired for this position, you need to show that you have years of experience as a technical writer and that you have had notable successes. Part of your job as a senior technical writer might also include managing or training other more junior technical writers. So showing leadership experience as well as your technical writer experience is key. Take a look at this successful resume sample.
This is not an entry-level position, and as such recruiters will want to see a progression in your career up to this point. Showing promotions in your career indicates to recruiters that you are an exemplary employee and have had a successful career. This applicant grew from a copywriter to a senior technical writer.
Metrics can be used to make your achievements clearer and more impressive. E.g it is more impressive to say that you ‘developed 300+ pages of a user guide’ than you ‘developed a user guide’. So where possible quantify your achievements.
We spoke with hiring managers and recruiters at top companies like IBM, Oracle, and Microsoft to gather their best tips for writing a strong technical writer resume. They've seen thousands of resumes throughout their careers and know exactly what makes a resume stand out. Here are their top tips for impressing hiring managers and landing more interviews.
Hiring managers want to see that you have the technical know-how to understand complex products and explain them clearly. Emphasize your knowledge of:
For example:
For technical writers, a resume summary is optional but can be a strategic way to provide additional context about your background, especially if you're changing careers or have a lot of experience. Avoid using an objective statement, as it's outdated and takes up valuable space. Instead, focus on crafting a concise, targeted summary that highlights your most relevant skills and experiences.
When writing your technical writer resume summary, be objective and use metrics to showcase your achievements. Incorporate keywords related to your target job title to optimize for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Keep your summary brief, ideally no more than one paragraph. While it's essential to showcase your skills, avoid directly mentioning soft skills like 'hardworking' or 'team player.' Instead, demonstrate these qualities through your accomplishments and experiences.
The work experience section is the most important part of your technical writer resume. It's where you show hiring managers how you've applied your writing, communication, and technical skills to create documentation that helps users.
In this section, we'll cover what to include in your work experience section, how to highlight your accomplishments, and how to make your experience stand out to hiring managers.
The education section of your resume is important for technical writers, especially if you are a recent graduate or have limited work experience. It's a chance to showcase your relevant coursework, academic achievements, and certifications that qualify you for the role. Here are some tips to help you write an effective education section:
Action verbs help shape your experiences and achievements. As a technical writer, your main goal is to create easily digestible and instructional content. You need your action verbs to show you are a creator, so you can use action verbs like ‘developed’ and ‘designed’. Because the content writing process is never a sole project and will require a lot of communication with various stakeholders, you can also show your ability to work with people with action verbs like ‘collaborated’ and ‘managed’. Here are 16 action verbs that may come in handy for you.
For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.
The skills section is an important part of a resume that is often not given enough attention, but it can be the reason you get an interview with a recruiter or not. As a technical writer, your tools kit is of utmost importance. Recruiters need to see that you have all the relevant software and programs necessary to create the content. Ensure that your tools list includes the most current software and programs. Recruiters also need to see the mediums you have used in the past so you should also include a short list of the mediums you have worked with. e.g manuals and guides.
Here is a list of very relevant skills. Add those that resonate with you and your abilities.
You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:
This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on Technical Writer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.
Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.
