How to Start a Career in Tech Writing

Technical writers need to be able to make technical jargon understandable.

Technical writing, or tech writing, can be a very profitable writing career because it is specialized. Having technical experience in the specific type of technology for which you apply is helpful, but not necessary. Companies have already hired technical experts to develop new product.s What they need is someone who can explain how to use those products to their customers. To become a successful technical writer, you need to be able to write well, be curious about technology and be able to interview experts and decipher their technical lingo and make it accessible to a general audience.

Instructions

1. Get a comprehensive education. Many technical writers were journalism or English majors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While this teaches writing, it doesn't teach technical writing. While in college you can pursue a writing major, but make sure you take electives in technical writing. You should also consider a minor in a technical field that you are interested in working in. This will give you a leg up on other writers competing for technical writing jobs. A bachelor's degree is usually sufficient for a professional technical writer.

2. Join the Society for Technical Communication. This is the trade organization for technical writers. Becoming a member is something you can list on your resume. Plus, you will be able to network with other technical writers in your job hunt. You can also take part in seminars, conferences and workshops that will help you improve your skills.

3. Apply to companies looking for technical writers. Look through your local newspaper job listings and do Internet searches on the various job databases. Look around at the technical companies near where you live and apply to them as a technical writer.

4. Create an error-free resume. When you apply to most companies, you will need to submit your resume. Since you are just starting on your technical writing career, it will be scarce on experience. However, the resume itself is a form of writing. It should be error free, not only free of grammatical errors but also formatting errors. As for experience, emphasize any technical writing experience, followed by writing experience, technical experience and finally general experience.

5. Know how to use the software used by the company to which you are applying. This becomes particularly important if you are light on experience. While a company may be willing to accept a writer with little experience who knows their software or vice versa, they are less willing to accept an inexperienced writer who doesn't know their software. This means that you would have two learning curves to work through. Learn Microsoft Word and Excel. You should also know Adobe Framemaker and InDesign. All of these programs are frequently used with technical writing. Knowing them allows you to not only write documents but to format them and get them ready for use.

6. Pass the writing/editing test. Many companies will administer a writing/editing test to candidates to see just how well they can deal with technical material. While you should be honest in your evaluation, be tactful in how you phrase any comments about the material. If you get the job, you will be dealing with the writing of experts who often feel they don't need editing. Showing tact on your test will also show the evaluator that you can probably deal with the experts at the company where you are applying.

References

• Doc Symmetry: Getting a Technical Writing Job, Even If You Have No Experience
• About Freelance Writing: How Can I Become a Technical Writer?
• Society for Technical Communcation Home Page
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Technical Writers
• Washington D.C. Society for Technical Communication: Communication