Technical writers produce well-documented material that is essential to the medical field, business, technology, and the scientific industry, as well as many other fields. They create educational manuals, corporate communications, informative material and texts of all kinds, from the most concise to the most detailed of thousands of pages. Traditionally, technical writing jobs are well paid because specific skills and knowledge are required to produce technical material; however, there is stiff competition in the industry. Initially, you need to look for a beginner job in order to gain the necessary experience to aim for higher salaries or to become a freelancer. Find out how to get yourself a first work experience in the field of technical writing.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Education Required for Technical Writing
Step 1. Enroll in a graduate program that offers a writer's program
Since technical writing and communication courses are quite rare, you may want to choose a degree in creative writing or literature, following specific courses in technical writing and communication. Most of the people who work in this field are university graduates and it will be easier to get a job with specific training in the sector.
Step 2. Choose your particular field of technical writing
Those who graduate in technical writing and communication usually choose a specialization - technical, medical or scientific. Choose the sector that seems most interesting to you, in order to acquire the style, terminology and practices essential to work in that specific area.
If you are not enrolled in a technical writing and communication course, consider a double major in literature and another subject that interests you, such as computer science, biology, graphic design, medicine, engineering, law or mechanics. After all, you need specific knowledge to work as a technical writer. If you have no way of attending university, go to a library, read and study alone
Step 3. Enroll in a technical writing course at a local university, training institution, Society for Technical Communication (STC.org) or COM & TEC (Italian Association for Technical Communication)
Make sure the course provides all the necessary skills to produce a technical document, a valid certification in the countries you want to work in and some sort of specialization.
A technical writing course should offer the basics for carrying out information analysis, in-depth research and effective interviews, the basics of graphics and design, the basics for producing documents, presentations, testing, editing, publishing and revising
Step 4. Hone your computer skills
While you probably already take computer science classes at school, you need to be able to use Microsoft Office, Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe Creative Suite, Madcap Flare, Author-it, Microsoft Visio, Lotus Notes, and HTML. These are all tools used in technical writing environments and can be prerequisites for some types of work.
Step 5. Add a qualification in a new sector
This will increase your relevance in the technical writing market, allowing you to broaden your job search and find employment more easily.
Method 2 of 3: Work Experience Required
Step 1. Join the Society for Technical Communication (STC.org) or consult the COM & TEC (Italian Association for Technical Communication) website
Read "Intercom", the "Technical Communication Journal" or comtec-italia.org to get an overview of what is currently published in the field of technical writing.
Step 2. Offer to do free technical writing if you have never produced any technical text
You will need professional technical writing examples to include in your portfolio. Here's how you can start gaining experience:
- Write to COM & TEC. Ask if they know of any volunteer projects to help you gain experience.
- Call local businesses and ask them if they need help drafting a technical document or instructional manual. Most companies will jump for joy at the opportunity to have a trained person produce a manual for free. Make sure you specify how many hours you are willing to work, what days and what you are capable of producing.
- Work on an open source project. Open Office, WordPress, LDS Tech are all open source projects available for free on the Internet. Volunteer and track hours spent improving their instructional or technical texts.
- Learn new programs or skills and write a teaching manual related to those topics. Take the initiative to produce a research paper with a professional appearance, even if you do not have a contract to do so. Offer it for free on a website or blog, so your work has an audience.
Step 3. Create your portfolio
Make sure your excerpts are flawless, improve the layout and graphics to make them more interesting, then make well-designed digital and physical versions of them for your portfolio.
- Include 10 to 15 different excerpts of technical texts. For example, include a video tutorial, articles, a user manual, Help files, excerpts from a work manual, and anything else that can demonstrate your experience. Write a short introduction, presenting the texts you wrote, the purpose for which you wrote them and any tools used.
- Create a digital portfolio on a website. You can create your own site on WordPress for free. Make sure it is well structured and easily accessible. It should be completely free of grammatical errors.
- Include any relevant educational experiences at the end of the portfolio. Even if there is information on your resume, it is important to highlight any awards, published essays, and high marks you have received during your specialist studies.
Step 4. Create a resume
Choose formatting that highlights your experience, including volunteering and the type of education. Make sure it's flawless and well designed.
You should change your resume for each job application. Highlight skills related to that job and specific industry sector, rather than producing a generic resume for any occupation
Method 3 of 3: Job Search Strategies
Step 1. Find a mentor
Getting into this field can be daunting. If you live in the United States, contact your local STC office to ask if you can meet an experienced technical writer. He could give you advice, direct you to the job market or point you to companies that are looking for people with little or no experience.
Step 2. Move to a metropolis
You'll have a better chance of finding novice jobs in big cities than in smaller towns.
Step 3. Consider starting a technical communication blog
Showing passion and flair for this job can set you apart from the competition. Regularly publish articles with a special emphasis on the technical topics you know best.
Step 4. Take advantage of the search engines for job postings
Look for positions available for inexperienced technical writers. It won't be easy, especially as there is a lot of competition in this field, but at least you will get familiar with the job market.
Step 5. Make a list of contacts
List all major companies hiring technical writers in any position. Compose a spreadsheet listing companies, industry, contact information, and any special notes or qualifications required.
Step 6. Call or email companies directly
Ask them to consider you for any entry-level assignments and keep your resume on file. To be on the safe side, contact between 50 and 100 companies.
Step 7. Make good contacts by attending seminars, job fairs and major technical events
Keep in touch with the industry. They may be able to advise you on possible entry-level positions.
