Technical Writer Resume: Guidelines & Example for Download

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As a Technical Writer, you can draft an amazing how-to guide, and create clear instructions. If your job applications have been off the mark, this time, use our foolproof resume templates to know exactly how to draft a job-winning resume.

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Just as a well-written manual simplifies complex concepts, a finely crafted resume can translate your technical writing skills into the key to unlocking your next job opportunity. 

This article will provide you with a guide for building a resume that not only documents your skills but also demonstrates them:

• Summary/objective: Craft a summary or objective that doesn’t just introduce you, but convinces the reader you are a skilled and capable Technical Writer.
• Telling your tale in the experience section: Turn your career journey into an engaging story with bullet-point precision.
• Educational pathways and certifications: Align your academic achievements and certifications with your career aspirations.
• Listing your skills like a pro: Blending the soft with the hard, the essential with the exceptional.
• Including AI Skills: Position yourself as a forward-thinking Technical Writer
• Other sections: Add personal flair to your resume, turning hobbies and interests into professional assets.

Ready to transform your career narrative? Discover how to write a resume that not only features your technical writing talent but also shines a spotlight on your professional achievements. 

Dive into these strategies and write your way into your dream job with a resume that speaks volumes.

Just as a well-documented manual guides you through complex processes, viewing a sample resume can be your blueprint for crafting your own standout career story. 

Here’s a glimpse into what a successful Technical Writer’s resume embodies.

Resume Example

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[Simon Thompson]

[Technical Writer]

[Atlanta, GA | simon.thompson@example.com | (555) 500-5555]

Summary

Innovative and resourceful technical writer with over 5 years of writing experience in crafting internal and end-user support and learning documentation. Produced over 50% of technical manuals at Star Tech and received an award for boosting customer satisfaction by 20%. Seeking to increase customer satisfaction at Samsung and expand brand loyalty.

Experience

Technical Writer

Star Tech | Atlanta, GA

2019 – present

• Worked directly with experts to prepare a manual of product operation
• Prepared 50% of technical end-user manuals for flagship products
• Trained an additional 4 technical writers on research process and writing
• Contributed to a 20% customer satisfaction increase

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Media

University of Florida | Gainesville, FL

(2018)

Skills

• Copywriting
• Content writing
• Strategic planning
• Technological Research
• Content strategy
• Client Management
• Internal and External Communication
• Graphic Design
• Blog Writing

Certification

• Technical writing course, OSU, 2021
• Certificate course in Structured Writing for Technical Documentation, 2020
• Technical Writing, Communicaid, 2019

Hobbies

• Photography
• Chess
• Travel

For Technical Writers, the reverse-chronological resume format is the editorial choice for success. This format aligns perfectly with the clarity and structured approach inherent in technical writing. 

Listing your experiences from the most recent to the oldest mirrors the methodical documentation style you’re familiar with. Additionally, it makes your career progression clear and logical to potential employers. 

While your resume should exhibit your technical writing flair, it’s crucial to maintain simplicity and comprehensibility, ensuring that your professional story is both engaging and easy to follow.

Regardless of the resume-suitable fonts or formats you choose, you need to keep an eye on a couple of things. First, select a professional font for the resume that will make it appealing and easy for the reader. 

And, of course, be short and precise, and don’t overburden the resume content with needless information.

If you have a long academic background and are applying for work in a scientific field, or in academics, you may need to write a longer CV rather than a resume. Always check the job listing.

In the world of technical writing, where conciseness meets clarity, resume summaries reign supreme. 

This is true even for entry-level Technical Writers, as a well-crafted summary offers a quick overview, akin to an executive summary in a technical document. 

It’s a snapshot of your educational background, relevant work experience, certifications, and key qualifications – all rolled into one.

While resume objectives are still an option for those starting their career, think of summaries as the default template. 

They align better with recruiters’ preferences, offering a concise encapsulation of your capabilities and potential contributions, much like a well-indexed document that guides readers straight to the essential points. 

Technical Writer Resume Objective Example

Crafting a Techical Writer resume with no experience is stressful for applying candidates, However, you have options.

It might be challenging to write a captivating objective, but you’ll be safe if you provide some crucial information in it, such as:

• Reasons for applying for the job position
• Information on education and certifications
• Job-specific skills
• Your potential contribution to the company

A good example of this would be the following:

Technical Writer Resume Summary Example

Crafting an engaging resume summary can seem challenging, especially for newcomers to technical writing, but it’s an essential component of your professional presentation.

A summary on your Technical Writer resume with no experience is an opportunity to make a strong first impression. To compose an effective one, focus on incorporating key elements like:

• Your motivation and enthusiasm for the technical writing role.
• Highlights of your educational background and any relevant certifications.
• Specific skills that are applicable to technical writing.
• Potential contributions and value you can bring to the company.

A well-written summary is like the introduction to a technical document – it sets the tone and gives a preview of the value contained within.

Take a look at the following summary example of an entry-level candidate:

Example

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Summary

Newly certified Technical Writer with a Bachelor’s in English, eager to bring a fresh perspective to API documentation. Successfully completed over 200 hours of academic and practical training in clear, concise content creation, highly motivated to apply these skills at Company XYZ.

Now, examine a summary example from an experienced applicant:

Example

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Summary

Seasoned Technical Writer with 8 years of experience, specializing in creating comprehensive user manuals and online help systems. Instrumental in revamping the documentation process at TechSolutions Inc., leading to a 30% increase in user satisfaction. Proficient in using tools like MadCap Flare and Adobe FrameMaker to produce high-quality, user-centric documentation.

15 Technical Writer Resume Keywords You Should Consider

Like a masterful index guiding you through a complex document, these 15 Technical Writer resume keywords are the secret ingredients to constructing an effective and standout resume. 

1. Documentation Management
2. User Manuals Development
3. API Documentation
4. Technical Editing
5. Content Strategy
6. Information Architecture
7. Content Management Systems (CMS)
8. Markup Languages (HTML/XML)
9. Structured Authoring
10. Process Improvement
11. Knowledge Base Creation
12. Instructional Design
13. Software Documentation
14. User Experience (UX) Writing
15. Version Control Systems

Note which ones are in the job description and include them in your summary or objective, skills list, and experience section, where applicable.

What’s more, if you combine these with powerful action verbs and descriptive adjectives, you can really make an impact on a recruiter.

For a Technical Writer, the experience section of your resume should highlight your adaptability, project diversity, and impact. 

It’s essential to illustrate how your skills and projects align closely with the job you’re applying for.

Consider the following tips when writing your experience section:

• Highlight project diversity: Showcase a range of projects that demonstrate your versatility in technical writing.
• Quantify your impact: Use metrics to illustrate the scope and impact of your work, such as the number of projects completed, client satisfaction rates, or efficiency improvements.
• Mirror job description language: Reflect the language and requirements of the job description to demonstrate your suitability for the role.
• Emphasize collaboration and independence: Show how you’ve effectively collaborated with clients or teams, and also how you’ve successfully managed projects independently.

Technical Writer Resume Examples: Experience

Below you can see and compare the wrong and right way to prepare an experience section for a tech writer’s resume.

This example is very vague, listing generic responsibilities without providing concrete details or achievements.

This example, in contrast, gives specific numbers and project types, showing the writer’s versatility and impact. It demonstrates the ability to enhance processes and collaborate effectively, directly addressing skills important for a Technical Writer.

Listing Freelance Technical Writing Work on Your Resume

When incorporating freelance work into your Freelance Technical Writer Resume, it’s crucial to detail your experience in a way that highlights your skills, versatility, and the breadth of your projects. 

Check the following example for further guidance:

Example

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Freelance Experience

Freelance Technical Writer

Self-Employed

January 2018 – Present

• Developed and maintained a diverse portfolio of technical documents, including user manuals, how-to guides, and API documentation, catering to clients in industries such as software development, healthcare, and engineering.
• Leveraged tools like OpenAI’s GPT-3 for efficient content generation, enhancing project turnaround by 25% while maintaining high-quality standards.
• Collaborated with clients to tailor content strategies, successfully increasing user comprehension and engagement by 30% for several key projects.
• Conducted thorough research and transformed complex technical information into accessible, user-friendly content, demonstrating a keen ability to adapt tone and style to various audiences.
• Managed all aspects of the freelance business, including client communication, project management, and invoicing, demonstrating strong organizational and entrepreneurial skills.

This section should be tailored to reflect the unique aspects of your freelance career, emphasizing the skills, tools, and achievements that make you stand out as a Technical Writer.

Technical Writers often hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or related fields. 

Relevant certifications, such as the Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) can enhance your profile. 

Working as a technical writer will require you to constantly upgrade your knowledge about the industry and keep up to date with novelties. Be curious and try to learn as much as you can about the field of work.

This will not only help you get the desired job but also help you advance in the workplace and show your employer they made the right decision by choosing you. 

Technical Writer Resume Education Section Sample

As with the working experience, try to match the education section to the requirements in the job description. Always list only the latest degree you have acquired.

Below is the right way to present your academic achievements.

Example

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Education

Master of Science in Technical Communication

Coral Springs University

2019

Technical Writers need to exhibit a blend of soft and hard skills. You need to demonstrate not only your writing and technical prowess but also your ability to adapt and communicate effectively in various contexts.

Before you start listing, think about which of them you actually possess. You’ll need basic IT and tech skills to start, but also creativity, the ability to communicate complex ideas, keep to tight deadlines, and receive constructive feedback.

What’s more, list only those that you are proficient in. In the table below, you can see the top soft and hard skills that technical writers need.

In addition to these skills, Technical Writers need to stay updated with industry trends and continuously develop their skills. 

This might include learning new software, keeping up with the latest writing methodologies, or understanding emerging technologies in their field of expertise. 

Highlighting these skills on your resume demonstrates your current capabilities. Furthermore, it also shows your potential to grow and adapt in the role of a Technical Writer.

Embracing AI in Technical Writing: A Must-Have Skill Set

AI continues to revolutionize the field of technical writing, so proficiency in generative AI tools has become highly prized. Expertise in critically evaluating and refining content generated by artificial intelligence tools has also become a hot commodity in the industry.

These skills underscore a technical writer’s ability to adapt and thrive in a landscape where technology and human expertise intersect to produce high-quality, accurate documentation:

• Generative AI tools proficiency: Demonstrated experience in utilizing AI-based writing tools (such as OpenAI’s GPT-4) for drafting, editing, and optimizing technical content.
• AI-content optimization: Skilled in refining AI-generated drafts to enhance clarity, coherence, and technical accuracy, ensuring the final content meets industry standards.
• Fact-checking AI outputs: Proficient in verifying the accuracy of data and information produced by AI, employing a rigorous fact-checking methodology to maintain content integrity.
• AI-driven research: Adept at leveraging AI for efficient research and data gathering, streamlining the content development process while ensuring factual correctness.
• Ethical AI use: Knowledgeable in the ethical considerations and limitations of using AI in technical writing, ensuring responsible and appropriate application of AI tools.

By adding these skills to your resume, you position yourself as a forward-thinking technical writer.  You’ll demonstrate that you can keep pace with technological advancements while upholding the highest standards of content accuracy and reliability.

Including diverse sections in your resume can significantly boost its appeal. It allows you to showcase your versatility and engagement beyond traditional academic and professional realms. 

These sections provide a glimpse into who you are beyond your credentials, potentially tipping the scales in your favor.

If preparing a Junior Technical Writer resume, this is a unique chance to grab the attention of the recruiter. Include any relevant school projects, hobbies, volunteer work, language skills, or other interests that might resonate.

Technical Writer Resume Sample Extra Sections

Put the spotlight on your best features in this section. Aside from professional or personal projects you worked on, you can list conferences that might spike the interest of the recruiter, any rewards received for your accomplishments, your most recognized past publications, etc. 

The right way to create any extra sections is given in the example below.

Example

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Certifications

• Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC), Society for Technical Communication – June 2023
• Advanced Technical Writing Certificate, OSU – December 2022

Blogs and Publications

• Contributor to ‘TechWrite Daily’ Blog – Regular articles on emerging tech writing trends
• Published article ‘The Evolution of API Documentation’ in ‘The Technical Communicator’ Journal – May 2022

Portfolio

• Online Portfolio: [Link] – Featuring a range of technical documents, user guides, and API documentation samples

Hobbies

• Photography: Specialize in landscape and nature photography
• Chess: Member of the local chess club, participated in regional tournaments
• Travel: Explored over 15 countries with a focus on cultural immersion

Languages

• Fluent in English and French
• Intermediate proficiency in Italian

Volunteer Work

• Technical Writing Volunteer for ‘Non-Profit Tech Aid’ – Assisting with their documentation needs
• Language Tutor for a local community center

Considering the scope of industries that technical writers may work in, similar to Copywriters, it is no wonder the challenges they face when creating a well-structured resume.

It’s time to sharpen your pencils and update your Technical Writer resume with these key pointers:

• Summarize with impact: Craft a brief, compelling summary or objective to immediately engage recruiters.
• Highlight achievements: Use bullet points in your experience section to spotlight your key achievements.
• Align education and certifications: Ensure academic and certification details match the job and industry needs.
• Showcase skills: Blend technical, soft, and AI skills to demonstrate your versatility.
• Include AI proficiency: Highlight your expertise in AI-driven tools and content optimization.
• Add personal flair: Enrich with additional sections on certifications, publications, hobbies, and volunteer work.

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