As a technical writer, your resume is your first impression to potential employers. It’s essential to create a resume that stands out from the crowd and showcases your skills and experience. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to write a technical writer resume that will catch the attention of hiring managers. We’ll also provide you with examples of successful technical writer resumes to help you get started.
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How to Write Technical Writer Resume That Stands Out?
To write a technical writer resume that stands out, you need to focus on highlighting your skills and experience clearly and concisely. Here are some tips to help you create a winning technical writer resume:
- Focus on your skills: Technical writing requires a specific set of skills, including excellent writing and communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently. Make sure to highlight these skills in your resume.
- Showcase your experience: Your experience is one of the most important factors in your resume. Make sure to highlight your experience in technical writing, including any relevant projects or publications.
- Use keywords: Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. To ensure your resume gets past the ATS, use keywords that are relevant to the job description.
- Quantify your achievements: Use numbers and statistics to quantify your achievements. For example, if you improved the readability of a technical document, include the percentage increase.
- Customize your resume: Customize your resume for each job application. Tailor your skills and experience to match the job description.
By following these tips, you can create a technical writer resume that stands out from the crowd. Remember to keep your resume concise and easy to read, and focus on highlighting your skills and experience. With a winning technical writer resume, you’ll be on your way to landing your dream job.
What Recruiters Consider in Technical Writer Resume?
When recruiters receive a technical writer’s resume, they look for specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements. The first thing they consider is the candidate’s education and experience in technical writing. Recruiters prefer candidates with a degree in technical writing, English, or a related field. They also look for candidates with experience in technical writing, such as creating user manuals, online help systems, and other technical documentation.
Recruiters also consider the candidate’s writing skills. Technical writers must have excellent writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling. They should be able to write clearly and concisely, using technical terms and jargon appropriately. Recruiters look for candidates who can write in a variety of formats, such as user manuals, online help systems, and technical reports.
Finally, recruiters consider the candidate’s technical skills. Technical writers must have a good understanding of the subject matter they are writing about. They should be able to understand technical concepts and explain them in a way that is easy for non-technical people to understand. Recruiters look for candidates who have experience with technical tools and software, such as Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, and Microsoft Word.
Key Elements to Include in Your Technical Writer Resume
When creating a technical writer’s resume, it is important to include key elements that will catch the recruiter’s attention. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Technical Writing Experience: Include your experience in technical writing, such as creating user manuals, online help systems, and technical reports.
- Education: List your degree in technical writing, English, or a related field.
- Writing Skills: Highlight your writing skills, including grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
- Technical Skills: List your experience with technical tools and software, such as Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, and Microsoft Word.
- Subject Matter Expertise: Include your knowledge of technical concepts and your ability to explain them in a way that is easy for non-technical people to understand.
- Portfolio: Provide a link to your online portfolio that showcases your technical writing samples.
By including these key elements in your technical writer’s resume, you can increase your chances of catching the recruiter’s attention and landing your dream job.
Technical Writer Resume Examples
If you’re looking for inspiration for your technical writer resume, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll share four examples of technical writer resumes to help you craft your own. Each example showcases a different resume template, so you can choose the one that best fits your experience and skills.
Technical Writer Chronological Resume Example – 1
John Doe
123 Main Street
Anytown, USA 12345
(123) 456-7890
Objective:
To obtain a technical writer position in a dynamic organization where I can utilize my writing and communication skills to create clear and concise technical documentation.
Experience:
The chronological resume template is a popular choice for technical writers with a solid work history. This template highlights your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. It’s a great way to showcase your career progression and demonstrate your expertise in the field. Use this template if you have a consistent work history and want to emphasize your experience.
Technical Writer Chronological Resume Example – 2
John Doe
1234 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Objective:
To obtain a technical writer position in a dynamic and challenging environment where I can utilize my writing and communication skills to create clear and concise technical documentation.
Experience:
The chronological resume template is a traditional format that lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job. This format is ideal for job seekers who have a consistent work history and want to highlight their career progression. The template includes sections for objective, experience, and education, and can be customized to fit your specific skills and qualifications. This example showcases a technical writer’s experience and education, highlighting their ability to write and edit technical documentation for software and hardware products.
Technical Writer Functional Resume Example – 1
John Doe
123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Summary
Experienced technical writer with over 5 years of experience creating user manuals, online help systems, and other technical documentation. Skilled in Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Professional Experience
Technical Writer, XYZ Company
June 2018 – Present
- Create and maintain user manuals for software products
- Develop online help systems using MadCap Flare
- Collaborate with software developers and product managers to ensure accuracy and completeness of documentation
Technical Writer, ABC Corporation
January 2016 – May 2018
- Wrote and edited technical documentation for hardware products
- Managed documentation projects from start to finish
- Developed and maintained style guides and templates
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English, XYZ University
Technical Writing Certificate, ABC College
This functional resume example highlights the candidate’s skills and experience as a technical writer. The summary section provides an overview of the candidate’s qualifications, while the professional experience section focuses on specific job duties and accomplishments. The education section highlights relevant degrees and certifications. This format is ideal for candidates with a strong skill set and relevant experience, but may have gaps in their employment history.
Technical Writer Functional Resume Example – 2
John Doe
123 Main Street, Anytown, USA 12345
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Summary
Experienced technical writer with over 5 years of experience creating user manuals, online help systems, and other technical documentation. Skilled in Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, and Microsoft Office Suite. Strong attention to detail and ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Professional Experience
Technical Writer, XYZ Corporation
June 2018 – Present
- Create and maintain user manuals for software products
- Develop online help systems using MadCap Flare
- Collaborate with software developers and product managers to ensure accuracy and completeness of documentation
Technical Writer, ABC Company
January 2016 – May 2018
- Wrote and edited technical documentation for hardware products
- Developed and maintained internal knowledge base using Confluence
- Collaborated with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and completeness of documentation
Education
Bachelor of Arts in English, University of Anytown
Graduated May 2015
This functional resume example highlights the candidate’s skills and experience as a technical writer. The summary section provides a brief overview of the candidate’s qualifications, while the professional experience section focuses on specific job duties and accomplishments. The education section is included to demonstrate the candidate’s academic background. This format is ideal for candidates with relevant experience but may have gaps in their employment history or are changing careers.
Technical Writer Combination Resume Example – 1
This Technical Writer combination resume example showcases the candidate’s experience and skills in creating technical documentation. The objective statement highlights the candidate’s goal of obtaining a Technical Writer position, while the summary section provides an overview of their experience and skills. The professional experience section details the candidate’s work history, including their responsibilities and accomplishments in previous Technical Writer roles. The education section lists the candidate’s degree and university. This combination resume format is ideal for candidates with a mix of work experience and education, as it allows them to highlight both in a clear and concise manner.
Technical Writer Combination Resume Example – 2
John Doe
1234 Example Street, Anytown USA 12345
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected]
Summary
Experienced technical writer with over 5 years of experience in creating user manuals, online help systems, and technical documentation. Proficient in Adobe FrameMaker, Microsoft Word, and MadCap Flare. Skilled in project management and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality documentation.
Professional Experience
This combination resume example showcases the candidate’s experience and skills in technical writing. The summary section highlights the candidate’s proficiency in various software tools and project management skills. The professional experience section lists the candidate’s previous roles as a technical writer, including their responsibilities and achievements. The education section lists the candidate’s degree in technical communication. This resume format is ideal for candidates who have relevant work experience and want to highlight their skills and achievements.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Writing Technical Writer Resume
As a technical writer, your resume is your first impression on potential employers. It is essential to make sure that your resume is well-written, concise, and highlights your skills and experience. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when writing your technical writer resume.
Do’s:
- Highlight your technical skills: Technical writing requires a specific set of skills, including knowledge of technical terminology, software, and tools. Make sure to highlight your technical skills and experience in your resume.
- Use bullet points: Use bullet points to make your resume easy to read and scan. This will help potential employers quickly identify your skills and experience.
- Showcase your writing skills: Your resume is an opportunity to showcase your writing skills. Make sure to use clear, concise language and proper grammar and punctuation.
- Include relevant experience: Include any relevant experience you have, such as technical writing projects or internships. This will show potential employers that you have practical experience in the field.
- Customize your resume: Customize your resume for each job you apply for. This will show potential employers that you have taken the time to tailor your application to their specific needs.
Don’ts:
- Include irrelevant information: Avoid including irrelevant information, such as hobbies or personal interests. Stick to information that is relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Use jargon: While technical writing requires knowledge of technical terminology, avoid using jargon in your resume. Use clear, concise language that is easy to understand.
- Make it too long: Keep your resume concise and to the point. Avoid making it too long or including unnecessary information.
- Forget to proofread: Make sure to proofread your resume carefully for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling. A well-written, error-free resume will make a better impression on potential employers.
- Use a generic template: Avoid using a generic resume template. Instead, create a custom resume that showcases your skills and experience.
Conclusion
Writing a technical writer resume can be challenging, but by following these do’s and don’ts, you can create a resume that highlights your skills and experience and makes a great impression on potential employers. Remember to customize your resume for each job you apply for and to proofread carefully for errors. With a well-written, concise resume, you can land your dream job as a technical writer.