Technical Writer Jobs

Technical writer jobs
getting one with little to no experience

Technical writers, or technical communicators, put technical information into easily understandable language. At least that's what they are suppose to do. This is why technical writer jobs are so important!

You know when you buy a new DVD player or exercise equipment, it comes with a manual that tells you about how to make it work. It explains all the great features and helps you to become familiar with your new toy. Now what would happen if that manual was in a language you didn't understand? Well, you get my point. Technical writers need to write simple directions that a five year old can understand.

Some of the documents they produce are are operating instructions, how-to manuals, assembly instructions, and other documentation needed for online help and by technical support staff, consumers, and other users within the company or industry.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in doing you are probably wondering how you can get started and where you can find one of these technical writer jobs.

Education and Training

Employers may look for candidates with a bachelor’s degree, often preferring those with a major in communications, English or journalism. Some technical writing jobs may require both experience and either a degree or knowledge in a specialized field. For example, computers, engineering, or one of the sciences; others prefer a background in liberal arts.

In some cases, knowledge of a second language is helpful and can help to broaden your job search. Experience in Web design and computer graphics also is helpful, because of the growing use of online technical documentation.

Technical writer jobs also require writers to have excellent writing and communication skills and be able to express ideas clearly and logically in a variety of media.

Employment

There are technical writers in almost every industry, but they are concentrated in industries related to computer systems and software, publishing, science, and engineering. The computer systems design industry employs the most technical writers. Also, there are many freelance technical writers that work in all of these fields and do very well.

Finding a Job

There are several ways to find a technical writer job.

• Join the STC - This is the professional organization for technical communicators called the Society for technical communication.
  
  Although this will not get you a technical writing job, it can bring you into contact with many people to network with, who can help you in your career.
  
  
• Search technical writing sites for jobs
  
  Dice.com
  
  justtechwriterjobs.com
  
  http://www.flipdog.com/
  
  Monster.com
  
  Vault.com
  
  
• Create a Book of Writing Samples

  Your sample book does not have to be all technical writing, but I would recommend that there is at least one sample that consists of some type of instructions to something. Obviously, if you are focusing on the technical writing field, you want to build a book that displays your talent in that area.
  
  

• Get an Internship

  An internship is when you work for a company for a specified period of time for little or no pay. Internships are great to gain experience and contacts in the field. They are frequently offered through colleges or universities, but you can attempt to set one up yourself. Just find companies you'd like to work for, then contact their Human Resources departments to see if they are interested in obtaining two months of free labor. Be sure to write down the names of the people you meet and ask for referrals if you have done a good job.
  
  

  
  
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