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Professional Technical Writer Resume Examples (+ Format & Template)
You'll learn:
A technical writer is responsible for conveying professional concepts into comprehensive articles. Usually, the most common fields of technical writing are user manuals, SOP (standard operating procedure), technical documents, or software testing reports.
Some may wonder the difference between a technical writer and a content/creative writer. The former has to be objective to convey the correct idea to the users. As for the latter, the writer can interweave their thoughts in the article more freely.
When a technical writer is seeking a job position, it’s time for you to write about yourself and create your technical writer resume. The idea of crafting a technical writer resume is similar: you transform your experiences into words for the recruiters to read and make decisions.
How to write a professional technical writer resume?
Writing a professional technical writer resume needs to take some time and effort. Let’s have a good start by following the five steps:
Step 1: Write an eye-catching resume headline.
A technical writer resume headline is a slogan that represents yourself. Writing an eye-catching resume headline can leave an unforgettable first impression on the recruiters.
Technical writer resume headline examples:
- Motivated technical writer with 5 years of experience in the user interface and design field.
- Junior technical writer with 10 years of experience in crafting artificial intelligence-related documents.
- Result-driven technical writer with 2-year experience in reviewing coding white papers.
Step 2: Craft a professional resume summary statement.
A technical writer resume summary is a short paragraph (usually around 3-4 sentences) that describes your professional skills and your past achievements.
This section is placed at the top of your technical writer resume, therefore crafting a strong resume summary can increase the chance of getting noticed by the recruiters.
Technical writer resume examples:
- Passionate technical writer with 5 years of experience in the graphic design field. Skilled with designing software, able to communicate and collaborate with cross-industry clients.
- Dedicated senior technical writer with 20 years of experience writing user manuals and technical instructions. Conduct and revised 80% of products from XYZ Tech Company. Licensed professional technical writer since 2010.
- Skilled technical writer with more than 6 years of experience supporting hardware projects for the government. Able to handle multi-tasks. Co-worked with 15 colleagues and finished 300+ pages user guide in 2 months.
💡 Note: If you are planning to write a technical writer summary with no experience, you can consider writing a resume objective instead since it focuses on your future goals rather than experience.
Step 3: Include key skills.
List down your key skills by categorizing them into hard and soft skills. It’s a way to show that you are a professional in the technical writing field.
Technical writer skills resume examples:
Hard skills:
- Web design
- UX Design
- Python
- HTML
- Google Analytics
Soft Skills:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
Step 4: Tailor the resume to a specific job.
Since every job responsibility is different, tailor the technical writer resume to each application. For those who are entry-level writers, it is recommended to aim at a specific job so it would be easier for you to write an appealing technical writer resume.
Step 5: Proofread.
Always remember to proofread before submitting your technical writer resume. Edit the typos and double-check if there are any grammar mistakes.
What is the best resume format for a technical writer?
Now you know what context you should include in a technical writer resume. As for organizing them nicely and neatly, you can choose from the following 4 types of technical writer resume format. These resume formats will highlight you from different perspectives as a writing professional.
📍 Chronological resume format
A chronological resume format is used most frequently by job applicants. Every experience is listed in reverse chronological order. Anyone with some work experience is recommended to write their technical writer resume in this type of format.
📍 Functional technical writer resume format
A functional resume format is a skilled-based format, meaning that the content is based on your skills and achievements instead of each job. If you lack technical writing job experience, you can consider using this type of entry-level technical writer resume format.
📍 Combinational technical writer resume format
A combinational resume format or a hybrid resume format is a combination of the chronological and functional resume format. For those who have several experiences, you can use this type of format to highlight your skills as well as the work history.
📍 Targeted technical writer resume format
A targeted resume format is a highly customized resume that aims for a specific job position. It is recommended for those who are seeking a senior technical writing position.
How to make a technical writer resume template?
Search for technical writer resume samples to spark your ideas of planning your technical writer resume if you don’t know where to start.
You may also build your technical writer resume template with the following 2 tools:
Microsoft Word
If you are building a simple and text-based technical writer resume, using Microsoft Word could be a good choice.
1. Search the Internet and take references from the layout, section, and formats.
2. Adjust the headings, fonts, and font sizes.
3. Utilize bullet points and bold texts when arranging the layouts.
Online Resume Builder
Another way is to use an online resume builder. Some of the online resume builders provide various resume templates and resume examples. You can craft your technical writer resume by inserting and moving blocks as you like.
Cake offers various resume templates, layouts, and styles for you to easily create a professional technical writer resume. Besides dragging and moving sections, you can also add a side project or a portfolio to show your works and achievements. Download your resume for free, Now!
Top 10 technical writer resume Dos and Don'ts
If you are still uncertain about how to stand out from the competition with the best technical writer resume, here are some useful tips for you to follow. Remember to utilize the 5 Dos and avoid the 5 Don’ts when writing your technical writer resume!
Dos:
- Tailor the resume and include only relevant information.
An easy way to upgrade your technical writer resume is to adjust it for each application. Make customization by reading through the job description and focus only on the relevant information that the job requires.
- Add quantifiable and measurable achievements.
Using numbers to present your achievements in the technical writer resume can be more persuasive than using vague adjectives such as “many” or “excellent”.
- Optimize the resume for ATS.
An ATS or the Applicant Tracking System is a software tool used by recruiters to filter resumes by scanning the content. To create an ATS-friendly technical writer resume, keep your content in a text-based format and avoid using graphs or charts.
- Choose the right resume format.
As mentioned above, different technical writer resume formats are suitable for various situations. Choosing the right resume format according to your current career status, e.g. fresher/junior/senior/freelance technical writer.
- Use active verbs in the resume.
Using active verbs to describe your job experiences can present the initiative and proactive side of you.
Don’ts:
- Mix up a resume with a CV.
In some countries such as the US, Canada, and India, employers require applicants to hand in resumes, while in most European countries and South American countries, a CV is more commonly used. Do check twice before you submit your technical writer resume or technical writer CV. You can learn more about the difference between a technical writer resume and a technical writer CV.
- Adopt an old-style resume objective statement.
Cut out the lengthy description and generic word choice. Instead, stick to the point and focus on elements that are directly related to the job you are applying for.
- Disclose confidential information about previous employers.
Never reveal anything confidential about your previous job, company, or ex-colleagues on the technical writer resume or during the job interviews.
- Include unnecessary personal details that might lead to discrimination.
Some sensitive personal information such as sexual orientation, race, or gender should not be put on the technical writer resume. (Unless the company has special requirements!)
- Send the resume as a Word doc.
It would be quite risky to submit your technical writer resume as a Word document because chances are the recruiters will be receiving a resume with missing fonts or shifted layouts. PDF files are more commonly accepted.
Technical Writer Resume Sample
William Davis
Diligent technical writer professional in writing website-related documentation
Mobile: 02-1234-5678
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://william.techlover.com
Summary
Diligent and devoting technical writer with over 8 years of experience in the web design field. Collaborated with 10+ companies and designed instruction manuals for customers. Received 100% client satisfaction.
Work Experience
Technical Writer, Happy Writing Company
2004 - 2009
- Developed internal technical writing guidance for colleagues.
- Led a team of 4 technical writers and finished a 2-volume testing report in 60 days.
- Awarded best employee of the year 2008.
Freelance Technical Writer, Easy Writing Company
2000 - 2003
- Wrote more than 50+ website instructions after conducting user interviews.
- Conducted contracts and communicated with cross-field clients.
- Received 100% satisfaction from clients every year.
Skills
Hard Skills:
- Web Design
- UX Design
- Writing
- HTML
- Google Analytics
Soft skills:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking
- Critical Thinking
- Time Management
Education
Bachelor of Mechanic Engineering, XYZ University
1996-2000
- Double major in Creative Writing
- Overall GPA: 4.0/4.3
--- Originally written by Annie Chao ---
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