Technical Writer Resume Example
If you're hoping to start a career as a technical writer, you'll need experience in updating technical manuals and collaborating with SMEs. If you want to stand out with your technical writer applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll discuss how to create a technical writer resume that catches the eye of employers, with tips and examples to help you write your own.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other technical writer applicants. You'll find useful insights on constructing a resume that makes the most of your unique skills, experience and strengths. You'll also learn how to tailor your resume according to the job description, and depending on your experience levels. Read on to learn the tips Jobseeker careers experts recommend as the best for your technical writer resume.
Main elements of a technical writer resume
Most resumes contain similar key sections, with a technical writer resume being no different.
For junior and entry-level technical writer positions, you may be short on work experience to include in your resume. Select a resume layout that emphasizes your skills and qualifications, such as a functional format. Likewise, an entry-level resume might focus more on soft and transferable skills, as well as details about internships, voluntary work or relevant training you've completed.
If you have some experience as a technical writer, use a traditional, reverse-chronological resume format and focus on showing how you've used the skills required for the job in your career to date. Use your work experience section to highlight your career achievements and show how you meet the job description. Offer evidence of the impact you had on successful outcomes for the company.
For senior technical writer applications, concentrate on your work experience and any accolades or achievements that prove your status as a highly experienced candidate. Use a reverse-chronological resume format with additional sections. It's likely that your senior resume will be longer than a standard resume of one-to-two pages. This is because you'll be listing additional achievements beyond your work experience, such as awards, publications and professional memberships.
How you choose to present your resume is up to you. There are plenty of options for a professional resume layout and format, but every application should include the following:
Header and Personal Information
Your technical writer resume header is the place to add your contact details. Start by adding your full name and underneath, include your email address, phone number and location. Adding your LinkedIn profile, if you have one, can help the employer get a better insight into your skills and industry expertise. You don't need to include any additional personal information or a photo. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Make sure your email address appears as professional as possible, and doesn't include anything like nicknames, inappropriate language or personal information. If it does, set up a new email account with an address based on your name or initials, and use that for your job applications. Always double-check your contact details are up-to-date before sending your resume.
Emilia Edwards
emilia.edwards@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, IN
linkedin․com/in/emilia–edwards123
Resume Objective
The next section is the resume summary. The section might also be called 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. This is a brief introduction to you, your key skills and your career achievements and ambitions. While a resume summary focuses on your career achievements and experience, a resume objective typically focuses on your ambitions for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for technical writer roles.
Alternatively, use this summary to introduce your personal career ambitions and explain why technical writer roles are a good fit for you at this stage of your career.
A good resume summary is short and snappy, and focused on the skills and experience listed in the job description, with evidence to back it up. It will also help the reader to form their first impressions of you by providing an insight into your personality and unique qualities. See below for some great examples of how to approach your technical writer resume.
Good example:
Dedicated technical writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English and extensive experience as a Technical Documentation Specialist. Skilled in creating clear, concise, and user-friendly technical documentation, including manuals, user guides, and product specifications. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather information and translate complex technical concepts into accessible content. Proficient in various documentation tools and committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy and clarity. Proven ability to meet tight deadlines and deliver high-quality documentation that enhances user experience
Bad example:
Technical writer with a background in English and experience in creating various documents. Worked with teams to gather information and make complex topics easier to understand. Familiar with different tools for writing and focused on keeping things accurate and clear. Able to work under tight deadlines to produce documents that help users
Conversely, a bad resume summary might be too generic, lacking focus on the specifics of the job description. It will also fail to provide any useful insights on what makes you a unique candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your technical writer resume summary
Employment History
Next, list your relevant employment history and any key achievements that show you're suitable for a technical writer position. Mention only the most appropriate and relevant jobs you've had in reverse-chronological order, starting with your most recent and working backwards. Add your job title, the name of the employer, the location of the role and your dates of employment.
Under each job entry, add several bullet points highlighting your responsibilities and achievements. Consult the job description for a list of the key requirements for the role and make sure your work experience section showcases how you meet these requirements.
A good work experience section pulls the reader in with clear examples of where you've put the skills necessary for the job into good use in your career to date. This typically includes evidence of how your skills and activities contributed to positive outcomes for the organization. There are some examples of strong resume work experience sections below.
Good example:
Technical Documentation Specialist, January 2022 - Present
InkStream Solutions, New York
- Led the creation of a comprehensive user manual, reducing customer support inquiries by 30%
- Developed standardized templates, improving documentation consistency and reducing production time by 25%
- Coordinated a cross-functional team to produce multilingual documentation, expanding product accessibility to global markets
Bad example:
Technical Documentation Specialist, January 2022 - Present
InkStream Solutions, New York
- Managed various projects to enhance documentation quality and user satisfaction
- Improved team collaboration and streamlined documentation processes
- Enhanced product documentation to support international users
In the graphic above, you'll see some examples of less effective resume work experience sections. A bad resume work experience section might fail to address skills and achievements that relate directly to the job description. Falling back on clichés, vague descriptions and basic responsibilities, rather than showing the impact you made, is likely to disengage the reader.
Education
Your resume's education section provides space for you to list your highest and most relevant qualifications for technical writer roles.
Opportunities as a technical writer and similar roles in the sector usually require a specialist degree. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in English degree, be sure to mention this in your resume. You might also want to list any qualifications that highlight your editing and proofreading or technical writing proficiency.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You could also add one or two bullet points to draw attention to your grades if they were particularly good, as well as any specialist subjects you studied. This will help the hiring manager understand your knowledge and special skills better.
If you were a member of any clubs or societies, or volunteered for any causes while studying, you could also mention these in your education section.
Bachelor of Arts in English, 2017 - 2020
Ohio State University, Columbus
Skills
Adding a list of your key skills provides a quick reference for the reader of what you can bring to a technical writer role. Skills such as technical writing proficiency or attention to detail are particularly useful for technical writer jobs. Again, refer to the job description and make sure you include skills that the employer has listed as essential or desirable for employment as a technical writer.
Listing hard skills on your technical writer resume
Hard skills are the key technical skills required for technical writer positions. They include specific industry knowledge and abilities that you could learn on the job, or through a specialist qualification. Furthermore, an extensive list of hard skills helps to make a compelling case for your technical writer job applications, as they show employers your understanding of the technical writer role. Add up to five key hard skills that show you're an ideal candidate for the role. It can also be beneficial to add context to each skill, showing how you've used it to positive effect in your career to date.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a technical writer resume.
- Technical writing proficiency
- Content management systems
- Html/css knowledge
Listing soft skills on your technical writer resume
In your list of soft skills, add any personal strengths, qualities or transferable skills that make you a good fit for the job. Soft skills are often less specific to different industries, but that doesn't make them any less important. Indeed, transferable skills are growing in importance in the modern world of work, so make sure you include several of these in your resume. Think of your best soft skills and add up to five that match the requirements of the job description.
Your soft skills section should make the most of your unique personal qualities and strengths, while also reflecting the requirements laid out in the job description. See below for some examples of useful soft skills for a technical writer resume.
- Attention to detail
- Clear communication skills
- Time management proficiency
Licenses and Certifications
Under this section, list any relevant certifications or licenses that are relevant to technical writer jobs. These could be professional accreditations and licenses, or certifications that improve your level of suitability for the position. Therefore, include the details of any licenses and professional certifications required for technical writer roles, along with completion dates so employers can see you're up-to-date.
Review the list below for some suitable certifications for a technical writer resume:
- Certified Technical Writer, 2022
- Technical Communication Professional, 2022
- UX Writing Certification, 2022
Optional Information
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a technical writer resume. Choose any optional sections that showcase essential or desirable skills or experience for technical writer jobs.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. Don't include hobbies and interests in your resume unless they showcase a specific interest or aspect of your personality. You'll want them to add something to your application that you can't add elsewhere.
Volunteer Experience
If you're lacking relevant technical writer work experience, volunteer work can help to show you still have the relevant skills. Include the title of your volunteer role, who you volunteered for, as well as the dates you carried out the work. Provide brief details of your responsibilities and the impact you made.
References
Although it's rare to include references on a technical writer resume, some employers may ask for it. Don't add references unless they're specifically mentioned by the employer in the job advert. Add two or three professional references, and be sure to approach each referee before you include them.
Please contact me for a list of references.
Best words to use in a technical writer resume
Using strong action verbs in your work experience bullet points can make a stronger impression on employers and show the value you added to your previous roles. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Create
- Develop
- Document
- Edit
- Research
- Analyze
- Organize
- Review
- Standardize
- Collaborate
Jobseeker's clean, attractive resume formats can help your applications make a strong impression on employers. Check them out for help designing a winning resume, and see our cover letter templates to help win over recruiters and hiring managers.
Example resume for technical writer applications
Now that you know everything that needs to go into your technical writer resume, let's review an example resume that you can use as a guide when creating your own:
4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, IN
•
emilia.edwards@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/emilia–edwards123
Experienced Technical Writer with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a proven background as a Technical Communication Specialist. Skilled in creating clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation, with expertise in technical writing, editing, and content management. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality technical materials that enhance user understanding and engagement.
Technical Communication Specialist
2020
-2022
NexaComm Solutions (Houston)
- Developed and implemented a comprehensive documentation system, reducing information retrieval time by 30%
- Authored over 200 technical manuals and user guides, enhancing product usability and customer satisfaction
- Led cross-functional teams in the creation of multilingual documentation, increasing global reach by 40%
Technical writing proficiency
Content management systems
Html/css knowledge
Attention to detail
Clear communication skills
Time management proficiency
Certified Technical Writer
Technical Communication Professional
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Do's and don'ts of a technical writer resume
Tips to write the best resume
- Review your resume thoroughly and correct any errors before sending it, to avoid unnecessary harm to your chances.
- Add key skills throughout your resume that match the job description, along with a dedicated 'skills' section.
- Keep your technical writer resume concise, with a target length of one page for less experienced candidates, and two pages for senior positions.
- List your qualifications in your education section, including any necessary degrees or certifications, along with high grades.
- Add each relevant job in reverse-chronological order, beginning with your current or most recent position and working back from there.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't use jargon or acronyms when you can use simple, straightforward language to say the same thing.
- Don't lie or exaggerate any information on your technical writer resume, as this can cause you problems further down the line.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your technical writer resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't use passive language - change phrases like 'the project was delivered' to sentences using strong active verbs.
- Don't use old contact information and always review your resume header to make sure it contains the latest information.
How to make your resume ATS compliant
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are one of the key ways recruiters and employers manage the hiring process. The systems can screen candidates by scanning and ranking resumes based on each candidate's likely suitability for the vacancy. When you're writing your technical writer resume, there are several things you can do to make sure your resume stands the best chance of passing the ATS stage.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Add keywords that match the job description throughout your resume, as ATS applications scan for these and well-placed, considered use can help your resume rank more highly.
- Using clear, simple headings makes it easier for an ATS application to scan your resume, as it can easily identify what's in each section of your document.
- Use a resume design that includes clean, professional design elements to give your content space to breathe. This might include clear, readable fonts, subtle color accents and simple design elements.
- Adopt simple, professional language to keep your resume as concise as possible. This tends to make your document more readable, and easier for ATS software to scan.
For advice and guidance on creating the perfect resume, read our expert career blog and check out our detailed resume examples.
Frequently Asked Questions about a technical writer resume
As well as writing a professional technical writer resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
In some situations, a full, professional cover letter may not be necessary. Check the job advert and decide whether to write a formal cover letter, or if a brief email is more suitable.
For a full, traditional cover letter, follow formal letter-writing conventions with your header, address line and greetings. The main text of the letter tends to be split into three short paragraphs. Firstly, introduce yourself, confirm the role you're applying for and explain why you're applying for the technical writer role. In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and experience that are most relevant to the job description. The third paragraph gives you the opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the role and your gratitude to the employer, while leaving a call to action which encourages them to make contact with you.
If you want to impress employers with a professional cover letter, use Jobseeker's simple and beautiful cover letter templates.
There are plenty of ways to still make a positive impression with your technical writer resume, even if you lack relevant work experience. Opt for a skill-based resume format instead of a traditional layout. This places your skills and education in a more prominent position on your resume. Utilize additional sections at the end of your resume to show you've got what it takes to do the job. These include hobbies and interests, voluntary roles, certifications and internships.
You can use a resume headline to introduce your document and set the tone for your technical writer applications. Resume headlines are also a powerful way of increasing your resume's chances of passing the ATS stage. They reference the job title and some of the keywords that match the job description. Take the time to draft a concise, eye-catching headline which includes the job title, one or two key skills and reference to either your experience level or track record.
Below you can see a resume headline example:
- Junior Technical Writer Seeking Opportunities
- Expert Technical Documentation Specialist
- Senior Technical Writer Specialist
The most suitable resume format for you depends on two crucial factors. Firstly, whether you have a body of relevant work experience. Secondly, the type of job and its seniority level. If you're applying for a junior position or changing careers, you might want to consider a functional resume. This highlights your skills and education over your work experience. On the other hand, if you're experienced in your industry or applying for senior positions, a traditional, reverse chronological resume format is usually best. This places most emphasis on your work experience.
Key takeaways for your technical writer resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Choose a resume structure that makes the most of your relevant experience, whether through work or other activities, and be sure to tailor your resume to match the job description.
Remember, Jobseeker resume templates and other tools make it easy to create a resume and cover letter that leaves a positive impression on hiring managers. Sign up now to start building your perfect resume. Whatever job you're applying for, a professional cover letter can make all the difference to your chances. Use Jobseeker's HR-approved tools and cover letter examples to inspire your applications.
Sources:
(1) Tips for Writing a Federal Resume, U.S. Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/general/jobs/tips-for-writing-a-federal-resume
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
