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0-5 years of experience
Wrote technical and business proposals for Government & commercial contract bids within strict deadlines.
- Updated corporate website with company’s current achievements and contracts using HTML and CSS code.
- Conferred with company president, marketing director, subcontractors, and vendors to establish technical specifications and determine subject material to be developed for publication.
- Collaborated with marketing & operations department to strengthen content in technical proposals, company manuals, employee forms, and contract deliverables.
- Revised corporate documents upon contract award within Government & commercial clients’ stringent requirements.
- Completed writing assignments according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
- Created drawings, sketches, diagrams, charts, and utilized information mapping to illustrate material and increase end user’s understanding of material.
0-5 years of experience
Worked with engineering staff to create and organize graphs, charts, digital photos and documents for manufacturing assembly lines.
- Wrote trolling motor product user manuals that were placed in the product boxes.
- Participated on several Lean Projects that focused on increasing plant efficiencies in both production time and quality.
- Examined workflow processes and then documented each process in a diagram format.
- Identified improved processes, documented each process in a diagram format.
- Wrote motor assembly steps using digital photos.
- Served on the Safety Committee and assisted in achieving ISO9000 certification.
0-5 years of experience
Maintained and managed controlled documentation for the Alaska Venture business unit.
- Part of Document Management Team that reduced documentation and simplified the user interface to retrieve documents that resulted in $5 million saved.
- Redesigned document retrieval interface for uacontractor.com, which is Shell’s internet portal for contractor documentation.
- Improved team performance by instructing various departments on how to perform maintenance on their intranet webpages.
- Directed the Document Management Team through Shell’s intranet software upgrade.
- Became department expert for creating and maintaining web based interfaces.
- Produced and maintained health, safety, security, and environmental documentation from SME input in accordance with Shell and US BOERME standards.
0-5 years of experience
Wrote and edited newsletters, project proposals, reports, and planning documents for use by the Medicare Part D Program; participated in planning communications activities.
- Implemented communications efforts for the Medicare
- Performed quality assurance, drafted, and edited newsletters, project plans and reports, and other deliverable documents for content, grammar, and style
- Lead newsletter publishing efforts and participated in Section 508 Web-accessibility and review process
- Gave input for developing social media marketing process
- Managed documents using SharePoint
- Participated in Activities Committee to organize and promote employee health events
0-5 years of experience
Responsible for managing core material content changes and new product creation for an international ore mining company.
- Collaborated with subject matter experts (SMEs) in design and development of curriculum related to engineering, statistics, or quality.
- Edited and developed instructor PowerPoint presentations.
- Managed translation of core material from English to Portuguese and Spanish. Develop case studies, assessment questions, and evaluations.
- Created graphics for Six Sigma Training Material using Adobe Illustrator.
- Edited Six Sigma training material using Quark.
- Scheduled meetings and tasks using Microsoft Outlook.
0-5 years of experience
During that time I wrote a variety of technical and non-technical documents per the projects contract.
- Provided technical documentation for the specific projects guided by the Manufacturing and Engineering departments
- Reviews and verifies documents for completeness, format, and compliance with contract requirements
- Designed and formulated the PowerPoint slides formatting.
- Created Production Staff training and mentor program for increased employee productivity
- Updated 30 years of various levels of PowerPoint slides decks for project assembly
0-5 years of experience
- Authored two 500+ page software user guides for alarm automation software and created an enterprise-level documentation system that is still in use today.
- Managed the documentation system, creating and designing templates using Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, SnagIt and Help and Manual, contributing to the company website marketing copy, customer service, and external customer training.
- Wrote and edited technical white papers for internal and external customers.
- Created document repository using SharePoint and Wiki tools.
- Developed training curriculum and agendas for annual user group meetings. Incorporated customer feedback to improve quality of training materials while working with other corporate trainers.
- Managed one part-time employee in support of document editing.
0-5 years of experience
C-DOT is a Government owned Telecommunications company which is responsible for the Telecom network in and around rural India.
- Compiled and wrote a comprehensive document pertaining to the process and code of the Integrated TCAP (Translation Capabilities) layer.
- Carried out a comprehensive study of ITU Recommendations […]
- Integrated TCAP with the PSTN C-DOT stack in collaboration with other software developers.
- Implemented and tested the ASN.1 (Abstract Syntax Notation 1) encoder and decoder for TCAP as specified by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union)
- Programmed this 5500 line TCAP application, using C on UNIX, based on ITU recommendations.
0-5 years of experience
Created Lilly clinical trial global TransCit SAP Material Specification Packages (MSPs)
- Wrote clinical trial Regulatory Documents (R-Docs) for clinical trial material release
- Reviewed and analyzed Lilly clinical trial manufacturing and compliance documents
- Worked with Lilly SMEs to identify documentation requirements and gather source data
- Analyzed and documented the TransCit MSP documentation business process work flows
- Developed Lilly TransCit project MSP job aids, reports, and reference materials
- Created and managed the TransCit MSP Draft Development SharePoint collaboration site
0-5 years of experience
Provided 1st and 2nd tier phone, email and desk-side support to 500 employees at the corporate HQ and bank branches across Central Maryland. Used HelpStar ticketing and call tracking system.
- Supported Windows 2000 and XP, Internet Explorer, Windows Active Directory, MS Office, Outlook 2003 Professional, Adobe products, Metavante banking software and Diebold ATMs.
- Set up and configured laptops, printers and other hardware.
- Installed and configured a wide range of standard software applications as well as specialized financial and banking applications.
- Diagnosed and resolved issues with software, Windows computers and peripheral devices, including laptops, printers, scanners, fax machines and audio visual equipment.
- Coordinated with external vendors for hardware service and repairs.
- Authored technical documentation and best practices for the help desk knowledge base.
0-5 years of experience
In charge of online and print user documentation for five software modules in hospitals nationwide.
- Initiated the single-sourcing effort for browser-based products in FrameMaker and WebWorks.
- Represented the team on the Product Documentation Management Committee.
- Established the standard template for release notes and managed each service pack release.
- Gathered information from developers, project managers, quality assurance, and technical support.
0-5 years of experience
Created/reviewed Engineering Test Reports (ETRs) and diagrams for all Airbus slides and ramps.
- Submitted certificate reports to Designated Engineer Representatives (DERs) to review.
- Generated and shared input on the Qualification Test Plan/Reports (QTP, QTR and FMEAs) and all Accredited Test Reports for Goodrich Engineering.
- Supported 2 Designated (DERs) with minimal supervision.
- Defined and planned Key Deliverable Schedule and Summary and Status Update Reports.
- Conceptualized, designed and evaluated all certification reports.
- Edited, developed, generated, and implemented Quality Test Procedures, System Documentation, Design Changes and Component Write-ups on Goodrich Results.
0-5 years of experience
[company name] offered a financial consolidation and reporting application for Fortune 100 companies.
- Coordinated and lead projects, including redesigned Spider-Man guide resulting in a reduction of support calls
- Designed, developed, and maintained the functional design, technical specifications, and end-user
- Contributed to design meetings interacting with subject matter experts, developers, and product managers
- Wrote and maintained functional specifications that were created based on design meeting discussions
- Trained new writers in the documentation process and use of application tools
- Participated in documentation usability studies, improved documentation style guides, departmental Intranet
0-5 years of experience
- Produced and managed the contents of eleven official documentation books and their respective versions across four releases of [company name] Fusion Midddleware (11.1.1.9, 11.1.2.3, 12.1.3, and 12.2.1)
- Wrote, recorded, and narrated video tutorials with Camtasia Studio 8
- Trained in and mastered DITA XML component content management system
- Built a shared content template for a suite of technical books using SDL LiveContent Architect Publication Manager 11.1.2 and Arbortext Editor 6.0
- Installed and configured a suite of [company name] Fusion Middleware products for first-hand knowledge of end-users’ experience
- Coordinated with an international team of engineers and product managers while managing documentation to ensure accuracy and clarity of contents
Technical Writer Duties and Responsibilities
While technical writers may write about a very wide variety of topics, their duties tend to fall into several functional categories:
Study Products and Processes Much of a technical writer’s job consists of learning the information they need to communicate. This can come in the form of observation, formal training sessions, or other research. Writers may use products or observe processes in action to gain a better understanding of them.
Consult Subject Matter Experts Technical writers frequently work with designers, engineers, and others responsible for key processes to gain an understanding of their subject matter. The information elicited from interviews and other communications provides the foundation for the final written product, although a significant amount of “processing” is typically required.
Produce and Maintain Documentation Technical writers produce documents that distill complex technical concepts for a broader or less technically experienced audience. Some are used internally to help train employees or provide uniformity for large organizations. Others, such as end-user manuals, may be designed for a general readership. Technical writers also maintain existing documentation and keep it up to date as products or processes change.
Test Documentation To evaluate whether their work product effectively serves the target audience, technical writers may conduct studies or tests with sample readers. These reveal whether the documents the writer has prepared do their job. The test audience could include company employees in the case of internal process documentation, or customers in the case of product manuals.
Technical Writer Skills and Qualifications
Technical writing demands a keen eye for detail and exceptionally strong communication skills. Employers also prefer to hire candidates with the following additional abilities:
- Explanatory writing skills – technical writers must be able to convey complicated ideas to nonexpert readers with clarity and a minimum of obscure jargon
- Information gathering – whether they’re reading existing literature, interviewing subject matter specialists, or analyzing processes, technical writers conduct extensive research to prepare for their writing tasks. The ability to absorb complex information and compile good working notes is important for successful technical writing
- Graphic design – a technical writer may employ a variety of charts, diagrams, and other visual aids to help communicate technical concepts
- Media production – some technical writers also produce videos or social media posts, especially if they work with external audiences
- Editing – technical writers work together by reviewing and editing each others’ work to improve its clarity and consistency
Technical Writer Education and Training
Technical writers typically have a bachelor’s degree, sometimes from a dedicated technical writing program. However, as writers come from many backgrounds, some hold liberal arts, computer science, or engineering degrees. The degree preferred varies depending on the employer’s industry, as specialized expertise enables a technical writer to ramp up quickly and produce quality output. In addition to their degree credentials, technical writers benefit from nondegree certifications and continuing education. Targeted programs, sometimes offered through professional associations, help writers keep up with new technologies and trends in their areas of specialty. Certifications typically aim to provide entry-level writers with a more specialized skill set than their prior education has given them.
Technical Writer Salary and Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates put the median pay of a technical writer at $71,000 per year, or $34 per hour. For those with technical skills, job prospects appear good with an estimated growth through 2026 of 11 percent. This increased demand for technical writers arises from the greater complexity of new products used in both B2B and B2C environments. Most technical writers will continue to work in the computer or engineering sectors, although companies in other industries are also hiring them at an increasing rate.
Helpful Resources
Want to learn more about becoming a technical writer? Check out the following resources for some more detailed advice:
How to Get Started as a Technical Writer – oriented toward those looking to break into the technical writing profession, this concise book focuses on launching a technical writing career. It features in-depth information about skills and training that would be attractive to employers
Developing Quality Technical Information: A Handbook for Writers and Editors – this guide from IBM technical writers puts a major focus on the audience for technical writing output, showing writers how generate content that provides maximum value for the user. The book covers best practices at all stages of the typical technical writing process
The Technical Writer’s Companion – designed for reference rather than cover-to-cover reading, this spiral-bound book discusses the creation of common technical writing documents in a variety of formats
Society for Technical Communication – the STC is a worldwide organization that counts many technical writers among its members. It’s a major source of continuing education for technical writers – a necessity given the rapidly changing nature of the tech and engineering sectors
Certificate in Professional Technical Writing – programs like this one offer valuable training and credentialing for aspiring technical writers. While this is one notable option, many others exist with both classroom and online options
Professional, Technical Writing – this website from Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab contains plenty of tips for technical writers and covers everything from basic business topics to specific products like grants and proposals