Technical Writer Resume Sample Guide [20+ Examples]

Technical Writer Resume Sample Guide [20+ Examples] Technical Writer Resume SampleJennifer Ocampo, Technical Writerjennifer.q.ocampo@gmail.comlinkedin.com/in/jenniferqocampo601-303-7166Professional SummaryStrong technical writer with 3+ years of experience writing end-user documentation for high-end consumer electronics. Seeking to grow brand loyalty and customer satisfaction at LG. At Ampere Communications, wrote 60% of the technical manuals for 15 flagship products. Received company Standout Employee award for contribution including an estimated 25% customer satisfaction boost.Work ExperienceTechnical WriterAmpere CommunicationsFeb 2017June 2019Wrote 60% of all end-user manuals for 15 flagship products, including phones and tablets.Worked directly with 25+ subject matter experts to build understanding of product operation best practices.Received Standout Employee company award for dedication and efficiency. Contributed materially to a 25% increase in customer satisfaction.Trained 2 other technical writers in research and writing pro cess.Freelance Technical WriterJan 2016Jan 2017Wrote 110,000 words of end-user documentation in the communications space.Commended 5x by clients for clarity and work process.ClientsAmpere CommunicationsHPSonyToshibaEducationBowdoin College20112015BS in WritingMajored in writingGardiner Scholar30+ credit hours in math and engineeringPortfolioAmpere Communications Star 15 Phone Manual (70% of all content)Ampere Communications Star 12 Tablet Manual (65% of all content)See full portfolio online at jenniferqocampo.comSkillsTechnical Skills:Tech knowledge, research, visual communication, computer skillsSoft Skills:Empathy, communication, interpersonal skills, efficiency, teamworkActivitiesASME Conference 2017Gave talk on technical writing techniques.Lead weekly yoga classes.Not technically looking for a technical writing resume? See our guides:Writer ResumeFreelance Writer ResumeEditor ResumeConsultant ResumeBusiness ResumeJournalism ResumeWant to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample Technical Writer ResumeSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowHeres how to write a technical writer resume that gets jobs:1. Start With the Best Technical Writer Resume FormatTechnical Writers use written words to explain complex topics in a simple way. Technical writers often write repair manuals, end-user documentation for consumer products and electronics, and medical studies. Technical writer resumes must show strong communication skills as well as deep technical savvy.Warning:Theyll judge your technical writing skills from the writing in your resume!SoUse the best layout for a resume for technical writing jobs.Thats the chronologi cal resume layout. This resume format type lists your freshest tech writer achievements near the top.Why does that matter?Because thats where most hiring teams look before moving on.Make a professional header with name, title (Technical Writer), email, phone, and LinkedIn.Dont write an address on your resume unless you want to. City state are enough.List the categories of information found in a rsum as header, summary, work experience, education, and others like certifications or conferences.The best font for a resume for tech writers is Calibri, Garamond, or anything clear and simple.Pro Tip: Send a resume format for job PDF as long as the posting doesnt tell you not to. PDFs look cleaner than MS Word resumes on various machines.2. Write a Technical Writer Resume Objective or Resume SummaryTechnical writers do one thing well:Summarize.So, do it in your technical writer resume.Start with a professional resume profile. Thats an elevator speech. We also call it a resume summary.Write yours with:An adjective (clear, strong)Title (Technical Writer)Years of experience (3+, 4+)Goal (grow customer satisfaction)Skills evidence w/ measures (wrote 60% of 15 technical manuals)Wondering how to write a resume with no experience?Ditch the summary and write a good objective for your resume.Thats the same, but with transferable skills from other jobs.Examples: you worked in engineering or wrote marketing content.Pro Tip: How long should resumes be for technical writers? The rule of thumb is a single page. The hiring manager isnt likely to read even that much.3. Bolt Your Resume to the Technical Writer Job DescriptionThis is the one.Want the hiring team to say that about you?They wont unless you fit the job exactly.Knowing how to describe work experience on a resume means tailoring a resume to a job description:Select business position titles that fit. If they want a Medical Technical Writer, dont say you were a Technical Writer, Medical Field.Show things you did with your te chnical writer skills, with numbers.Example: They want someone who can write manuals for phones. You wrote 15 of those. So, say it in your resume.Pro Tip: Write with resume action verbs like wrote, worked, received, trained, and commended. Dont just say, responsible for or handled because that doesnt prove you helped.4. Tune Up Your Technical Writer Resume Education SectionYou can build your resume education section one of two ways in a technical writer resume.Way #1:State your school name, dates, and name of degree.Way #2:Use way #1 plus academic achievements that show technical writer qualifications.Example: They need someone versed in engineering and you took 30 engineering credits.Which method do you think the hiring team will respect more?Pro Tip: You dont need to be an engineer to be a technical writer. You just need to be able to talk their language, then translate it so everyday mortals can get the gist.5. List Technical Writer Skills in Your ResumeHere are some skills to pu t on a resume for technical writer jobs.Technical Writer Resume SkillsUse this list of skills in your technical writer resume.First, add technical skills to list on resumes for tech writers:WritingTechnology knowledgeVisual communicationResearchEngaging writingProblem solvingUnderstanding the audienceComputer skillsTroubleshootingWorking with subject matter experts (SMEs)Technical skillsSociologyWeb designTeachingBut dont forget the soft skills:Interpersonal skillsCritical thinking skillsWritten oral communicationTeamworkEfficiencySelf-motivatedActive listeningOrganization skillsComputer skillsProfessionalismMultitaskingTime managementPro Tip: Never ever use all the hard skills for a resume from the list above. Let the job ad guide you toward the skills that work the best for this job.When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys re sume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.6. Add Other Sections to Your Technical Writer ResumeYoure not a machine.Can you believe you have to prove it?Employers want to know youre versatile.Show them with added technical writer resume sections.For instance:ActivitiesAssociations like STCProfessional or personal projectsVolunteer workConferencesHonorsCertificationsAwardsCompliments from employersPublicationsSportsHobbiesPro Tip: Not sure how to put languages on a resume for technical writers? If your SMEs are ESL, say it big and loud, in your skills list and in your bullet points.7. Send a Cover Letter With Your Technical Writer ResumeShould I include a cover letter with my tech writer resume?Yes.Its true that more than half of employers dont read them.But then, more than half of customers wont read your manuals.Write them for the other half.Follow these cover letter writing tips:Heres how to format a cover letter: in the 3-paragraphs layout.What about how to start an application letter? Use a big hook. Example: Writing most of Ampere Communications manuals was a great experience...Show how youll fill the job requirements in the center of your technical writer cover letter.Next, how to conclude a cover letter: Offer a perk. Example: Id love to explain how I contributed to a 25% customer satisfaction boost.How long should a cover letter be in 2019? 350 words.Dont skip the follow up email for a job application. You can simply say, Im following up on my application for the technical writer position. But it helps to add a memorable detail from your resume.Thats it!Thats how to write a technical writer resume.Whats your favorite part about being a technical writer? Does your resume for technical writer jobs really show you at your best? If not, whats missing? Give us a shout in the comments. Wed love to talk!