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How to Break into Technical Writing
May 27th, 2007 | Posted in Technical Writing 16 Comments »
T asks:
I have been a professional pilot for 37 years. I have taken about 7 online
courses in Technical Writing and earned a certificate in Technical Writing
from Clemson University. I have a Master’s degree in Aeronautical Science. I
don’t have any experience in the graphics software like Photoshop. How can
I break into the technical writing field?
If you’ve been a pilot for 37 years, you probably know more about the airplane
mechanics and the airline industry than anyone else. I recommend targeting that
industry for technical writing careers. Luckily for you, industry knowledge is preferred
over tool knowledge (supposedly). So emphasize your subject matter expertise on
your resume.
Your question about breaking into technical writing surfaces at least monthly on
technical writing mailing lists. You might try searching the archives. But here’s my
recommendation:
1. Look at the software requirements for the jobs you’re interested in applying for.
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How to Break into Technical Writing | I'd Rather Be Writing
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2. Download trial versions of the software, and publish several sample help files
demonstrating your ability with the tool.
3. When possible, volunteer for internships to gain more experience. (I realize this
option is often not feasible.)
4. Write some help content for products that need help. You can visit about any
open-source project and add a few pages of help content. Alternatively, pick a
topic you know well (such as your cell phone) and write help content for it.
5. Join the local STC and volunteer for things. For example, just about any chapter
can use someone on their newsletter team, someone to help coordinate food,
someone to look out for and welcome new members, or someone to work on
their website. Ask how you can volunteer. Then pick the brains of these members
for the best places to work in the area.
6. Apply for lots of entry-level jobs. Be persistent and patient.
7. Know that your tool knowledge can remain superficial when it comes to
applications like Photoshop. Photoshop is the mother of all graphics programs,
but chances are if you can use SnagIt, you’re fine. Photoshop is for photo
manipulation. And actually, it’s cumbersome to use to draw arrows. You could
probably spend your life learning Photoshop, when all you basically need to do is
crop screenshots.
8. When you go to interviews, bring samples of anything you’ve written and are
proud of. If you can write well, chances are you can write technical instructions
well too. I think it’s considerably easier to write instructions than literary essays.
So if you can demonstrate your literal ability in another arena, employers might
overlook lack of technical know-how.
9. Develop an abiding interest in technology. Get techie and stay techie. Learn to
love podcasts like Slashdot Review.
10. Move to a city where tech comm jobs are abundant. See this post in my archive
for the cities.
I haven’t said anything revolutionary here. Maybe a cleverer reader can add more
insight. And T, what are your thoughts?
By the way, Indeed.com is a great resource for finding jobs.
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16 Responses to “How to Break into Technical Writing”
1.
Rhonda says:
May 28, 2007 at 3:47 am
Back in 2002, I wrote an article on “Getting Started in Technical Writing” for the
Lone Writer SIG’s newsletter. The bad news is that the article is only available to
members of that SIG; the good news is that other STC newsletters picked it up
and it’s available publicly (with minor local variations) on various sites, including
this one: http://www.stc-sd.org/newsletter/june_2002/visitingauthor.htm
Although it’s a bit old now (2002 seems such a LONG time ago!), the general
advice still applies. Interestingly, some of the tools I listed no longer apply…
2. Cell Phone News and Reviews » How to Break into Technical Writing Cell Phone
Reviews says:
May 30, 2007 at 2:26 am
http://idratherbewriting.com/2007/05/27/how-to-break-into-technical-writing/
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How to Break into Technical Writing | I'd Rather Be Writing
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[...] degree in Aeronautical Science. I don’t have any experience in the graphics
software li…Read more…cell [...]
3. Technical Writing Blogs Group Page - Blogdigger Groups says:
May 30, 2007 at 5:00 am
[...] more – ] DarrenBarefoot.com – – Monday, May 28, 2007 – Feed – Focus
Sunday, May 27, 2007 How to Break into Technical Writing by tom in Technical
Writing T asks: I have been a professional pilot for 37 years. I have taken [...]
4.
Tom says:
May 30, 2007 at 10:28 pm
Rhonda, after reading your article, I see that I should have just linked to it and
foregone my little post! You have a lot of excellent information there.
5.
Holly Harkness says:
May 31, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Tom,
If T is a pilot, he might do better writing technical instructions for aviation
equipment or something related to that field. I frequently see ads for technical
writers requiring industry-specific knowledge.
Writing about aviation or aeronautics would be the easiest way for T to break
into the field.
I think those of us who primarily write software instruction forget that there is a
TON of technical stuff out there that is mechanical, not electronic, and it all
needs documentation.
Holly
6.
CabSav says:
June 1, 2007 at 6:10 am
T.
I would echo Tom and Holly here. Target your job queries initially to the aviation
industry. It has a couple of advantages–easier to break into, as they have said,
but you are also going to get you a higher start pay than in other industries. Not
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only that, it’s an easier learning curve. Since you know the terminology, etc. you
can concentrate more on becoming a better writer and learning the tools.
If you haven’t already got some samples, start putting them together now. Tom’s
suggestion of writing documentation for open source projects is a good one. It
gives you something ‘real’ to write about, rather than just making stuff up,
which is hard. I know when I was interviewing technical writers two very
important things to me were the resume itself and their folio of work, both of
which showed the writer could write.
Rhonda said network, and I agree with that too. Half the jobs I know about are
word of mouth. Tell your pilot friends you want to do technical writing. (After
they get over the huh? part and understand what it is, they may mention your
name if they know of anyone who is looking for a writer.) Here in Australia the
non-networked jobs come mostly through the agencies. I don’t know what it’s
like in the US, but don’t discount them.
If you’re not a good typist, practise. Touch-type if possible, and get your speed
up.
Toolwise, if you know of a common tool used in the Aviation industry (e.g.
FrameMaker) I would spend more effort learning that one first. I would also learn
about MS Word at least template and style level (and revisions). I confess in the
past I have decided not to interview people based on the fact that their resume
was manually formatted rather than using styles. (It may be a personal thing, but
my thinking at the time was that if they didn’t know how to use styles then they
were going to make a mess of the documents.
7.
Gordon says:
June 3, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Get signed up to TechWR mailing list.
I think that’s the only other bit of advice I can think of… nice article, as was
Rhonda’s.
Learning how to pitch your knowledge and your ability to learn new skills is key,
if you can sell yourself you are halfway there.
8. Heidi Hansen's blog: Online Portfolio Idea - Great example says:
June 12, 2007 at 10:02 am
http://idratherbewriting.com/2007/05/27/how-to-break-into-technical-writing/
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How to Break into Technical Writing | I'd Rather Be Writing
5/12/11 9:20 AM
[...] would definitely stand out: http://journey.wsj.com/ This also goes along
with Tom Johnson’s recent post about how to break into the Technical
Communication field. If you whip up a portfolio similar to [...]
9.
Nancy Odell says:
December 13, 2007 at 7:11 am
Hey!…I Googled for clemson sc, but found your page about How to Break into
Technical Writing…and have to say thanks. nice read.
10.
Tom says:
December 14, 2007 at 1:13 am
Thanks for dropping me a note. Glad you liked the post.
11. Technical Writing Careers — Answering 13 Questions about Technical Writing
Jobs | I'd Rather Be Writing says:
February 16, 2008 at 10:49 pm
[...] You might also see this post I wrote: “How to Break into Technical Writing”
[...]
12.
Kris says:
June 16, 2008 at 3:06 pm
I have an English degree plus a Master’s Degree in Lib Science. I’ve writen a lot
of stuff in college, but don’t know what happened to it since. What can I do to
show the employers that I have what it takes to be a Tech Writer?
13.
Tom says:
June 16, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Kris, I think I answered your question with this post: How can I become a
successful technical writer.
14.
ragnar says:
March 28, 2009 at 9:59 pm
http://idratherbewriting.com/2007/05/27/how-to-break-into-technical-writing/
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Thanks for sharing!
15.
Andrew says:
April 8, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Hi. This may sound ridiculous, but how might one go about breaking into tech
writing in an industry that’s not particularly technical? For example, I have a
decade of experience in both journalism and veterinary care: might I find writing
work in the pet goods industry? It’s a growing industry with more and more
sophisticated products, but I’ve never seen a job listing for that particular niche.
Should I just cold-call a few companies? I’m grateful for any thoughts you may
have. Thank you!
Tom Johnson says:
April 11, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Andrew, I think you might find work writing help material for the machines
and software that veterinarians use. That domain knowledge can be very
advantageous in a job search, putting you above other candidates who may
have more experience in help authoring but not with the veterinarian field
or pet industry. As for how you break in, yes, I recommend contacting
companies. But really, look for where the software is. Those are the
companies you want to contact, not the end users of the products.
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