What are the top companies to consider for a technical writing career?

Importante ter clara a área em que deseja atuar e pesquisar a área e as empresas que podem se interessar pelos seus servi?os. Tendo isso claro, é possível fazer um filtro e buscar as melhores oportunidades.

Although people might shy away from the oil and gas industry, this is a high-tech field with a big demand for Technical Writers. If you have a good grasp of geology, geophysics, drilling, production, reservoir simulation or any of the equipment used for these, and you know grammar and how to spell, a cushy (remote) career can be had, and the pay is very nice. Service companies like SLB, NOV, Halliburton, and Weatherford have teams of Technical Writers to do marketing brochures and user manuals for complex equipment and systems and write technical papers and journal articles. Oil companies may also have a few Technical Writers to write technical papers, field development plans, and regulatory permits for carbon sequestration projects.

Most budding writers aspire to be associated with a household name. However, that might not be the best job out there. The best way to ensure you are always on top of your game is to identify the type of content that you naturally have a knack for and identify an industry that resonates with your passion. This way, you can ensure you will never cut corners on the research, which is the most crucial aspect of writing. In addition to that, the inherent interest in the industry will unlock a new dimension in your writing, which comes through years following and gathering knowledge about it. Something that a writer who's in it just for the sake of it can never bring to the table.

Today's technical writers empower all industries, from software to agriculture to automotive. Most of them are employed by software companies where they produce online and offline content routinely.

Choosing the right company is a very personal decision. Think about what excites you, what skills you have to offer, and where you see your career heading. It's not just about the job itself, but also the work environment, the chance to grow, and the type of technical writing you enjoy most, be it creating user guides, crafting product descriptions, or documenting APIs. My advice? Get out there, meet people in the field, do your homework on different companies, and maybe even try an internship. This hands-on experience can be super insightful in figuring out where you'll thrive as a technical writer. Remember, it's all about finding that perfect match for you!

Put your self in their shoes. It is very important to be able to understand a company's values and culture as well. That way, content can be tailored according to their needs.

My company lives by its core values, acknowledging people at every turn for holding up to those values. The culture is extremely positive, encouraging, forgiving, understanding, and collaborative. We also are taken care of generously. These things are SO important because the better taken care of and acknowledged you are, the better your work will be. And as a side note, I love a company that does community outreach/volunteer programs, I believe it shows a lot of character when a company does that.

Another great example of a company with a remarkable culture is Buffer. Based on their social media presence, as well as the details shared by active employees, it’s pretty clear that Buffer is a company that truly values their employees.

There was a day when Sarah, a seasoned technical writer, found herself at a crossroads. It wasn't just about job roles; it was about a cultural fit, a resonance with values. Entering a company where collaboration was more than a buzzword felt like stepping into a vibrant community. The value placed on creativity and open communication wasn't just on the walls; it was ingrained in every project discussion. It was a place where her ideas weren't just noted; they were woven into the fabric of the company's narrative. In choosing a workplace aligned with her values, Sarah discovered that her daily efforts weren't just tasks; they were threads in a tapestry of shared culture and shared success.

Culture is what guides our every action. Without the right culture, humans wouldn't be considered as higher animals. HubSpot, for instance, has string culture and value.

Generally, large organisations need more technical authors than small organisations. The nature of the products produced by the organisation will also have some bearing on document production requirements. Many organisations in IT, electronics, etc., will require a range of different document types producing, e.g. - User guides, - Disaster Recovery plans, - Work flows/ flow charts, - Operational guides, - Support guides, - Check lists, - Logs, - Project plans, - Policies and procedures, to name just a few. Though lots of organisations will require such documents. Particularly tailored to their organisation’s ways of operating, infrastructure design, etc. Which general software supplier documentation normally does not cover.

Big companies are more trustworthy by people because they are known. However, emerging companies have played a huge role in giving opportunities to technical writers.

It’s definitely a toss-up. Very small companies-under 20, are dicey, 100-200 safer, but large companies go through mass layoffs too and don’t mind the rigamarole (and cost) of constantly hiring new people, you are more disposable there. I interviewed at SpaceX not long before their mass layoffs and ended up interviewing exSpaceX employees for a role at the company I did get hired at which is in the 200 range now. And we went through those growing pains. But with that, also consider the industry when considering the growth potential of the company when it’s on the smaller side.

Stripe, Asana and Notion cannot be considered as small organisations because their revenue runs into the triple-digit millions. Organisations playing in the ARR < $10M - 5M category have been instrumental in churning out opportunities to aspiring Technical Writers.

In a content writing career, considering growth aspect plays a major role. It is no different for technical content writing. While you might feel blessed to be part of a large organisation in retail, the tech industry, or so. There is always a halt in terms of growth for a content writer in industries irrelevant to it. One should consider industry before entering into a writing role, and the next is on size and growth. Large organisations like book publications, news companies are always reputed options for some of the best content writers to be part of. There is huge potential for growth, and dreams big. As a technical writer, one might feel certain limitations, but many best writers started out as technical writers from engineering, etc.

When looking for remote work ALWAYS ask whether they intend to end remote work. It is safer to find remote work that is still within reasonable distance to the office. But if they have a large remote workforce that is widely spread out chances are you will be safe from in-office requirements. Still these are important questions to ask during your interview.

Where a company is and if they offer remote work matters for your technical writing path. Consider if you prefer being close or working from anywhere. Look into time zones, travel needs, and the company's local market. For remote opportunities, companies like Automattic, GitLab, Shopify, and Buffer offer global options for technical writers.

Information technology companies are more likely to hire remote technical writers. However, hybrid work models are also common these days. Still, there are companies that only hire in-office technical writers.

When I worked in the manufacturing industry as a tech writer, because I worked in engineering there was zero chance of working remotely or hybrid. That's just the nature of the beast in that industry. There are some industries that will be like that, so know these two things before you agree to employment: 1. Know the dfference between a position being designated as remote versus it being allowed to work remotely. The former will remain unchanged should the company want to force its emplyees back into the office. 2. How many time zone will you have to work across for your job? Remember, if you have to work with teams 12 hours ahead of you, that can impact the hours you might have to work.

Corporate acceptance of remote work culture is a direct reflection of trust in their employees. Management that insists on butts in office seats does not believe that we are as productive without supervision. I have been working remote since @2012 for a company that was very agreeable - even had no problem when I moved to a new state that didn't have a corporate branch office close by. Trusted employees can be wherever they need to be and still deliver expected results / output. Remote work should be a default for roles that don't require in-person presence. And technical writing certainly does not.

Finding a company that has a variety of projects allows you to up-skill quickly. I create mainly texts for CME. When a company mentioned they did a lot of animation and scripting in addition to texts, I wanted in so badly. I didn't get in, but it was an eye opener to all the kinds of projects available within the medical writing space

As a technical writer, look for companies matching your niche and expertise. If the projects are not challenging then the other perks may not persuade you to deliver quality work. For me creating content in the electronics domain brings out the best work and as a freelance writer, LinkedIn has helped me find suitable projects.

Uma variedade de assuntos, ao mesmo tempo que ajuda a criar um jogo de cintura maior, permitindo uma ampla gama de conhecimentos; também acaba criando um problema de nunca se aprofundar em um assunto e virar especialista em algo. Como sempre, cada pessoa tem seu objetivo e sua preferência.

When I've looked to join a company, the most important thing I need to know is how hands-on they're going to let me get with what I am writing documentation about. If the company isn't willing to give me a dev environment, to get access at any level to the product, or is only wanting me to talk to identified SMEs, it will be very difficult for me to write a thorough and comprehensive document. And if I can't do that, I'm not going to be set up in a position to succeed.

Just as earlier shared, writing for companies marching your niche is always a great start...reasons are the quality of your content will be more appreciated and insightful...most importantly less difficult to create.

There really is no one size fits all strategy when it comes to choosing the right firm for a career in technical writing. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind: 1. If you are a beginner and are trying to find your footing in the industry, choose a company that will offer you ample support in the growth of your career. A team that is equipped with mentors and managers who are genuinely motivated in guiding you will make all the difference. 2. For the sake of choosing a career in technical writing, please do not choose a domain that does not appeal to you in the least. Wait and select an industry that does work for you.

First step definitely is homing down to the companies from your niche. And the next step would be the company's on-site or remote requirement to match with your convenience. With these two in place, you can check on the company's culture, values, payments, reputation etc.

The following companies are known for their excellence in technical writing and can provide valuable opportunities for a career in this field. Content Euphoria 360 Ghost Writing Apna Writer PK Content Writer Content Powered Das Writing Services PVT. LTD. SAIC Pfizer Johnson & Johnson Boeing Lockheed Martin Amazon Oracle Salesforce Google Northrop Grumman IBM Microsoft ProWrite Offers top-notch technical documentation tailored for businesses NinjaPromo The Brink Agency Bright8 RAISE AGENCY Trendmarke GmbH Mashup Communications GmbH

Keep an open mind during your job search and career plan. An open mind lets you consider changes for growth, different experiences, and a different variety of mentors. In technical writing, the basic skills remain the same and as you grow they become stronger allowing you to move into new areas. I started my career documenting medical software for submitting claims to insurance companies and posting the payments that were received. I just finished a year-long contract position with a mortgage insurance company. Quite a divergence in industry content. Learn to ask good questions and take notes of the answers. Ask questions that lead you to understand the basics and then the content that makes this project unique.

Evaluate the company's approach to work-life balance. Consider factors such as flexible work hours, remote work options, and the overall expectations regarding working hours. Also, consider the communication and collaboration practices within the company. Effective communication and collaborative workflows are essential for successful technical writing projects.