Want to Start a Career in Technical Writing?

A career in technical writing is ideal for anyone who loves communicating clearly and wants to simplify complex information.

Do You Need a Technical Background?

You don’t need to start with a technical background to break into this field. Many technical writers, myself included, began with degrees in English, Communications, and Journalism. What matters most is your ability to communicate clearly and learn continuously.

Core Skills to Build

There are a few key skills that will set you up for success as a technical writer:

• Clear and Concise Writing: The core of technical writing is breaking down complex concepts for readers, and the best technical writers are concise and clear.
• Detail Orientation: Technical writers work with precise information, like product specifications, which demands accuracy and consistency.
• Adaptability: Technology changes constantly, so exposure to learn and adapt is essential.
• Technical Basics: You don’t need to be a developer, but a basic understanding of tools like HTML, XML, and DITA is good.

Steps to Start Your Career

Dive into Existing Documentation

Start by reading existing technical documentation, like product guides or user manuals, to understand how professionals communicate complex information. You can also review the documentation of various platforms or tools available in the market. Observing how information is structured and simplified will help you understand the tone, style, and detail required in technical writing.

Build Hands-On Experience with Tools

Technical writing often requires using specialized tools. Some commonly used ones include:

• Adobe FrameMaker and MadCap Flare for comprehensive documentation projects.
• Oxygen XML Editor for structured documentation using XML or DITA standards.
• Confluence for collaborative documentation.

When I began, I learned tools like Oxygen XML by trial and error and eventually became comfortable with them. Don’t feel pressured to learn every tool at once; many have free trials or tutorials that help you gain experience without upfront costs.

Build a Portfolio

One of the best ways to demonstrate your skills to employers is through a portfolio. You can start with sample documents—user guides, FAQs, troubleshooting articles, or instructional guides on hypothetical products. This approach gives potential employers a look at your writing style and ability to structure complex information.

Contributing to open-source projects is an easy way to expand your portfolio. Platforms like GitHub are great places to practice writing documentation for real projects, and many projects welcome new contributors.

Certification and Courses

While certifications aren’t mandatory, they can boost your resume. The Society for Technical Communication 's Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) is widely recognized, and many online courses cover niche areas like API documentation or UX writing. LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and Udemy all offer courses that introduce fundamental skills, popular tools, and frameworks like DITA.

Finding Your First Role

Landing that first technical writing role takes patience and persistence. Look for entry-level positions, which often include additional training and mentorship opportunities. Freelance or contract work is also an option, offering exposure to various industries and allowing you to grow your skills while building a portfolio.

Joining professional communities on LinkedIn or platforms like the Society for Technical Communication and TechnicalWriterHQ can be a valuable way to learn from other writers, stay updated on trends, and find job opportunities.

Technical Writing is an Ongoing Learning Journey

Technical writing offers continuous learning as new tools, topics, and projects emerge. My experience as a non-technical writer turned technical writer showed me that anyone with dedication, curiosity, and the right resources can succeed in this field.

Some Courses You Can Start With

Listing down some courses that I have taken.

1. How to write using DITA XML?
2. Tech Writers MasterClass
3. Introduction to Technical Writing
4. Technical Writing: How to Write Software Documentation
5. Technical Writing
6. Technical Wrting 101 for Beginners
7. Learn API writing: JSON and XML
8. How to Build a DITA XML Technical Writing Portfolio
9. Tech Writing: Google

• You can also check the Google Announcements Page for webinars on tech writing.