A Three-Step Plan to Becoming a Technical Writer

Explore some technical writing samples.
The first step is to see first-hand what you'll be doing in your new career! Many software companies publish their product documentation on-line. And almost every software program has an embedded Help file - simply click on the 'Help' menu. Understanding the type of writing you'll be expected to produce is a great way to prepare.

Learn the industry-standard authoring tools.
As an entry-level writer, you'll be expected to at least have experience with Microsoft Word. You'll need to understand advanced Word features such as styles, templates, and dealing with extremely large documents.

Besides Word, the 'big two' applications used in the industry are Adobe FrameMaker and eHelp's RoboHELP. If you have experience with these programs, your chances of landing a good first job increase dramatically. Basic tutorials for these programs are available on-line and at bookstores.

Take a class in technical writing.
Sometimes there's simply no substitute for learning from a seasoned professional. There are books, on-line courses, and college or university-level courses on technical writing that will help you learn the basics of producing documentation, how to write project plans, how to interview subject matter experts (SME's) and so on.

Not only are classes a great way to learn the basics, but certification looks great on a CV / resume, and you'll have an instant support network to help you during your job search!

STEP 3: STEPPIN' OUT

If you've followed all the previous steps and are committed to making technical writing your new career, here's how to land that all-important first job.

Write a CV / resume that showcases your relevant experience.
These days, you can't get any recruiter to talk to you without a CV / resume. The CV / resume's main purpose is to get you an interview, so keep it short, simple, and relevant to your writing and technical skills. Include any writing, editing or technical training courses or certifications. And the importance of editing and proofreading it thoroughly can't be emphasized enough! A CV / resume with typos or grammatical errors speaks volumes about your skills as a professional communicator.

Put together a portfolio of writing samples.
Prospective employers want to see two main things from your portfolio: that you know how to write clearly, and that you have the ability to understand complex subjects and can break them down concisely. The best writing samples to include in your portfolio are how-to articles or FAQ's, articles about technology or science, training materials, and any assignments you

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