Lesson 4: Breaking Into the Field
After studying the other parts of this course, you have decided that you would like to make technical writing your career. In this lesson we go into some of the ways to get started as an entry-level writer.
What Hiring Managers Are Looking For
As in any field, the hardest step is landing your first job. Most managers hiring an entry-level technical writer look for the following:
- Writing ability - This means the ability to write clearly in standard American English about a technical subject. This means you must be able to explain a product or process to a typical user. Hiring managers are not looking for brilliant creative writing or an eloquent prose style. The manager will want to see one (or more) pieces of technical writing that you have done.
- Software Tools - Though an entire lesson is devoted to software that technical writers use, I should add that knowledge and experience with Microsoft Word and certain desktop publishing (DTP) tools such as FrameMaker is essential to landing that first job. Though it helps, you don't necessarily have to be an expert with all of the software. However, you should be very familiar with Microsoft Word and at least another of the tools mentioned in the lesson called "Tools of the Trade
- Technical Background - Companies are always looking for writers with technical backgrounds. The more technical knowledge you have, the easier it is to find a job and often one with higher pay. A background in programming, electronics, engineering, computer science, etc. will almost always prove invaluable in finding a job. However, if you do not have a strong technical background, do not panic, many jobs out there do not require years of technical experience or only require a "lite" technical background. It is often hard for employers to find someone who actually meets their technical criteria, and will hire a "bright," young (or old) talent such as yourself.
- Know the Lingo - Before your interview or other dealings with a company, be sure you become comfortable with some of the buzzwords (or jargona) common to their industry. That way, you will not panic when some strange term is thrown at you during the interview. Of course, learning the jargon is also learning the language of an enterprise and will help you in dealing with colleages and translating that lingo into standard English.
- Email & Internet - You cannot do anything today in today's high-tech world with out knowing how to "bring up" your e-mail and use the Internet's fabulous capacity for research. Do not even try to apply for a job in a technical field—much less tech writing—without having first secured an e-mail address. Be sure to put a working e-mail address and the URL (web address) of your personal or professional web site if you have one, on your resume.
- Interpersonal Skills - As with most jobs in today's economy, relationships with co-workers and colleagues is essential (in some ways more important than any other skill). You especially must be able to work well with engineers and programmers since you will be obtaining so much of your product information from them. Also, they will be reviewing and correcting your work. Often you must gain their respect by showing that you either have or are learning quickly the knowledge necessary to do the work. Sometimes you must be firm with the "techies" also, as they often have a way of putting off any concerns about the documentation until the project is almost complete. If you allow that situation to continue, they will often want you to do "mountains" of corrections and rewriting at the last minute. While there is always much to do at the last minute as a project nears completion, you should not let lack of communication with the engineers cause you to fall so far behind in your documentation that you cause the project to exceed the specified release date (Don't even think about it!).
- Positive Attitude - All things considered (as the expression goes), you stand probably 100% greater chance of getting hired if you have (and show) a positive attitude. Hiring managers want to know that you can get the job done, as they are under enormous pressure to hire excellent employees. While excellent credentials are critical for your job search, quite often the applicant who comes across as positive, eager and self-confident will get the job—all else being equal (sometimes even unequal so important is attitude). Can anyone say "Michael Jordan?"
Recommended ReadingThe Complete Idiot's Guide To Technical Writing, Chapter 4
