If you’re looking to balance your flair for writing and your interest in technology, a career in technical writing can be both fulfilling and engaging. It really doesn’t matter if you have never tried your hand at it; what matters is your willingness to hone your skill set.
Most technical writers have learnt their lessons on the job. While the modern-day tech writers may have certificates that qualify them as such, the more experienced writers started off with just an eye for detail, presence of mind to question, inherent writing skills, and maybe some background in science or technology. While it certainly helps if you have done some writing before or if you have academic qualifications to support you, there are those who have gotten into the field with either one or neither of these.
Technical writing is about simplifying things for the users: describing the product, telling them how something works, giving them a background, and helping them through the various functions available. You could be helping them with a product, or a web or desktop application. You may also just be writing a paper about a new launch or technology. Whatever the type of writing, if you have the confidence to follow your calling, here are a few quick tips that may help show you the way:
Keep yourself abreast of advances in technology. Your interest may be focused on the latest mobile phone in the market or the smart plug-in for your PC. Whatever the technology or the product, learn about it as much as you can. One of the most important lessons in successful technical writing is knowing more than you think is necessary. If you are updated, you are already half way there!
Try to develop an interest in how things work. While technical writing is all about explaining the know-how of a product or an application, a large part of it is about what you’re supposed to do with it. A lot of this information comes on the job from asking questions and working closely with the people that created the product or application. And your curiosity in the subject is the only way you can ask the right questions at the right time.
Think through processes in your head. Whenever you see something and figure how it works, make notes if you like to think on paper (or use your PC). Once you have the answers to your questions, you can string together the different steps to perform a particular action. That’s when you may catch something you don’t understand or may have missed asking. If you don’t understand a process, neither will your readers. Making notes and asking questions can come in handy once you’ve landed a job.
Cultivate the habit of noticing user interfaces and product designs. One of the main tenets of technical writing is to make the experience of using the product or application easy for the user. It’s true that documentation is essential; your users can always check back it if they need help. However, imagine having help available instantly without having to flip through a document - the user experience would be enriched manifold. A tool-tip, a pop-up, an intuitive icon, or on-screen assistance – these are just some of the contributions a technical writer can make to increase the usability of a product or application.
Take a course. There are plenty available today both online and off it. Make sure you research and ask around before you enroll. Some courses may not target your exact needs and it would be good to ask an experienced technical writer or a course counselor before you begin. There are custom-made courses that you can make the best of.
Talk to people in the field. It’s best to speak to tech writers who’ve been on it for a couple of years. They will be able to guide you on the intricacies of the training and the job. It’s good to be clued in on your career path before you get into something completely new to you. While you may have the basic skills, it helps to know what the job is all about and whether you would want to make a career out of it.
Create an impressive resume by including any of your special interests and any reading that can help influence your entry into the field. If you have experience writing or working on science and technology projects, say it up front. And if you don’t, then remember you may have questions to answer from prospective employers about why you want to take up technical writing. Don’t let that bother you because if you are truly interested and have been doing your homework with the tricks and trends of the field, you should not have it tough to start your career.
Ultimately, as with all other career options, technical writing calls for dedication and focus. You learn most of it as your work your way through. If you enjoy learning, you will never look back on your decision.
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Chillibreeze's disclaimer: This is a contributed article and was published on Chillibreeze in July, 2010. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the views of Chillibreeze as a company. Chillibreeze has a strict anti-plagiarism policy. Please contact us to report any copyright issues related to this article. The relevance of the facts and figures cited (if any) could change after a period of time.
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—About our writer:
Vidya Shanbhag has nine years of professional experience in writing that varies from Journalism to Content Writing, and Instructional Design to Technical Writing. Additionally, she has freelanced for over three years, writing for the web and various publications. Her work portfolio includes organizations the likes of IBM, Infosys, and Tata Interactive Systems. With a Masters' in Communication and a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Relations, her special interest is to write for children.
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