Technical Writers Continued…

Many times a technical writer will be working with other people on a project – it's a highly collaborative field. Technical writing is mainly contract work, although large corporations do have in house technical writers. The typical contract lasts anywhere from 30 to 90 days, and is considered a freelance position.

What skills are required?

Technical writing calls on a great deal of skills. You need to have basic people skills, a good grasp of technology, logical, structured thinking, and a basic understanding of programming can help as well.

There are a few pieces of software that are commonly used in technical writing too. FrameMaker and RoboHelp are the most popular among technical writers, and a knowledge in using these will help increase your chances of getting a contract.


Where can you find technical writing jobs?

The major online job searches such as Monster have many technical writing jobs. Most of these, as mentioned above, are contract work. They are also primarily onsite.

Major computer companies often have a great need for technical writers, for everything from manuals to marketing collateral. You may also have a hand in the actual programming, either through beta testing or feedback.

The job bid boards, where a number of people will bid for a specific job, are also used at times for technical writing job offers. These boards are viewed with mixed reviews among writers, however.

Where is the field going?

As technology reaches out to more people, the need for good documentation is paramount. The focus on advancing technology creates a need for more technical writers, calling for versatile people that can adapt to a variety of projects.

An average salary of $51,000 annually was reported in 2000, with a large potential growth rate for years to come. This is a very nice field for those with both writing and technical skills.

By Tiffany Garden