Technical Writer
Resume Guidance

A technical writer’s resume summarises a technical writer’s skills and qualifications when applying for open positions. Technical writers create content for companies in a manner that makes it easy for the target audience to understand.

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1. Contact Information

Include:

• Full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• LinkedIn profile (optional but recommended)
• Portfolio or website link (showcasing your work)

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2. Professional Summary

Write a concise summary (2–3 sentences) highlighting:

• Your experience as a Technical Writer.
• Key skills (e.g., technical writing tools, industry expertise).
• Your value proposition (e.g., “creating user-friendly documentation to improve product understanding and reduce support requests”).

Example:
“Experienced Technical Writer with 5+ years in creating clear and concise user manuals, API documentation, and training guides. Skilled in utilizing tools like MadCap Flare, Confluence, and Git. Adept at collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver documentation that enhances user experience and minimizes support inquiries.”

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3. Core Skills

Use a bulleted list to highlight key technical and soft skills. Tailor these to the job description.

Examples:

• Writing & Editing (manuals, online help, API documentation)
• Tools: MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, Confluence, MS Office Suite
• Version Control: Git, SVN
• Markup Languages: HTML, XML, Markdown
• Content Management Systems (CMS)
• Communication & Collaboration (working with SMEs, engineers)
• Project Management (Agile, Scrum)

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4. Professional Experience

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, focusing on accomplishments and responsibilities relevant to technical writing.

Format:

• Job Title | Company Name | Location | Dates
• [Responsibilities]: Use action verbs (e.g., developed, created, collaborated).
• [Achievements]: Quantify where possible (e.g., “Reduced customer support tickets by 20% through clear documentation”).

Example: Technical Writer | ABC Software Solutions | San Francisco, CA | Jan 2020 – Present

• Created and maintained API documentation, user guides, and tutorials for software products.
• Collaborated with developers and SMEs to ensure technical accuracy.
• Improved document accessibility by introducing structured templates, reducing production time by 15%.
• Led a team initiative to adopt MadCap Flare, standardizing multi-platform documentation.

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5. Education

List your educational background, including relevant certifications.

Format:

• Degree | Institution | Location | Year
• Certifications Include Certified Technical Writer, Agile certifications, or tool-specific training.

Example:
Bachelor of Arts in English | University of XYZ | 2015
Certification in Technical Writing | Technical Writing Institute | 2017

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6. Tools & Technologies

Highlight the tools you’re proficient with in a separate section if they don’t fit into the skills section. This ensures visibility.

Examples:

• Tools: MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, FrameMaker, Visio
• Content Platforms: SharePoint, WordPress, Wiki platforms
• Analytics: Google Analytics, Tableau

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7. Portfolio (Optional but Highly Recommended)

Include a link to your portfolio with samples of:

• User manuals
• API Documentation
• Knowledge base articles
• Tutorials or videos

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8. Additional Sections (Optional)

• Awards/Recognitions: If relevant, include awards for documentation excellence.
• Languages: If bilingual or multilingual, include this if relevant.
• Volunteer Experience: Mention any relevant volunteer projects or documentation contributions.

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General Tips:

Formatting: Use a clean, professional layout with clear headings and consistent fonts.

Tailor Your CV: Adjust your CV for each job application to align with the job description.

Use Action Words: Start bullet points with strong verbs (e.g., developed, streamlined).

Keep it Concise: Aim for 1–2 pages, focusing on recent and relevant experience.

Proofread: Ensure the CV is free of typos and grammatical errors.

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