An entry-level technical writer helps other writers attain consistency, accuracy, and clarity with organizational documents.
In this article, you’ll learn the day-to-day tasks and the skills they require to perform such duties.
Furthermore, we’ll also give you some tips on making career progress.
Let’s jump right in.
Entry-level Technical Writer Role
An entry-level technical writer researches, documents, and presents detailed information in easy-to-interpret guides, help manuals, white papers, templates, web pages, videos, journal articles, etc.
A technical writer (also known as a technical communicator) transforms complex information into concise and precise documentation.
They enhance the technical communication of companies/ service providers and help them improve the end user’s experience.
To understand more, here’s a breakdown of an entry-level technical writer’s routine tasks and duties:
- Carry out extensive research to craft high-quality software documentation that communicates clear and appropriate terminologies. Define and explain niche-related jargon.
- Analyze the target audience, create, design, and present technical content, and tailor the document’s knowledge level and specificity according to their familiarity with the subject.
- Choose an appropriate medium to deliver content to the audience. Analyze the audience’s behavior and identify engagement on various platforms and content types.
- Use visual components such as charts, graphs, lists, etc., to highlight valuable information. If using external sources, include credible and authentic content with proper citation.
- Comply with the company’s rules and instructions on creating technical documentation.
- Interact with peers, project managers, technical support staff, technical editors, and other teammates to ensure the accuracy of information in technical documents, such as API documentation.
- Work with product managers and technical team. Examine mockups, product samples, and Software Requirement Specifications documents to integrate production sequences.
- Update and edit documents to introduce new components to the associated product or service.
- Understand different types of technical writing and coordinate with senior and junior technical writers.
- Edit and update material produced by software development teams/technical staff and comprehend it for the end-users.
- Create documents that reflect the organization’s goals and culture.
- Collect user feedback to update and improve documentation.
Most importantly, entry-level technical writers must enroll in professional technical writing training, seminars, and courses to improve their writing skills. Check out our Technical Writing Certification course.
Skills, Traits, and Requirements for an Entry-level Technical Writer
Organizations require technical writers to simplify information without losing its technical accuracy – not just for a single document but also for the entire organization’s documentation.
- An entry-level technical writer must possess editing and proofreading skills to deliver documents without grammatical and style errors.
- Be tech-savvy, have a keen eye for detail, and quickly grasp technical knowledge.
- Comprehend complex methods in straightforward step-by-step processes.
- Exceptional at problem-solving and possessing a mind that exhibits patience and persistence.
- Coordinate with SMEs, experienced technical writers, and other stakeholders—display outstanding communication skills.
- Correlate their ideas and communicate them.
- Use proper layouts and indentation rules in their documents to make them readable.
- Highlight high-value information in technical content.
- Craft easily searchable content by labeling indexes, tables of content, roadmaps, etc.
- They must be well-coordinated, agile, responsive, and bound to deliver results the way customers and stakeholders want.
- Meet deadlines and handle the stress that comes with them.
- Be proficient in tools like Grammarly, MS Word, Hemingway app, Evernote, Freemind, etc.
Finally, an entry-level technical writer must be curious to learn new things, ask questions, and learn from the answers.
Entry-Level Technical Writer Qualifications
A college degree will help you get an entry-level technical writer’s position. Additionally, specific field knowledge and writing experience improve your chances.
Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in English (or other Language Studies) and sound knowledge of technical fields such as engineering, medicine, or computer science.
Some employers seek candidates with a master’s degree in technical subjects, in addition to certificates and licenses from associations like Society for Technical Communication and the American Medical Writers Association (for medical writing).
Entry-level Technical Writer Work Schedule
Typically, a technical writing job requires forty hours of work per week.
Meeting deadlines, ensuring quality, and proving their worth as valuable assets for the company may be difficult, but it’s necessary for these roles.
Furthermore, achieving a permanent employee’s position at the firm may add to their responsibilities.
They may also have a team to manage and assist employees who look up to them as they go up in the company hierarchy.
An Entry-level Technical Writer’s Average Salary
An entry-level technical writer’s salary in the United States ranges from $30,000 to $52,000 per year (the average is $42,682).
According to this calculation, an entry-level technical writer earns an average of $20.52 an hour and $3,557 per month.
However, factors like an employee’s work experience, skill level, and location greatly influences the compensation.
What are the Best Practices of an Entry-level Technical Writer?
Technical writing requires extensive practice, editing, and reading.
Early in their career, technical writers may find writing stressful and experience writer’s block.
It’s less exhausting if you keep the following best practices in mind when working:
- Planning – Writing demands planning. Therefore, plan an outline, get it approved by the concerned party, do appropriate research on the topic, analyze audience demographics, and prepare the document’s scope.
- Use simple words – Technical writing must impart the knowledge your audience requires. Simplify your content as much as possible, and always try to make it worthwhile for the readers.
- Keep the skimmers and power readers in mind—People read technical documents to get answers and skip unnecessary information. For such people, technical writers must use front-loading techniques, infographics, charts, bullet points, and numbered lists to make the content more precise and direct.
Put yourself in your reader’s shoes and see if the document makes sense to a layperson.
Find Entry-level Technical Writer Jobs
Switching a job or entering a professional field for the first time is tough.
Job seekers can look for opportunities at the desired companies by regularly checking for job openings on official websites.
In addition, visit job portals and browse the jobs there. You can also filter out irrelevant job postings by targeting the job title “Entry-level technical writer.” A well-written cover letter and a captivating resume are crucial if applying through job portals.
Finally, subscribe to job alerts at the job portals to never miss an opportunity.
How Do You Become a Great Technical Writer?
Becoming a great technical writer requires resilience and a forward approach toward career development. Here are helpful tips:
- Complete the prerequisites – Without a formal degree, you can learn a skill but not excel at it. Therefore, complete the courses, certifications, or degrees required for technical writing.
- Create a portfolio – Curate your best work and create a portfolio. If you’re an entry-level technical writer and don’t have many samples to provide, start writing on trending topics, the latest products, or current technologies.
- Start networking – Join a professional association of technical writers or join communities on Medium, Quora, or Slack. Building a professional network will help you find jobs and open-source projects.
- Become an industry influencer. Stay updated on industry trends and developments. Share your opinions on new technology, medical findings, or the latest scientific research to stay ahead of everything.
As you gain experience, educate others about the technical and communication tactics you apply in your content. That will help you strengthen your concepts, cultivate new methods to improve your style, and learn the necessary technical writing elements.
FAQs
Here are frequently asked questions about entry-level technical writing.
What is an entry level technical writer responsible for?
An entry level technical writer is primarily responsible for creating clear and concise documentation that communicates complex information effectively. This role involves collaborating with various audiences, including engineers, product managers, and sales representatives, to gather the necessary information. The ability to translate technical jargon into user-friendly content is crucial. Quality assurance is also a key aspect of the job, as it ensures that all documentation meets the required standards. Despite having limited experience, entry level technical writers must establish a strong connection with their team and maintain a human touch in their writing to make the material accessible and engaging.
How does an entry level technical writer interact with sales representatives?
Entry level technical writers often interact with sales representatives to understand the needs and challenges of the target audience. This collaboration helps in tailoring the documentation to address specific customer pain points and enhance product usability. By maintaining open lines of contact, the technical writer can ensure that the content they produce is relevant and beneficial to the sales process. Sales representatives provide valuable insights into what customers are looking for, which can improve the quality of the technical documentation and its effectiveness in supporting the sales team.
What skills are essential for an entry level technical writer?
For an entry level technical writer, essential skills include strong writing and communication abilities, attention to detail, and a basic understanding of technical concepts. The ability to adapt content for various audiences is crucial, as it ensures that the documentation is accessible to both technical and non-technical readers. Additionally, familiarity with quality assurance processes helps in maintaining high standards of accuracy and clarity. While experience may be limited, having a proactive attitude and the ability to connect with different stakeholders, including subject matter experts and users, is vital for success in this role.
How can an entry level technical writer ensure their documentation meets quality standards?
To ensure documentation meets quality standards, an entry level technical writer should focus on several key practices. First, engaging in thorough research and understanding the needs of various audiences helps in producing relevant and accurate content. Regular collaboration with team members and subject matter experts facilitates valuable feedback and quality assurance. It’s also important to review and revise documents carefully, checking for clarity, consistency, and adherence to any established guidelines. Even with limited experience, developing a keen eye for detail and actively seeking constructive criticism can greatly enhance the quality of the documentation.
If you are new to technical writing, we recommend taking our Technical Writing Certification Course. You will learn the fundamentals of being a technical writer, how to dominate technical writer interviews, and how to stand out as a technical writing candidate.
