How to Write a Technical Writer Cover Letter
Technical Writer HQ’s career guides help you step forward into a technical writing career. This article contains the best method to create a compelling technical writer’s cover letter. In the end, you will find some examples and a template for you to start.
What is a Technical Writer Cover Letter?
A technical writer’s cover letter is a fundamental tool that strengthens your overall job application. It’s a precise but to-the-point document that showcases your most relevant expertise and skills as a technical writer.
Don’t replicate the same content from your resume/application. The cover letter should contain your technical writing experience, tools, and expertise related to the job description. Use it to show the hiring manager that you are the best fit for the technical writer position and can add more value to the company.
A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting a Technical Writer Cover Letter
Follow these guidelines and flow to curate an outstanding technical writer’s cover letter. You can increase your chances of becoming a technical writer in ABC Company by:
Research the Company
Researching the company helps you gain insights into job requirements and the company’s work culture. As a result, you can effectively tailor your cover letter and add the most relevant experiences and expertise that make you the best fit for a technical writer position.
Customize Your Cover Letter
You should customize your cover letter following the job description. Don’t use the same cover letter for different job applications. This will make the recruiter think of you as an amateur candidate for the position and turn off the recruiter from further looking into your resume and documents.
In addition, customization includes adding the most relevant expertise that the hiring manager will find interesting.
Keep it to the Point
Your cover letter should not exceed one page and must be simple. For example, use a clear/plain background, the font color must be black, and the font size and style must be standardized (Style: Calibri, Times New Roman – Size: 12). Avoid using fancy colors or fonts in your cover letter, as this will make you appear like a non-professional candidate.
Add Relevant Skills & Experience
Focus on adding your most relevant skills to the cover letter. Add the exact skills and experiences that excite the recruiter and complement the job description. If you don’t have professional experience in technical writing but have the required skill set, highlight your credentials, certifications, and internship experiences to make your cover letter valuable.
Proofread and Edit
Be careful while finalizing your cover letter. Before submission, ensure to edit any grammar, spelling, or structural issues you encounter in your cover letter. This is an essential step as your cover’s structural and language perfection will highlight your attention to detail quality to the hiring manager.
You can seek help from your friends, family, or colleagues to proofread your cover letter, or you can use online tools such as Grammarly to double-check your work.
What is the Objective of a Technical Writer Cover Letter?
A cover letter is a fundamental document that guides the recruiter in shortlisting the best candidates for the interviews. In addition, a strong cover letter will encourage the hiring manager to review your complete application, including your resume, which increases your chances of selection.
Your cover letter must be professional and showcase your technical writing skills and expertise. A professional and relevant to the job description cover letter interests the hiring manager to move your application further to the next round. Put your writing genius at work and curate a cover letter that tells a mesmerizing story about yourself.
Try answering these questions to create a cover letter that makes your stand apart from other candidates.
- Do you think you are eligible for the technical writing position?
- Do you have a passion for technical writing?
- Does the prospecting company interest you?
Technical Writer Cover Letter Outline
Following is a general outline that will help you curate your technical writer’s cover letter.
- Heading
- Recruiter’s details
- Greeting
- Introductory paragraph
- Body
- Closing
- Signature
Technical Writer Cover Letter Sections Explained
Heading
Start the cover letter with your details, such as name, contact number, and address. In addition, you can add your LinkedIn, portfolio websites, and digital profile(s).
Recruiter’s Details
Include the recruiter’s details, including name, designation, and company details, in this section.
Greeting
It’s ideal to address the recruiter by name. To do this read the job description carefully or search the company website. If you can’t find the recruiter’s name, you can address the recruiter using Dear Sir, Respected Sir, Respected HR Manager, or Dear Mr/Ms.
Introductory Paragraph
This section highlights your cover letter and should include an engaging “hook” to catch the recruiter’s attention right from the beginning. An engaging hook includes your top skills, key competencies, and years of experience working in the same or relevant role. A winning hook encourages the recruiter to read your complete resume and application.
Body
This section contains most of the content from your cover letter. It includes your relevant strengths, competencies, and accomplishments for the technical writer role. Ensure that this section doesn’t exceed 2-3 short paragraphs. Focus on adding the most relevant information in this section.
You can add examples of your accomplishments, including statistics and metrics, to add more authority to your cover letter. Ensure to add the experiences you think will add value to the job description and the company.
Closing
Share the “call to action” for the recruiter in this section, including your contact number. This helps the recruiter get in touch with you to discuss the requirements.
Signature
Include “Best Regards,” a digital signature, and your name at the end. You can sign the cover letter by hand if you are sending the job application in hard copy format.
Technical Writer Cover Letter Examples
Example # 1
Example # 2
Technical Writer Cover Letter Template
