A good technical writer resume focuses on your relevant skills like cross-team collaboration, document editing, or user-friendly content development. Give examples of your success as a technical writer or in similar roles, and show your knowledge base by citing any degree or certificate programs you’ve done. This guide provides expert tips to help you create a persuasive resume showing your best technical writer qualifications.

Key takeaways: 

  • Brainstorm details about your work history on a separate document or sheet of paper. Then, identify the most relevant ones to feature in your experience section – this helps you focus your resume on the role of technical writer.
  • Spell out the positive impact of your work as a technical writer. Describe how your efforts helped the wider organization achieve its goals.
  • Follow the combination resume format to provide all required information while positioning yourself for technical writer jobs that interest you.

Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Raymond’s resume is strong because it clearly demonstrates his extensive technical writing experience, collaborative skills, and measurable impact on user support.

Expert Tip:

Quantify the impact of your documentation and highlight cross-team collaboration to boost credibility. For further tips, see How to Make a Resume.


Entry-Level Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Sarah’s resume effectively leverages her academic achievements and internship experience to demonstrate her potential as a technical writer, even at an entry level.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your academic projects and internships to build a strong foundation. For further tips, see How to Write Your First Job Resume.


Junior Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Selena’s resume is strong because it clearly showcases her robust educational background and proven technical writing experience, with measurable improvements in documentation quality.

Expert Tip:

Use detailed metrics and collaborative achievements to highlight your technical writing effectiveness. For further tips, see How to Write a Resume Summary.


Senior Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Aliya’s resume is effective because it combines extensive technical writing experience with leadership and mentoring accomplishments, linking her work history to measurable improvements.

Expert Tip:

Showcase your mentoring and leadership experience alongside technical achievements. For further tips, see Best Resume Formats.


Freelance Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Ethan’s resume is strong because it highlights his ability to manage diverse projects independently while achieving measurable improvements in user engagement and client satisfaction.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your versatility and project management skills with clear success metrics. For further tips, see How to Write a Resume Summary.


Technical Writer Resume with No Experience Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Sophia’s resume leverages academic projects and internships to demonstrate her potential as a technical writer, showcasing transferable skills despite limited professional experience.

Expert Tip:

Highlight transferable skills from academic projects and internships to build a strong foundation. For further tips, see How to Write a Resume With No Experience.


Software Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Jason’s resume is strong because it focuses on his specialized software documentation skills and includes measurable outcomes demonstrating his impact on reducing support issues.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your specialized software documentation skills and usability testing experience. For further tips, see How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Technical Content Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Avery’s resume is strong because it demonstrates his ability to create engaging, optimized technical content that drives measurable user engagement.

Expert Tip:

Highlight digital content optimization and measurable engagement metrics. For further tips, see Best Resume Formats.


IT Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Brianna’s resume stands out because it focuses on her IT expertise and demonstrates measurable reductions in support calls through effective documentation.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your IT content expertise with clear metrics on support reduction. For further tips, see How to List Skills on a Resume.


Medical Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Calvin’s resume is strong because it demonstrates his ability to translate complex medical information into user-friendly documentation with measurable improvements in compliance and support reduction.

Expert Tip:

Highlight your experience with regulatory compliance and healthcare content using clear performance metrics. For further tips, see How to Write a Resume Summary.


Regulatory Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Diana’s resume is effective because it focuses on her regulatory expertise and demonstrates measurable improvements in compliance, supporting audit readiness.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your regulatory writing experience with clear metrics to validate your compliance impact. For further tips, see How Far Should a Resume Go?


Online Help Documentation Specialist Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Eric’s resume is effective because it highlights his expertise in digital help content and demonstrates measurable improvements in support efficiency.

Expert Tip: Focus on your digital documentation skills and usability testing achievements to emphasize your impact. For further tips, see How to List Skills on a Resume.


User Documentation Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Fiona’s resume is strong because it effectively demonstrates her ability to produce user-friendly documentation with measurable improvements in customer satisfaction.

Expert Tip:

Use clear communication and regular updates to showcase your commitment to quality documentation. For further tips, see How to Write a Convincing Resume Profile.


Technical Editor Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Gavin’s resume is strong because it emphasizes his technical editing expertise and his ability to improve documentation quality through consistent standards.

Expert Tip:

Highlight your editing process and quality control achievements with specific metrics. For further tips, see How to Use Bullet Points on a Resume Effectively.


Technical Communication Consultant Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Hannah’s resume is compelling because it showcases her holistic approach to technical communication through strategic planning and hands-on training.

Expert Tip:

Highlight your consulting and training experiences with clear process improvement metrics. For further tips, see How to Update Your Resume.


Product Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Isaac’s resume is effective because it demonstrates his product documentation expertise with measurable improvements in customer support and satisfaction.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your product-specific documentation skills and the measurable impact on customer experience. For further tips, see How to Write a Convincing Resume Profile.


Systems Technical Writer Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Julian’s resume is strong because it demonstrates his ability to translate complex system details into accessible documentation with quantifiable improvements in support.

Expert Tip:

Highlight your collaboration with technical teams and improvements in document clarity using specific metrics. For further tips, see How to List Your Education on a Resume.


Documentation Manager Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Katherine’s resume is compelling because it emphasizes her leadership and process improvement capabilities, with measurable enhancements in documentation quality.

Expert Tip:

Highlight your managerial achievements and process improvements with quantifiable results. For further tips, see How to Build a Professional Resume.


Technical Writing Project Manager Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Marcus’s resume is effective because it demonstrates strong project management skills and a proven track record of improving documentation processes with measurable outcomes.

Expert Tip:

Emphasize your project management achievements with clear efficiency metrics. For further tips, see How to Use Bullet Points on a Resume Effectively.


Senior Technical Content Strategist Resume Example

Why This Resume Is a Great Example

Sofia’s resume is strong because it effectively merges strategic content development with technical writing leadership, showcasing measurable improvements in user engagement and documentation efficiency.

Expert Tip:

Combine your leadership with strategic content metrics to demonstrate your comprehensive impact on documentation quality. For further tips, see Resume Personal Statement Examples.


Technical Writer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

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  • Technical Writer
  • Entry-Level Technical Writer
  • Junior Technical Writer
  • Senior Technical Writer
  • Freelance Technical Writer
  • Technical Writer Resume with No Experience Example
  • Software Technical Writer
  • Technical Content Writer
  • IT Technical Writer
  • Medical Technical Writer
  • Regulatory Technical Writer
  • Online Help Documentation Specialist
  • User Documentation Writer
  • Technical Editor
  • Technical Communication Consultant
  • Product Technical Writer
  • Systems Technical Writer
  • Documentation Manager
  • Technical Writing Project Manager
  • Senior Technical Content Strategist
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Raymond Ortiz
New York, NY 12345 | (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | LinkedIn

Profile

I am a seasoned technical writer with a strong computer science and IT background, having worked with industry giants like Microsoft and IBM. I excel at developing complex technical documentation, collaborating with engineering teams, and translating technical jargon into clear, user-friendly content.

Education

  • BA in English, University of California, Los Angeles, CA – Graduated May 2008
  • BS in Technical Communication, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI – Graduated May 2006
  • MS in Professional Writing, New York University, New York, NY – Graduated May 2010

Key Skills

  • Team Collaboration
  • Technical Publication Standards
  • Usability Studies

Professional Experience

Senior Technical Writer, Microsoft, Redmond, WA | January 2018 – Present
– Developed and managed over 50 technical documents, reducing help desk call rates by 30%.
– Collaborated with a team of 20 technical staff to simplify product instructions, improving user experience.
– Conducted usability studies to refine documentation and enhance clarity.

Technical Writer, IBM, Armonk, NY | January 2017 – December 2017
– Authored and maintained documentation that improved customer understanding and reduced support queries by 20%.
– Employed industry-standard publishing tools to create high-quality content.
– Worked closely with product teams to ensure accuracy in technical details.

Professional Development

  • CPTC, Society for Technical Communication
  • CTW, American Medical Writers Association
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate

How To Write a Technical Writer Resume

A template can help you organize your career information for an effective technical writer resume. Your technical writer resume should usually include these sections:

  • Contact information
  • Profile
  • Key skills
  • Professional experience
  • Education and certifications

Before starting work on your resume, jot down any preferences you have for your target job duties, industry, company size, or work culture. These notes will help you determine and emphasize your best career details as you develop each section.

1. Share your contact information

Give your full name, phone number, email address, location, and links to any online professional profiles. Always double-check your contact information for accuracy when applying to jobs – it’s as important as anything else on your resume.

Example

Your Name
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | City, State Abbreviation Zip Code | LinkedIn

2. Summarize your technical writer qualifications in a dynamic profile

Impress hiring managers at the top of your resume by giving the three to five primary reasons you can excel as their next technical writer. Consider what sets you apart from other candidates, such as your:

  • Years of related work experience
  • Work style or approach (efficient, diligent, collaborative…)
  • College degree(s) or certifications in your field

(Note: Most job seekers find it easier to write their profile last.)

Example

A highly skilled technical writer with a strong background in computer science and information technology (IT), and experience working with top tech companies like Microsoft and International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). Proficient in developing comprehensive technical documentation, collaborating with technical staff to translate complex concepts into user-friendly content, and reviewing and editing documents for accuracy and consistency. Holds a master’s degree in professional writing and multiple certifications, including Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC).

3. Add your technical writer experience with compelling examples

For each recent job you’ve held, specify your title, company name, location, and work dates. Then, flesh out your description of each role to the extent it speaks to your target job. Give a brief overview of any unrelated jobs (even ones you held for a long time). And provide a detailed account of any technical writing jobs (even those you had briefly). Far from misleading, this approach gives hiring managers the clearest measure of your background relevant to the role they hope to fill.

Example

Technical Writer, IBM, New York, NY | January 2019 to present

  • Developed and maintained over 50 technical documents, including user manuals, help files, and how-to guides, improving user understanding and product usability
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams of software developers, engineers, and product managers to gather and understand product information, resulting in accurate and comprehensive documentation
  • Reviewed and edited technical documents for accuracy, clarity, and quality, ensuring information is easily understandable and usable for the target audience

Resume writer’s tip: Quantify your experience

When possible, cite relevant performance data and metrics to show the results you’ve achieved as a technical writer. Hard numbers put your work in context and give recruiters a better sense of your scope and impact.

Resume writer’s tip: Tailor your resume to each application

For each job posting you respond to, note any details about the hiring organization’s size, industry, customer base, or products and services. How do these areas compare to your recent experience? You can make a stronger first impression on the hiring manager by citing these similarities in your profile.

For instance, say the company is in manufacturing. You could enhance your profile by changing your first line from “Manager with seven years of experience” to “Manager with seven years of experience, including three years in manufacturing.”

What if you have no experience as a technical writer?

Writing a resume can be hard if you don’t have real-world experience. But you still have valuable skills and knowledge from your education and training. Include any relevant coursework you’ve done or certifications you’ve earned. Also, describe volunteer work or internships you’ve completed in your field, and emphasize your work ethic and willingness to learn. By focusing on these qualities, you can show you’d be an asset to any team.

4. Include technical writer-related education and certifications

With the education and certifications sections, you can show you have a strong knowledge base in your field. Cite any credentials you’ve earned that speak to your abilities as a technical writer. Below are templates and examples to help you organize this information on your resume (note, years are optional).

Education

Template:

[Degree Name], [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
[Relevant coursework or honors]

Example:

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English, University of California, Berkeley, CA

Certifications

Template:

[Certification Name] | [Awarding Organization] | [Completion Date]

Examples:

Certified Technical Writer (CTW), American Medical Writers Association

5. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to technical writer

A skills section lets you quickly show the different ways you can add value to an organization. It also helps your resume perform well on applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by employers to screen candidates. Below, you’ll find some key terms and skills to consider for this section:

Key Skills
Cross-team collaboration Document review and editing
Efficiency improvement Junior writer mentoring
Project management Subject matter expert (SME) collaboration
Technical documentation software Technical publication standards
Technical writing and editing Usability studies
User-friendly content development

Resume writer’s tip: Use common action verbs

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you make your resume more clear, concise, and engaging than with nouns or noun phrases.

Do
  • "Managed and motivated a 12-person team "
Don't
  • "Responsibilities included management of a 12-person team "

The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your technical writer resume:

Action Verbs
Clarified Created
Decreased Defined
Edited Enhanced
Fostered Generated
Grew Improved
Increased Introduced
Lowered Managed
Prevented Proofread
Ranked Reduced
Researched Streamlined
Updated Won
Wrote

How To Pick the Best Technical Writer Resume Template

Choose a clear and straightforward template, and avoid those with elaborate graphics or various colors and font styles. Simple resume design helps a hiring manager scan for relevant information. It also helps you tailor the document to each job application and update your work history.

Frequently Asked Questions: Technical Writer Resume Examples and Advice

How do you align your resume with a technical writer job posting?

First, look closely at the job post text and note any repeated or emphasized words. Compare these phrases to the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the profile and key skills sections. Then, seek ways to align your resume language with the job posting while not copying phrases or misstating your background. For example, if the organization seeks someone collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the company has many non-English speaking customers. Cite your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each opportunity.

What is the best technical writer resume format?

The combination (or hybrid) format, because it lets you present yourself both clearly and strategically. According to job search experts Wendy Enelow and Louise Kursmark, this format “gives you many opportunities to share your specific successes…. It offers immense flexibility in an easy-to-follow structure.” A combination resume has these two features:

  1. An introduction describing your strengths. The traditional resume intro comprises a profile paragraph and skills list, as in the examples on this page. But there are many variations. Depending on your job search, you may omit one or both of these sections in favor of a one- or two-sentence professional headline. You may also add other elements like graphs or client testimonials. Whatever approach you choose, your introduction should tell why you’re a strong candidate for the job opening.
  1. One or more experience sections. Hiring managers want to know your latest career activities. The combination format lets you provide that information with sections for your recent years’ work, internship, education, or other experience. For most job seekers, the bulk of their combination resume will be a “Professional Experience” section with detailed job descriptions in reverse chronological order.
Expert advice:

Include a cover letter with your resume

A good cover letter can enhance your job application. To write a standout letter, get specific. Tell the hiring manager why you’re interested in their organization and the technical writer role they hope to fill.

Check Out Related Examples

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.

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