Technical Writer Resume Examples

Format

A chronological resume format is recommended for resume writers. Why? Because education and work history are important considerations during the hiring process.

To create a chronological resume, first list your contact information and skills. Then, list your work history and educational background in reverse chronological order, beginning with the most recent experience.

Design

When designing your resume, you want to ensure a professional appearance. To do so, you can begin with an online resume template and customize it to fit your needs or design your own based on our professional examples.

The design of your resume is also important because, as a technical writer, you will be expected to create documents. Your resume, then, serves as an early “sample” of your work.

Select a sans serif font such as Arial, and use it consistently throughout the document, varying from 11 to 12-point font and in bold or italic styles. Organize your information into sections and give each a concise heading. Your layout should leave plenty of white space between blocks of text.

Photo

Within the United States, including a photo with your resume is not recommended. This is due to anti-discrimination laws.

If applying outside of the U.S., research what resume practices are common in that country. In some lands, a photo is expected.

Sections of a Resume

Your resume must include the four sections that are vital to every resume. These are:

• Contact information
• Skills
• Work history
• Education

These sections introduce you to your potential employer, giving him or her a well-rounded appraisal of your career and abilities.

You can also spice up your resume with additional, optional sections. You can choose to include these based on your personal experiences. Optional sections could include:

• Objective statement
• Certifications
• Language proficiency
• Publications

Your objective statement lends direction to your career goals, stating clearly what you feel you can bring to the table. Do you have any certifications, such as a typing certificate or notary licensure? Do you speak a language in addition to English? If so, this can add value to you as an employee.

If you’ve been writing for a long time, you may have published works. Whether these are books, blog posts, or something in between, you can include web links in a brief portfolio of your published works. This adds real weight to your status as a professional writer. It also allows your hiring manager to glimpse your writing style.

Resume Length

Your resume should generally be limited to one page in length. If you have ample qualifications, you may decide to extend it to two pages, but no more.

Your resume should fit on standard 8.5 by 11-inch paper. When printing your resume, select a high-quality linen or cotton business paper.