Technical content writers create documentation that includes maintenance and operating instructions, user guides, and journal articles. Whether your company uses them to write about equipment and machinery, health care procedures, or software, the right writer will ensure your customers can use your products effectively.
When looking for a content technical writer, you’ll want to focus on the following Qualities: Critical thinking. This involves assessing a problem from multiple angles and thinking outside the box.
Communication Skills
There are few industries today that don’t involve technology. However, many users lack the technical knowledge to understand how a product, software, or device works. A good content technical writer can bridge this gap by transforming complex information into easy-to-understand documentation.
When reviewing a candidate’s portfolio, focus on their language and communication skills. Read through the sample documents and look for consistency in grammar, punctuation, phrasing, and clarity. Depending on their remit, technical writers often must interact with subject-matter experts (SMEs). A strong communication skill set enables them to extract and convert this information into an easily understood framework for the intended audience. This is critical for ensuring that users find the information they need quickly. They must also have a positive and collaborative attitude when working with cross-departmental teams.
Attention to Detail
Suppose your content writer produces content in the technology sector. In that case, they must understand how to break down the aspects of technical content creation and transform industry jargon into content that will reach the masses. This requires exceptional attention to detail.
Strong attention to detail is also necessary for writers and proofreaders who work with contracts, reports, and legal jargon, and those involved in numeric or design tasks. Being meticulous in your work eliminates the need for supervisors to spend time checking your outputs and helps you progress further up the career ladder.
Be prepared to answer questions about your attention to detail skills in an interview, and be ready with examples that show how you have leveraged this skill for success. It is important to note that attention to detail is a soft skill and can be mastered with practice.
Analytical Skills
To write about technical topics, a content writer needs to have analytical skills. They should be able to research a topic thoroughly and understand how it relates to their industry. They also need to be able to identify patterns and trends in data. Analytical skills also allow writers to solve problems. For example, if they write an article about installing new software at a company, they can use their analytical skills to determine the best way to explain this process. During an interview, you can demonstrate your analytical skills by giving a real-life example of using them in a previous job or volunteer position. You can also highlight your analytical abilities on a resume by including any relevant coursework or training you have taken.
Creativity
Many companies need to produce industry-specific content. For example, a construction manager may search online for “aggregate rock for cement mixing.” This information must be accurate, educational, and interesting enough to attract the user’s attention.
Evaluate the candidate’s past work to see if she can take complex technical information and make it understandable. This includes paying close attention to the phrasing and style of writing, the layout and organization of documents, and the use of visuals.
A skilled content technical writer can interact with subject matter experts (SMEs) and convert their technical information into documents that a wider audience can understand. This requires both logical reasoning and the ability to follow instructions from project managers and clients.
Time Management
Great technical writers work to deadlines, making it critical to manage their time effectively and produce quality content on time. Using a time management soft skills test in your recruitment process can help you assess a writer’s ability to find the right sources, create content without errors, and finish their work to a high standard.
Your ideal technical writer can turn complicated industry jargon into easily decipherable documentation that serves your target audience’s needs. Look at a writer’s portfolio and writing samples to see if she can “remake” byzantine instructions into a logical framework. This skill is vital when creating product documentation and manuals that may be reused for various end-users. Also, look for writers who excel at single-sourcing, meaning they can use the same source material for multiple documents.
