Do you know what technical writing is? A kind of writing where the writer writes about a particular subject that requires direction, instruction, or explanation is known as technical writing. This writing style has a very different purpose and characteristics than other writing styles, such as creative, academic, or business writing. It is also needed when one is practicing technical resume writing.
Five types of technical writing
However, here are the five most prevalent forms of technical writing that you can adopt as a career.
1. Medical and scientific
Technical writing within medical and science always comes under the traditional writing umbrella. This academic helps researchers analyze their results, arrange and compress them into interesting text, and publish them in journals, newsletters, and online platforms.
2. User manual and assistance guide
Even non-technical professionals come across user manuals, a popular type of technical literature. This kind aims to answer particular usage-related issues for consumer items and improve the overall end-user experience.
3. Books and guides by technical writers
Writing technical books and long-term guides is different from the previous genre due to the length of the content. This type of technical writing reflects a simple guide for the user. It refers to the intentions and purpose behind the product.
4. Assembly manuals
Probably the most common type of technical writing in a mechanical maintenance department of a company, assembly, and repair manuals are another slot form of technical writing. It is due to the technical skills required to understand the disassembly and reassembly process of a particular machine or piece of parts. Most general repair guides contain several assembly manuals for various types of machinery.
5. Technical documents, reviews, and reports
Reports are technical works that explain the process and outcome of any research, be it scientific or business-centric. Reports come in many forms, such as feasibility reports, preliminary research reports, business plans and prospectuses, short-form proposals, press releases, case studies, etc.
Technical writing skills
Following are the top technical skills every technical writer should possess:
1. Communication skills
Firstly and foremost, technical writers are technical communicators. They are experts at identifying their communication according to the knowledge and understanding of their audience.
2. Technical skills
Technical skill is a broad term used to understand industry-specific technology. For example, the technical skills of a technical writer refer to their technical knowledge of their subject matter of interest.
3. Research skills
A process by the technical writer cannot begin without extensive research. But, first, they document each technical document through feedback from end-users and subject matter experts.
4. Writing skills
Since technical writers must write different types of technical content, they must have a flexible approach and knowledge of different styles.
5. Editing skills
Aside from abilities, technical writers may critically examine their work, edit and format it, and develop it until the intended audience completely understands the technical information.
6. Design skills
It is great to keep in mind that technical writers communicate technical information in a written format and visually in graphs, infographics, and videos. Technical writers make the content more appealing and easily digestible for the user.
Technical Resume Writing
A technical resume lists experience, skills, and job history that outlines an individual’s ability to succeed in a technical role. Technical resume writing relates your background to the positions for which you are applying. Here are a few steps to keep in mind when creating your technical resume:
- Add your personal information
- Write a short personal summary
- Mention your hobbies and interests
- Go for a customized resume
- List your relevant work experience
- Mentored a team of web developers
- Develop and implement a feedback system for customers to report bugs and concerns
- Collaborate on the development of new software interfaces for banks.
