How to Write a Resume for a Technical Writer

Introduction: Why a Tailored Technical Writer Resume Matters

Technical writers transform complex information into clear, user-friendly content such as manuals, online help, API documentation, and knowledge base articles. Employers look for professionals who can understand technical concepts, collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs), and produce accurate, structured documentation.

A generic resume will not stand out in this field. Hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) scan for specific tools, documentation types, and domain knowledge. A tailored technical writer resume highlights your writing skills, technical aptitude, and experience with documentation tools and workflows that match the role and industry.

Key Skills for a Technical Writer Resume

Core Hard Skills

Showcase skills that prove you can handle the technical and documentation demands of the role.

• Technical documentation (user guides, manuals, release notes, FAQs)
• API documentation (REST, SOAP, GraphQL)
• Developer documentation and SDK guides
• Information architecture and content structuring
• Single-sourcing and content reuse
• Content management systems (CMS) and knowledge bases
• Help authoring tools (e.g., MadCap Flare, RoboHelp, HelpNDoc)
• Markup and formatting (HTML, XML, Markdown, DITA)
• Version control (Git, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket)
• Screenshot and annotation tools (Snagit, Greenshot)
• Diagramming tools (Visio, Lucidchart, draw.io)
• Basic understanding of programming or scripting languages (e.g., Java, Python, JavaScript) when relevant
• Tools like Confluence, Notion, SharePoint, or Wiki platforms
• Content style guides (Microsoft, Google, Chicago Manual of Style)

Soft Skills

Technical writers succeed when they can collaborate, adapt, and communicate clearly with both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Ability to simplify complex concepts
• Interviewing and collaborating with SMEs
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Logical, structured thinking
• Time management and prioritization
• Stakeholder management and expectation setting
• Adaptability to new tools and technologies
• User empathy and customer-focused mindset
• Critical thinking and problem-solving

Formatting Tips for a Technical Writer Resume

Overall Layout and Structure

Your resume itself is a writing sample. It should be clear, consistent, and well-structured.

• Length: 1 page for early career; up to 2 pages for experienced technical writers.
• Margins and spacing: Use standard margins (0.5–1 inch) and consistent spacing between sections.
• Sections: Header, Summary, Skills, Experience, Projects (optional), Education, Certifications (optional).
• Order: Lead with your strongest selling points (often Summary and Skills, then Experience).

Fonts and Readability

Choose a professional, easy-to-read font and ensure your formatting is consistent.

• Use fonts like Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, or Georgia.
• Keep font size around 10–12 pt for body text and 12–14 pt for headings.
• Use bold for headings and job titles; avoid excessive italics or underlining.
• Use bullet points instead of dense paragraphs for responsibilities and achievements.

Header and Contact Information

Make your contact details easy to find and ATS-friendly.

• Include: full name, city/state (or region), phone number, professional email.
• Add: LinkedIn profile and portfolio or documentation samples link.
• Avoid: photos, full mailing address, or unnecessary personal information.

Professional Summary

Use 2–4 concise sentences tailored to the technical writer role you want.

• State your years of experience and primary domains (e.g., SaaS, cybersecurity, healthcare, fintech).
• Highlight key strengths: documentation types, tools, and industries.
• Mention measurable impact where possible (e.g., improved self-service rate, reduced support tickets).

Example Summary: “Technical Writer with 5+ years of experience creating API documentation, user guides, and online help for B2B SaaS products. Skilled in MadCap Flare, Confluence, and Git-based workflows. Known for collaborating effectively with developers and product managers to deliver clear, user-focused content that reduces support tickets and accelerates product adoption.”

Experience Section

Use reverse chronological order and focus on measurable results.

• Include job title, company, location, and dates.
• Use bullet points starting with strong action verbs (e.g., “Developed,” “Authored,” “Streamlined”).
• Quantify impact where possible: reduced support tickets, shortened onboarding time, improved documentation coverage.
• Mention tools, documentation types, and audiences for each role.

Example bullet: “Authored and maintained 150+ pages of API documentation for a REST-based SaaS platform, improving developer satisfaction scores by 20% and reducing integration-related support tickets by 15%.”

Education and Certifications

Include relevant degrees and training that support your technical writing expertise.

• Degrees in English, Technical Communication, Journalism, Computer Science, Engineering, or related fields.
• Technical writing certificates or courses (e.g., from universities, technical communication societies, or recognized platforms).
• Industry-specific training (e.g., cloud platforms, cybersecurity, medical terminology) when relevant to target roles.

Job-Specific Section 1: Showcasing Documentation Samples and Portfolios

Building and Presenting a Strong Portfolio

For technical writers, a portfolio is often as important as the resume. It proves your ability to communicate complex information clearly.

• Create a dedicated portfolio site: Use a simple website, GitHub Pages, or a documentation platform to host samples.
• Include varied samples: User guides, quick-start guides, API docs, release notes, FAQs, knowledge base articles, tutorials, and UI text.
• Highlight your role: For each sample, briefly explain your responsibilities, tools used, and the audience.
• Protect confidential information: Redact sensitive details, use anonymized versions, or create sample docs for fictional products if needed.

Integrating Your Portfolio into the Resume

Make it effortless for hiring managers to find your work.

• Include a “Portfolio” or “Selected Documentation Samples” link in your header.
• Add a brief “Selected Projects” section with 2–4 bullet points linking to key samples.
• Reference your portfolio in your summary (e.g., “Portfolio: [URL]”).

Job-Specific Section 2: Highlighting Tools, Processes, and Domain Knowledge

Emphasizing Tools and Documentation Stack

Employers want technical writers who can quickly integrate into their existing toolchain and workflows.

• List tools in a dedicated “Tools & Technologies” subsection under Skills.
• Group tools logically: help authoring tools, CMS/wiki, version control, markup languages, diagramming tools.
• In your Experience bullets, mention how you used tools in context (e.g., “Managed documentation in Confluence and Git, coordinating updates with developers via pull requests.”).

Demonstrating Domain Expertise

Domain knowledge makes you more valuable and reduces ramp-up time.

• Identify your main domains: e.g., cloud computing, DevOps, fintech, healthcare, manufacturing, consumer apps.
• Highlight domain-specific knowledge in your summary and experience bullets.
• Include relevant keywords from the job description (e.g., “Kubernetes,” “HIPAA,” “PCI-DSS,” “microservices,” “IoT”).
• Mention collaborations with domain experts: developers, QA, product managers, support engineers, or clinicians.

Tailoring Strategies for Technical Writer Resumes

Aligning with the Job Description

Every technical writer role is slightly different. Tailor your resume to each posting.

• Scan for keywords: Identify tools, documentation types, and domains mentioned in the job ad.
• Mirror terminology: If they say “developer documentation,” use that phrasing (if accurate for your background).
• Prioritize relevant experience: Move the most relevant bullets to the top of each role’s list.
• Adjust your summary: Mention the employer’s domain and key tools they use.

Targeting Different Types of Technical Writing Roles

Tailor based on the nature of the role:

• API/Developer Docs Roles: Emphasize API documentation, code samples, Git workflows, familiarity with programming concepts, and collaboration with developers.
• End-User Documentation Roles: Highlight user guides, onboarding flows, tutorials, UX writing, and work with customer support and product teams.
• Regulated Industries (e.g., healthcare, finance): Stress compliance, accuracy, version control, and experience with audits or formal review processes.

Using Metrics to Stand Out

Quantifying your impact makes your resume more compelling.

• Reduction in support tickets after documentation improvements.
• Increase in self-service or knowledge base usage.
• Shorter onboarding or training time for users or employees.
• Number of documents, pages, or releases you maintain.
• Cycle time improvements for documentation updates.

Common Mistakes in Technical Writer Resumes (and How to Avoid Them)

1. Vague Descriptions of Work

Mistake: Using generic phrases like “Responsible for writing documentation” without detail.

Fix: Specify documentation types, audiences, tools, and results. For example, “Created step-by-step installation guides and troubleshooting procedures for Windows and Linux users, reducing installation-related tickets by 18%.”

2. Ignoring Tools and Technical Skills

Mistake: Listing only soft skills or generic writing abilities.

Fix: Include concrete tools, technologies, and platforms you have used, along with your level of proficiency.

3. Overly Creative or Cluttered Designs

Mistake: Using complex layouts, graphics, or columns that hinder ATS parsing.

Fix: Keep the design clean and professional. Use simple headings, bullet points, and a single-column layout that is easy for both humans and ATS to read.

4. No Portfolio or Writing Samples

Mistake: Submitting a resume without any way to review your actual writing.

Fix: Create a small but strong portfolio and link to it prominently. If you lack professional samples, create high-quality sample documentation for a fictional product or open-source project.

5. Not Tailoring to the Role

Mistake: Sending the same resume to developer documentation roles, UX writing roles, and policy writing roles.

Fix: Adjust your summary, skills, and top bullet points to match each role’s focus and terminology.

6. Overlooking Collaboration and Process

Mistake: Focusing only on writing output, not on how you worked with others or fit into the development lifecycle.

Fix: Mention your experience with agile ceremonies, sprint planning, review cycles, and collaboration with developers, QA, product, and support.

7. Typos and Inconsistencies

Mistake: Spelling errors, inconsistent punctuation, or formatting issues.

Fix: Treat your resume like a critical document. Proofread carefully, use consistent style, and consider asking another professional to review it.

Final Thoughts

A strong technical writer resume is clear, structured, and evidence-based. By emphasizing relevant skills, tools, documentation types, and measurable impact—and by linking to a polished portfolio—you demonstrate exactly what employers seek: the ability to communicate complex information with precision and clarity. Tailor each resume to the role, and let your experience and samples show that you can become an integral part of their product and documentation team.