Description

Technical writers write manuals and specifications for publication or presentation. They are employed by governments, large corporations, private consulting firms, publishing firms, and other establishments, or they may be self-employed.

Job Titles

• Medical writer
• Scientific writer
• Specifications writer (except construction)
• Technical writer

Main Duties

• Analyze material, such as specifications, notes and drawings
• Conduct interviews and research to gather information on a specific field
• Write, review and update manuals, user guides and other documents to provide instruction and to explain clearly and concisely the installation, operation and maintenance of software and electronic, mechanical and other equipment
• Develop and maintain help documentation
• May design and develop training course material
• May help create content for software products, such as on-screen instructions and error messages.

Workplaces

• Advertising agencies
• Governments
• Large corporations
• Multimedia companies
• New-media companies
• Publishing firms
• Self-employed

Work Environment

• Indoors, environmentally controlled

Physical Demands

• Sitting

Requirements

• A university degree in the area of specialization, such as computer science or engineering is usually required.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Digital Literacy
• Oral Communication: Active Listening

Abilities

• Written Expression
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Fluency of Ideas
• Inductive Reasoning

Personal Attributes

• Attention to Detail
• Adaptability
• Analytical Thinking
• Collaboration
• Independence

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Source: OaSIS