A presentation about what it's like to enter that workforce as an entry-level technical writer.

1. Becoming a Tech Writer
A special presentation about what it is like to be a
Technical Writer in today’s job market.
By John Paz

2. Graduated from UCF in 2008 with a B.A. in English,
with a focus in Technical Writing
7+ years as a professional Technical Writer
Specialization in understanding complex technical
systems and a passion for explaining the complex
About me

3. Take a look at my original resume.
Industries I’ve worked in to date:
Energy
Video games
Defense
Software
About me – Professional Experience

4. Companies I’ve worked for:
About me – Professional Experience

5. MS Word – Templates, styles, automation
Other Microsoft tools:
PowerPoint
Excel
Visio
Programming familiarity - HTML, XML
Graphic design – GIMP, Photoshop
Wiki development and Information architecture
Database design and data warehousing concepts
Emerging technology
About me – Technical Skills

6. Being in the workforce is not like college.
Social dynamic is much different; working with
colleagues of different generations is a challenge, but
worth the effort.
Make friends and be social, but put work first.
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

7. The skills you learn in college are very valuable, but
perhaps not in the way you suspect:
Organization is vital.
Familiarity with technology will get you far.
Communication is crucial.
Your writing skills will be your most marketable asset to
start with.
Learning to learn.
Your ability to do thorough, scholarly research is a valuable
asset.
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

8. The skills you learn in college are very valuable, but
perhaps not in the way you suspect:
You are already far more prepared than you know.
But…
You know nothing.
Admit this now and you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

9. The skills you learn in college are very valuable, but
perhaps not in the way you suspect:
You know nothing.
Wait, what?
It is impossible to know everything about a job before you
start, even once you attain experience, as soon as you start
a new job you start over. But that’s ok.
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

10. A day in the life of a professional Tech Writer:
1. Start every day by checking email.
Don’t like email? Then you’re in the wrong profession.
2. Check yesterday’s To-Do list, create today’s.
3. Go talk to some really smart, really busy people.
4. Do some work.
1. Write.
2. Tinker – Templates, wikis, websites, code (yes code!).
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

11. A day in the life of a professional Tech Writer:
5. More meetings.
6. Review/edit your work (or someone else’s).
7. More email.
What is like to be a Tech Writer?

12. Are you ready to be a Technical Writer?
Do you have a resume?
WHY NOT?
Do you feel you are a strong writer? Or…
Do you feel you have some technical expertise?
Are you prepared to work full-time?
If you answered “yes” to these questions…
You’re Ready!
Landing a Tech Writer Position

13. Your first Tech Writing position:
Could be an internship.
Make sure you’re being paid, or that it’s with a great company,
or in an industry you really want to work in.
Will most likely be a temporary contract.
Get used to talking to recruiters, they are your best resource
to find jobs.
Might come by way of someone you know, so network!
Landing a Tech Writer Position

14. Your first Tech Writing position:
Will likely come from someone finding your resume online.
So don’t just post anything, make it good, and keep it
updated.
Will likely come from you applying to a job you found online.
Get comfortable submitting online applications.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

15. Your first Tech Writing position: The Interview
Your first interview will be terrifying. Embrace that.
Be honest.
But be confident. You’re college educated, a solid writer, and
you like technology. That makes you unique, and there are
employers who will pay you for your skills.
Get comfortable submitting online applications.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

16. Some general advice:
Recruiters are your friends.
Embrace your interests, especially any that are related to
tech.
Go to a conference. They’re great for learning, and for
networking.
Be nice to your professors, because you’ll need them one day.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

17. Some general advice:
Be industrious with your job search.
But be mindful of tailoring your resume and giving each
application the attention it deserves.
Do not get discouraged. Look at each interview as a
learning opportunity, especially if you don’t get the job.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

18. Some general advice:
Don’t be afraid to take the job you want, even if that
means leaving the job you have.
Be grateful, and humble, lest you be labeled a
“stereotypical Millennial.”
Mind your social media, because employers care.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

19. Some general advice:
Not ready for a job? That’s ok. Just write, a lot.
Blogs, product reviews, discussion boards, and other forms of light
writing work very well as writing samples.
It’s ok to land a job that isn’t necessarily a Tech Writing position,
so long as you’re happy and have room for growth.
When the going gets tough, the tough get going, to other cities.
Learn to code. Seriously. You’ll thank me later.
Landing a Tech Writer Position

20. John Paz
johnApaz@gmail.com
@techwriterninja
@spiegro
www.linkedin.com/in/johnapaz/
http://techwhirl.com/author/johnpaz/
www.spiegro.com
Contact Information