Do you have the desire and skills to be a technical writer? Technical writing jobs have remained in demand the last several years, with base salaries higher than other types of freelance work. A February 6, 2011, survey from PayScale.com showed that technical writers can make anywhere from $43,000 to $70,000 per year, depending on the job and location.
What does a technical writer do? PC Magazine defines the job as someone "responsible for writing hardware and software documentation, online help, technical definitions and technical product descriptions on Web sites." This means the writer must have the ability to understand technical jargon and terms and relay them in a manner that the average person can understand.
If you're looking for technical writing work, here are some tips on finding jobs.
Technical Writing Job Boards
Many businesses today advertise their open positions on job boards such as Indeed, Monster, Journalism Jobs, and even Craigslist. A perusal of these sites will help you quickly view job openings in your area. The site Dice.com caters to technical writing work as well, and often has multiple listings.
Job boards can help you get work, but they can also help you determine what types of companies are hiring. For example, does a certain company look for editors or other technical people? They may also need technical writers.
Another thing to watch for on the job boards are companies that continually hire writers for the same positions. While some companies do this because of continued growth, others might lose writers due to low pay or poor working conditions. This can help you narrow down the job listings to the ones best suited for you.
Contact Companies to Find Freelance Technical Writer Jobs
Often the best way to find a job is to contact a company directly. There may be openings that are not advertised and contacting them for an informational interview is one way to get considered. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that technical writers "often work with engineers, scientists, computer specialists, and software developers to manage the flow of information among project workgroups during development and testing," so a good strategy is to contact companies where these job classifications exist.
Any organization that needs technical information documented, explained, and posted can be a good opportunity for freelancers. If you have a specific background in an area, it's best to target companies related to that field first, as your expertise will put you ahead of the pack when it comes to job consideration.
Any writer today should also have a website where you list previous clients and sample technical writing projects so employers can find you.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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