How To Get A Remote Technical Writer Job?

by Fang Mei

Published at: February 8, 2024

Securing a remote technical writer job requires a blend of professional writing proficiency, technical expertise, and the ability to effectively communicate complex information. As companies increasingly adopt remote work policies, opportunities for remote technical writing positions are on the rise.

Your journey to becoming a remote technical writer begins with understanding the essentials of the role and where to find these positions, crafting a standout resume tailored to remote opportunities, and developing a portfolio that demonstrates your technical acumen and writing skills.

Whether you're seeking a full-time role or freelance assignments, there are ample resources and platforms catering to remote technical writing opportunities, such as listings on DailyRemote, Indeed and LinkedIn, with varying requirements and pay scales to fit your career goals.

Essential Skills Required for a Technical Writer Position

To succeed as a remote technical writer, you must possess a variety of skills that ensure your documents are clear, concise, and accurately convey complex information.

Advanced Writing Skills: Your foundation is strong writing abilities. You need to craft documents with clarity and precision, tailoring your language to various technical levels of your audience.

• Grammar: Impeccable grammar is non-negotiable.
• Clarity: Translate complex ideas into straightforward explanations.
• Conciseness: Deliver information without unnecessary fluff.

Technical Proficiency: Learn and understand the technical aspects of what you're writing about. This could mean getting to grips with software, hardware, or understanding specific technical fields.

Research Skills: You'll often gather information from technical sources, requiring efficient and effective research.

• Data Analysis: Interpret and accurately represent technical data in your writing.
• Investigation: Follow technical threads to their core to understand the material fully.

Tools Mastery: Familiarity with essential remote technical writing tools, such as content management systems and authoring software, is crucial for creating and managing your documentation.

Design Insight: While not always mandatory, having an eye for information design is beneficial. You should know how to present information visually when it enhances comprehension.

Lastly, as a remote technical writer, you must have strong self-management and communication skills due to the nature of your working environment. Your ability to manage time effectively and interact clearly with team members, often through digital communication tools, is critical for your success in a remote job.

How to Find A Remote Technical Writer Job?

In the evolving job market, securing a remote technical writer position involves knowing where to look and how to present your skills effectively. We will guide you through the essential platforms for job hunting, tips for crafting your application, and strategies for networking that can increase your odds of landing a remote role.

Job Boards and Listings

Start your search on dedicated job boards specifically tailored for remote positions. Websites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor frequently list remote technical writer jobs, and some are dedicated solely to remote work such as DailyRemote. Besides, LinkedIn is an invaluable resource where new opportunities like a remote business writer or a remote proposal writer are posted daily.

• Regularly check job boards: DailyRemote, LinkedIn, TheWFHJobs, Glassdoor.
• Filter searches by "Remote": To directly find opportunities tailored for remote work.
• Look for niche job boards: Some platforms are catered to technical writing or specific fields like IT and medicine.

Other remote writing roles include:

• Content Writer
• Copywriter
• Editor
• Freelance Writer
• Ghostwriter
• SEO Writer
• Journalist
• Blogger
• Proofreader

Crafting Your Application

When applying for a remote technical writer position, your resume and cover letter are paramount. They must convey not only your proficiency in technical writing but also your ability to work remotely. Your resume should be detailed and highlight relevant experience, such as any previous remote work or projects completed as a technical writer.

• Customize your resume and cover letter: Tailor resuem and cover letter to the job description, using keywords and highlighting necessary skills.
• Mention remote work skills: Detail your time management, communication, and self-discipline abilities.

Networking and Personal Branding

Building a personal brand and networking can significantly enhance your job search. Engage in online communities related to technical writing, and connect with organizations such as the Remote workers group if they align with your career goals. By showcasing your expertise through a blog or professional social media profiles, you signal to potential employers your dedication to the field.

• Active online presence: Regularly engage on platforms like LinkedIn and contribute to discussions in your field.
• Connect with professionals: Attend webinars, online conferences, and utilize platforms to meet others in the industry.

Tips to Create Resume and Cover Letter for A Remote Technical Writer Job

Crafting your resume and cover letter as a Technical Writer is pivotal in highlighting your expertise, especially for remote positions in IT and engineering fields. Use these guidelines to showcase your skills effectively:

Resume

• Highlight Technical Skills: Demonstrate your proficiency in relevant software tools for software development, like GitHub or JIRA, which are essential for technical documentation and collaboration.
• Focus on Achievements: Provide concrete examples of past work, such as installation guides, troubleshooting manuals, or product descriptions. Use bullet points for clarity.
• SEO Best Practices: For roles requiring online content creation, emphasize your knowledge of SEO to emphasize your capability in driving content visibility for platforms like an Amazon store.

Cover Letter

1. Personalize Your Introduction: Start with why you are interested in the remote Technical Writer position.
2. Describe Relevant Experience: Discuss your past role, possibly as a video script writer or creating instructional videos, to illustrate how you've effectively communicated complex information.
3. Explain Your Approach: Share your strategy for collaborating with production and engineering personnel or how you influence technical design and implementation decisions.
4. Mention Adaptability: Remote roles demand flexibility. Your experience with diverse documentation types, from manufacturing docs to blogs, shows your adaptability.

Using these tips, you'll construct a compelling package illustrating your strength as a Technical Writer---be it crafting user interface content or complex technical instructions. Whether you're an aspiring test script writer, automation engineer, or just passionate about technology and communication, let your resume and cover letter convey your competence in a confident and knowledgeable manner.

How to Prepare for a Remote Technical Writer Job Interview?

Preparing for a remote technical writer job interview involves several steps that focus on showcasing your writing skills, understanding of technical concepts, and ability to communicate effectively in a remote work environment. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

1. Understand the Job Description: Carefully read the job posting to understand what the company is looking for in a technical writer. Note any specific tools, technologies, or methodologies mentioned.
2. Research the Company: Learn about the company's products, services, culture, and target audience. Understanding the company will help you tailor your answers to their specific needs and show that you are genuinely interested in the role.
3. Review Your Portfolio: Make sure your portfolio is up-to-date with relevant samples of your work. Choose pieces that demonstrate your ability to write clear and concise documentation, your understanding of technical subjects, and your skill in organizing complex information.
4. Familiarize Yourself with Tools: Be prepared to discuss your proficiency with common technical writing tools such as Markdown, MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, Confluence, or any other specific tools mentioned in the job description. If the company uses a tool you're unfamiliar with, try to get some basic knowledge about it before the interview.
5. Practice Writing Skills: You may be asked to complete a writing test or provide writing samples. Practice writing clear, concise, and well-organized documentation. Be ready to explain your writing process and how you approach complex technical information.
6. Prepare for Common Interview Questions: Be ready to answer common interview questions about your experience, writing process, how you handle feedback and revisions, how you meet deadlines, and how you stay updated with industry trends and technologies.
7. Understand Remote Work Best Practices: Since the position is remote, be prepared to discuss your home office setup, time management skills, experience with remote collaboration tools (like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams), and how you stay motivated and productive when working from home.
8. Technical Knowledge: Brush up on your technical knowledge relevant to the job. If you're applying for a position in a specialized field, make sure you're familiar with the terminology and concepts.
9. Prepare Questions: Have a list of questions ready to ask the interviewer about the company culture, team dynamics, performance expectations, and any tools or processes they use.
10. Test Your Tech: Before the interview, test your internet connection, webcam, and microphone to ensure everything works properly. Choose a quiet, well-lit space for the interview to minimize distractions and present yourself professionally.
11. Dress Appropriately: Even though the interview is remote, dress professionally as it can help put you in the right mindset and make a good impression.
12. Follow-Up: After the interview, send a thank you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and to reiterate your interest in the position.

By thoroughly preparing and demonstrating your skills and readiness for remote work, you'll be in a strong position to make a positive impression during your remote technical writer job interview.

Conclusion

Persistence and a commitment to continuous learning will set you apart as a technical content writer. Reviewing sample interview questions and answers can be beneficial in interview preparation. With the right approach, you can position yourself as a prime candidate for remote technical writer roles.

If you are searching for a remote job and need help finding where to look? DailyRemote is a remote job board with the latest jobs in various categories to help you. Join like-minded people in our LinkedIn and Facebook community.