New in Technical Writing?

If you are new in this profession and wondering what things you should do, which course, which tool is relevant and how to get a job etc....So, here are the answers to your every question.

Courses/Training


You require training if you are not aware of any tools and pattern which is followed as technical writer. Basically there are various institutes present in all major cities which provide short term courses for about 3-6 months in Technical writing, like Techno-point, Triumph in Bangalore, and Wavelength in Delhi and there are many more .You can search online and can get the information. Basically these institutes provide you training under different modules.



Generally, the very first module will give you the complete picture of what technical writing is, how many types of documents are there, what kind of language is used while writing. And thus what should be your approach while writing. So, it will help you to write in systematical manner considering your audience and their needs. Second module is consist of publishing tools like frame maker, robohelp, MSword. So, here you have to be careful while learning as its needs concentration and more importantly practice. As you can forget very easily .Frame maker is the major tool which is used everywhere for printed documents and for online help robohelp is used. So give more time in learning and practicing these tools. Third and the last module is the editing tool like Photoshop, flash. Generally these tools are not that important but will be an added advantage if you are making this as your full time profession.




And at the end of your course you can create few projects, which will help you to have a live hand on technical writing. And also these institutes can help you in placement too.




Reading/Writing




After finishing your course and in the duration till you get job don't waste your time .Read the manual which you have in your home, for e.g. .your TV manual or mobile phone manual. As it will not only help you to get idea of different kind of documents and there way of writing. But will help you in your interviews too. And start writing about any topic and anything. And get it checked by another person. So that it will highlight your mistakes, grammar error, spelling mistake etc. As English is one thing which you have to learn yourself and the best way to improve your English is to read and write more to improve. Create your blog; it will help you to express your views and also to improve your writing skills. Read news paper, novels and watch English channels. Because as a technical writer you need to explain your audience in simple and clear language.




Preparing for interview




There are few things which you should remember while preparing for your interview .As you are presenting yourself as technical writer so be careful while writing your resume. Please don't do any spelling mistake, it won't be granted.
Ø Firstly, be familiar with MSword, frame maker. As mostly all companies use these. Generally they will ask you simple questions like "how to convert word file into frame files and vice versa?", "how to insert table in frame files or what is anchored frame?”,"what is the full form of PDF and how to convert frame files into PDF file?”,"how to import images?”,” how to give different header and footer in word file?", Etc.

Ø Now there are different terminologies which are used in technical writing like DDLC, SDLC. Have a clear picture of this cycles and what your role in that is.

Ø And most important is the type of language which is used worldwide by technical writers, i.e. active voice. So, you will be put up different questions on sentence formation and also on editing part. Like you will be given a scenario say for example a process in some developing phase of product/software (depending on the type of company )and you will be asked to arrange the details given in systematic order and also required to do editing part too.

Ø You can also be asked to create a template for a user manual or guide.




Register on Jobs Portal/Tech-writing Forums
First thing you should do after you decide to pursue your career in this field is to get yourself registered on various tech-writing forums .These forums will give you an idea about the current industry trends. And will also help you to learn a lot from the discussions happening on the forum on various topics. Here, you can also participate and get all your questions answered by experts. Plus these forums are the best way to interact with like minded people, which ultimately help you to grow. These forums also get you updated with the job openings and events going on in Tech-writing field. Here are the names of few forums related to Tech-writing field.
Ø technical_writers_india ,this is @ yahoo groups
Ø http://twin-india.org/portal/
Ø STC , it is world wide org. for tech-writers

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