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Technical Writers
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CheckoutCareers.com
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Technical Writers
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Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.
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Degrees
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Abilities
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Written Expression| | The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand. |
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Written Comprehension| | The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing. |
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Near Vision| | The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
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Oral Comprehension| | The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. |
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Oral Expression| | The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. |
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Information Ordering| | The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations). |
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Deductive Reasoning| | The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. |
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Inductive Reasoning| | The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). |
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Category Flexibility| | The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways. |
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Fluency of Ideas| | The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity). |
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Originality| | The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem. |
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Problem Sensitivity| | The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. |
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Visualization| | The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged. |
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Speech Recognition| | The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. |
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Speech Clarity| | The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. |
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Selective Attention| | The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. |
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Flexibility of Closure| | The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material. |
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Far Vision| | The ability to see details at a distance. |
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Auditory Attention| | The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
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Finger Dexterity| | The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects. |
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Perceptual Speed| | The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object. |
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Time Sharing| | The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources). |
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Arm-Hand Steadiness| | The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
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Manual Dexterity| | The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
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Visual Color Discrimination| | The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness. |
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Speed of Closure| | The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns. |
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Memorization| | The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and procedures. |
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Wrist-Finger Speed| | The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists. |
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Hearing Sensitivity| | The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness. |
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Mathematical Reasoning| | The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem. |
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Number Facility| | The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly. |
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Control Precision| | The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
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Depth Perception| | The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
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Spatial Orientation| | The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you. |
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Interests
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Artistic| | Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules. |
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Investigative| | Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally. |
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Conventional| | Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow. |
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Enterprising| | Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business. |
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Realistic| | Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others. |
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First Interest High-Point| | Primary-Rank Descriptiveness |
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Social| | Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others. |
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Second Interest High-Point| | Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness |
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Knowledge
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English Language| | Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. |
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Clerical| | Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology. |
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Education and Training| | Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. |
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Computers and Electronics| | Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming. |
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Communications and Media| | Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media. |
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Mathematics| | Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. |
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Engineering and Technology| | Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. |
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Administration and Management| | Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. |
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Sales and Marketing| | Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems. |
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Law and Government| | Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process. |
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Psychology| | Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. |
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Design| | Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. |
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Customer and Personal Service| | Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. |
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Telecommunications| | Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems. |
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Production and Processing| | Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. |
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Sociology and Anthropology| | Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. |
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Geography| | Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life. |
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Public Safety and Security| | Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
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Physics| | Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes. |
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Chemistry| | Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods. |
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Fine Arts| | Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture. |
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Personnel and Human Resources| | Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems. |
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Mechanical| | Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
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Transportation| | Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. |
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Economics and Accounting| | Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data. |
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Philosophy and Theology| | Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture. |
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Therapy and Counseling| | Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. |
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Building and Construction| | Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. |
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Medicine and Dentistry| | Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. |
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Biology| | Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment. |
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Food Production| | Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques. |
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Foreign Language| | Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation. |
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History and Archeology| | Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures. |
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Wages
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| District of Columbia | $56,210.00 |
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| North Carolina | $53,450.00 |
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| South Carolina | $44,360.00 |
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Related Careers
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Broadcast News Analysts| | Analyze, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources. |
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Editors| | Perform variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written materials, in preparation for final publication. |
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Radio & Television Announcers| | Talk on radio or television. May interview guests, act as master of ceremonies, read news flashes, identify station by giving call letters, or announce song title and artist. |
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Reporters & Correspondents| | Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, news magazine, radio, or television. |
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Technical Writers| | Perform variety of editorial duties, such as laying out, indexing, and revising content of written materials, in preparation for final publication. |
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Skills
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Writing| | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
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Reading Comprehension| | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
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Active Listening| | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
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Coordination| | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
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Active Learning| | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
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Speaking| | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
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Learning Strategies| | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
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Critical Thinking| | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
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Monitoring| | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
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Time Management| | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
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Complex Problem Solving| | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
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Service Orientation| | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
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Quality Control Analysis| | Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
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Social Perceptiveness| | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
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Instructing| | Teaching others how to do something. |
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Operations Analysis| | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
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Equipment Selection| | Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. |
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Technology Design| | Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs. |
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Persuasion| | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
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Judgment and Decision Making| | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
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Systems Evaluation| | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
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Management of Material Resources| | Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work. |
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Troubleshooting| | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
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Negotiation| | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
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Installation| | Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications. |
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Mathematics| | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
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Systems Analysis| | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
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Management of Personnel Resources| | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. |
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Science| | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
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Equipment Maintenance| | Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
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Management of Financial Resources| | Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures. |
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Operation and Control| | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
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Repairing| | Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. |
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Operation Monitoring| | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
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Programming| | Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
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Tasks
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| Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology. |
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| Maintain records and files of work and revisions. |
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| Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel. |
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| Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication. |
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| Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding. |
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| Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material. |
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| Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail. |
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| Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods. |
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| Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail. |
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| Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material. |
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| Assist in laying out material for publication. |
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| Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence. |
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| Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material. |
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| Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment. |
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Career Activities
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| Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge |
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| use interviewing procedures |
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| use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities |
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| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates |
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| confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel |
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| Getting Information |
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| read production layouts |
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| read schematics |
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| read specifications |
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| read technical drawings |
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| read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts |
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| Thinking Creatively |
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| set page layout or composition |
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| sketch or draw subjects or items |
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| use photographic materials |
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| Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards |
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| ensure correct grammar, punctuation, or spelling |
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| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings |
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| observe production, experimental, or developmental activities |
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| Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events |
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| understand computer equipment operating manuals |
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| understand service or repair manuals |
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| understand technical operating, service or repair manuals |
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| Communicating with Persons Outside Organization |
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| communicate technical information |
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| compile information through interviews |
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| confer with customer representatives |
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| confer with management or users |
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| confer with vendors |
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| Processing Information |
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| organize journalistic or literary data |
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| Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others |
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| interpret technical information for written materials |
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| prepare instruction manuals |
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| Performing Administrative Activities |
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| edit written material |
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| maintain records, reports, or files |
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| prepare technical reports or related documentation |
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| Analyzing Data or Information |
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| analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications |
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| Provide Consultation and Advice to Others |
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| recommend action to ensure compliance |
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Career Context
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| Telephone |
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| Electronic Mail |
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| Face-to-Face Discussions |
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| Spend Time Sitting |
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| Freedom to Make Decisions |
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| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled |
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| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate |
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| Structured versus Unstructured Work |
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| Contact With Others |
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| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions |
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| Time Pressure |
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| Coordinate or Lead Others |
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| Work With Work Group or Team |
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| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks |
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| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results |
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| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls |
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| Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable |
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| Letters and Memos |
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| Frequency of Decision Making |
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| Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting |
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| Consequence of Error |
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| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment |
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| Frequency of Conflict Situations |
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| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets |
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| Level of Competition |
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| Responsibility for Outcomes and Results |
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| Deal With External Customers |
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| Exposed to Contaminants |
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| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment |
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| Degree of Automation |
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Career Styles
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Adaptability/Flexibility| | Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
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Attention to Detail| | Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
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Cooperation| | Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
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Persistence| | Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. |
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Dependability| | Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
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Stress Tolerance| | Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. |
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Innovation| | Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems. |
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Analytical Thinking| | Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
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Independence| | Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
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Initiative| | Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
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Achievement/Effort| | Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. |
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Integrity| | Job requires being honest and ethical. |
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Self Control| | Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. |
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Concern for Others| | Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
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Leadership| | Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. |
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Social Orientation| | Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
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Career Needs
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Ability Utilization| | Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities. |
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Achievement| | Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment. |
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Creativity| | Workers on this job try out their own ideas. |
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Responsibility| | Workers on this job make decisions on their own. |
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Working Conditions| | Workers on this job have good working conditions. |
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Company Policies and Practices| | Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company. |
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Activity| | Workers on this job are busy all the time. |
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Autonomy| | Workers on this job plan their work with little supervision. |
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Recognition| | Workers on this job receive recognition for the work they do. |
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Security| | Workers on this job have steady employment. |
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Social Status| | Workers on this job are looked up to by others in their company and their community. |
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Supervision, Human Relations| | Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management. |
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Co-workers| | Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with. |
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Compensation| | Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers. |
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Moral Values| | Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong. |
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Advancement| | Workers on this job have opportunities for advancement. |
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Independence| | Workers on this job do their work alone. |
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Authority| | Workers on this job give directions and instructions to others. |
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Variety| | Workers on this job have something different to do every day. |
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Supervision, Technical| | Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well. |
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Social Service| | Workers on this job have work where they do things for other people. |
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Career Values
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Achievement| | Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
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Independence| | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
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Working Conditions| | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
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Recognition| | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. |
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Support| | Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
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Relationships| | Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
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