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Technical writer/trainer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted experts

Thomas Reynolds,

Dr. Christina Fisanick

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical technical writer/trainer skills. We ranked the top skills for technical writer/trainers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 12.2% of technical writer/trainer resumes contained training materials as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a technical writer/trainer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 technical writer/trainer skills for your resume and career

1. Training Materials

Here's how technical writer/trainers use training materials:

Maintained concurrent alignment with Technical Training Materials and made recommendations to modify program documentation to enhance overall program effectiveness.
Researched and interpreted doctrinal publications to ensure training materials were accurate and not in violation of copyright laws.

2. Technical Documentation

Technical documentation means any documentation that gives a functional, architectural, and handling description of a technical product or a product in use or development.

Here's how technical writer/trainers use technical documentation:

Designed and developed technical documentation and training projects for the manufacturing, mass transit, commercial and military aviation/aerospace industries.
Develop technical documentation and deliver maintenance support training for a broad range of both military and commercial aircraft.

3. Training Programs

Here's how technical writer/trainers use training programs:

Developed, promoted and implemented Quality and Technical training programs for data systems professionals.
Developed and delivered training programs for customer personnel on aforementioned systems.

4. Subject Matter Experts

Here's how technical writer/trainers use subject matter experts:

Managed multiple projects simultaneously and led cross-functional teams of subject matter experts to deliver learning solutions within tight deadlines.
Worked closely with subject matter experts to create and prepare documents in an organized, consistent, and professional manner.

5. Training Documentation

Here's how technical writer/trainers use training documentation:

Developed and tested training documentation to train 450 service locations throughout the U.S.
Provided all training and produced all training documentation for the Global Dial project.

6. Technical Training

Technical Training refers to the act of teaching individuals the technical skills needed for various positions. This training may be on a form of software (though this doesn't include any coding technology), how to repair a piece of machinery, or how to operate a piece of machinery.

Here's how technical writer/trainers use technical training:

Provided technical training and educational development to various students.
Field-tested technical training using an interactive approach.

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7. Training Sessions

Here's how technical writer/trainers use training sessions:

Conducted one-on-one training sessions on Remote Access and provided documentation to users for future reference.
Developed and conducted technical and end-user software training sessions.

8. SMEs

Here's how technical writer/trainers use smes:

Interviewed and collaborated with SMEs to complete needs analysis and create training content.
Collaborated with SMEs to research, write, and edit training modules.

9. PowerPoint

Here's how technical writer/trainers use powerpoint:

Assist attorneys with creating and editing PowerPoint presentations for closing argument court presentations.
Create and deliver PowerPoint presentations to inspire senior management buy-in and approval.

10. User Manuals

Here's how technical writer/trainers use user manuals:

Developed Installation/Service and User Manuals for computerized drive-on brake tester used for state safety inspection programs.
Designed and implemented comprehensive on-site customer support program consisting of user manuals and interactive training modules.

11. User Guides

A user guide or manual is proposed to assist people in using a certain mechanical system. Usually scripted by a technical writer, it can also be written by project managers, programmers, product managers, or other technical staff, especially in a small company. User guides are mostly written for computer hardware, computer software, electronic goods but they can be written for almost any product. Most user guides are written in more than one language and contain associated images to enable users to understand better.

Here's how technical writer/trainers use user guides:

Utilized technical writing skills to produce customer-specific and user-friendly software user guides and best practice handouts for customers.
Developed and created product-related documents including technical manuals, user guides, and reference.

12. QA

QA, or Quality Assurance is a procedure that entails all of the steps taken to avoid any errors in the manufacturing process or in the production of the goods that a company produces. It can also include ensuring the consistency of the services rendered. Quality assurance ensures that the quality of the service delivered to consumers meets or exceeds the promised expectations. This greatly aids in the prevention of any complications that might arise after the goods or services have been distributed. It makes sure that customers are satisfied.

Here's how technical writer/trainers use qa:

Worked with QA, QC Lab, Docs Control, Manufacturing, Packaging, Regulatory, and Supply Chain personnel.
Provide support to the CIP Software Engineering manager for process improvement and Software CDRL QA development and delivery.

13. Software Documentation

Here's how technical writer/trainers use software documentation:

Created Document Control infrastructure, procedures, and Document Index for the Compliance Department to manage the software documentation.
Developed technical software documentation for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) team, end users, and vendors.

14. Learning Management System

A learning management system or LMS is application software used for administration, tracking, or documentation purposes in education institutes, offices, learning, or training programs. It streamlines the daily chores and reduces the time spent on manual administration tasks. LMS provides a broad array of access to eLearning platforms and also reduces learning and development costs. Google Classrooms, Blackboard Learn are examples of learning management systems

Here's how technical writer/trainers use learning management system:

Trained clients on the use of the Enterprise Learning Management System, SABA, Blackboard, and WebCT.
Developed and uploaded courses on the Learning Management System (LMS), which were SCORM compliant.

15. Visio

Visio or Microsoft Visio is computer software that allows users to create and draw vector graphics according to their requirements. The program is used to draw flowcharts, org charts, data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, and modeling diagrams. Visio is also used to draw architectural designs including; building and floor plans, and 3D geographical maps.

Here's how technical writer/trainers use visio:

Created graphics using Visio Professional software.
Supported work events and teams writing, editing, and testing documentation using Microsoft Office and Visio.

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What skills help Technical Writer/Trainers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What technical writer/trainer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Thomas Reynolds

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota

Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.

I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well-trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates, such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.

What type of skills will young technical writer/trainers need?

Dr. Christina Fisanick

Associate Professor of English, California University of Pennsylvania

College graduates in 2021 and beyond, need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.

What technical skills for a technical writer/trainer stand out to employers?

Kate Kurtin Ph.D.

Associate Professor, California State University, Los Angeles

Every article on the subject says that communication skills are the most important skills to have when on the job market - and this is not my bias speaking, even Warren Buffet said it! Public speaking, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, etc., these are things that stand out to employers.

What hard/technical skills are most important for technical writer/trainers?

Kate Cunningham

Multimedia communication instructor, University of New Mexico

As you can imagine, journalism has become more and more digital, and technical skills play more of a role than they did just a few years ago. For example, if you understand the basics of publishing using a content management system, that's an advantage. If you can add good quality and well-edited video to your online news story, that's an advantage too. Video, for example, helps you add new dimensions to your story and brings in new audience members. We know some people will watch a video and not read a story and vice versa.

Other important technical skills include knowing how to use spreadsheets to analyze data.

Do you want to know more?

List of technical writer/trainer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a technical writer/trainer resume and required skills for a technical writer/trainer to have include:

Training Materials
Technical Documentation
Training Programs
Subject Matter Experts
Training Documentation
Technical Training
Training Sessions
SMEs
PowerPoint
User Manuals
User Guides
QA
Software Documentation
Learning Management System
Visio
SharePoint
Training Manuals

ELearning
Instructional Design
R
HTML
Maintenance Manuals
Technical Manuals
Training Courses
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Captivate
Led Training
Course Materials
Installation Guides
Windows
DOD
Customer Support
Intranet
Training Classes

RoboHelp
Instructor Guides
Course Content
End-User Documentation
ISO
Software Applications
SQL
SnagIt
XML
Unix
Training Modules
FrameMaker
Blended Learning
Software Products
Training Videos

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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Updated January 8, 2025

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