Post job
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippi

Upload your resume to get started.

Technical writing consultant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
Quoted experts
Kara Glenn,
Dr. Stephanie McNulty Ph.D.
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical technical writing consultant skills. We ranked the top skills for technical writing consultants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.7% of technical writing consultant resumes contained framemaker as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a technical writing consultant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 technical writing consultant skills for your resume and career

1. FrameMaker

Here's how technical writing consultants use framemaker:
  • Cleaned up Flare files migrated from FrameMaker and set up Flare files to single-source online Help and PDF online documentation.
  • Managed proposal development, imported content from Word into FrameMaker, edited material, and conducted reviews.

2. R

R is a free software environment and a language used by programmers for statistical computing. The R programming language is famously used for data analysis by data scientists.

Here's how technical writing consultants use r:
  • Demonstrate all functions of base station subsystem to R F Engineers.

3. User Manuals

Here's how technical writing consultants use user manuals:
  • Created and updated user manuals for telecommunication switches and applications.
  • Contract technical writing (technical specifications, user manuals, FDA documentation).

4. 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 writing consultants use technical documentation:
  • Revise, update, and edit on-line and printed technical documentation for complex telecommunications systems using a single-source documentation methodology.
  • Provided ongoing marketing and technical documentation to professional photographic studio including on-site technical assistance when required.

5. Web Site

Here's how technical writing consultants use web site:
  • Edited and updated Web sites.
  • Worked as a Technical Writing Consultant for the following companies: Bax Global: Created three company Intranet web sites.

6. XML

XML is a medium for storing and transporting data that is independent of software and hardware. XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML, like HTML, is a markup language that was created to store and transport data. It was created with the intention of being self-descriptive. There are no predefined tags in the XML language. Another feature is that XML is extensible.

Here's how technical writing consultants use xml:
  • Network Attached Storage (NAS) Developed modular content in DITA using XML editor (ArborText).
  • Converted procedures and other documents from Epic Editor (an XML product from Arbortext) into Documentum.

Choose from 10+ customizable technical writing consultant resume templates

Build a professional technical writing consultant resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your technical writing consultant resume.

7. Photoshop

Here's how technical writing consultants use photoshop:
  • Prepared images for prepress in Photoshop and imported into Word, Publisher, PageMaker or XPress as required.
  • Designed and edited graphics using Adobe PhotoShop and SnagIt for use in documentation.

8. Subject Matter Experts

Here's how technical writing consultants use subject matter experts:
  • Helped subject matter experts in different departments use existing templates with minimal confusion and frustration.
  • Interviewed company executives and other subject matter experts to develop content.

9. HTML

Here's how technical writing consultants use html:
  • Manipulated on-line content using HTML and CMS tools, e.g., Google pages and WordPress.
  • Generated an accompanying HTML online help system.

10. SharePoint

Here's how technical writing consultants use sharepoint:
  • Participated in the documentation repository initiative using SharePoint and BCI Manager.
  • Managed SharePoint documentation repository, including some administrator duties.

11. RoboHelp

Here's how technical writing consultants use robohelp:
  • Developed and designed RoboHelp files for Clinical Pharmacology group.
  • Cleaned up legacy topics migrated from RoboHelp to Flare.

12. Proofread

Proofreading simply carefully checking your text for possible errors like typographical errors or mistakes in grammar, style, and spelling before it can be published or shared. This is generally known as the very last stage of any writing process when you need to fix minor spelling and punctuation mistakes, typos, formatting issues,


and inconsistencies.

Here's how technical writing consultants use proofread:
  • Reviewed and proofread technical content across a variety of components for accuracy and consistency.
  • Proofread and revise internal project documentation.

13. 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 writing consultants use visio:
  • Documented IT Infrastructure Delivery organization's production acceptance and procurement policies and created companion Visio flow diagrams.
  • Developed and designed business processes utilizing Visio and other tools.

14. Training Materials

Here's how technical writing consultants use training materials:
  • Designed, researched and wrote training materials and user documentation for software applications
  • Assisted in the content writing and editing processes for internal training materials and external menu and marketing materials.

15. Technical Manuals

Technical Manuals are informative pieces of writing, often including diagrams and images, which educate the person who is using it and assist them in learning how to control, build, fix, or otherwise handle the product or products which it speaks of. A technical manual is also known more commonly as a user manual and it typically comes with most products, especially items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, software, machinery, and even medication and medical devices.

Here's how technical writing consultants use technical manuals:
  • Conducted research and provided sound information in developing technical manuals.
  • Created technical manuals and requirements documents for OU CCEIT software programs.
top-skills

What skills help Technical Writing Consultants find jobs?

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

What technical writing consultant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Kara GlennKara Glenn LinkedIn profile

Co-Director of Imagewest and Professional-in-Residence, Western Kentucky University

Focus on the digital sphere. Learn more about SEO, Paid Social Media Advertising, AdWords, Head mapping, and user experience.

What type of skills will young technical writing consultants need?

Dr. Stephanie McNulty Ph.D.

Chair and Associate Professor of Government, Franklin and Marshall College

I expect that many of the same skills employers have always sought out will continue to be necessary. These include strong communication skills, working independently and in teams, and the ability to think critically about complex issues and solve complex problems. As a result of the pandemic and ongoing global trends, a strong understanding of and using new or innovative technology to do all of these things is essential. I expect this to continue into the coming years. As the economy shrinks, strong networking skills are also as vital as ever, and I do not wish to change.

What technical skills for a technical writing consultant stand out to employers?

Kate Kurtin Ph.D.Kate Kurtin Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

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 writing consultants?

Michael Munger

Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director, PPE Program, Duke University

Political Science students should take at least one Computer Science class, be able to run a spreadsheet with skill, and be able to write crisp prose that gets to the point.

List of technical writing consultant skills to add to your resume

Technical writing consultant skills

The most important skills for a technical writing consultant resume and required skills for a technical writing consultant to have include:

  • FrameMaker
  • R
  • User Manuals
  • Technical Documentation
  • Web Site
  • XML
  • Photoshop
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • HTML
  • SharePoint
  • RoboHelp
  • Proofread
  • Visio
  • Training Materials
  • Technical Manuals
  • SMEs
  • FDA
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • End User Documentation
  • API
  • Windows
  • QA
  • Web Content
  • Technical Specifications
  • CMS
  • Writing Support
  • RFP
  • PDF
  • Functional Specifications
  • Test Scripts
  • ISO
  • Solidworks
  • Technical Writers
  • Contract Technical
  • Training Classes
  • Training Documentation
  • Unix
  • Technical Reports
  • Source Code
  • Technical Data
  • SOX
  • Approval Process
  • Frontpage
  • Linux

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs