Your guide to become an Technical Writer in Malaysia

Average Salary
3,000 - 4,000

Job Demand

Who is an Technical Writer

Technical Writers are professionals who transform complex technical information of a product or service into layman’s term.

A Technical Writer’s job is to simplify technical terms so that consumers will be able to understand it. Think of it this way: if the product is a smartphone and the technical document is the manual, then the technical writer here must be a tech-savvy enthusiast. They need to know what exactly is a processor, audio jack, NFC, bluetooth, storage, etc. in order to provide a comprehensive, clear and easy-to-understand guide for amateur consumers so they understand the specs of the smartphone before purchasing it. They usually prepare and design documents such as online help systems, user interface texts and develop usability tests that will help the reader use a certain product or service.

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The pros and cons of being an Technical Writer

Pros

Job market expected to grow fast
Able to be versatile because you have the opportunity to write about different things such as technology, telecommunications, healthcare, software, etc.
Can work as freelancer so you have flexible working hours
Able to enhance your skills in the technical aspect

Cons

Demands patience, focus and long attention spans
Most writers like to write when they feel inspired but they have to meet tight deadlines
May feel bored of constantly researching and writing

What are all the responsibilities of an Technical Writer ?

Prepare illustrations
Discuss with developers about technical issues
Liaise with translators
Gather information and sort the information
Organise information based on the needs of the user
Edit your work
Market yourself to potential clients if you are a freelancer
Stay updated with technical trends

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What skills do you need to become an Technical Writer?

Knowledge in the field

How are you supposed to write about something you’re not familiar with? Technical Writers are expected to know every single detail of the product or service in order to break it down in a simpler form for others to understand. This requires lots of reading, researching and communicating with people in the industry. You must also be familiar with the latest trends in that industry. Perhaps a new gadget is releasing soon so you should be the first to know about it.

Good language skills

Unlike other writers or journalists, you specialise in writing for technical products so you don’t necessarily have to be creative in your words. Just ensure the sentence structure, grammar and spelling is correct and meaning is accurate because most of what you will be writing is factual anyway. You need to write in a clear and concise manner so your consumers will find it easy to understand.

Attention to detail

Technical Writers must pay very close attention to detail, be it the product itself or the way they write in order to ensure what they’re writing is accurate. Missing out just one function of the product would be detrimental to its sales. You also need to be careful of the choice of words, style of writing and terms you use to avoid misinterpretation.

What field(s) of study should you choose to become an Technical Writer?

Communications
Computer Science
Information System
Language Studies
Journalism
Computer Engineering

What are the requirements to be an Technical Writer?

The requirements to be a Technical Writer depends on the field you choose to venture into. This can range from computer hardware and software, engineering, biotechnology, electronics, finance, the healthcare industry, etc. If you wish to be a Technical Writer in the IT industry, then obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering is necessary. However, graduates in this field are not guaranteed this job. It also requires good writing skills.

What are the working hours of an Technical Writer

Technical Writers work regular office hours, usually from 9am to 5pm. Occasionally, they might have to work overtime to meet deadlines. Typically, they work in a comfortable office environment facing the computer most of the time but they will still have to attend product launches by their clients.

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