Looking for a new challenge? Want to try your hand at something different? Interested in a lucrative career change? Want to know how to get a job writing instructional manuals? Keep reading.
Education And Training
To become a technical author, you will need a combination of education and training. For the education part, you will need a technical background, along with a good understanding of how instruction works. The training part involves learning how to write a manual from scratch. However, you do not necessarily need to have completed a formal writing education to succeed as a technical author. What is essential is a good understanding of how to structure a document and how to use the right terminology.
The ROI Of Technical Authors
The return on investment (ROI) of a technical author is extremely high. Depending on the sophistication of your audience, you can expect to make back what you spent on your education in less than 24 months, at the very least. The growth rate of the technical writing jobs market is also quite promising, especially considering that companies often have a longer acquisition stage before they hire a new employee.
A manual is a type of instructional material that is mostly static and needs to be updated regularly. For this reason, technical authors can expect to see high volumes of work for a long time. The skills that you develop while writing a manual are transferable, so even if you do not end up in a career as a technical author, you will still be able to use what you learn while writing a manual.
Where To Look For Work
If you are looking for a new challenge in a career, technical authorship is one of the most lucrative options that you have. However, finding work can be difficult, especially if you do not have any previous experience in the field. One way to get started is to seek out freelancing opportunities, as there are always opportunities for freelance writers. What is more, if you are able to prove your talent, there will be no shortage of opportunities for you.
Summary
If you have an interest in trying something new, how to get a job writing instructional manuals may be a better option than you think. With high demand and a lucrative future, anyone would be lucky to be a technical author.