---
title: "Introduction to getting a job in technical writing (TW Job)"
date: 2009-09-22
description: "How to get a job in technical writing 1.0 → Introduction to getting a job in technical writing (TW..."
canonical_url: https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/09/22/how-to-get-a-job-in-technical-writing-a-7-step-guide-for-students/index.html
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at https://idratherbewriting.com/llms.txt. Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any page URL.

# Introduction to getting a job in technical writing (TW Job)

1. 1.0 → Introduction to getting a job in technical writing (TW Job)
2. [1.1 Learn the basics of technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/18/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-1-learn-the-basics-of-technical-writing/)
3. [1.2 Get real experience doing technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/19/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-2-get-real-experience-doing-technical-writing/)
4. [1.3 Learn some tools (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/20/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-3-learn-some-tools/)
5. [1.4 Put together a portfolio (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/21/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-4-put-together-a-portfolio/)
6. [1.5 Start a blog (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/23/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-5-start-a-blog/)
7. [1.6 Move to a tech hub city to find a job in technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/24/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-6-move-to-a-tech-city/)
8. [1.7 Volunteer for a position in the STC or other organization (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/25/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-step-7-volunteer-for-a-position-in-the-stc/)
9. [1.8 Podcast on getting a job in technical writing (TW Job)](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/26/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-podcast/)

If you're a college student looking to become a technical writer after you graduate, you face a formidable challenge: you can't get a job without experience, and you can't get experience without a job. Especially in a competitive job market, getting a job as a technical writer directly after you graduate -- without a foundation of previous jobs, experience with a handful of tools, and an impressive portfolio -- can be especially difficult. However, if you follow these seven steps, which are not easy, not something you can do overnight, you will find a job.

Note: In a couple of weeks I'm giving a presentation to [Brigham Young University Idaho](http://www.byui.edu/) students with this post's topic (getting a job as a technical writer). My presentation is part of their annual professional writing conference. Oct 09 update: Here's [a recording of the presentation](https://idratherbewriting.com/2009/12/26/get-a-job-in-technical-writing-podcast/).

Last week on Twitter I asked my followers what advice they would give to students on finding a job in technical writing. Here are the responses:

> **[plaindocs](https://twitter.com/plaindocs):**Show that you are interested in learning about everything!
>
> **[seeb](https://twitter.com/seeb):**don't know if i would advise students on a job on technical writing - would be technical communication..more encompassing!
>
> **[floldun:](https://twitter.com/floldun)** Advice: emphasize what you can do for the company, and know what they need (read and ask around), instead of what you want.
>
> **[AndreaJWenger](https://twitter.com/AndreaJWenger):** Students: identify your one greatest strength (writing, tools, tech, or whatever) and promote yourself as an expert. [#techcomm](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23techcomm)
>
> **[mleeuw](https://twitter.com/mleeuw):** Networking gives job seekers the best chance of finding jobs with the proviso that one needs to be in the right location.
>
> **[kirstyt](https://twitter.com/kirstyt):** Network. Meet tech comm managers. Got both my gigs through meeting the mgr elsewhere/knowing other tech comm staff.
>
> **[FeliciaRenee](https://twitter.com/FeliciaRenee):** Do as many internships as you can before graduating.
>
> **[heidilhansen](https://twitter.com/heidilhansen):** A tip for students is to apply at Tyler Technologies, but seriously online portfolios w/samples is best & knowledge of TC field.
>
> **[larry_kunz](https://twitter.com/larry_kunz):** One piece of advice for [#techcomm](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23techcomm)students: Always be curious, like a reporter or a detective.
>
> **[altmilan](https://twitter.com/altmilan):** start by asking yourself "how do people get hired?", and then asking yourself how one goes about finding this out.
>
> **[jaycie622](https://twitter.com/jaycie622):** Advice to students: Persevere! Keep putting out resumes and don't give up hope.
>
> **[Wordtree](https://twitter.com/Wordtree):** Take an existing guide and rewrite it so you have something for your portfolio.
>
> **[skry](https://twitter.com/skry):** I began tech writing via science journalism. Built a writing portfolio there. Offered to write software doc for coders.

All good advice on how to get a job. Some of the advice is reflected in my recommendations below. Here are my seven steps for college students to get a job in technical writing.