Embarking on your job hunt, you've diligently crafted your resume, only to realize a compelling technical writer cover letter is also expected. The challenge lies not in rehashing your resume, but in sharing a riveting narrative of your proudest professional milestone. Striking a balance between formal tone and original expression can be tricky, and within the confines of a single page, every word must count. Let's navigate these waters, ensuring your cover letter stands out without sounding like everyone else's.
- Step your best foot forward in the technical writer cover letter introduction;
- Be inspired by other professionals' certified cover letters;
- Structure your technical writer cover letter to feature what matters most;
- Close off your technical writer cover letter to make a memorable impression on recruiters.
But where to start writing? Upload your resume into Enhancv's AI, which will prepare your technical writer cover letter (all you need to do is personalize it, and you'll be good to go).
If the technical writer isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
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- Python Programmer cover letter example
- Help Desk Manager cover letter example
- Platform Engineer cover letter example
- SQL Developer cover letter example
- Computer Science cover letter example
- Salesforce cover letter example
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Technical writer cover letter example
Charlotte May
Bangalore, Karnataka
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Directly addressing the key responsibilities of the position - The cover letter highlights the candidate's success in creating user-friendly technical documentation, directly tying into the core responsibilities of a Technical Writer.
- Demonstrating relevant achievements - Mentioning the development of 10 comprehensive manuals and spearheading a user feedback initiative showcases past work experience that is relevant and impactful, thus catching the hiring manager's attention.
- Emphasizing the importance of the user experience - By focusing on user interviews and process improvements, the candidate positions themselves as customer-centric, which is highly valued in roles that require simplifying complex information for end-users.
- Stating eagerness to contribute to the team - Proactive language about bringing skills to the team and contributing to organizational success shows enthusiasm and readiness to become a collaborative team member.
The visual appeal of your technical writer cover letter: format, font, and structure
When using our cover letter builder, make sure to include these vital sections:
- Header (with your name, contact details, the role, and date);
- Greeting (that's personalized to the recruiter);
- Introductory paragraph (to capture attention);
- Body paragraph (to tell a story of how you've obtained your job-crucial skills);
- Closing paragraph (ending with a nod to the future ahead);
- Signature (that is not a must).
Our cover letter templates are already set up for you with the best technical writer cover letter design with single-spaced paragraphs and a one-inch margin.
As for the font of your technical writer cover letter, use the same one as you did in your resume (where modern and simple fonts, like Rubik and Bitter, take precedence over Arial and Times New Roman).
Your technical writer cover letter is created with the recruiters in mind - as no Applicant Tracker System looks over this part of your profile.
When sending over your technical writer cover letter, download it in PDF. This format allows your information and design to stay intact and to keep the same visual quality.
The top sections on a technical writer cover letter
- Header (including the date, your contact information, and the employer's contact information): This establishes the professional format of your cover letter and provides easy access to your details for the recruiter.
- Greeting (addressed to the specific hiring manager or team, if known): Personalizing the greeting shows that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the position at that particular company.
- Introduction (briefly stating the position you are applying for and your enthusiasm about the role): It draws in the recruiter and gives context to your application, showing that you are focused on the role of a technical writer.
- Body (highlighting your relevant experience, understanding of complex technical content, and ability to convey it clearly to varied audiences): This demonstrates that you possess the key skills necessary for a technical writer, such as writing proficiency, technical understanding, and the ability to simplify complex information.
- Closing (reiterating your interest in the role and indicating your availability for an interview, followed by a professional sign-off): It wraps up your letter with a call to action, prompting the recruiter to move forward with your application.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
- Proficiency in technical writing tools and software: Recruiters look for candidates skilled in tools like MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, and Microsoft Visio, as this proficiency allows for efficient documentation creation and management.
- Strong understanding of technical concepts: A technical writer must be able to understand complex technical information to accurately translate it for a variety of audiences.
- Excellent writing and grammatical skills: This ensures the production of clear, concise, and error-free documentation, which is critical in technical communication.
- Experience with documentation lifecycle management: Knowing how to manage updates, revisions, and version control is crucial for maintaining the integrity of technical documents.
- Ability to work with cross-functional teams: Technical writers often collaborate with engineers, product managers, and customer support teams, so strong teamwork skills are essential.
- Attention to detail: Precision is key in technical documentation to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure that all necessary information is included.
How to greet recruiters in your technical writer cover letter salutation
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
Write your technical writer cover letter salutation to be more personalized to the actual hiring manager, who is set to assess your profile by:
- greeting them on a first-name basis, if you have previously communicated with them (e.g. "Dear Sam,");
- using their last name, if you have more formal communication or haven't spoken to them (e.g. "Dear Mr. Harrows" or "Dear Ms. Marshall");
- writing "Dear HR Team" or "Dear Hiring Manager", if you have no clue about who's recruiting for the role.
Search on LinkedIn, Google, or the company website to find information as to the recruiter's name.
In any case, avoid the impersonal "Dear Sir or Madam".
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Dear [Job Title] Search Committee,
- Dear [Job Title] Hiring Committee,
How to start your technical writer cover letter introduction
The opening paragraph of your technical writer cover letter can seem like a real enigma.
Where do you start writing?
In your technical writer cover letter introduction, focus on yourself by stating what:
- gets you motivated and excited about the role;
- you like best about the company, from culture to awards.
Write no more than two sentences, which are both authentic and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
Structuring your technical writer cover letter body to add more value
You've hinted at your value as a professional (this may be your passion for the job or interest in the company) in your introduction.
Next, it's time to pan out the body or middle of your technical writer cover letter.
When creating your resume, you've probably gone over the advert a million times to select the most relevant skills.
Well, it's time to repeat this activity. Or just copy and paste your previous list of job-crucial requirements.
Then, select one of your past accomplishments, which is relevant and would impress hiring managers.
Write between three and six paragraphs to focus on the value your professional achievement would bring to your potential, new organization.
Tell a story around your success that ultimately shows off your real value as a professional.
A sincere and original way to end your technical writer cover letter
When writing their technical writer cover letter, candidates tend to use one of these phrases, "Sincerely yours" or "I look forward to hearing from you".
Both statements show good manners, but your cover letter should end in a more actionable manner.
Write about:
- how you see yourself growing in the role/organization;
- the benefits you would bring about (you'd impress even more with tangible metrics);
- the next steps in the process (provide your availability for interviews).
The zero experience technical writer cover letter: shifting the focus to your unique value
Don't worry if you have no conventional professional experience. Within your whole experience, there's plenty more you can write about in your technical writer cover letter.
Take, for example, your biggest achievement or award - dedicate your cover letter body to describe it and the job-relevant skills you've learned.
Your professional ambitions could also take center stage. Describe what you plan on achieving in the next five to ten years and the efforts you're making towards your dreams.
Key takeaways
Creating your technical writer cover letter should be a personalized experience for the role and the recruiter, where you:
- Format your cover letter using the same ATS-friendly font (e.g. Railway) as you did for your resume;
- Greet recruiters, using their name, and follow up with two sentences to introduce yourself, your interest in the role, and to stand out;
- Map out one key success from your career (or life) that has taught you job-crucial skills;
- Substitute your lack of experience with an achievement from your internships, degrees, or volunteering gigs;
- End with a promise for your potential or your availability for an interview.
