Your technical writer cover letter is your opportunity to free yourself from the constraints of documentation and show off your talent for persuasive writing. An application letter that complements your resume by adding personality and powerful reasoning is the best way to get that interview.
Although it’s your ability to painstakingly detail technical procedure, a cover letter for a technical writer that sticks to the dry facts has little chance of advancing your candidacy.
Grab the attention of the recruiter by showcasing your flair for language in a one-page cover letter that tells the story of your career.
Technical writer full text-only cover letter example
Dear Mr. Brown,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Technical Writer position at Google. With a solid background in creating user-friendly and informative technical documentation, I am confident that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of this role.
As a skilled technical writer, I have a proven track record of developing clear, concise, and comprehensive user manuals, installation guides, and other technical materials. My ability to break down complex technical concepts into easily understandable language has been instrumental in improving user adoption and satisfaction for the products I have documented.
In my current role as a Technical Writer at Microsoft, I have successfully created and maintained documentation for a wide range of software applications and hardware products, including Microsoft Office, Windows, and Surface devices. I collaborate closely with subject matter experts, including developers, engineers, and product managers, to gather information and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the documentation. Additionally, I have experience using various authoring tools, such as MadCap Flare and Adobe RoboHelp, to create visually appealing and interactive content.
One of my notable achievements was the development of a comprehensive user guide for Microsoft Teams, a complex enterprise collaboration platform. By conducting thorough research, interviewing key stakeholders, and analyzing user feedback, I created a guide that significantly reduced the number of support calls and increased user satisfaction by 30%. This experience demonstrates my ability to understand user needs, gather relevant information, and create documentation that effectively supports the end-user.
I am particularly drawn to Google's commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative products and services that improve people's lives. I believe my technical writing skills, coupled with my ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and my dedication to continuous improvement, would make me a valuable contributor to your organization.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of your technical writing team.
Sincerely,
Sandra Bloom
Sections of a technical writer cover letter
The simple part for you will be understanding that even freeform writing follows a structure. Your cover letter for a technical writer comprises six components, each one building you status as a great candidate:
- Cover letter header. This graphic element of your letter contains your contact information and the date. It’s a visual welcome to your reader.
- Greeting. Address the hiring manager by last name and appropriate honorific whenever possible. A personal connection goes a long way toward goodwill.
- Introduction. Start out with an impressive detail about your career and end with hook that will keep them reading.
- Body. These 2-3 paragraphs form the bulk of your letter. Bring out the highlights of your career and the skills you used to achieve success. Put the pieces together by directly stating how these attributes will translate into excellent performance in your new position.
- Conclusion. Strongly restate your main point and summarize your qualifications. Finish with a polite request for an interview.
- Signature. Sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best Regards” and your full name.
Our other related cover letter examples from the technology sector offer more ideas:
For an overview of application writing and general information on each section, read our article on how to write a cover letter.
Once you’ve designed your header (in a style that complements your resume) and personally addressed the recruiter, it’s time to roll out an introduction that wows.
Introduction of a technical writer cover letter
To start off your technical writer cover letter, choose a great achievement that illustrates what makes you an excellent candidate. The best examples demonstrate what you can do for your prospective employer. Anything less and your reader may stop reading at the first period.
Dear Ms. Seaver,
Throughout my career, I have deciphered complex technical language into clear, concise directions. In my latest project, I redesigned a product manual, leading to 15% reduction in calls to customer service. My dedication to accuracy and commitment to web-enabled high-quality content will make me a valuable addition to your technical writing staff.
Dear Kathy,
I read your job description for a technical writer and believe I am an excellent candidate. I have more than 5 years of experience doing exactly what your ad calls for.
Stating what you have done tells less than half the story. The persuasiveness comes with how your action helped your employer. Produce error-free documentation time after time? Increase customer satisfaction or produce a ‘15% reduction in calls to customer service’? That’s what a recruiter wants to hear.
The key question all application documents should be answering is: “What can you do for me?” The more details you provide, the clearer picture the hiring manager will get.
Dear Mr. Brown,
I am writing to express my strong interest in the Technical Writer position at Google. With a solid background in creating user-friendly and informative technical documentation, I am confident that my skills and experience align well with the requirements of this role.
Body of a cover letter for a technical writer
Just as there is an outline of sections to include, there is also a detailed template for the body of a cover letter:
- Shine a light on your successes and work experience
- Describe your professional style and how it fits with company culture
- Finish strong with an iteration of your main point
- Make sure your reader knows you’re eager for them to get in touch
First body paragraph: your suitability for the role (skills & experience)
The meat of your career belongs in the first body paragraph of your cover letter. Your aim here is to artfully describe the experience and skills that match this particular job.
Combine some or all of the following pieces into a career story of success:
- Technological knowledge. Technical writing is a broad field, so pinpoint your expertise and give an example of how you applied your complex understanding.
- Writing. Obviously, every part of your application is a testament to your writing skills, but show how you break down complicated concepts for nontechnical experts.
- Understanding of the product user. You’re writing for an audience – or several audiences – and you need to know how they will use the product, what experience they expect and how to incorporate that knowledge into everything you write.
- Proficiency in soft writing tools. Technical writing jobs may require document management, layout design, or audio-video editing, so detail any software you know by name.
- Communication. Not just with end-users, but with the multidisciplinary team that is designing other aspects of the product.
Second body paragraph(s): alignment with the organization
Skills and accomplishments are only part of what HR is looking for. They want to know if you’re a good fit for the organization.
For example, Salesforce, which employees many technical writers, lists the following as its core values:
- “In trust we trust.”
- “ When our customers succeed, we succeed.”
- “Sparking change with innovation.”
- “Equality for all.”
What examples from your career can you use to illustrate these values? Incorporate some of these values into your technical writer cover letter to show that your philosophy and the company’s align.
The company’s mission statement and its human resources (or people) pages website should give you an idea of its culture and philosophy. Also check LinkedIn for posts from its leadership team or employees. Online reviews from the public will add insight.
As a skilled technical writer, I have a proven track record of developing clear, concise, and comprehensive user manuals, installation guides, and other technical materials. My ability to break down complex technical concepts into easily understandable language has been instrumental in improving user adoption and satisfaction for the products I have documented.
In my current role as a Technical Writer at Microsoft, I have successfully created and maintained documentation for a wide range of software applications and hardware products, including Microsoft Office, Windows, and Surface devices. I collaborate closely with subject matter experts, including developers, engineers, and product managers, to gather information and ensure the accuracy and completeness of the documentation. Additionally, I have experience using various authoring tools, such as MadCap Flare and Adobe RoboHelp, to create visually appealing and interactive content.
One of my notable achievements was the development of a comprehensive user guide for Microsoft Teams, a complex enterprise collaboration platform. By conducting thorough research, interviewing key stakeholders, and analyzing user feedback, I created a guide that significantly reduced the number of support calls and increased user satisfaction by 30%. This experience demonstrates my ability to understand user needs, gather relevant information, and create documentation that effectively supports the end-user.
I am particularly drawn to Google's commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative products and services that improve people's lives. I believe my technical writing skills, coupled with my ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and my dedication to continuous improvement, would make me a valuable contributor to your organization.
Call to action & conclusion: leave an enthusiastic impression
Any sample cover letter for a technical writer will include a call to action, but first you must convince the recruiter to reach out with a strong final statement. All persuasive writing ends with a reiteration of the main idea to keep it fresh.
Make sure the recruiter knows you are excited by the opportunity and are looking forward to the chance to discuss how your skills and professional style will be an asset to the job.
Thank them for taking the time to review your letter and sign off with “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and your full name.
Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss further how my skills and experience can contribute to the success of your technical writing team.
Sincerely,
Sandra Bloom
How to write a technical writer cover letter with no experience
Crafting a compelling technical writer cover letter when you have no experience means focusing on transferable skills, soft skills and any general job experience you may have.
These categories can all demonstrate abilities recruiters seek when hiring for entry-level positions:
- Knowledge of software and technology. Any computer skills or programs you are proficient in, especially writing, editing and design programs demonstrate foundational skills for a technical writer.
- Certificates, seminars or other educational accomplishments. If you have completed a technical writing course, or other related certifications, they may stand in for direct experience and show your interest in the field.
- Customer service. Technical writers are designing for end users. Experience working with and catering to customers is a valued skill.
- Experience in other technical positions. This goes along with technical knowledge. Emphasize any expertise you have in the industry in which you are applying.
Although you may not have any technical writing experience, knowledge and related work counts in your favor.
Key takeaways
A cover letter may seem like it does not have a structure, but it does. Loosen up your technical writing style to create a persuasive case for employment that shows off your understanding of users as well as your technical know-how.
Our cover letter builder will guide you through the process of developing a dynamic technical writer cover letter, and upgrade your chances of getting that all-important interview!
