Technical Writer resume example & keywords

Technology · Updated 2026-06-11

A technical writer resume shows docs that unblocked users or developers - articles shipped, tickets deflected, adoption of guides - and tools like docs-as-code, APIs, and style guides. Mirror the posting's stack so ATS keyword filters recognize your domain fit.

What skills should a technical writer resume include?

Hard skills (the keyword layer - mirror the posting's exact wording where true of you):

• Docs-as-code (Markdown / Git)
• API documentation
• Style guides / voice
• Information architecture
• Screenshots & diagrams
• Static site generators
• Issue tracking collaboration
• Release note writing
• Audience analysis
• Basic HTML/CSS

Soft skills - shown through bullets, not listed as adjectives:

• Clarity
• Interviewing SMEs
• Editorial judgment
• Deadline reliability

ATS keywords for technical writer roles

Terms recruiters search and applicant tracking systems rank on for this title - work the true ones into your bullets and skills section (see how ATS screening works):

• technical writing
• documentation
• API docs
• developer documentation
• knowledge base
• user guides
• content strategy
• docs-as-code
• release notes
• information architecture
• style guide
• technical communicator

Example resume bullet points

Quantified patterns to adapt to your own numbers - never copy claims that aren't yours. When you have a specific posting, tailor your resume to the job description so keywords and bullets match what that employer asks for:

• Rewrote onboarding docs that cut support tickets 19% on the top three how-to intents.
• Shipped OpenAPI-aligned reference pages covering 40 endpoints with copy-ready examples.
• Migrated a Confluence corpus to docs-as-code, enabling PR review by engineering.
• Created a style guide adopted by five writers, reducing edit cycles on launch week.
• Partnered with support to publish 12 troubleshooting playbooks before a major release.
• Measured doc helpfulness ratings rising from 3.1 to 4.4 on the core getting-started path.

What do recruiters look for in a technical writer resume?

Technical writing screens look for domain fit (devdocs vs end-user) and evidence docs changed behavior. Soft claims of 'excellent communicator' without metrics or links underperform. Include a docs portfolio URL when allowed.

Tips that move interviews

• State audience (developers, admins, end users) per role.
• Name the docs toolchain from the posting when you used it.
• Link public docs; keep proprietary samples described, not pasted.

Tech writing pay varies by software vs hardware domain and senior IC vs lead; check STC surveys and local market data.