Technical Author Requirements, Skills & Qualifications

The following common skills and qualifications are required of a Technical Author:

Bachelor's degree in relevant field.
Good command of grammar and vocabulary
Ability to express instructions clearly and briefly in simple language
A concern for verbal consistency and an appreciation of tone and style
Good documentation skills and the ability to produce visually attractive instructions
Interpersonal and communication skills to effectively gather information
Ability to grasp and structure large amounts of information and anticipate the reader's knowledge gaps
An enquiring mind with attention to detail
Editorial judgement
Accuracy and a methodical approach to work
Ability to work to tight schedules
Excellent planning and organisational skills
Analytical and questioning skills to get information from experts
Ability to work successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team
Good understanding of computers and other communication tools.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Technical Author skill, qualifications and experience. Job requirements for specific Technical Author roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.

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