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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/38897
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

In my experience, those who are employing Technical Writers require their writers to have the following:

- A command of the English language.
- Knowledge of writing style, technique and style guides.
- Ability to express complex ideas in a simple fashion.
- Knowledge of the subject matter or field being written about, or a demonstrated ability to learn in a similar field.
- Experience with the [type of documentation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_writing#Technical_documents) being produced. Writers can be asked to write on a broad range of things including project plans, user guides, safety plans, bids and proposals, marketing copy, you name it. In the case of user documentation, an ability to put yourself into the shoes of the consumer (or, being a [user advocate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_Advocacy)) is essential.
- Ability to draw basic diagrams and knowledge of when a diagram is required.
- Knowledge of products, [tools](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technical_writing#Tools), and standards used by Technical Writers (or at least by the employer you are targeting), be it Microsoft Office (Word), HTML, [DITA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Information_Typing_Architecture), [Markdown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markdown), [TeX](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TeX), PDFs, the list goes on...
- Interpersonal skills. You need to be able to interview and absorb information from subject matter experts.
- Research skills. Sometimes the subject matter experts are unavailable (or uncooperative)!
- Last, but not least, a passion for all of the above.

Degrees tick a lot of these boxes and provide [general recognition of your skill](https://www.monash.edu/study/why-choose-monash/information-for-parents/the-benefits-of-university-education) in a particular area. They demonstrate you are interested, committed, and knowledgeable. The more technical the role, the more you will have to demonstrate expertise in that area.

There are several ways that writers can demonstrate their abilities outside of a degree and build up a portfolio:

- Start a blog, or write content for someone elses
- Answer questions on Q&A forums (such as this one)
- Contribute to open source projects (on [GitHub](https://help.github.com/articles/finding-open-source-projects-on-github/) for example)

I'm also of the belief that technical writers must produce the sharpest resume or CV possible to a potential employer. Your resume is the first piece of writing they might see from you, so it needs to be the best.

Original score: 4