Job Search Checklist
Preparation Phase
Update your resume
Use a conservative resume template. Don’t use “funky fonts” and don’t include
personal details like hobbies.
The title should match the job listing: Technical Writer; Technical Communicator;
Information Architect, etc. Use the largest font for this.
Prepare several versions (one for each position you are applying for). You may
need different versions in Word, PDF, and Text (to embed in emails).
Don’t forget to include your participation in “Become a Technical Writer”. To help,
there is example text in the Marketing module.
Test your resume
Show your resume to several people and get their suggestions.
Consider paying to have a professional rework it for you ($200-300). This is
especially helpful if your resume is longer than one page.
Send it to a staffing agency for technical writers (e.g., Writing Assistance Inc).
with a request to review it: “I’ve recently made a career change to Technical
Writer. Would you mind reviewing it to see if it meets your expectations?”
Define your limits
Consider geographic preferences, salary, and job type. Don’t apply for jobs that
don’t fit your limits.
Understand and use your network
Using LinkedIn.com first, list everyone you know (categorize and prioritize).
Polish your LinkedIn.com profile. Employers often look this up first. Include a
good headshot if you have one.
Create an “incognito” or “private” page in your browser and search for yourself.
Delete anything that doesn’t align with the image you’d like to portray to a future
employer. Be objective or ask a friend for help with this.
Be organized and use a record keeping system
Set up an appointment calendar (Google integrates with most meeting invites).
There are great free tools to track calls/messages, companies/people contacted,
resumes sent, responses received, meeting and phone call notes, interviews,
thank you notes, etc. Examples include Airtable and Evernote.
Keep daily and weekly goals. Measure applications rather than interviews, which
you can’t control.
Contact any references
Contact professional and personal references about your career plans. Offer
them generously in each application (they aren’t necessary in your resume).
Practice your "reasons for career change" speech
If you plan to leave your current job, prepare a professional email explaining
why. Save it as a draft. This will help organize your thoughts.
Practice so you can speak about the change fluently.
Prepare cover letters
Avoid long-winded, formulaic approaches. Try one or two paragraphs (at most).
Research the company and mention something sincere at the start. This gets
noticed! “Me, my, I, my, me” are quickly tedious for hiring managers.
Use hemingwayapp.com to shorten your sentences and paragraphs. Go for
grade eight level at the most. Sixth grade is perfect.
Set up e-mail and voicemail
If you can, invest in your own domain name and a corresponding email service
(e.g., Google, for $7 a month or a domain host, which might be cheaper).
Create a good email signature. As an example:
Kind regards,
Joe Schlobotnik
Technical Writer
C: 201-341-9191
Detroit, MI
Open to travel or relocation
Whether you buy a domain name or use [email protected], use this
exclusively for job communications. It’s easier to manage if you’re not mixing this
with newsletters, personal bills, etc (and you’ll likely receive spam!).
Check and professionalize your voicemail message.
Double check your portfolio
Polish your portfolio. It should be your best work. Any descriptions should be
helpful but not wordy/chatty.
Display your email address and/or contact form prominently. If you include an
“About” page, keep it professional.
Ask Bobby Kennedy to review it.
Ask friends, colleagues, and other classmates in “Become a Technical Writer” to
review it.
Passive Job Search
Register with job search sites, such as Dice.com, Indeed.com, Ziprecruiter.com,
Careerbuilder.com (if in the USA).
Create an agent/alert for each site, preferably multiple, perhaps by city. For
example: Technical Writer, Orlando; Technical Writer, Miami.
If you live near a city, add any extra job search sites in the categories below:
• Conventional (resume sites, networking sites).
• Unconventional (local/regional directories, e.g., Build NYC).
• "Guerrilla" (Google alerts, direct marketing to companies).
Sign up for Google Alerts. Get creative and adjust them to increase their
effectiveness. For example: Remote Technical Writer, Canada.
Active Job Search
Consider joining STC.org if you have a good local chapter (chapters vary in
activity and quality).
Join a career-orientated support group (e.g., meetup.org).
Run active searches using the sites listed above by varying some keywords. (For
example, try Technical Communicator instead of Technical Writer.)
Do the same with Linkedin.com and any regional sites on your list (see Passive
Job Search).
Keep your information updated as changes happen with you and the job market.
Attend practice interviews as part of the “Become a Technical Writer” course.
Practice interview questions and answers.
Consider open source (volunteer work).
Check the “Write the Docs” job board regularly (on Slack).
Weekly Tasks
E-mails, letters, and thank you notes (especially after interviews).
Update and review your job search plan.
Update your list of tasks to be completed.
Update your weekly calendar.
Take part in any other relevant networking activities.
Daily Tasks
Check e-mail several times a day.
Conduct active internet job searches.
Check job postings on target company websites.
