Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Technical Writer
What technical writers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a technical writer?
Review product release notes and plan documentation updates. From there, the day usually includes interview subject matter experts, test products and procedures, and write manuals, guides and help content. Most work full-time with deadlines tied to product releases.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a technical writer working full time.
- Review product release notes and plan documentation updates.
- Interview an engineer about a new feature.
- Test the feature and capture screenshots.
- Write a how-to article.
- Update API reference docs.
- Review edits with the product team.
- Publish updates to the help center.
Where technical writers work
Technical writers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers.
Hours and schedule
Most work full-time with deadlines tied to product releases.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Interview subject matter experts
- Test products and procedures
- Write manuals, guides and help content
- Create API and developer documentation
- Edit and update documents
- Create diagrams and screenshots
- Manage documentation tools and style guides
Tools you’ll use every day
- MadCap Flare or similar authoring tools
- Markdown and Git
- Confluence
- Snagit and screen capture tools
- Diagram tools
- Content management systems
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Remote-friendly
- Good pay
- Learn about many technologies
- Clear, focused work
What’s hard
- Chasing busy experts
- Release deadlines
- Docs can be undervalued
- Constant updates
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I explain things clearly
- I enjoy learning technology
- I like writing
- I’m detail-oriented
- I want remote work
- I can work with engineers
Not sure? Take the free Technical Writer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect confidential product information
- Ensure safety warnings are accurate
- Use ergonomic setups
- Follow accessibility guidelines