I have experience hiring technical writers. One of the teams I manage does documentation and training.
- Do you have any general tips for breaking into the field?
As a hiring manager, I'm looking for a degree in communications, English, journalism or equivalent work experience. If you have no prior experience, then I need to be looking for an entry level candidate first and foremost. If you have similar experience that could be applicable, then my job opening should be for a junior or low intermediate position. Also, I need to assess how close your similar experience is to the core responsibilities of a technical writer so that I can evaluate how much more ramp-up time you'll need as compared to someone who has a firm foundation in technical writing. I'd balance this against other strengths you may bring to the position that a technical writer generalist might not have. For example, if the material we're documenting is software-related, and you have a journalism degree but have been writing for software journals, I'd weigh that industry-specific experience in your favor against the possibility that it might take you a little longer to ramp up on the finer points of manipulating the English language.
After reading your original post in this thread a few times, I can't determine what your field your previous experience between getting your degree and secondary education was. However, if you have experience as a teacher, that is a strong point in your favor if you will be producing training documentation, especially if it is related to the field you were teaching in. I would not discount any experience you have, even volunteer experience, if it can be connected to the job opening.
In contrast to a previous post I wouldn't expect a technical writer to have experience in the field they are writing about. That would be a unicorn. Also, if someone has substantial experience in a technical discipline they are normally not foregoing the higher salary from an advanced position in a technical field to seek out a job in writing.
Apart from all of this I need someone smart and curious. An inherent and established interest in figuring out what makes the world tick is a core skillset for a technical writer. They must be constantly driven to learn new things.
Finally, expect to be asked for writing samples. Provide high quality writing samples that are representative or related to the type of documentation you'd be producing.
And please, please make sure there are no typos or grammatical mistakes in your resume, cover letter or writing sample. That is an automatic rejection.
- I see that the Society for Technical Communication has a certification program. Is that worth spending roughly $500 to obtain?
No.
- Some local colleges, including the community college near me, offer basic courses in technical writing. Would that be worth the money?
Maybe. I'd consider economically priced courses that fill skills gaps that would be obvious to a hiring manager. Taking a course doesn't count as much as real world experience but it does provide better footing.
I also suggest looking for volunteer writing opportunities, perhaps in local journalism, or self-publishing a short e-book, or producing a newsletter for a local community organization. These are good ways of getting some writing experience that have a low barrier to entry.